Pump Station Rehabilitation Will Improve Stormwater Drainage

El Paso A.R.C. Electrical was selected to rehabilitate the Cebada Stormwater Pump Station. This project is the first major step in improving drainage in Central El Paso.

The Cebada station’s transformer can operate only three of its six pumps, which was not sufficient to handle the large amounts of stormwater flowing in during Storm 2006. Stormwater could no longer flow into the pump station from upstream reservoirs and retention basins, which led to flooding in some Central El Paso areas, including Interstate Highway 10.

A.R.C. Electrical will replace two pumps, and the existing transformer will be replaced with two new transformers that can operate the six pumps. The electrical and mechanical systems will be refurbished and upgraded.

A new climate-controlled building will house the equipment and a radio-based communication system. Operators will use the system to monitor water levels and operate pumps from a remote location.

The City bid the project earlier and received one $4.8 million bid that significantly exceeded the $3 million budget. By restructuring the bid to take advantage of a previously-negotiated maintenance contract, the EPWU saved ratepayers more than $3 million.

The City of El Paso is funding the improvements from the $115 million in certificates of obligation issued for Storm 2006 capital projects.