El Paso County receives $3.1 million grant for Colonia Revolucion project.

More than 200 residents of Colonia Revolucion in Far East El Paso County may be connected to a water pipeline for the first time by next year, said County Commissioner Vince Perez, who represents the area.

The underserved community is located west of Horizon City between Pellicano and Eastlake drives.

Providing potable water to the colonia will result in a better quality of life for the residents, who would also save in water and electricity bills, Perez said.

By state law, all homes outside the city limits must have access to drinking water and a sewer or septic system in order to get a Certificate of Plat Compliance from the county, which allows homeowners to receive electrical and gas services.

Perez said that since colonia residents do not have water connectivity, they don't qualify for the certificate of compliance. He said many of them pay commercial electricity rates, which are much more expensive than residential rates.

"Not only they are going to get clean, safe, drinking water in their homes for the first time, this is also going to enable them to get the COCs for the first time, which is going to enable them to pay residential (electricity) rates," Perez said.

The county has received a $3.1 million grant and a $500,000 loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide water service for the first time to about 80 homes (225 residents) in Colonia Revolucion, according to county documents.

"The residents do not have a safe, reliable, water distribution system to meet their supply, storage or fire protection needs," a county document states.

On Dec. 9, Commissioners Court contracted R.M. Wright Construction Company for almost $1.75 million to install an elevated water storage tank and to build a booster pump station. Commissioners Court also hired CMD Endeavors to carry out the water system improvements pipeline project, which includes installing thousands of feet of water lines and 37 fire hydrants.

The county will work in conjunction with El Paso Water Utilities to provide the water service to the colonia.

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El Paso County receives $3.1 million grant for Colonia Revolucion project.