EPWU's media contact is Martin Bartlett, Public Information Specialist, mbartlett2epwu.org,
915-594-5510
February
4, 2013
EPWU
continues to monitor low lake levels at Elephant Butte
Photos, videos share drought’s impact via social
media platforms
EL PASO –
Elephant Butte Lake remains less than four percent full of water available to
downstream users, including El Paso Water Utilities and its customers.
While the number is telling,
recent photos of the lake are even more striking. During the week of February
4-8, 2013, EPWU will dedicate its social media platforms to sharing photos and
videos which demonstrate the drought’s impact on Elephant Butte Lake.
In
a typical summer, EPWU pumps half of its water supply from wells in the city.
The other half comprises water released from Elephant Butte Lake into the Rio
Grande. However, continued drought in New Mexico and Colorado means less river
water than usual will be available to El Paso.
“El
Paso Water Utilities plans to make up the difference by relying more heavily on
well water,” said EPWU President & CEO John E. Balliew, P.E. “We’re
preparing by drilling new wells and building new pipelines to more efficiently
move that water around the city.”
Much of the water stored at
Elephant Butte Lake starts as rain and snowfall during the winter months in New
Mexico and Colorado. The on-going drought, temperatures, wind speeds, and even
humidity in those regions dictate how much of that water eventually reaches El
Paso, Balliew explained.
“The bottom line is that we
expect less river water again this year,” he said. “For now, it’s just too
early to know how much less.”
The region’s on-going drought
should serve as a reminder of the constant need to conserve in our desert
community. Visit LessisMoreEP.org
for drought updates and information on how you can conserve water.
EPWU Video of Elephant Butte:
Wow, that is really frightening. I don't think we really have put our minds into the stark reality of what's going to happen when there just isn't any water left. Sure, we drill more wells, but wells dry up, water tables drop. And then what?
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