Background

The Lower Valley Water District is responsible for providing water and wastewater services to the communities east of the City of El Paso, including the Town of Clint. In 2008, it was estimated that 90 percent of the population had running water, but only 5 percent were receiving sewage collection and treatment services.

Consequently, 95 percent of the town’s households rely on old and deteriorated individually-owned septic tanks and cesspools for wastewater collection that do not comply with current state guidelines. As a result, approximately 86,500 gallons a day (gd) of wastewater go untreated due to the failure of the area’s septic systems.

The lack of an adequate wastewater collection and treatment system poses a serious contamination risk for groundwater, as well as a health risk for local residents from direct contact with contaminated water and waterborne diseases.

Description

The project, which will be constructed in two phases, consists of the following main components:

Phase I

• Construction of a lift station;
• Construction of a 10” force main extending 4,300 ft;
• Construction of 14,600 ft of sewer lines of varying diameters
• Installation of 124 residential sewer connections

Phase II

• Construction of 19,325 ft of sewer lines of varying diameters
• Installation of 165 residential sewer connections 

The two phases will be constructed concurrently. The wastewater collected by the system will be treated at the Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Benefits

This project will provide first-time wastewater collection and treatment services to currently un-served areas of the town, bringing wastewater collection and treatment coverage to 100%. The project will reduce environmental and health hazards associated with the inadequate treatment of wastewater, thus providing a cleaner healthier environment for local residents. Specifically, an estimated 86,500 gd of wastewater will be collected and treated prior to being discharged into the environment.