Tuesday, Mar 12 2013 4:30PM

A new bill would place the SNWA under Nevada state's oversight.

The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) is opposing a bill introduced by Sen. Michael Roberson that would grant the state-run Public Utilities Commission of Nevada the authority to oversee its activities, according to the Las Vegas Sun. 

Roberson said that state oversight would increase both accountability to the citizens and overall transparency, but the SNWA argues that decisions about water pricing and operations of water system services should be kept at the local, rather than state level. Under the legislation, the SNWA would be required to seek permission from the Commission before being permitted to raise water rates on business and commercial customers, the newspaper reports. 

"Many in the Southern Nevada community believe the process failed to allow an adequate opportunity for public input," Roberson said, according to the newspaper. "Southern Nevada residents and businesses will likely face future significant rate increases. This legislation will ensure that those rate increases occur in as fair and equitable manner as possible in a completely open process."

Several towns in states such as California and Colorado have been forced to raise water rates or impose restrictions on usage due to drought and conservation efforts. However, many residents who are seeing their water bills double and triple are reaching out to legislators for more oversight and jurisdiction over private water authorities. 

For more information, check out this resource: The Las Vegas Sun