AWWA JAW64841
Journal AWWA - El Paso's Citizens Embrace the Value of Water and Reap Big Rewards
Journal Article by American Water Works Association, 06/01/2007
Tennyson, Patricia A.; Parker, Karol Walker
Full Description
The growing desert community of El Paso facedchallenges in terms of identifying water supplies tomeet demands and support the economy despite thefact that the community might not be able to affordthe cost of infrastructure construction and repairs.This article describes how El Paso Water Utilities(EPWU) looked critically at its operations and madeimprovements, developed a rate structure that supportedmajor goals such as conserving water, ensuredthat a safe and reliable water supply was available wellinto the future, and made the resource commitmentsnecessary to involve the public and actively communicatewith the community. EPWU learned that developmentof a sustainable water supply program requiresplanning and communicating about the value of waterso the community will support the infrastructureinvestments it takes for this public-private partnershipto continue to succeed.