The Pure Water Center will deliver up to 10 million gallons per day of safe, reliable water directly to customers\u2019 taps, advancing water sustainability and drought resilience for decades to come.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Expanding river water capacity with state funding\u00a0<\/p>\n
In November, EPWater announced it had secured $14 million in state funding with the help of state Sen. C\u00e9sar Blanco and the El Paso state delegation to launch the Surface Water Augmentation Project at the Upper Valley Water Treatment Plant<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n This critical investment will initiate design and planning for a new adjacent facility that will treat additional Rio Grande water and reduce groundwater pumping at the Mesilla Bolson aquifer, preserving vital groundwater supplies for our city\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/p>\n Meter replacement program strengthens infrastructure\u00a0<\/p>\n In 2025, EPWater accelerated its meter replacement program<\/a>, which speeds leak detection to reduce water waste, improves billing accuracy and modernizes customer service operations. The new advanced meters send data securely and automatically and increase the lifespan for equipment from 10 years to 50 years.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Skills for sustainability: Workforce training and new hires\u00a0<\/p>\n EPWater\u2019s skills for sustainability<\/a> initiative in partnership with Western Tech continued to provide specialized training programs to fill critical vacancies at operating plants. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies honored EPWater with a 2025 National Environmental Achievement Award in Workforce Development for this program, which has supported multiple training cohorts and created pathways to employment in water and wastewater operations.\u00a0<\/p>\n A new round of training was introduced this year to build a pipeline for supervisory control and data acquisition operators. This is a computerized system that remotely monitors and controls pumps, valves, tanks and sensors across the water network.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n National recognition for energy efficiency<\/p>\n EPWater\u2019s commitment to sustainability was recognized at the national level when it received the Utility of the Future Today award<\/a> for energy efficiency at the Water Environment Federation\u2019s WEFTEC conference in Chicago.\u00a0<\/p>\n This accolade highlights EPWater\u2019s innovative use of advanced optimization software to continuously analyze data from across the water distribution system. Use of the software has helped to reduce energy costs, improve system performance and minimize environmental impacts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Award for partnership with Fort Bliss\u00a0<\/p>\n In a Pentagon ceremony, EPWater was awarded a Community Partnership Award for its collaboration with Fort Bliss. The U.S. Department of Defense only presents seven such awards annually.\u00a0<\/p>\n Leading up to the award, EPWater and Fort Bliss strengthened their alliance<\/a> with a new memorandum of partnership that expands collaboration on community resilience and shared infrastructure goals. This work is rooted in years of operational cooperation and support across water and wastewater services.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rate structure enhancements and affordability options\u00a0<\/p>\n EPWater introduced changes to its rate and fee structures<\/a> to better support customers struggling to pay water bills. The utility expanded affordability options for low and very low water users in 2025 and proposed stormwater fee discounts for small residential properties that, if approved, will be effective in March 2026.\u00a0<\/p>\n Locally sourced business partnerships\u00a0<\/p>\n EPWater deepened its community impact by partnering with local businesses through the \u201clocally sourced\u201d<\/a> program, a collaborative effort to highlight local businesses and how essential water is to their homegrown craft. The initiative increases awareness about the role EPWater plays in ensuring these businesses continue to thrive by supplying a clean, reliable source of water.\u00a0<\/p>\n EPWater\u2019s employees give back to the community<\/p>\n EPWater Charity of Choice Committee members, from left, Michael Dubrule, Zulema Jamis, Luz Holguin, Elijio Myers and Gerardo Gomez pose with Vanessa G. Leon of the Heart Gallery and Sandra Nevarez Garcia of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence.\u00a0 Photo by El Paso Water.<\/p>\n EPWater pledged a record $117,000 to United Way and raised $80,000 through employee fundraisers as part of the annual charity of choice<\/a> program, which this year will benefit both the Heart Gallery of El Paso and the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence. The Charity of Choice program is a fully employee-led program completed by volunteers on their off-hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n Best tasting water and more<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/EPWater-Charity-of-Choice-20251112.jpg\")
EPWater Charity of Choice Committee members, from left, Michael Dubrule, Zulema Jamis, Luz Holguin, Elijio Myers and Gerardo Gomez pose with Vanessa G. Leon of the Heart Gallery and Sandra Nevarez Garcia of the Center Against Sexual and Family Violence. Photo by El Paso Water.<\/p>\n
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