‘Part of the gig,’ Las Vegas water delivery drivers navigate high demand and heat

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — You can’t battle a Nevada summer without water, but sometimes transporting it can present dangers of its own.

Water delivery drivers are working through their busiest time of year as parched customers try to avoid heat-related illnesses from record-breaking temperatures in the Las Vegas valley. The operation is strategic: clean, refill, and stage jugs a day prior so drivers can hit the road as early as possible.

Kevin Roman’s day begins around six. The Tahoe Springs route manager said it is to load up the truck and avoid a sizzling reality.

“I already see you sweating and we are working in the shade,” 8 News Now Reporter Ryan Matthey told Roman around 7:00 a.m. Friday, to a small laugh of agreement. “You’re thinking it’s going to get worse throughout the day?”

“It’s typically part of the gig,” Roman said with a shrug.

He drives one of twelve trucks that hit the streets, each one holding upwards of 5,000 pounds of water. Roman said, on average, that translates to between 100 to 150 five-gallon jugs that weigh up to 50 pounds each in addition to several cases of water bottles.

Though daily route changes provide variety, the heat stays constant, despite delivering to Las Vegas Strip casino or Town of Beatty businesses. Roman had over 70 deliveries on his route in Henderson on Friday, encompassing both residences and companies.

Some of the deliveries were upstairs, all happening in rising heat. Most required multiple trips between the truck and delivery address.

“Get the bulk of it done the sooner you can,” Roman said while driving his route. “You’re probably doing anywhere from 10,000 to probably 20,000 steps (a day).”

Relief comes in the form of air condition inside his truck, along with a small refrigerator bag of frozen water bottles that melt throughout the day. Depending on the workload, he’s going in and out of this relief for up to 10 hours.

The goal is to return with an empty truck and unscathed.

“About every hour or so, I’ll try to do stretches,” Roman said outside one of his delivery addresses, demonstrating by leaning on his leg propped up on the truck’s step. “You got to just take that much more extra caution, the extra little bit of time.”

Though his body had adapted to the strain over seven years, he said he leaves most days sore. His weekends are spent recovering from that soreness before the next week’s load.

He ends his day back at the warehouse he began his day from, where empty jugs collected on his route are returned to be cleaned, refilled and staged for the next day. This usually happens during the hottest time of the day.

“I think they appreciate it,” Roman said when asked if his customers are aware of the conditions he works under.

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