Pat Mulroy, who oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, delivered the keynote address during a panel discussion “Facing the Unthinkable: Water Management Strategies” on Nov. 7 at UMSL. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The Las Vegas Sun News describes Pat Mulroy as one of the most powerful executives in the state of Nevada.

Mulroy, who oversees the operations of the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District, was the keynote speaker during a panel discussion titled “Facing the Unthinkable: Water Management Strategies” on Nov. 7 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

In an interview with the St. Louis Beacon published prior to the event, Mulroy said that while many Americans have had the luxury of seemingly abundant water supplies, complacency is not an option.

“When you look at the data, which suggests that by the year 2050, 70 percent of the world’s population is going to be living in cities, you have to start thinking about how that translates into water use. At minimum, it will be a very expensive proposition for utilities to keep up with all kinds of demand at current consumption rates. I’m not sure the public wants to pay those prices,” she told the Beacon.

The lecture was part of the Hellen and Will Carpenter Series on Contemporary Issues in American Society at UMSL.

Other panelists included David A. Wilson, senior manager, environment and community planning at East-West Gateway Council of Government, Russell Errett, water manager of U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, St. Louis District and Tim Ganz, environmental manager, Missouri American Water Company. Patti Wright, associate professor of anthropology at UMSL, moderated the panel discussion.

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