This is your weekly news roundup, which takes a quick look at some developments in government, politics, education, environment and other topics across El Paso.
El Paso Water Issues Drought Resolution for Next Year
Even as the El Paso region has seen rainfall recently, the city will get water from the Rio Grande only through mid-August this year – a short river season that executives with El Paso Water on Wednesday said will likely repeat again next year.
That’s why its governing board approved a drought resolution that will allow the utility to more quickly contract with companies to drill additional wells or take on other projects to ensure El Paso Water can supply enough groundwater by next summer.
By September, water planners expect that Elephant Butte will only be 1% full of its capacity. It would take a massive amount of snow falling around the Wolfcreek Pass region of south-central Colorado this winter to refill the reservoir significantly. Snowpack in the mountains at the head of the Rio Grande watershed melts and then flows south through the Rio Grande into El Paso every year.
The recent rainfall and flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, means little for El Paso’s water supply. Monsoon rains can reduce the amount that El Pasoans water their plants and help replenish Elephant Butte minimally, but the city’s water system is designed to meet demand by either capturing river flows or by pumping water from underground, not with rainwater.
A good river season – like last year, when the Rio Grande supplied 44% of the water El Pasoans used – would run from March to as late as October. This year, the flows arrived in El Paso in early June and the river will run for around a month longer, and it will probably be similar in 2026, according to Scott Reinert, water resources manager for El Paso Water.
Much like this year, El Paso Water in 2026 will likely have to rely less on the river and make it up by pumping groundwater from the two aquifers beneath El Paso to meet the city’s demand for water of about 40 billion gallons annually.
The risk of a prolonged drought with short river seasons is that the city-owned utility has to over-pump the aquifers and drain the region’s main source of water. That’s why El Paso Water is spending hundreds of millions of dollars to expand its water desalination plant near the airport – so it can tap more of the salty groundwater in the eastern portion of the county – and also building the Pure Water Center in the Lower Valley that will convert sewage water to drinking water.
How to Help Flood Victims in Ruidoso, Kerrville
The Village of Ruidoso, New Mexico, has begun cleaning up after Tuesday’s flash flood that killed three people, including two children of a Fort Bliss soldier who had been camping in an RV camp with family, post officials confirmed.
To help in the recovery efforts, you can donate to the Community Foundation of Lincoln County, which provides financial assistance for evacuation, temporary housing and repairs to residents who have experienced hardship due to natural disasters such as fire and floods.
While Ruidoso leaders are discouraging visitors, the village has set up some donation sites to receive items such as toiletries, paper products, diapers, packs of socks and underwear, cleaning supplies and trash bags, and sports drinks and protein bars.
You can find the latest drop-off locations on the Village of Ruidoso Facebook page, where officials are also providing regular updates to residents and visitors.
Flood deaths in Texas rose to 120 Thursday since Kerrville was hit with the catastrophic flooding July 4. More than 160 people are still missing, authorities said Thursday. The El Paso Community Foundation is collaborating with other community foundations across Texas.
Here’s where you can help:
- Kerr County Flood Relief Fund: Managed by the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, this fund supports organizations that provide rescue, relief and recovery efforts, as well as flood assistance.
- San Angelo Area Foundation – July 4th Flood Disaster Fund supports emergency response and recovery efforts across the Concho Valley, helping residents with shelter, food, supplies and long-term rebuilding.
UTEP Faculty Senate President Resigns Over Senate Bill 37 Concerns
Bruce Cushing, president of UTEP’s Faculty Senate, resigned effective July 7, citing concerns about the lack of shared governance within institutions of higher education in Texas under Senate Bill 37.
Faculty senates – or councils – are the voice of instructors at colleges or universities. The bodies often lead in curriculum development and in proposals about majors, minors and certificates. They also work with administrations to guarantee quality research.
Cushing, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso, had spoken out against the legislation since its introduction in March.
The bill expanded the state’s supervision of public colleges and universities and reduced the influence of faculty senates. While parts of the law can be applied as late as Jan. 1, 2026, faculty senate regulations begin Sept. 1.
Cushing wrote in an email exchange that he sent his resignation to UTEP Provost John Wiebe, members of the Faculty Senate and its executive committee.
“Simply stated, there is no independence, or shared governance, if half the faculty representatives and all of the officers of the senate are appointed by the president of the university,” Cushing wrote in his resignation letter. “Elected officers cannot serve at the pleasure of the president or provost if there is to be shared governance.”
Proponents have said that the bill will improve governance of public colleges and universities, and will support a curriculum that better prepares graduates for the workforce.
Cushing’s action was mostly symbolic. Elected in April 2024, he lost his reelection bid last May to Craig Field, professor of psychology, who will take office Sept. 1. Paul Carrola, the body’s vice president and associate professor of counseling and special education, is in charge until then.
The post El Paso Water braces for 2026 drought; how to help Ruidoso, Kerrville flood victims, UTEP faculty senate head resigns appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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