EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso Water announced that it has secured $14 million in state funding for a new river water treatment plant in Northwest El Paso.
The project would allow the water utility to treat more river water and reduce groundwater pumping to sustainable levels.
El Paso Water officials were joined by state and El Paso County leaders to announce the secured funding on Friday, Nov. 7.
“I’d like to thank Senator Blanco for unlocking an opportunity and to our state partners for their
leadership to help us fully utilize this river water resource for our customers,” said John Balliew,
president and CEO of El Paso Water. “With this funding, we can begin the planning and design and get started with this new facility.”
The water utility credited state Sen. Cesar Blanco and state Reps. Joe Moody and Mary Gonzalez with securing bipartisan support during the legislative session to include funding for this project in the state budget.
“When it comes to water management, El Paso has adapted and led the way in water innovation and planning,” Blanco said. “This project helps ensure we continue to diversify our water
resources, and it provides a sustainable resource for future generations to come.”
The new plant will eventually treat up to 20 million gallons of water per day, supplementing
EPWater’s two river water treatment plants, which together produce up to 100 million gallons of
water per day.
By shifting more production to river water, EPWater will help protect the Mesilla
Bolson aquifer, preserving vital groundwater supplies for the future, the utility said.
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