Ground to Glass: The Pristine Power of Arrow Canyon
Every time you turn on the tap in Moapa Valley, you are connecting to a vital natural resource; one so essential that it truly makes life possible in our desert communities. At the heart of our local culinary water supply is the Arrow Canyon facility operated by the Moapa Valley Water District.
Situated just northwest of the Warm Springs area, the Arrow Canyon well site taps rich resources deep beneath the earth’s rocky surface to draw some of the highest-quality groundwater in the region.
MVWD maintains two key production wells at this site:
First on the scene was the Arrow Canyon #1 well. Originally placed into service in 1990, this 570-foot-deep well remains MVWD’s single highest-producing water resource. It is capable of pumping an impressive 4,500 gallons per minute, enough to supply the community’s needs in the height of summer.
The Arrow Canyon #2 well was developed later. Reaching a depth of 750 feet, this second well provides partial onsite backup, delivering up to 1,500 gallons per minute.
To ensure our water supply remains dependable no matter the circumstances, MVWD is currently preparing to drill a third well at the site. This critical expansion will provide full on-site redundancy for our customers to ensure even greater reliability.
What makes Arrow Canyon truly special is not just the quantity of water produced, but also its quality. Naturally filtered by the earth’s geology, the water arrives remarkably pure straight from the ground. After being pumped, it requires only minimal treatment to remove just a few parts per billion of a naturally occurring contaminant so that it meets strict federal and state drinking water standards. In addition, a small amount of chlorine is added to safeguard water purity as it travels through pipes to local homes.
“We are fortunate to have these miraculously pristine and delicate water sources,” said MVWD General Manager Joe Davis. “They are truly essential to the past, present, and future of our community. We at Moapa Valley Water District take these precious resources very seriously. We have made, and continue to make, significant investments in preserving our community’s water sources.”
