LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Las Vegas septic owners are asking the health district to find middle ground underground and grandfather in thousands before a potentially costly rule change for public sewer system hookups.
The Southern Nevada Health District Board of Health held a Thursday meeting in which Las Vegas-area homeowners voiced opposition to a proposed septic tank regulation to convert to public sewer system hookups.
Officials pointed to the hundreds of millions of gallons of water that could be captured, recycled, and reused annually as a reason for the change, but some residents questioned the water authority’s reasoning. The authority for the change sits with the Southern Nevada Health District, after the 2023 passing of Nevada Assembly Bill 220.
The move has been opposed by some state assemblymembers, rural homeowners, and urban dwellers, who have pointed to the change impacting as many as 18,000 residents.
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The newly proposed policy allows for residents to opt out of the voluntary fee of around $200, but with that comes the risk of some paying upwards of $40,000 in conversion costs.
SNHD Health Board Chair and North Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Scott Black said the health district has received feedback from residents and is planning on refining a response to answer questions…