Meeting the Challenge of System Growth at El Paso

Abstract

This article discusses four factors responsible for the success of the El Paso, Texas, municipal water and sewer system in the continual struggle to meet growing demands due to population growth, including the following: the creation of the public service board; the aggressive search for new sources of water supply; the extension policies of the city of El Paso; and, the construction policies of the city. The creation of the public service board placed the overall direction of the municipal water system free from political influence and made it possible for the same directors to continue in office long enough to allow consistent long‐term programs to mature and give a measure of continuity to operations. The aggressive search for new sources of water has developed supplies adequate to meet demand. The extension policies of the city have opened new sources of income and made it possible, by and large, to meet the growing demands without intolerable increases in rates to existing customers. The construction policies have enabled the city to receive the utmost value for each dollar expended.