SPI Insights

The Public Service Board of El Paso Water approved $140 million in infrastructure projects on January 8 as part of a $448.94 million water, wastewater, and reclaimed water budget for fiscal year 2020-2021.

Major capital projects for the new fiscal year include an expansion of the Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant to add a new headworks building.

Other projects are upgrading El Paso Water’s treatment system at the Canal plant in Chihuahuita and beginning the multi-year expansions of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant and Hickerson Wastewater Plant.

The utility’s budget also will allocate $27 million to future water supply projects that include completing design of the Advanced Water Purification Facility.

Other planned projects at El Paso Water are:

• Will Ruth Pond. This $15.5 million project is in the planning stage. Construction will begin when property acquisitions are complete;
• Montana Vista Wastewater Collection System. Phase 1 is underway. The utility is pursuing state and federal funding opportunities for phases two and three;
• Boone Interceptor Replacement Phase II. This project will replace three wastewater pipelines installed before the 1940s;
• Canutillo Bosque Road Wastewater Lift Station and Force Main. The utility will install more than a mile of force main lines with room for expansion; and,
• Roseway 20-inch Water Line Replacement. EPWater will replace a 1.5 mile water line installed in 1973 and past useful life.