Sustainability

Through diversification, EPWater is meeting the challenge of supplying water to our growing desert community. We participate in regional water planning and have developed a 50-year water plan. In addition to the Rio Grande and two aquifers, future water supplies will include expanded desalination, expanded aquifer storage and recharge, advanced water purification and importation. Learn more. 

Since 1991, when the Water Conservation Ordinance was adopted, our per capita water use decreased by more than 35% from about 205 gallons per consumer per day (GPCD) to 129GPCD. EPWater offers a variety of conservation programs, including education, audits, rebates and more to help customers save water. Learn more.

EPWater manages thousands of acres of land and associated water rights. We sell land not needed for facilities or watershed management, but both are needed to ensure smart and sustainable growth. We purchase open space with a stormwater function to reduce flood risk, and we partner with the City and non-profits to provide more recreational opportunities by granting the use of our lands for trailhead sites. Learn more.

EPWater has four wastewater treatment plants that produce sludge as a byproduct of the treatment process. The plants have a combined total of about 90,000 wet tons of dewatered sludge per year that is managed and disposed of. EPWater is working with local university researchers on solutions to reduce volumes of sludge that will reduce landfill trips. Additionally, EPWater is working on a pilot project to produce commercial-grade fertilizer from biosolids.

In 2017, EPWater adopted an Energy Management Master Plan. New power meters are producing valuable data to trend and benchmark plant processes. A pump testing pilot program reveals pumps in need of maintenance or replacement to improve energy efficiency. A feasibility study is also in the works on the best options for renewable energy at our plants.

EPWater partners with regional colleges and universities on research projects to pursue innovations to protect and preserve natural resources. Joint projects with UTEP, NMSU and Texas A&M Agrilife among others have involved a range of innovations, such as improving reverse osmosis systems, membranes and electrodialysis for improved desalination.

To be responsive to neighbor concerns, EPWater has made a series of odor control improvements over the last decade at its wastewater treatment plants. At the Haskell plant, improvements resulted in a 75% decrease in number of neighbors affected by odors. A similar project was completed at the Hickerson plant. EPWater was one of the first utilities in the U.S. to use a super-oxygenation system at its Frontera lift station in 2014 with positive results with many other utilities following suit.

EPWater is regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. EPWater performs more than 300,000 water quality tests annually to demonstrate compliance. Results are reported to TCEQ and shared with customers in our annual Consumer Confidence Report. The utility also maintains pretreatment standards for inflows into our wastewater treatment plants. The utility holds state permits to discharge treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants and follow regulations for the disposal of biosolids.

EPWater is always seeking new solutions to ease the burden on those who are most vulnerable. Through partnerships with local non-profits, EPWater offers several affordability options to our customers. Learn more.

EPWater proactively engages our customers through our Citizen’s Academy, construction outreach programs, speakers bureau, tours, events and more. The utility provides a quarterly briefing to City Council and participates in the Borderplex Alliance, the El Paso Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber and other organizations that share a vision for a thriving El Paso community. Learn more.

In our Chihuahuan Desert city, we want our community to understand our water resources and appreciate the importance of conservation. EPWater’s TecH₂O Learning Center houses museum-quality exhibits and reaches thousands of students and adults every year through virtual and in-person workshops, field trips and other programs. Learn more.

• Charity of Choice – EPWater employees each year choose to focus on helping one local charity. Employees host fundraising events on personal time and give their time, money and talent to show their spirit of service and make a big impact for the given non-profit.

• United Way – EPWater employees generously pledge to donate funds from their paychecks to support United Way and its network of non-profits that help meet basic community needs.

EPWater actively pursues grant funding to help unincorporated communities get first-time water and/or wastewater services.