Nevada Water And Wastewater Engineering

Water and wastewater engineering in Nevada

Modern Engineering Solutions (MES) is a civil engineering design firm licensed in Nevada. We design water systems, wastewater systems and site civil plans for land development.

We work for developers, utilities, municipalities and engineering firms. We serve Nevada clients from our offices in Texas, Colorado and California.

Most Nevada jobs start with three questions. Where will the water come from? Where will the wastewater go? What will the city or county ask for before it signs off? We answer those early, so the design does not change late.

How permitting and review works in Nevada

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) runs the state side. Its Bureau of Safe Drinking Water reviews public water system projects before construction. Its Bureau of Water Pollution Control issues discharge permits and reviews the design of wastewater treatment works.

NDEP must issue a discharge permit before anyone builds a treatment works. Sites that disturb one acre or more also need coverage under NDEP's construction stormwater general permit, NVR100000.

Water rights sit with the State Engineer at the Nevada Division of Water Resources. A new appropriation of water needs a permit from that office.

Local review sits on top of the state. In the Las Vegas valley, water and sewer service comes from the member agencies of the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Each city runs its own plan review, and Clark County reviews sites outside city limits. In Clark County, construction that disturbs a quarter acre or more also needs a dust control permit.

Work nearby

Our Nevada work so far is site civil design in Southern Nevada. We have finished civil site plan work on drive-up water kiosk sites in Las Vegas and Henderson for a multi-site chain, and more are under way in Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Boulder City.

Each site needed its own plan set and its own local review. Read how the drive-up water kiosk site program works across seven states.

Common questions

Is MES licensed in Nevada?

Yes. MES is licensed in Nevada and eight other states. Engineering plans filed for a Nevada permit must carry the signature and stamp of a Nevada licensed engineer.

Who reviews a new water system in Nevada?

NDEP's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water. Water projects go to the bureau before construction. NDEP suggests getting plan approval before you bid, since review can change the design.

Can a new building in the Las Vegas valley use a septic system?

Usually not. Since 2023, state law bars new septic systems on parcels that use Colorado River water from SNWA or one of its member agencies, unless SNWA grants a waiver.