Background
Many of the existing sewage disposal systems in the unincorporated community of Tornillo did not comply with the El Paso County requirements for construction and operation of on- site sewage systems. These regulations prohibit the use of septic tank systems on lots of less than one-half acre in size, a common lot size in the Tornillo area. Over 80% of septic tanks were not registered with the county. Many of the homes in the older areas of Tornillo used cesspools, constructed of a cinder block or brick. A small percentage of homes disposed wastes directly onto the ground or into irrigation canals. On-site systems relying on soil absorption continually failed due to the characteristics of the soil and high groundwater table in some of the project areas accentuate the shortage of absorption capacity.
Description
The purpose of this project was to eliminate exposure to untreated or inadequately treated wastewater discharges in unserved areas through the construction of the wastewater collection system and a wastewater treatment plant, contributing to the reduction of water pollution and the risk of water-borne diseases.
Benefits
The project consists of the construction of the wastewater collection system and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) for un- served areas of the community of Tornillo. The WWTP consists of a secondary treatment process (activated sludge).
Project Financing
| Total Project Cost | US 21.77M | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NADBank Funding |
US 1.92M - NADBank Loan US 5.67M - NADBank Grant: BEIF |
Project Photos
Results Measurement
Results are measured upon completion of the project through a closeout process that assesses project performance within 6-12 months after completion, as well as the achievement of the goals and objectives established at the time of project certification and financing approval.
|
Outcomes |
|
Provide access to wastewater collection and treatment services |
|
Eliminate exposure to untreated or inadequately treated wastewater discharges (Protection of natural resources) |
|
Indicators |
Actual (2014) |
|
Access to new wastewater collection and treatment |
595 |
|
New wasteatwater treatment capacity (MGD) |
0.73 |
|
Eliminate untreated discharges (MGD) |
0.24 |
|
Outputs |
|
|
Wastewater treatment plant (MGD) |
0.73 |
|
New wastewater collection infrastructure (lf) |
89,231 |
|
Wastewater connections |
595 |
|
Significant project finding(s) |
|
The project eliminated more uncollected discharges than originally estimated; however, the WWTP has sufficient capacity for continued growth in population. |