Northeast - Fred Hervey Plant

The Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant is located in Northeast El Paso. It uses tertiary treatment to produce reclaimed water to drinking quality level.

Although not used for drinking (potable) purposes, the reclaimed water is reinjected into the Hueco Bolson through a series of injection wells in northeast El Paso for aquifer replenishment. In 2004, a total of 577 million gallons of reclaimed water were returned to the Hueco Bolson.

The Fred Hervey plant also supplies the El Paso Electric Company with approximately 889 million gallons of reclaimed water for their cooling towers on an annual basis. Painted Dunes Golf course, the second largest customer, obtained approximately 187 million gallons of reclaimed water in 2004 for irrigation purposes. Other minor customers include Bowen Ranch, City of El Paso Landfill, and several contractors that used 37.4 million gallons of reclaimed water of the total plant’s production of 1,840 million gallons in 2004. These customers use water for irrigation, dust control, and diverse construction activities.

El Paso Water Utilities participates in a research project with the American Water Works Association Research Foundation (AWWARF) by providing approximately 146 million gallons per year of reclaimed water to an infiltration basin.

A recent project was designed to serve the new City of El Paso Regional Park in the area with reclaimed water for irrigation of ball fields, playgrounds and landscape. Upon completion of the park’s first 16-acre phase in 2005, it is expected to use approximately 20 million gallons or reclaimed water on an annual basis and ultimately up to 72 million gallons annually after full buildup.

In 1994, the plant received the Public Information and Education Award from AMSA. Also in 1994, the plant placed second in the nation in the EPA Operations and Maintenance Excellence Awards Program, in the No Discharge Category, representing the State of Texas and EPA Region VI. In 1998, the plant was the recipient of the AWWA Conservation/Reuse Award for a Direct Program for a Large Utility. In 1999, the plant was recognized for Protection and Presentation of the Environment by Mission Possible – Survival Strategies for the El Paso Del Norte Region Association.