CLARK COUNTY Water Reclamation District
Board of Trustees
AGENDA ITEM
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Petitioner: |
Thomas A. Minwegen, General Manager |
Recommendation:
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Approve and authorize the General Manager to implement Phase 2 of the Clark County Water Reclamation District Septic System Conversion Pilot Program in accordance with the proposed Reimbursable Septic System Conversion Program Guidelines; or take other action as appropriate. (For possible action)
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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Fund #: |
N/A |
Fund Name: |
N/A |
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Fund Center: |
N/A |
Funded PGM/Grant: |
N/A |
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Amount: |
$5,400,000 |
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Description: |
Septic System Conversion Pilot Program - Phase 2 |
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Additional Comments: |
N/A |
BACKGROUND:
On February 21, 2023, the Clark County Board of County Commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with the Clark County Water Reclamation District (District), in partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), authorizing the award and expenditure of $15 million in Clark County Recovery Funds to establish a Septic System Conversion Pilot Program.
The program was established to assist residential and commercial property owners with converting from existing septic systems to the District's sanitary sewer collection system. These conversions provide significant regional benefits by capturing wastewater that would otherwise be discharged into individual septic systems, allowing it to be collected, treated, and returned to Lake Mead. The recovered wastewater generates valuable return-flow credits that support Southern Nevada's Colorado River water resources. Additionally, septic system conversions reduce the discharge of wastewater into the local subsurface environment, helping protect groundwater quality and advance regional public health objectives.
The initial Pilot Program is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2026, in accordance with applicable federal funding eligibility requirements. To date, approximately 255 septic system conversions have been completed under the program.
In April of 2026, SNWA, in partnership with the District, secured $2.106 million in grant funds from the State of Nevada to continue septic conversions, and in July of 2026, the District entered into an Interlocal Agreement with SNWA for $3.294 million in requisite matching funds for the grant.
Building upon the experience and lessons learned during the initial pilot program, Phase 2 will utilize a reimbursement-based funding structure, as outlined in the attached Reimbursable Septic System Conversion Program Guidelines. Under this approach, eligible property owners will be responsible for independently coordinating and completing their septic system conversions, including all necessary planning, permitting, design, construction, inspections, and associated project requirements. Upon satisfactory completion of the conversion and verification of eligible expenditures, property owners may receive reimbursement for 100% of eligible project costs, up to a maximum of $75,000 per property, subject to the availability of program funds and compliance with the approved guidelines.
Phase 2 will continue advancing the District's regional objectives of protecting groundwater quality, improving public health, recovering wastewater resources, and increasing the volume of treated wastewater returned to Lake Mead for the benefit of Southern Nevada's long-term water resource sustainability.
Given the finite availability of grant funding, program participation will be limited to eligible properties within the District's service area, and available resources will be allocated in accordance with the approved program guidelines, with consideration given to environmental benefits, cost efficiency, and the effective utilization of grant funds.
All eligible conversion projects must be completed by April 6, 2029, in accordance with the applicable grant expiration requirements.
This agenda item has been reviewed and approved by the District General Counsel.