Wednesday, Jun 12 2013 3:43PM

A district court judge will soon decide if the Southern Nevada Water Authority can divert water away from four rural communities.

A district court in Nevada began hearing arguments over the legality of the Southern Nevada Water Authority's (SNWA) decision to pump 84,000 acre-feet of water from four rural valleys to serve the growing population of Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

Nevada state Engineer Jason King originally granted the SNWA permission to direct water system services away from rural communities to meet the projected needs of the urban population.

As the court hears arguments from attorneys on both sides, those representing rural communities, as well as Native American tribes, ranchers and farmers and environmental groups, argue that the effects of King's decision will be devastating on small areas with limited water supply resources. However, King released the results of a state study, which indicate the diverting resources away from rural towns will not have an adverse impact on agriculture or hinder economic community development, the Sun reports. 

While Senior District Judge Robert Estes has not yet announced a ruling, the case is expected to send up in the state's Supreme Court regardless of what he decides. 

Diverting water away from rural locations to more urban areas is not an uncommon scenario, but it typically results in legal battles as rural areas may lack the resources and infrastructure of their metropolitan counterparts. In the case of Nevada, the battle may one day involve the state of Utah as well, as much of Nevada's groundwater flows near Utah, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.

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