WaterSmart Innovations Technical Tours

Showcasing Southern Nevada's more prominent water-efficiency practices and water resources, WaterSmart Innovations invites conference attendees to participate in a series of technical tours Tuesday, October 7, and Friday, October 10.

Tours will depart from and return to the South Point Hotel & Casino both days. We recommend you wear comfortable clothing and shoes (no flip-flops, please).

Due to security measures, all tour participants will be required to present a valid photo ID (i.e. drivers license or current passport) along with their ticket as they board the bus. On-site facility personnel may also ask to see your photo ID.

If you have a guest that is not attending the conference, but would like to purchase a tour ticket, they can register by going to the conference registration page and entering the authorization code "TOURS" in the authorization code box, which will allow registration for tours only.

The number of participants is limited for each of these popular facility tours, so register early!

Tour Descriptions


Springs Preserve Springs Preserve
Green isn't just a color anymore, it's now a way of life. The Springs Preserve is an example of sustainable living in practice as well as a resource for those interested in "greening" their lifestyle. This tour highlights the sustainable technologies that make the Springs Preserve the largest Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rated commercial building in the Southwest. Explore the Desert Living Center, the constructed wetland that treats waste water, the solar array in the parking lot, and experience a new way of living in harmony with our natural environment.

Departs at 1:00 PM, returns to hotel by 5:00 PM. Cost: $50.00 per person.


Las Vegas Wash Las Vegas Wash
It's an oasis in the desert! Who would have thought there could be wetlands in this arid environment? But it's true; the Las Vegas Wash is an "urban" river, serving as a filter for water-run off and "nuisance" water before it enters Lake Mead, Southern Nevada's primary water source. Experience the Wash and its wetlands from scenic panoramas of the surrounding mountain ranges to wildlife viewing, to experiencing a serenity that comes when you just stand there and listen. Forget for a moment that the lights and glitter of Las Vegas are just a few miles away. You'll be glad you did!

Departs at 1:00 PM, returns to hotel by 4:30 PM. Cost: $30.00 per person.


Red Rock Casino Red Rock Conservation Area and Red Rock Casino
The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area is an explosion of color. Just a few miles west of Las Vegas and encompassing 197,000 acres within the Mojave Desert, Red Rock Canyon is an area of world wide geologic interest and beauty. Your guide will be Zane Marshall, SNWA Environmental Resources Manager, who will share his extensive knowledge of the Red Rock Conservation Area's wildlife, hydrology and Red Rock Conservation Area geology. The last stop of the day will be the Red Rock Casino and Spa, where you will see a first-hand example of how business in Southern Nevada does its part to be water efficient.


Departs at 1:00 PM, returns to hotel by 5:00 PM.
Cost $30.00 per person.


River Mountains Water Treatment Facility River Mountains Water Treatment Facility
The River Mountains Water Treatment Facility is one of two Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) drinking-water treatment plants and a critical element in Southern Nevada's water supply. The facility uses both ozone and chlorine in the disinfection process. Designed to produce 300 River Mountains Water Treatment Facilitymillion gallons of potable water per day, River Mountains has the flexibility to ultimately treat up to 600 million gallons of water per day for the Las Vegas Valley. Camera equipment is not allowed on this tour. If used, picture-taking devices will be confiscated.

Departs at 1:00 PM, returns to hotel by 4:00 PM.
Cost $30.00 per person.


Hoover Dam Hoover Dam
A testimony to a country's ability to construct monolithic projects in the midst of adverse conditions, Hoover Dam—built during the Great Depression to tame the Colorado River—stands as one of the world's engineering marvels. Our tour of this National Historic Landmark will include viewing the dam's huge penstocks and power plant generators, as well as rarely seen inspection galleries—tunnels that still bear inspection markings written on the walls from decades past.


Departs at 1:00 PM, returns to hotel by 5:00 PM. Cost $50.00 per person.


Desert Breeze WRC Desert Breeze WRC/ Angel Park Golf Club:
(Tuesday 10/7 only)
The Clark County Water Reclamation District and the Las Vegas Valley Water District partnered to develop the Desert Breeze Water Resource Center. The Desert Breeze Water Resource Center can produce 5 million gallons of recycled water a day and is expandable to 10 million gallons a day. Delivering on a commitment to be a good neighbor, all treatment processes in place today were specifically designed to be either under ground or under cover, virtually eliminating the noise and Desert Breeze WRC Aerialodors typically associated with wastewater treatment. Angel Park Golf Club is a customer of the Las Vegas Valley Water District and is
Desert Breeze WRC Aerialserved from the Durango Hills Water Resource Center, built and operated by the City of Las Vegas; there, you will learn first hand about the operation adjustment required when using recycled water.

Departs at 9:00 AM, returns to hotel by 1:00 PM. Cost $30.00 per person, tour only. Or stay and play golf, Angel Park will bring you back to the South Point. Special rate for WSI participants, $75.00. Please call Angel Park and reference the WSI group and schedule your t-time for after 1 PM.


box btm