Background

COMAPA provides water services to approximately 95% of area residents. The primary source of water supply for the city is the Rio Grande, with treatment provided through two plants which meet Mexican drinking water standards throughout the year, except for very brief periods of time associated with increased turbidity in the river. However, the physical condition of the system’s storage tanks, pumping equipment, and distribution lines is deficient due to age, resulting in significant water loss problems in the system. In addition, lack of capacity in the primary lines causes low pressure and service shortcomings.

The sanitary sewage collection system provides coverage to approximately 87% of area residents; however, only about 71% of residents are actually connected to the system. Many of the old wastewater mains are deteriorated, giving rise to frequent collapses
through out the system. In addition, accumulated sediments and silts clog the lines, thus reducing their hydraulic capacity and forcing them to divert raw wastewater into the storm drainage system, which ultimately discharges it into the Rio Grande without treatment. Approximately 90% of the wastewater collected is adequately treated, the majority in the
International Wastewater Treatment Plant (IWWTP).

Description

The project covers the first phase of COMAPA’s capital improvement program. The main components of this phase are:

• Improvements to the two water treatment plants;
• Expansion of the IWWTP and construction of a new wastewater treatment plant;
• Construction and rehabilitation of the water distribution and wastewater collection systems, including construction of a ground water storage tank; and

Benefits

Repairing and expanding the sanitary sewer system will virtually eliminate raw wastewater discharges into the Rio Grande, thus providing a safer and healthier source of water for the city, as well as for downstream users. Repairing the water distribution system, installing residential meters and implementing a leak detection program will reduce water losses in an area of scarce water resources. In addition, the project will extend water and wastewater service coverage to almost 100% of the existing population.