EPWU Voluntary Restrictions Could Become Mandatory By Summer

If El Pasoans ignore new voluntary water restrictions due to continuing drought conditions in the Borderland, those water restrictions could soon become mandatory like they are in other Texas cities like Dallas and San Antonio.

At this point, El Paso Water Utilties is only asking El Pasoans to voluntarily cut back, but that could change come summer.

El Paso Water Utilities has come up with some pretty creative ways to show “Less is more” when it comes to water conservation, including two new catchy commercials. In addition, EPWU is asking the media to spread the word about how serious the situation is.

“We are in the position we’re in because, go to the Rio Grande and there’s no water in it right now,” said Martin Bartlett, spokesman for EPWU. “So as temperatures start to go up this week we know that water usage is going to go up as well.”

One of the keys to making sure El Paso does not run out of water is the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Desalination Plant in East El Paso, which has been working overtime. The other keys involve El Pasoans.

“The desalination plant is helping El Pasoans get through the drought but getting through the drought doesn’t mean we’re not in a drought,” Bartlett said. “Conservation has always been the key in the Chihuahuan desert and it always will be.”

Bartlett said if El Pasoans will cut back watering their yards to one day a week for the next couple of weeks, it’ll have a wave of an impact on the water situation.

“On Sunday, El Pasoans used 128 million gallons of water,” he said. “We’re really trying to keep that number below 125 million through the end of the month. It’s little things like turning off the water when you shave, turning off the water while you brush your teeth or take a shorter shower.”

El Pasoans ABC-7 spoke with said they will try and do their part.

“I try and at least take a 15 minute shower, if necessary like 20 minutes but not more than 30 minutes,” said East El Pasoan Elisa Arce.

EPWU would like El Pasoans to take five minute showers.

“I take quick showers,” said Eastsider Martin Villegas. “I take like five minute showers.”

And as for watering once a week?

“I can deal with that,” said Arce. “But I don’t know if the plants can.”

Other ways to conserve include not using your toilet as a trash can and fixing all those leaks in your house.