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Making strategic and carefully planned investments will yield valuable returns in the future. This is a principle observed in the banking industry that I have served throughout my career. As a member of the Public Service Commission, which manages El Paso Water, I incorporate these same principles into our utility budgeting and rate planning processes.
PSB recently approved EPWater’s 2024-25 budget, which includes a 4% rate increase for water and wastewater services. PSB considered many factors, including the need to ensure sustainable water resources. Obligation to maintain system security and reliability. and our responsibility to our customers to provide affordable water services.
Ultimately, these factors converge into one major balancing act in which we must carefully weigh each concern against the needs of both our customers and future generations.
more: El Paso water rates increase for 9th consecutive year to support construction projects
water supply
In this year’s budget, we have prioritized future water supply development. Although we live in the Chihuahuan Desert, the driest region of Texas, we often take water for granted. When you turn on the faucet, water flows.
We need to realize that high quality water can be obtained on demand with simple effort. Securing resources requires careful planning and engineering by EPWater employees.
The budget we approved includes $58 million for water projects that replenish aquifers, expand desalination plants, and enhance water conservation.
PSB supported these investments, ensuring our children and grandchildren will have access to safe, reliable water for decades to come.
more: Here’s how water desalination works in El Paso
Accountability and affordability
The PSB has ultimate responsibility for overseeing the infrastructure that serves EPWater’s customers. To avoid costly breakdowns like the 2021 Frontera wastewater emergency, we must make the necessary investments to maintain and improve these vast and aging systems.
The approved budget includes $363 million for construction projects to improve system reliability, including repairing and replacing pipelines throughout the city. With the rapid growth of the Eastside, the approved expansion of the Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide essential wastewater services to new homes and businesses.
PSB also strongly considers the financial situation of its customers. Customer access to water service is just as important as system improvements. Last year, power company officials predicted that this year’s interest rate hike would be in the double digits. Encouraged by PSB, EPWater made as many cuts as possible and tightened interest rates to keep them in check.
The board also approved measures to help customers save more on their monthly bills. The utility will continue to waive the $14 monthly fee for approximately 50,000 customers who use less than 4 CCF (approximately 3,000 gallons) of water per month.
Through our nonprofit partners, approximately 5,800 low-income customers received assistance paying their 2023 bills. Additionally, EPWater staff worked diligently to secure approximately $28 million for infrastructure projects from state and federal agencies.
During my time at PSB, I learned how important water systems are for our communities to thrive and grow. Providing that resource every day requires the efforts of hundreds of her EPWater employees. It will also take the vision and determination of EPWater and her PSB to ensure that these systems remain available for all of us.
With that experience and keen financial acumen, I will always look out for our clients, EPWater’s customers, and continue to make the investments necessary to protect their water futures.
Lisa Saenz is a member of the Public Service Commission, which manages El Paso Water.
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