Question

Las Vegas is exceeding its allotment of water withdrawals from the Colorado River, and has proposed a project that would divert groundwater to meet the growing water needs of Nevada's largest city.

1.Do you think these diversions are ethically justified?

2. is this an allowable cost given the economic activity generated in Las Vegas?

3. How else might cities like Las Vegas meet their future water needs?

Answer 1

1. Ethically, such diversions are not justified. The end result is the same which is the depletion of ground water.

2. However, economically the cost is allowable since Las Vegas has a high share of tourist earnings. The govt earnings from Casino/hotel/amusement industry in the form of taxed makes this cost an allowable one.

3. One way that Las Vegas might meet their future needs is through increased water conservation methods. Also, to prevent water wastage, the government could impose tax slabs on different levels of water consumed by the population. In this way, the person which consumers less water will pay less and vice versa.