EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso residents are grappling with the aftermath of a major water main break as the city’s water utility proposes a rate increase.
The break, which left tens of thousands without water, comes as El Paso Water seeks to raise rates by 12%, costing the average customer an additional $10 per month.
Gilbert Trejo, El Paso Water’s vice president of engineering operations and technical services, said the increase is intended to address the city’s aging infrastructure.
“We do understand, empathize with our customers being frustrated with the situation. But the aging infrastructure goes hand in hand with every budget that we do every year,” Trejo said.
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When asked how El Paso water expects customers to feel confident in the utility’s reliability following the main break, especially as a rate increase is proposed, Trejo said, “it’s a difficult time for our customers,” but added El Paso Water hopes its response to the outage will help rebuild trust. Trejo said, “I think our response to such a serious matter, we hope builds confidence in our customers. These types of issues will happen with aging infrastructure, which is why we propose these budgets every year to our Public Service Board to address those challenges.”
The Public Service Board is set to meet on Wednesday to decide on the utility’s budget for the next fiscal year.
If approved, the new rates would take effect March 1.
Trejo emphasized the importance of the proposed budget, stating, “Every budget we put together involves replacing, repairing of aging infrastructure, of all sorts and sizes, whether it’s facilities, equipment, large diameter pipelines like these.”
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Residents collecting water at distribution sites expressed mixed reactions.
One resident remarked, “I mean, stuff happens. I mean, it’s not their fault. You know for us, $10 more is not going to kill us.”
Another questioned the utility’s response time, saying, “You’re telling me you’re going to raise my rates? Is it going to go to a better response time next time this happens?”
El Paso Water’s Public Service Board is set to decide on the proposed rate increase on Wednesday morning.
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