Potential construction to impact utility operations, security and Rio Bosque
EL PASO - EPWater is voicing concerns and objections to all three options proposed in a study by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to extend the Border Highway. From operational impacts to the utility’s commitment of preserving Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, EPWater leaders cannot support TxDOT’s proposed plans.
“Construction of a highway in the area would cause major impacts to the Jonathan Rogers Water Treatment Plant and the Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant,” said Gilbert Trejo, Vice President of Operations and Technical Services. “Proposed options would require movement of very large diameter pipelines and potentially cause service disruptions, possibly forcing EPWater into non-compliance with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.”
Water and wastewater facilities, deemed critical infrastructure, are increasingly at risk for security threats. Trejo contends that a highway in close proximity would heighten the vulnerability of security and safety of EPWater plants and employees.
Trejo adds that EPWater’s main service center, located on Pan American Drive, houses dozens of fleet vehicles and additional construction and traffic could hinder field crews’ response times to water main breaks or other emergencies across the city.
All three options pose serious environmental threats to the nearby Rio Bosque Wetlands Park, Trejo said. “As the owner and trustee of the park, EPWater is committed to protecting the 372 acres of wetlands that have become a sanctuary for biodiversity, providing a habitat for numerous native plants and wildlife species,” Trejo said.
“It is also one of the few and unique public open spaces in the Lower Valley where families can enjoy trails, go bird watching, and learn what El Paso looked like prior to modern development.”
EPWater has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for several years on a study of Rio Bosque, and the Corps has committed to $12 million for park improvements, which could be lost if the highway is built in any of the three proposed locations.
“EPWater appreciates the open communication with TxDOT on the study’s proposed plans, but the utility cannot support any option that would impact the daily operations that help provide critical water and wastewater services to the community,” Trejo said.