Wastewater Engineering

Wastewater engineering for Nevada development

MES designs the wastewater side of a development. That means sewer collection lines, lift stations and force mains. When a site cannot connect to a public sewer, it also means a treatment and disposal system.

We start with the question that drives cost. Can the site connect to an existing sewer, or does it need its own system? The answer shapes the site plan, the schedule and the permits.

How wastewater permitting works in Nevada

NDEP's Bureau of Water Pollution Control is the state regulator. It issues NPDES permits for discharges to surface water and state permits for discharges to groundwater. A discharge permit must be issued before anyone builds a treatment works.

The bureau also reviews plans and specifications for discharge facilities. It checks treatment designs against the Ten States Standards and other accepted engineering guidelines.

Reuse needs a permit too. Nevada sorts reclaimed water into categories by quality, and each category has its own allowed uses. NDEP must approve a reclaimed water management plan before reuse starts.

In Southern Nevada, septic is mostly off the table. Since 2023, state law bars new septic systems on parcels that use Colorado River water from the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) or one of its member agencies, unless SNWA grants a waiver.

Treated wastewater matters for supply there as well. Water returned to the Colorado River earns return-flow credits, which let Southern Nevada take more water out of the river.

Work nearby

Our Nevada work so far is site civil design and local review for drive-up water kiosk sites in Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas and Boulder City. Read about the drive-up water kiosk site program.

Common questions

Do I need a state permit to build a wastewater treatment plant in Nevada?

Yes. NDEP must issue a discharge permit before construction of any treatment works. The design also goes through the bureau's engineering review.

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

Usually not. A parcel that uses Colorado River water from SNWA or a member agency cannot install a new septic system without an SNWA waiver.

Can treated wastewater be reused on site?

It can, with a permit. NDEP sets reclaimed water categories by quality and requires an approved reclaimed water management plan before use.