Henderson Resident Demands City Fix Faulty Water System with New Law

Aging Water Infrastructure Sparks Community Crisis in Henderson

A homeowner’s association (HOA) in Henderson, Nevada is sounding the alarm over a deteriorating private water system that has drained nearly a million dollars in repairs over recent years. Residents of Renaissance Townhomes fear that without immediate action, their community could face condemnation due to persistent pipe failures and mounting costs.

Debbi Grim, one of three board members of the Renaissance Townhomes HOA, recently addressed the Henderson City Council during a June 17 meeting, urging officials to intervene financially. Her plea centers around Assembly Bill 10 (AB10), a new law signed into effect on May 28 that enables local governments to assist with repairing or replacing aging private water systems. The bill provides a legal framework for cities like Henderson to step in when communities are unable to manage infrastructure issues independently.

Grim explained that decades of recurring pipe bursts have led to frequent flooding and sinkholes across the neighborhood. These problems are currently handled on an emergency basis, which has rapidly depleted the HOA's reserve fund—a fund legally required to remain at a minimum level. Monthly HOA dues have increased to $450 per household, yet financial strain continues to mount.

“We are way underfunded,” Grim said. “We do not have the funds to even get a loan.”

A Legislative Lifeline

AB10 was passed with bipartisan support during Nevada’s most recent legislative session. It allows municipalities to establish Neighborhood Improvement Districts (NIDs), which can structure long-term payment plans for property owners needing extensive infrastructure upgrades. This approach gives cities more flexibility in how they assess fees and distribute repayment timelines.

The legislation came into play earlier this year when the city of Henderson spent approximately $700,000 to help Somerset Park, another HOA facing similar challenges, replace its failing water system. However, Henderson officials have been hesitant to replicate this effort without clear justification for urgent intervention.

David Cherry, the city’s government affairs manager, emphasized during testimony in May that AB10 does not obligate local governments to act. Instead, it offers a tool for elected leaders to use if a community’s situation becomes untenable. Cherry noted that while the bill is available, the city hopes it will rarely be needed.

Ian Massy, assistant director of community development for Henderson, reported that since the Somerset Park case, at least five other neighborhoods have reached out regarding comparable water system issues. Though he declined to name those communities, he confirmed that Renaissance Townhomes is under review by city officials.

Frustration Over Lack of Progress

Despite the city’s acknowledgment of the problem, Grim remains frustrated by what she sees as a lack of urgency from municipal leaders. She claims efforts to coordinate meetings with city officials have been repeatedly canceled, delaying potential solutions.

“Our reserves are being depleted day by day, leak by leak,” Grim said. “AB10 was made for stuff like this. But they’re saying it’s not an emergency until we have no water, we can’t fix it, our buildings are condemned, and we’re evicted.”

The HOA has issued internal newsletters dating back to 2020 outlining the growing crisis. According to these communications, repair costs have exceeded $800,000 since 2020, spread across 81 homes in the community. Each individual pipe rupture can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to address, with no guarantee of long-term stability.

Residents also endure indirect consequences: leaks frequently block driveways and streets for weeks, disrupting daily life. Additionally, because the community operates on a master water meter, unaddressed leaks lead to inflated bills shared among all homeowners.

Financial Struggles and Uncertain Futures

The HOA has worked for years to maintain a legally mandated reserve balance of $400,000. Despite raising dues and implementing stricter budgeting measures, the reserve account currently holds less than $100,000, Grim revealed. Inflation and rising labor costs have further increased the projected price tag for a full system replacement since a 2022 estimate.

For many residents—many of whom are seniors living on fixed incomes—the burden is becoming unbearable. Yet Grim remains determined.

“I’ll take out a second [mortgage] if I have to. I just want this fixed,” she said. “I’m in this for the long haul. My husband died here, and I plan to do the same thing.”