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Stormwater utility reports 21 completed projects, 26 in design and seeks more maintenance capacity
Summary
El Paso Water presented its annual stormwater utility update, noting 21 completed capital projects, four under construction, and 26 in planning and design; staff said a 40‑person maintenance team covers the city but said doubling crews would be needed to raise system maintenance from ~30% to 50% annually.
El Paso Water presented the Stormwater Utility’s 2025 operational update to City Council, summarizing recent capital accomplishments, ongoing construction and the utility’s maintenance workload.
Key findings presented: staff reported 21 completed projects addressing conveyance, dam improvements, pond construction and pipe rehabilitation; four projects are in construction and four were in procurement. The utility has 26 projects in planning or design. Notable completed or active projects include reconstruction and trail work on the Canterbury channel, storage and infiltration improvements at the Mesa and Texas site and upgrades to the San Jose Pond and the Lower Morehead retention basin. Staff said the North Hills dam restoration and several green‑infrastructure arroyo stabilization projects had improved flood protection and earned positive comments from state inspectors.
Maintenance capacity and programmatic tradeoffs: El Paso Water said it operates a system of dams, ponds, channels and pipes citywide and that roughly 40 field maintenance workers (“frontliners”) currently maintain system elements. Staff told council that those 40 workers completed about 30% of the city’s planned annual maintenance last year and that achieving 50% annual coverage would require roughly 80 frontliners; full annual coverage (100%) would require 160–200 field workers. Staff and council discussed prioritization methods: projects are scored and ranked based on public‑safety risk, flood exposure, environmental impacts and cost to drive capital planning.
Funding and outcomes: The Stormwater Utility budget for FY2025 totals approximately $101 million: about $66 million for capital, $22 million for debt service and $13 million for operations and maintenance. Utility staff said capital spending has removed more than 20,000 properties from mapped flood zones since the utility was created, producing more than $11 million in estimated savings on flood insurance premiums for property owners. The utility also reported $19.2 million in grant awards received to date and an additional $31.3 million in proposal activity.
Monsoon readiness: With an active El Niño pattern expected June–August, staff said the utility is watching monsoon forecasts and emphasized readiness and continued coordination with public safety and city departments.
Ending: Council members asked for continued coordination on street projects that incorporate drainage work and for staff to pursue grant funding and maintenance capacity. Staff said they will continue to prioritize projects by risk and to report back as projects move to construction.
