Direct Install Program saves water

     Residents who recently participated in Phase II of the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Mobile Home Direct Install Program are expected to contribute to a savings of more than 39 million gallons of water per year, according to David Riggleman, conservation manager for the authority.
      The program targeting water conservation involved the authority providing free installation of water-saving fixtures in 40 manufactured home parks and 640 other homes in Henderson.
      "Phase I of the program, which targeted 60 mobile home parks in the water district's service area, will save an estimated 81.6 million gallons of water per year," Riggleman said.
      Phase II involved eight manufactured home parks and 640 conventional homes, which received low-flow shower heads, low-flow bathroom and kitchen faucet aerators and early closure toilet flappers.
      "We succeeded in completing installations in 2,671 mobile homes during Phase II of the project, Riggleman said. "Collectively, that equates to a substantial amount of water savings each year."
      To date, the program has provided free water-saving fixtures to 8,194 manufactured homes valleywide.
      Member agencies of the authority are the cities of Las Vegas, Henderson, North Las Vegas, Boulder City, Big Bend Water District, Clark County Sanitation District and Las Vegas Valley Water District.By Robert J. Bruss
     Tribune Media Services
      DEAR BOB: My husband, a custom-home builder, grew up in a lovely old neighborhood of houses now selling for about $250,000. He learned about a house in that area that had a serious fire. The owner is willing to sell it "as is" for $150,000. Although the house could be repaired for around $75,000, my husband wants to buy the damaged house, tear it down, and build a brand new house where we would live. Our house will cost, even at wholesale, at least $150,000 to build. I'm saying this will not be a good investment. What do you think? -- Georgia S.
      DEAR GEORGIA: Your husband is thinking with his heart, not his head. If he buys that damaged house for $150,000, tears it down and spends $150,000 building a new one, his $300,000 investment will be well above neighborhood home values.