After storm events in July and August 2021, the El Paso, Texas, Public Service Board approved an emergency declaration that allowed El Paso Water to make immediate repairs.
Many of El Paso’s storm water structures held up during the heavy rainfall, but areas such as Central El Paso were overwhelmed and damaged many parts of the system.
“The force of nature can do a considerable amount of damage, especially when storm water is coming down at a high velocity carrying rocks and debris,” said El Paso President and CEO John Balliew, reported El Paso Water. “Some of our concrete channels were badly damaged by this force.”
The Ojo de Agua channel that conveys runoff from the mountain experienced a large section of the concrete channel that was severely damaged and washed away.
“We’ve made good progress on repairing the channel,” said Project Manager Rafael Velazquez, reported El Paso Water. “Even with the second heavy rain event in August, the project remains on track to be completed later this year.”
So far, repairs to the channel include clearing debris, including large chunks of cement. Crews are refilling the sides of the channel with compacted dirt to ensure improved support for new rebar and cement as well, according to El Paso Water.
El Paso Water engineers and contractors took proactive measures to protect the work area from future storms. Repairs and improvements to the Ojo de Agua Channel are expected to be completed by Dec. 2021.
El Paso Water received 129 service requests and 55 have been completed so far.
There is a list of 62 locations that were deemed emergency storm water repairs. 8 have been completed, 21 are in progress, and 7 will require capital infrastructure planning and funding, reported El Paso Water.
Projects addressing immediate issues including removing sediment and debris from storm drains or minor concrete repairs have been completed. More than 2500 inlets have been cleaned.
