El Paso Water (EPWater) in Texas serves more than 850,000 residents and businesses in one of the driest regions of the country. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert and averaging only nine inches of annual rainfall, the utility relies on groundwater and Rio Grande surface water to support its community. As the city grows, so does the demand for a skilled and reliable plant workforce. Facing industry-wide staffing challenges, particularly at wastewater facilities, EPWater launched a new initiative to strengthen its pipeline of operators and technicians.

With community engagement essential to effective wastewater management, South Essex Sewerage District (SESD) enhanced its website to better inform and involve residents in efforts to keep local waters and the environment clean. Recognizing that the public plays a critical role in protecting infrastructure and maintaining service efficiency, the District’s new website provides clear, practical guidance on how community members can help prevent sewer system disruptions caused by improper disposal practices.