🔥 In this episode of Lex Lumina, host Sam Castor sits down with Laura McSwain — a grassroots activist and community leader who dared to ask the questions no one else would. As President of the Water Fairness Coalition and longtime Las Vegas resident, Laura explains how “big water” policies are quietly stripping homeowners of their rights, watering down neighborhoods, and hiking bills under the guise of conservation. She walks us through her transformation: from frustrated resident hearing excuses at water-authority board meetings, to founding a movement that demands transparency, fairness, and accountability — even registering to lobby lawmakers in 2025.

🎯 Episode Summary This is more than a “rates gone up” story. It’s a playbook in how big utilities exploit fear — drought, climate change, resource scarcity — to justify sweeping, one-size-fits-all policies that punish ordinary homeowners. Laura pulls back the curtain on how water authorities use massive ad budgets to set the narrative, while pushing charges and rules that disproportionately burden people trying to maintain their homes, trees, and quality of life. Her story is a wake-up call: when your water bill spikes, you’re not just paying for supply — you may be paying for someone else’s growth ambitions. By empowering citizens, demanding transparency, and pushing for legislation, Laura and the Water Fairness Coalition offer a different vision — one where water isn’t just about scarcity, but justice, fairness, and community resilience.

👤 About Laura McSwain Laura is the President and founder of Water Fairness Coalition, an organization advocating for fair water pricing, transparency and independent oversight of water authorities in Southern Nevada. She lives in the McNeil Estates neighborhood of Las Vegas, and has become a leading voice against punitive “excessive use” charges, mandatory turf removal, and sweeping landscaping policies that don’t account for lot size, mature trees, or community equity.

🌐 Website – https://waterfairnesscoalition.com/

📘 Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WaterFairnessCoalition

📸 Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/waterfairnesscoalition

💼 About Sam Castor Sam Castor is an attorney, entrepreneur, and strategist who believes in justice, clarity, and systems that serve people — not the other way around. In Lex Lumina, he brings critical conversations about power, policy, and human impact to light, and champions voices fighting for fairness and integrity.

💡 About Lex Lumina Lex Lumina is a long-form conversation series exploring power, justice, and human potential — from the boardroom to the backyard. Hosted by Sam Castor, the show goes beyond headlines to show how real people are pushing for change, reclaiming dignity, and demanding accountability.