BECC Submits Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update to JMAS

On December 13th, BECC formally presented the Juarez Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update developed jointly by the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in close coordination with the local water utility, the Junta Municipal de Agua y Saneamiento (JMAS). The study, launched on May 4, 2012, was developed by the engineering firm Servicios de Ingeniería e Informática SC. The event took place at the Main Hall of the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez. University President Ricardo Duarte, while welcoming attendees to the presentation, said that this Plan "is a key document for Juarez, as it establishes the steps to be followed in the areas of water and wastewater collection and treatment."

It has to do with the future of the region and is a plan that directly impacts the development of the city. BECC General Manager Maria Elena Giner said the original plan was used extensively by JMAS and has been a key planning tool for the utility in its long-term vision. Among the most important projects stemming from the original Master Plan she highlighted the Conejos-Medanos system and the rehabilitation and expansion of the water distribution network.

These actions allowed water coverage to rise from 87% to 98%. As for wastewater collection, major projects included the rehabilitation and expansion of sewer lines and collectors, which increased coverage from 86% to 94%. Wastewater treatment investments focused on expanding and improving the North and South Treatment Plants and the construction of three additional treatment facilities: Anapra, Laguna de Patos, and the South-South or Valle de Juarez plants. 

This new plan, also developed in coordination with JMAS, intends to build on the actions developed in recent years, in a continued attempt to improve the services provided by the utility in Ciudad Juarez and the welfare of the community, Maria Elena Giner said. 

The plan received US $250,000 in funding from the BECC's Technical Assistance Program, as well as a contribution of US $50,000 from USAID. JMAS provided US $200,000 to support this effort that aims to continue the actions developed in recent years and contribute to enhance the utility's institutional capacity with projects planned for a twenty-year scope. 

The projects recommended in this plan belong in four areas: water, wastewater collection, wastewater treatment, and energy efficiency, for an investment of around US $1.1 million in the next 20 years. 

Water projects include improvements to the water distribution system, managing volumes and sources of future supply such as the 1,000 lps Rio Grande Water Treatment Plant. As for wastewater collection, the plan recommends projects such as the rehabilitation of 280 km of collectors and 660 km of sewer lines. In the area of wastewater treatment, suggested projects include water reclamation with 42 km of purple lines, construction of a 5 lps tertiary treatment module at the North Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the construction of two modules, each with 100 lps capacity fr secondary treatment at the North and South WWTPs. Recommended energy efficiency actions include commercial efficiency and management actions, network sectorization, efficient use of solar energy, and sludge-based power generation at the South and Valle de Juarez Wastewater Treatment Plants.

In closing her presentation, Maria Elena Giner said that "we are experiencing a paradigm shift with a vision of sustainability, protecting the environment and water as natural resources."

Upon receiving this Plan, JMAS President, Fernando Uriarte, said that this ceremony "is an important event for the daily life of Juarez residents, 100 years after the first water system was installed in the city. He acknowledged the support received by JMAS from institutions like the BECC, the North American Development Bank (NADB), CONAGUA, the International Boundary and Water Commission and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.

According to the President of JMAS, the Master Plan represents having safe drinking water and alternative sources of supply, such as the water treatment facility provided for in the 1906 Treaty. He emphasized the water reclamation and energy saving measures recommended in this document. 

In closing the event, the Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs for North America, Sergio Alcocer, said we are witnessing an act of great significance for Juarez, "a Master Plan that provides a medium term outlook" and will further the welfare of its people. He acknowledged the work of the BECC and NADB and said that for the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, border issues are of the utmost importance. 

News coverage of the event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn1h-HUls7s&feature=youtu.be
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxI_8_B9KOs&feature=youtu.be

Interview with Maria Elena Giner: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWY6Plyyq1c&feature=youtu.be