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Become a Water Smart Contractor

The Colorado River system is facing the worst drought in the river basin's recorded history, resulting in a federal water shortage declaration.

Conservation efforts like finding and fixing leaks and replacing nonfunctional grass with desert landscaping have helped our community reduce its per capita water use. With that in mind, we have developed the Water Smart Landscaper and Water Smart Plumber programs to help Southern Nevadans maximize water savings in and around their homes.

Men remove grass from landscape

Water Smart Landscaper program

Local landscape contractors can join the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Landscaper program at no cost.

Companies participating in the program ensure their staff members are trained in water-efficiency practices through free, Water Authority-sponsored workshops. In turn, the Water Authority features these companies in its Find a Landscaper application.

Contractors in the program must:

  • Complete at least six hours of Water Authority water-efficiency training
  • Maintain good standing with the Nevada State Contractors Board
  • Be licensed and insured

To become a Water Smart Landscaper, read the Water Smart Landscaper Program Agreement and fill out the Water Smart Landscaper Enrollment Form for companies. Be prepared to provide:

  • Company contact information
  • Type of services provided
  • Certifications
  • Service areas
  • C-10 license number
  • Supervisor contact information

You may print out the Water Smart Program Agreement, sign it and mail it in—or sign it when you attend one of the classes. You must submit the signed agreement and attend the required Water Smart Landscaper classes before you are added to our list of landscapers.

If you are already enrolled as a Water Smart Landscaper and need to make changes to your company profile, call the Southern Nevada Water Authority Conservation Division at 702-862-3761.

Enrollment

If you are a landscaper and want to enroll in the Southern Nevada Water Authority Water Smart Landscaper program, please complete the Water Smart Landscaper Enrollment form.

Water Smart Landscaper Enrollment Form

Training

The Water Smart Landscaper program requires annual training to remain active. View the training schedule.

Performance standards

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) requires landscape contractors who enroll in the Water Smart Landscaper program to agree to provide the following Water Smart standards to each of its customers:

  1. All landscape and irrigation work performed to a contract will comply with applicable laws and codes in effect at the time of installation.
  2. Contractor will ensure that the terms and conditions of the Water Smart Landscapes Program and the Water Smart Contractor Agreement are satisfied.
  3. Irrigation systems (if properly maintained) can be operated according to the schedule provided by the Contractor, without creating flow or spray that leaves the property and without violating local day of the week and time of day water restriction.
  4. A Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor will be provided (as a consultant or employed on staff) upon request of the customer.
  5. On all new landscape installations separate control zones (valves) will be used for each type of water delivery device: drip emitters will be operated separately from sprinklers heads.
  6. Sprinkler heads for turf grass will have 4-inch or greater pop-up height. Sprinkler heads will have matched precipitation nozzles.
  7. A minimum setback distance of 3-feet will be maintained between spray irrigation and all hardscapes (structures, buildings, walls, sidewalks public right of ways).
  8. Design and properly install an irrigation system that will accommodate the watering demand for mature trees and shrubs.
  9. Drip irrigation system shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush end assembly and any other appropriate component. Components will be located in accessible valve boxes. The system must be free of leaks and malfunctions upon conveyance to the customer. Each drip emitter must be rated at 20 gallons per hour (gph) or less.
  10. If part of the lawn is converted, the sprinkler system must be properly modified to provide adequate coverage to the remaining lawn without spraying the converted area.
  11. Irrigation controllers installed by the contractor shall be equipped with “Smart” irrigation technology.
  12. A seasonal water schedule shall be provided for each watering zone.
  13. An owner’s manual shall be provided for all irrigation controllers installed and for any other components as necessary.
  14. Non-turf areas will include a minimum 2-inch layer of mulching material. All mulches and surface treatments must be permeable to air and water.
  15. A 1-year written warranty shall be provided to the customer. (Terms are at the discretion of the Contractor).
  16. All maintenance contracts must contain the following provisions:
    • Frequency of routine check for proper function of the irrigation system
    • Provision for repair of damaged components resulting in water waste within 24-hours of being made aware of the issue
    • Frequency of maintenance of drip irrigation components, including flushing of lines and filters
    • Programming of the irrigation controller to meet plant needs and comply with mandatory watering restrictions
    • Contractor's policy regarding water waste violation, fees incurred by the customer, and limits of Contractor’s responsibility.
Wrench turning bolt on pipe

Water Smart Plumber program

Local plumbing contractors can join the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Plumber program at no cost.

Companies participating in the program ensure their staff members are trained in water-efficiency practices through free, Water Authority-sponsored workshops. In turn, the Water Authority features these companies on its Water Smart Plumber program page. 

To become a Water Smart Plumber, please read the Water Smart Plumber Program Agreement. You may print out the agreement, sign it and mail it in—or sign it when you attend one of the classes. You must submit the signed agreement and attend the required Water Smart Plumber classes before you are added to our list of plumbers.

Contractors in the program must:

  • Complete at least six hours of Southern Nevada Water Authority water-efficiency training and two hours of annual refresher training
  • Maintain good standing with the Nevada State Contractors Board and have not received disciplinary actions for the previous five years
  • Be licensed and insured in Nevada for the past five years

Enrollment

If you are a plumber and want to enroll in the Southern Nevada Water Authority Water Smart Plumber program, complete a Water Smart Plumber interest form.  

Water Smart Plumber Interest Form

Training

To participate in the Water Smart Plumber program, plumbers must:

  1. Attend a mandatory initial six-hour training session provided by SNWA.
  2. Attend an annual two-hour renewal training provided by SNWA.

Check back for future training dates.

Performance standards

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) requires plumbing contractors who enroll in the Water Smart Plumber program to agree to provide the following Water Smart standards to each of its customers:

  1. Perform all work to a contract in compliance with applicable laws, codes and permit requirements in effect at the time of service
  2. Provide a one-year warranty on work performed
  3. Communicate with customers within 24 hours of an inquiry
  4. Provide a written bid for work based on an hourly rate, not a flat project rate
  5. Not upsell a customer beyond service requested from the initial inquiry