Waste and Water Treatment

El Paso Water Utilities has two surface water treatment plants.
Click here to see the surface water treatment process

Robertson/Umbenhauer Water Treatment

The Robertson Plant began with a 20 MGD capacity in 1943. The Umbenhauer Plant, also with a 20 MGD capacity, was added in 1967. The two plants, commonly called the Canal Street Plant, treat surface water from the Rio Grande to drinking water quality. These plants supply water to Central and West El Paso.

Jonathan Rogers Water Treatment

This state of the art water plant, located in Southeast El Paso, started operating in May of 1993. It is designed to treat 40 MGD of Rio Grande water. This plant provides water to East El Paso and the Lower Valley Water District. Construction is underway to expand the capacity of the plant to 60 MGD.
Wastewater treatment process

Northwest Wastewater Treatment Plant

This plant serves the area west of the Franklin Mountains and the Upper Valley on the Westside of El Paso. The plant began operations in 1987 with a capacity of 5 million gallons per day (MGD) and was expanded to 17.5 MGD in 1995. The effluent (treated wastewater) is discharged to the Rio Grande or reused to irrigate golf courses, schools, parks and other customers with high water demands. Facilities are being constructed to distribute reclaimed water to other areas of west El Paso.

Haskell Street Wastewater Treatment

This is the oldest wastewater treatment plant in El Paso. It began operations in 1923 and has undergone many improvements and additions. Haskelll Street WWTP is a 27.7 MGD activated sludge plant which serves the Central El Paso area. A portion of the effluenct is sold to the Ascarate Municipal Golf Course and the remainder is discharged to the Rio Grande. Plans are underway to add additional facilities for reuse of the effluent.
Fred Hervey Water Reclamation Plant

This very advanced wastewater plant was built in 1985 in Northeast El Paso with a 10 MGD capacity. It treats wastewater to levels meeting or exceeding Safe Drinking Water Act standards. Effluent from the plant is sold to the El Paso Electric Company for industrial cooling and Painted Dunes Golf Course for irrigation or recharged to the Hueco Bolson through injection wells.
Roberto R. Bustamante

This is the newest wastewater treatment plant, serving El Paso. It started operating in 1991 with a 39 MGD capacity. It is located in Southeast El Paso. Effluent from the Bustamante Plant is discharged either to the Riverside Canal to be used for irrigation or into an agricultural drain. The final effluent is used by the adjacent Riverside International Industrial Center. The plant also serves the Lower Valley Water District.