A man is facing charges after allegedly gaining access to Las Vegas’s main wastewater treatment facility and manipulating plant operations.

Incident at Clark County Water Reclamation District Facility

The incident occurred on March 23rd at the Clark County Water Reclamation District’s facility on East Flamingo Road. Las Vegas Metro police responded to reports of a trespasser who had breached two fences and tampered with switches at the 740-acre plant.

Suspect Identified, Apprehended

Officers located 26-year-old Isaac Mendoza near the property. According to police reports, Mendoza allegedly ripped through fences to access the plant and subsequently manipulated controls affecting pump operations, disrupting essential treatment processes.

Investigation and Charges

A plant technician discovered the issue and alerted security, who apprehended Mendoza. The facility handles a daily flow of roughly 100 million gallons of wastewater, treating it before transferring it to Lake Mead. Mendoza now faces charges of theft or damage to a public utility and burglary.

Water District Statement

The Clark County Water Reclamation District confirmed the incident and emphasized the facility’s security measures, including 24-hour monitoring. Their statement acknowledged the ongoing criminal investigation and limited their comments. However, they did disclose that a misplaced piece of construction equipment might have aided Mendoza’s breach. The District has addressed the issue to prevent future occurrences and highlighted their prompt response to minimize operational disruption. Security remains a top priority, they assured.

Uncertainties Remain

The exact duration of Mendoza’s unauthorized presence is unclear. Public records show he was booked into Clark County Detention Center on March 28th. He reportedly has additional pending criminal cases in the court systems of Henderson and Las Vegas.

Credits: 8 News Now