How El Paso is leading the way in water management

Alexandra Hart | Source: Texas Standard | Posted 05/21/2025

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Out east, a lack of water led to the closure of the last Texas sugar cane mill last year – there just wasn’t enough to support the industry. Some in southwest Texas worry that citrus could be the next big agricultural sector to fall due to dwindling water resources. 


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El Paso is addressing significant water management challenges, particularly due to the ongoing drought affecting traditional sources like the Rio Grande. Scott Reinert, the water resources manager for El Paso Water, highlights the unpredictability of water availability from the river, which has been subject to drought conditions for the past two decades. To combat this, El Paso has developed innovative solutions, including the largest inland desalination plant in the world and a new state-of-the-art water reuse facility called the Pure Water Center, which will enhance the treatment of reclaimed water.

The city has become a model for water management, attracting interest from various countries and cities looking to learn from its practices. El Paso's approach includes a comprehensive 50-year water plan that considers population growth and future water demands. Reinert expresses optimism about the city's water future, citing the availability of brackish groundwater and the advancements in water treatment technologies as key factors in ensuring a sustainable water supply.



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Source Link: https://www.texasstandard.org/stories/el-paso-water-management-texas-challenges-supply-reclaimed-pure/

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