As the city expands, El Paso Water continues to invest in infrastructure to keep up with demand. The utility is taking on a major project that will optimize the existing plant by improving the wastewater treatment process and increase the plant’s capacity, extending its lifespan by 30 years.

As part of the emergency declaration of the stormwater system approved by the Public Service Board (PSB) on July 14, residents near the Sam Snead Recovery project in the Pico Norte area will soon see accelerated productivity on the job site.

There’s no doubt about it -- monsoon season is officially upon us. Beginning on June 27, a series of heavy rainstorms blanketed the borderland for several days, putting much of the city’s stormwater infrastructure to the test.

Through partnerships with Project BRAVO and Amistad, El Paso Water customers have received water bill assistance this year totaling $1.1 million. This funding was made possible because of federal CARES Act funding distributed by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs and the City of El Paso to Project BRAVO and Amistad, respectively.

The first phase of the Montana Vista Wastewater Project is nearly complete, with over 500 customers connected to the EPWater wastewater system for the very first time.

Millions of gallons of water travel through our desert city every day to ensure customers can open faucets, flush toilets, and maintain landscapes -- simple tasks that typically do not require a second thought. At El Paso Water, every employee carries the large responsibility of serving our community with the common goal of enhancing the vitality of El Paso.

During times of drought, we have to manage our wells carefully because every drop of water counts. That is why EPWater has been doing proactive well maintenance across the city since last fall in preparation for less river water this summer.

Last month, Stormwater Division Manager Gisela Dagnino was appointed to the state’s first Regional Flood Planning Group for the Upper Rio Grande Region, a group charged with identifying specific flood risks and strategies to improve public safety and reduce damages caused by flooding.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of access to safe and reliable drinking water for health, hydration, and hygienic needs. Drinking Water Week, May 2-8, is an opportunity for us to recognize the vital role tap water plays in our daily lives, the infrastructure required to carry it to and from our homes and businesses and the hard work that goes into delivering quality drinking water to your tap.

The Van Buren Dam in Central El Paso has a fresh look thanks to an Earth Day clean-up event organized by City Rep. Alexsandra Annello.

The pipelines connecting the two facilities, called the Frontera Force Mains, carry millions of gallons of wastewater from approximately 150,000 residential and commercial customers on El Paso’s westside every day to be treated at the Hickerson Plant.

This year marks a huge milestone for El Paso Water – 30 years of conservation. El Paso’s Water Conservation Ordinance was implemented on April 1, 1991. The ordinance, along with El Paso Water’s conservation program have helped reduce water consumption by more than 30 percent over the last three decades.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shutdown of businesses, leaving many buildings vacant for months. As the El Paso community slowly begins to reopen and reoccupy buildings, El Paso Water is urging property and business owners to be mindful of potential health risks posed by stagnant water in pipes and take steps to prevent contamination.

The Will Ruth Pond is a vast stormwater project designed to collect over 114 million gallons of stormwater from nearby streets to prevent it from flowing into downstream neighborhoods. The project is a critical component of the EPWater stormwater plan to improve public safety, and it has not been without its share of challenges.

Continued drought has impacted the water supply El Paso receives from the Rio Grande. The city’s growth is also a factor in EPWater’s long-term water management planning to ensure the community has water for the future.

The planning process never stops for El Paso Water to secure a reliable water supply for future generations. The utility plays a leadership role in shaping the Far West Texas Water Plan, a 50-year regional water resources management plan that must be updated every five years, as required by the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB).

The next river water allocation from the Rio Grande is months away, but it is crunch time for El Paso Water to ensure the utility is prepared for an anticipated shorter river water season. In September, the Public Service Board approved the drilling of six additional wells to increase our groundwater supply as a proactive measure to meet water demands at the hottest time of the year.

Water is not typically synonymous with the desert, but for El Paso Water, the two go hand in hand. The utility’s leadership is helping pave the way for EPWater to remain at the forefront of water reuse.

El Paso Water wants to help you conserve water and at the same time save money. More time indoors means do-it-yourself home improvement projects are on the rise.

El Paso Water launched the design of a new project to take treated Rio Grande water during plentiful years and use it to recharge a local aquifer.