KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasNevada's Water Shortage Featured in New Documentary
Jim Thebaut, Director of "Running Dry"
You might have forgotten it this summer, but southern Nevada is in a drought! Our water shortage is featured in a new documentary, which also focuses on much worse problems around the globe.
All fountains in the valley are supposed to be dry, except those at major hotels because of recent drought precautions. But in order to keep the fountain operating a Boca Park, the owners are having to truck water in from out of state.
This problem is relatively minor, though, when you compare it to the immense water struggles facing millions of people in other parts of the world.
"Running Dry"/The Chronicles Group said, "Throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, the thirst for water has increased significantly."
Pat Mulroy, with the Southern Nevada Water Authority, says, "I think the movie was intended to make an impact to raise water to a new level of consciousness in this country."
"Running Dry"/The Chronicles Group adds, "Las Vegas, Nevada's population growth is significant. It is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States."
The documentary's title alone highlights southern Nevada's biggest challenge. Jim Thebaut, director of Running Dry, says, "We, as an entire region, have to come together and start figuring these things out."
Thebaut has traveled the world chronicling the death and destruction brought to cities and countries that lack water. African nations suffer the worst with children dying every few minutes from polluted water.
Scott Hauger said, "Problems are larger in places outside the United States primarily because of population pressure."
Hauger is with the Desert Research Institute, which studies environmental science. He says the U.S. is fairly well off because of a relatively smaller population. But with time comes more people and ultimately more strain on water.
"As a country, we use more per capita than anywhere else in the world. Pat Mulroy believes conservation is key. The documentary explores the worst-case scenarios, which could lead to wars over water.
Thebaut says his film is designed to raise awareness -- to create motivation to act now. "We need to get our policy makers, elected officials and others to start dealing with this issue and make it a high priority."
In many ways southern Nevadans are already making it a high priority by reducing water usage with each passing year even though our population continues to grow.
In 2002, we used about 325,000 acre-feet of water. In 2003, we used around 270,000 acre-feet. And in 2004, we used less than 265,000 acre-feet of water.
Officials attribute the drop to everyone's conservation efforts. And for the year 2005 we are already on pace to use less water than last year.
The director of "Running Dry" hopes to get the documentary picked up by independent movie theaters to reach a wider audience.
