Water utility urges El Pasoans to “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
El Paso Water officially launched it’s Storm Water Safety Campaign, “Turn Around, Don’t Drown,” at the presentation of the recently completed Magnolia Pump Station located on Texas Ave. and Magnolia St.
More than 60 people have died this year in Texas due to storm water flooding, and the El Paso Fire Department has responded to more than 30 drowning and near- drowning incidents since 2013.
With the commencement of Monsoon season, El Paso Water has adopted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service’s slogan to prepare El Pasoans for heavy rain and flash flooding.
The campaign consists of billboards and radio public service announcements that urge commuters to avoid flooded streets, especially those that function as a means to carry storm water into ponding areas. The campaign also focuses on staying away from canals, ponds and other systems that fill up with water.
El Paso Water Vice President of Operations and Technical Services, Alan Schubert, says the campaign is vital to ensuring El Pasoans’ safety due to the city’s foundation.
“A lot of Central El Paso was built in the late 1800’s, and early 1900’s and it was built really without stormwater in mind. The central part of town is the most susceptible part of town to flooding. That’s why we’re spending $25 million on this system,” Schubert said.
The $25 million Magnolia Pump Station and Pipeline allows storm water to flow from the mountain ranges down to the river at a more controlled rate.
The water is picked up from a catch basin at I-10 and Piedras on Gateway, and is pumped into the Magnolia Pond. This essential addition to the Central Stormwater System will improve drainage and reduce flooding in Central El Paso and along I-10 by steadily moving 113 million gallons of storm water to the river, per day.
The campaign will continue in Fall 2016, with the construction of the Gateway Pond East, which will serve as an addition to the existing Gateway Pond.
