Southern Nevada Water Authority: Delivering Critical Solutions Under Pressure
International Valve supplied 38 Vent-Tech valves for SNWA’s low lake level pumping station, ensuring the reliable delivery of 900 million gallons of water daily. Completed in just 5 weeks during COVID-19, this project highlights our unmatched ability to meet tight deadlines, tackle complex challenges, and deliver industry-leading performance.
Project
SNWA
Timeframe
2020–2022
Location
Lake Mead, Southern Nevada
Table of Contents
1
Project Overview
Facing rapidly declining water levels at Lake Mead, the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) embarked on the construction of a critical new low lake level pumping station. Designed to protect Southern Nevada’s access to its primary water supply even below the “dead pool” threshold, this $522 million project required innovative infrastructure capable of reliably delivering up to 900 million gallons of water daily. To meet these extraordinary demands, International Valve supplied 38 Vent-Tech™ Model WZW zero-pressure sealing combination air release and vacuum relief valves—specially engineered for critical water infrastructure reliability.
2
Challenge Faced
The project coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply chains collapsed, manufacturing output fell 43%, and production delays became widespread. Despite these conditions, SNWA’s infrastructure demands were urgent: their primary intake pumping station had become inoperable, and drought conditions continued to worsen across the Colorado River Basin. International Valve was tasked with an aggressive timeline—delivering 38 specialized valves within just six weeks—to ensure uninterrupted access to Southern Nevada’s water supply.
3
Solution Provided
International Valve engineered and delivered 38 custom Vent-Tech™ Model WZW valves, designed specifically for zero-pressure sealing and surge protection under extreme conditions. Built at our facility in Sugar Grove, Illinois, each valve was manufactured to meet the precise technical standards necessary for operating below Lake Mead’s dead pool elevation. With industry-leading design, performance reliability, and durability, these valves formed a critical part of SNWA’s low lake level pumping station solution.
4
Results and Outcomes
5
Conclusion
The Southern Nevada Water Authority low lake level pumping station is a landmark achievement in modern water infrastructure, made possible by industry-leading partners like International Valve. Despite one of the most challenging global manufacturing environments in recent history, IV delivered precision-engineered Vent-Tech valves that played a vital role in securing a resilient water future for the region. Our involvement in this project reflects our commitment to solving critical water challenges through engineering excellence, responsiveness, and proven performance.
“How does new infrastructure at Lake Mead protect our drinking water supply?”
(Video Credit: Southern Nevada Water Authority)