Desert Research Institute to help update Elko County water plan under state grant

Elko County commissioners voted May 21 to accept technical assistance from the Desert Research Institute (DRI) to update the county water plan required by state law.

DRI project lead Alexandra Lutz told the board the institute is funded by the Nevada Water Conservation and Infrastructure Initiative and will compile inventories of surface water, groundwater and effluent, analyze current and projected demand, and help the county identify options if supply does not meet demand. "A water plan does not change the water law or regulation," Lutz said, adding the work is intended to be a planning document to support local decision‑making.

Why it matters: Nevada Revised Statutes require counties to prepare water resource plans that inventory water sources, analyze demand and supply, and identify options to close gaps. An updated plan helps local planners, developers and water managers anticipate needs tied to growth, mining and fire protection across Elko County’s unincorporated communities.

What DRI will do: - Compile available state and county data (surface and groundwater rights, effluent reuse) and produce maps and tables suitable for county planners; the statute cited during the presentation was identified as Nevada Revised Statutes section 278. - Use the State Demographer’s population projections and county input to estimate future demand and identify potential supply gaps. - Provide public‑engagement support and present periodic updates to the board; DRI noted up to $20,000 in modest county funds may be availabe by purchase order for local support if needed.

Commission action: Commissioner Delmo Andreozzi moved to proceed with DRI’s technical assistance; the motion passed unanimously after a second. Chairman Andreozzi thanked the DRI team and the board voted to authorize staff to work with the institute on schedule and deliverables.

Clarifying details mentioned in the presentation and public comment included county concerns about septic systems and groundwater recharge outside incorporated cities, the need to consider firefighting water supplies in non‑municipal areas, and ongoing modeling work addressing Humboldt River flows near Carlin. Commissioners and public attendees urged DRI to account for septic return flows and fire‑water needs in rural parcels.

Next steps: DRI will work with county staff to define a timeline, gather local data, host public engagement opportunities, and produce a draft water plan for county review before submission to the State Engineer’s office as required by statute.