El Paso, TexasEl Paso Water has broken ground on a $295 million project to construct the first U.S. facility that will send treated wastewater directly into the drinking-water system.
- The Pure Water Center, set to be operational by 2028, will produce 10 million gallons per day (MGD), accounting for 6% of the city’s summer water demand.
The plant will use a multi-step purification process, including reverse osmosis, UV treatment, and granular activated carbon filtration, ensuring the water meets or exceeds state and federal drinking standards. This initiative is part of El Paso’s long-term strategy to diversify its water sources beyond the Rio Grande, groundwater wells, and desalination facilities.
While $23.5 million in federal grants is helping fund the project, most costs will be covered by ratepayers, contributing to recent water rate increases. Despite initial public concerns, surveys indicate broad community acceptance, positioning El Paso as a leader in direct potable reuse—an emerging solution for water-scarce regions.
