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How El Paso Water protects the city from floods [1]

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Date: 2025-08-19

The addition of the Pico Norte Pond in East El Paso helps secure public safety and property. Photo by El Paso Water.

When summer monsoon clouds gather over El Paso’s desert landscape, residents know to watch the skies. That’s why El Paso Water’s stormwater utility works year-round on maintenance and improvement of flood control, safeguarding public safety and private property.

The story of El Paso’s modern flood protection begins in 2006, when historic citywide flooding exposed a critical gap in the city’s infrastructure. Before that devastating event, no dedicated city funding existed for stormwater management.

In 2009, EPWater established a stormwater master plan identifying $650 million in needed projects. A new monthly user fee was implemented to help fund the operations and maintenance of flood control systems. What started as a $3 monthly fee, lowered after significant public input, has evolved to meet growing needs and rising costs.

“The current fee of $7.42 is much more appropriate for the scope that needs to be completed,” said Gilbert Trejo, vice president of Operations and Technical Services, adding that construction and operational costs also increased. “Funding continues to be a big challenge. We encourage our customers to support our stormwater fees because flood-control improvements benefit the entire community.”

EPWater must balance maintaining a stormwater system with keeping water bills affordable. Each project decision involves careful analysis of risk, cost and community benefit. EPWater’s team evaluates factors like population density, critical infrastructure protection and potential property damage to ensure every dollar invested delivers maximum protection for El Paso residents.

A mountain-sized challenge

El Paso faces unique flood-control challenges primarily because of the Franklin Mountains. An intense downpour can lead to flash flooding as the steep terrain creates uncontrolled energy for stormwater, carrying debris with it.

“No other city in the nation can say they have a mountain that cuts the city in half,” Trejo said. “Compounding the issue is the misconception that streets should remain dry during storms, when in fact they are intentionally designed to carry stormwater runoff.”

This unique geography creates challenges that early city planners addressed with practical solutions. They developed street drainage standards for neighborhood developments near the Franklin Mountains with cost-benefit in mind, a smart approach for an arid desert city that typically sees minimal rainfall.

But climate patterns are shifting. “We’re now seeing 50- and 100-year storms more frequently,” said Gisela Dagnino, chief operations officer for stormwater. “Older infrastructure was not designed for such events.”

EPWater has added major dams in the Franklin Mountains, such as the Arroyo 1 on the West Side and the Memphis Dam in Central, to capture rushing stormwater before it can cause downstream damage. These strategic infrastructure investments represent a proactive approach to flood control that protects both public safety and private property.

The addition of the Pico Norte Pond in East El Paso helps secure public safety and property. Photo by El Paso Water.

Community partnership makes the difference

Effective flood protection requires more than infrastructure. It demands community participation. EPWater’s diligent stormwater crew members labor year-round to keep waterways clear and functioning properly, removing everything from construction site litter to mattresses and household furniture that are dumped.

The best flood protection happens when residents help to protect the community:

Avoid dumping trash, yard waste or debris in arroyos and drainage areas. These natural and constructed channels must remain unobstructed to function properly during storms.

EPWater strongly encourages residents to keep an eye on neighborhood arroyos and drainage structures. Report issues to [email protected].

Above all, EPWater urges customers to heed storm warnings and avoid driving in floodwater. Even shallow water can be dangerous, and conditions can change rapidly during desert storms.

Monitor weather conditions during monsoon season and understand your neighborhood’s flood risk areas.

Preparing for the future

As El Paso continues to grow and climate patterns evolve, EPWater remains committed to adapting its flood protection strategies. The stormwater utility represents more than infrastructure investment — it’s insurance for the community’s future prosperity and safety.

“We never know what Mother Nature will bring,” Dagnino said. “Always stay alert and heed flash flood warnings.”

With continued community support and strategic investments, EPWater is building resilience into El Paso’s landscape, ensuring that when the storms arrive, the city is ready.

You can learn more about EPWater’s stormwater improvements here.

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[1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2025/08/19/how-el-paso-water-protects-the-city-from-floods/

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