Just for Residents
BMI Complex
Is The Water Safe?
Downloadable Documents
Contact Us
BMI Complex
In 1941, the U.S. Government deeded approximately 5,000 acres of vacant desert in the southeastern part of the Las Vegas Valley that would become the site of the world's largest magnesium plant - a plant that played a critical role in the World War II effort. Following the war, portions of the plant and adjacent land were leased to various industrial, government and business entities primarily involved in the production of chemicals and products containing chemicals.
During the ensuing years, operations at these plants produced a variety of industrial and municipal effluents that were historically disposed of on-site in unlined evaporation ponds, transported off-site via ditches, or disposed of on the land surface.
These disposal practices were industry-standard and legal at the time. Some of the wastes migrated into the Las Vegas Wash, a waterway that flows into Lake Mead, a primary source of drinking water for southern Nevada and millions of downstream users. Current waste disposal practices are consistent with all local, state and federal guidelines and regulations.
Since the 1970's, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) has provided oversight for the remediation of soil and groundwater impacted by the legacy contaminants from each of the sites which make up the BMI Complex. The NDEP's Bureau of Industrial Site Cleanup was formed in 2015 to continue this effort and currently oversees remediation activities for Basic Remediation Company, Titanium Metals Corporation, Nevada Environmental Response Trust, Olin Chlor Alkali, and Endeavour.
Is The Water Safe?
Drinking water for Henderson and the Las Vegas Valley originates from Lake Mead and is treated by the Southern Nevada Water Authority to meet or exceed all drinking water standards. Current drinking water quality reports may be obtained from the Southern Nevada Water Authority.
Downloadable Documents
Cadence Environmental Covenant Elevation Verification Form (PDF, 64 KB)
BRC Revised Environmental Covenant (PDF, 4 MB)
City of Henderson Environmental Covenant Tracking Letter (PDF, 1.19 MB)
NDEP Cadence Environmental Covenant Fact Sheet (101 KB)
Visit the Permits & Resources page to download general NDEP guidance documents pertaining to contaminated site cleanup.
Contact Us
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Industrial Site Cleanup provides oversight for the BMI Complex's remediation activities. If you have any questions or would like additional information regarding these sites, please contact the Bureau of Industrial Site Cleanup.