EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Water is moving forward with a project aimed at turning brackish groundwater into drinking water as officials look to expand the region\u2019s supply of safe, drinkable water.<\/p>\n
During Wednesday’s Public Service Board meeting, the utility’s board approved a plan to turn brine water, the salty waste product left over from the desalination process, into drinking water. <\/p>\n
According to El Paso Water, the plan, in partnership with Upwell Water Critical Material Corporation, would allow the tech-enabled water resource and infrastructure company to treat brine water generated from El Paso Water\u2019s desalination plant in East El Paso and return it to El Paso Water.<\/p>\n
The utility said it’s the first-of-its-kind project as officials expect the effort to recover up to 3 million gallons of potable water per day, or about 1.1 billion gallons annually.<\/p>\n
In addition to producing drinking water, the project is expected to extract valuable minerals from the brine, creating what officials describe as a process with virtually no waste.<\/p>\n
However, it remains unclear how much the project would cost customers, and officials at El Paso Water said it’s still unclear when the private facility will be completed.<\/p>\n
Before the board\u2019s vote, Secretary-Treasurer Stefanie Block raised concerns about what the amendment could eventually mean for customers\u2019 bills. Her concern was not whether El Paso needs more water, but whether the board was being asked to commit ratepayers to buying more expensive water before key details are clear.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, questions raised included when the new water would actually be needed, who would be expected to use it, how much water El Paso Water would have to buy, and whether any added cost could eventually be passed on to customers. Board discussion also focused on whether the utility was approving a water purchase before final use and demand are locked in.<\/p>\n
El Paso Water CEO John Balliew acknowledged there is still uncertainty, saying part of the timeline depends on when the private facility is completed and when future Northeast El Paso development \u2014 including the Iron Point area \u2014 actually needs the water.<\/p>\n
While questions remain over the new plan, the item was moved into executive session for legal discussion before the board ultimately voted to approve it. <\/p>\n
KFOX14\/CBS4 has reached out to El Paso Water for comment on these questions.<\/p>\n
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