For most of the year, Las Vegas is very dry, averaging only about four inches of rain annually. But from July through September, the valley experiences monsoon season. These sudden, violent storms drop a massive amount of water in a short time. If your backyard is full of uncollected dog waste when a monsoon hits, you are going to have a serious problem.
The problem with desert drainage
The ground in Las Vegas is hard, sun-baked, and often composed of caliche, a cement-like layer of soil. When heavy rain falls, it does not soak into the ground like it does in other climates. Instead, it pools on the surface and creates sudden runoff.
If you have weeks of dog waste sitting on your decorative rock or artificial turf, that standing water acts like a dirty sponge. It dissolves the waste, picking up the bacteria (like E. coli) and any parasites (like roundworm or giardia) present in the feces. This contaminated water then floods across your patio, into your garden beds, and out down the street.
Why artificial turf struggles in the rain
Many newer homes in master-planned communities like Summerlin and Mountain’s Edge use artificial turf. While turf has drainage holes punched into the backing, a heavy monsoon downpour will easily overwhelm them, causing the yard to flood.
When standing water covers turf that has not been cleared of waste, the organic residue mixes into a terrible slurry. When the water finally drains, that residue is pulled deep into the infill and the porous backing of the turf. Once the sun comes back out and the temperature hits 100 degrees again, that trapped moisture and bacteria will create an overpowering odor that is difficult to remove.
How routes adjust for the weather
Our commercial and residential routes continue to run during light or moderate rain. However, the safety of our technicians and the quality of the service dictate our weather policies.
If a severe monsoon storm brings lightning or a flash-flood warning, we must pause the routes. We also cannot service a yard that has standing water. If your patio is flooded, we cannot see the waste, and wading through contaminated runoff is a health hazard. When weather forces us to skip a visit, we do not reschedule it for a random day, we simply make up the visit on your next scheduled route day.
Preparing your yard for the storms
The only way to protect your yard during monsoon season is to make sure it is clear before the clouds roll in.
First, maintain a strict cleanup schedule. Do not let waste accumulate. If you are on a weekly route, check that your gates are unlocked on your service day so we do not miss the visit. If you manage the chore yourself, pick it up daily during July and August.
Second, manage your drainage. Make sure your outdoor drains are clear of leaves and dog toys so the heavy rain has somewhere to go. If you know a storm is coming, bag the waste, tie the bag tightly, and make sure the lid to your outdoor trash bin is firmly closed so the wind cannot blow the contaminated bags down the street.
Finally, remember that the EPA classifies pet waste as a pollutant. The runoff from flooded Las Vegas yards pours directly into the street storm drains. Those drains empty into the Las Vegas Wash, which flows straight toward Lake Mead. Keeping your yard clear during monsoon season protects both your patio and the local water supply.