Regional Background

This section provides some highlights of the region that will help you be aware of some basic water issues affecting the cities of El Paso, Las Cruces and Ciudad Juarez. This area, also known as the Paso del Norte region, is located in the Chihuahuan Desert

The Chihuahuan Desert in this region is located at high altitudes and receives an average annual precipitation of eight inches, with peak rainfall occurring in July and August. The Chihuahuan desert is unique because of its distinctive features, its geological and biological diversity, and the exclusive water resources shared by two countries. Governing of these resources is complex and requires cooperative efforts from the region's governing agencies.

Fresh water for the city of El Paso comes from both surface water and groundwater. Ju‡rez and New Mexico use surface water for irrigation and their underground sources for domestic and commercial use. The population sharing these limited resources is over three million and it is projected to double in ten years. Currently, the population of Ciudad Juarez is twice the combined populations of El Paso and Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is increasing very rapidly. U.S Census Bureau