Impact Assessment. Lower Valley Water District, El Paso County, Texas

Transcription

1 Impact Assessment Lower Valley Water District, El Paso County, Texas Board of Directors Meeting Hermosillo, Sonora June 15, 2017

2 Background The impact assessment of the water and wastewater collection infrastructure project in Socorro and San Elizario in the Lower Valley of El Paso County, TX, was completed in March This study built on previous experience and includes a greater analysis of socioeconomic impacts, as recommended by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO). The work team consisted of BECC, the Center for Environmental Research Management (CERM) of the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and the Lower Valley Water District (LVWD). Objective: Assess the health and quality of life impacts of water and wastewater services provided through the LVWD project completed in 2003, using health impact assessment (HIA) tools, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO).

3 Context Prior to the water and wastewater project, residents in San Elizario (pop. 22,995) and Socorro (pop. 4,385) relied on residential wells for water and septic tanks for wastewater disposal. Inadequately designed and constructed on-site treatment systems led to contaminated shallow wells in the area. Studies by UTEP (1988) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (1992) found that 100% and 50% of wells tested, respectively, were bacteriologically contaminated. El Paso County Health Department (1992) reported high rates of Hepatitis A (5x the national average) and shigella dysentery (3x the national average) in the area. UTSA Health Sciences Center (1988) found that 90% of San Elizario residents sampled had been infected with Hepatitis A before reaching the age of 35. 3

4 Water & Wastewater Project for LVWD Implemented: Cost: US$98 million. Funding Sources: EPA (BEIF), Texas Water Development Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. Water Infrastructure: Purchase of existing infrastructure, 3-mg ground storage tank, 28-mgd of increased pumping capacity, 265,000 linear feet of waterlines ranging from 6 24 inches in diameter. Wastewater Infrastructure: Construction of 8 lift stations, 650,000 linear feet of sewer lines, collectors and force main ranging from 8 42 inches in diameter. Connections: 13,729. People benefitted: 33,729. 4

5 Impact Assessment Interviews with 11 key sources of information. Survey of 100 households out of a total of 223 who had lived in the same home for more than 25 years. Review of secondary data related to health, economics, and quality of life impacts 5

6 Results of Household Survey Sources of Water & Wastewater Management Before After 52% of residents obtained water through a combination of trucked water, residential wells, and bottled water. 15% depended solely on trucked water. 100% of residents had running water. 93% were connected to the sewer system. 8% depended solely on wells. 64% of those who depended on trucked water, received deliveries more than once a week. 100% of residents depended on septic tanks and cesspools. 6

7 Results of Household Survey Perception of service 93% of residents are satisfied with water service due to improved reliability, pressure and health. 89% are satisfied with the sewer service due to improved treatment, health, and cost savings. 90% of those surveyed currently use municipal water for cooking and hygiene. Economy, community development & quality of life 93% of the respondents believe that that having water and sewer services benefitted the community through expanded healthcare services, local businesses, parks and recreation and better fire safety. 88% of respondents believe quality of life has improved. 7

8 Results of Household Survey Self-reported health conditions IIlnness Before After Skin problems (rash, itchy, dry) 22% 9% Gastrointestinal illness (diarrhea, nausea, gastritis) 9% 3% Stomach infections (salmonella, cholera, H. pylori) 1% 0% LVWD Water Service Connections 1997 = 3, = 17, % increase Residents without services in El Paso County decreased from 40,000 to 16,000. 8

9 Secondary Data Review 9

10 Secondary Data Review Community Development and Economic Impact Medium household income grew nearly 28% in the area. An increase of up to US$6,500 a year for some families. Property values increased by 41% in Socorro and 23% in San Elizario between 2000 and 2010 (American Fact Finder). The average is 20% in El Paso County after firsttime water service was provided (El Paso Water Utilities). Expanded residential development (approx sq. miles) with access to reliable water and wastewater services extended from the project s infrastructure investments. 10

11 Next Steps in 2017 Begin development of two impact assessments aimed at documenting the results of wastewater infrastructure projects in a binational context. Current candidates include the sister cities of: Laredo, TX / Nuevo Laredo, TAM. Nogales, AZ / Nogales, SON. Methodology to include: Integration and coordination of binational regional work teams. Access to consistent statistical data in the same timeframe. Documentation of the transboundary impacts. 11