Pure WaterCenterwillproduce10milliongallons ofwaterperday
El Paso Water (EPWater),joinedbylocal, stateandfederal leaders,brokeground today on the Pure Water Center, formerly known as the Advanced Water Purification Facility. During the ceremony, the new name was unveiled, reflecting the mission to produce sustainable, high-quality drinking water for the El Paso community.
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EPWaterhasworkedcollaborativelywiththeTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQuality (TCEQ)for more than a decade to ensure that the water produced at this facility will meet all state and federal requirements for safe drinking water. In late 2024, TCEQ granted final design approval, allowing construction to move forward.
“After years of planning, design and thousands of water-quality tests, we are excited to begin construction on the Pure Water Center,” said President and CEO John Balliew.”ThisisthenextstepinEl Paso's long history of water reuse, and we hope it will serve as a model for other communities facing water related challenges.”
Cutting-Edge Water Purification ProcessThePureWaterCenter willreceivetreated waterfromtheRobertoBustamanteWastewaterTreatment Plant, which is currently used for irrigation and discharge to the Rio Grande. This water will undergo a multi-step purification process to go beyond drinking water quality standards before distribution to customers.
Theadvanced purificationprocessincludes membranefiltration,reverse osmosis,ultravioletlightwith advanced oxidation, granular activated carbon filtration and chlorine disinfection.
Designed by Carollo Engineers and soon to be constructed by the PCL/Sundt Joint Venture, the Pure Water Center will provide an additional 10 million gallons of drinking water per day directly to El Paso residents.
“The groundbreaking of EPWater's Pure Water Center represents a historic milestone for water reuse innovation,”saidSanaan Villalobos, Vice President and Project Manager at Carollo. “As the nation's first direct-to-distribution potable reuse facility, this pioneering project showcasesEPWater's visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to water sustainability.”
“We are honored EPWater has entrusted the PCL/Sundt team with this transformative project,” said AnkurTalwar,District ManagerforPCL's CivilInfrastructureDivision.”OurhopeisthatthePureWater Center will set a new standard for water resiliency across the country.”
“At Sundt, we take pride in our long-standing expertise in building critical water infrastructure that strengthens communities,” said Sam Reidy, President of Sundt's Water and Wastewater Group. “Through ourpartnershipwithEPWaterandPCLConstruction,weareensuring aresilientwater future for the region.”
Investing in Community Engagement and EducationEPWateriscommittedtokeepingcustomersinformedaboutElPaso'swater resourcesandsystems. The Pure Water Center will feature a state-of-the-art visitor center, offering educational opportunities to learn about water sources, water supplies, environmental stewardship, and advanced water treatment processes.
Funding and Project TimelineThe U.S. Bureau of Reclamation awarded $3.5 million in 2019 for the facility's design and committed an additional $20 million in 2022 to support construction. The total project cost is currently estimated at$295million, andEPWatercontinuestopursueadditionalstateandfederal funding.Constructionis expected to be completed in 2028.
Mediatoolkit:AnimatedrenderingofPureWater Center,stillrenderingsofPureWater Center,Pure Water Center logo, fact sheet and photos of groundbreaking event.
About the Partners
El Paso Water is a municipal utility that provides water, wastewater and stormwater services. Recognized as a model for water resource innovation, the utility is proud to provide sustainable high quality water services.
Carollo Engineers: For over 90 years, Carollo Engineers has provided a full range of innovative planning, design, and construction management services to address the water needs of municipalities, public agencies, private developers, and industrial clients.
PCL Construction: PCL Construction is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $8 billion USD in work annually, building projects that shape communities.
Sundt Construction, Inc: Sundt Construction is one of the country's largest and most respected general contractors. Established in 1890 and 100-percent employee-owned,SundtisrankedNo.51onENR'sTop400contractorslist,the industry's principal trade magazine.
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SOURCE PCL Construction
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