Problem: Located in a desert area, El Paso, Texas faces the continuing problem of finding an adequate water supply. The current primary aquifer in the city is becoming depeleted. Although water from the Rio Grande could be treated and used fairly easily, the appropriation of virtually all available water rights for agricultural use leaves this an unworkable alternative. Proposed solution: The court decisions involving the Rio Grande water gave the city the right to its sewer effluent; farmers, however, were unwilling to exchange river water for this effluent. As a result, the city decided to build a treatment plant to convert the sewer effluent into drinkable water. Using additional funding from the EPA and the state of Texas, the city built a municipally owned water treatment plant for this task. This plant is capable of meeting about ten percent of total water needs. In addition, the city has programs to decrease water use. Graduated rate structures, plastic-lined storage reservoirs, regular water line maintenance, and promotion of native vegetation in landscaping all help encourage less water use. Evaluation: The treatment plant is successful in providing a new source of clean, usable water. In addition, the conservation efforts have reduced the average per capita water use. Efforts continue to find additional sources of water, but the treatment plant provides a significant and lasting way to increase the availability of necessary water. Contact: City of El Paso Citation: "Putting Wastewater to Work." EPA Journal, v. 11 (April 1985), pp. 5-6. Keywords: environment water treatment