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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and John E. Balliew, President and CEO of El Paso Water, applauded the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) which authorizes an additional $50 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and El Paso County to improve stormwater systems, reduce flood damages, and overhaul other aspects of our region’s water infrastructure.

The WRDA 2020, approved by the House of Representatives on July 29, 2020, provides authority for the USACE to carry out water resources development projects and studies; it also reforms and provides policy direction to the USACE for implementation of its civil works missions. This legislation is critical to our nation’s inland waterways, ports, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure.

“El Paso is a vibrant community with unique water infrastructure needs and El Paso Water has played a critical role in maintaining and improving our infrastructure to provide a sustainable water supply and reduce our city’s flood risk,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “ WRDA is essential to El Pasoans everyday lives and I am proud to have fought to secure this much-needed funding for critical rehabilitation projects in our region.”

“With Rep. Escobar’s leadership on this legislation, El Paso will have increased project funding authority from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” said Balliew. “This authorization will allow us to move forward on important infrastructure projects, including those to reduce flood risk, improve service reliability, and ensure clean water for our community, all while easing the cost burden to our ratepayers.”