EPWater is taking proactive efforts with its newest project to minimize the corrosion of pipes and keep tap water safe to drink.

During this season of spooky stories and spine-chilling encounters, it is only fitting that one El Paso Water employee shared his experiences of paranormal activity while working at the Robertson/Umbenhauer Water Treatment Plant, also known as Canal Plant, several years ago.

The rain events of July and August 2021 proved to be some of the most significant rain events in the history of our region. While many of El Paso’s stormwater structures held up during the heavy rainfall, the localized severity of the storms – particularly in Central El Paso -- overwhelmed and damaged many parts of the system.

El Paso Water maintains more than 2,300 miles of wastewater pipes citywide that carry used water from toilets, showers and sinks to treatment plants. When a major part of that system ruptured in West El Paso, the utility faced some critical decisions to protect public safety and health.

On a hot and humid day in early September, El Paso Water staff led representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) on a tour of several ponds and dams in Central El Paso.

This year’s monsoon season has brought intense rain events that have set records and drawn comparisons to the storm of 2006, and the season is not over yet. On August 12, part of Central El Paso received 3.2 inches of rain in one hour, equating to what the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) classifies as a 230-year storm. The same area in 2006 received 1.5 inches of rain in one hour, falling into the category of a 100-year storm.

Recent storms have tested parts of El Paso’s stormwater system, revealing both improvements still needed and the effectiveness of completed projects, like the Silver Springs Arroyo Dam, that worked to reduce flooding and increase public safety.

As part of National Water Quality Month, EPWater reminds customers that our tap water is safe to drink. To access the highest quality water, it’s as easy as turning on your faucet.

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.

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.

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.

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.