Sierra Blanca is an unincorporated Colonias community in Hudspeth County, Texas, located about 100 miles southeast of El Paso near the intersection of Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 90. This desert town, home to around 553 residents, has faced numerous challenges over the years.

From being a dumping ground for New York’s waste to currently handling 334 tons of sludge daily from El Paso, the community has seen its share of hardships. A recent proposal to add radioactive waste heightened the community’s woes but was ultimately halted by local opposition.

The Hudspeth County Water Control & Improvement District (HCWCID), led by General Manager and Operator Macario Marquez for the past 33 years, has over 2,000 water and wastewater connections. This utility struggles with poor water quality from three local aquifers. The town relies on water from Van Horn, 30 miles away, but the pipeline is old and leaky, causing constant issues with water flow and pressure.

The addition of about 1,000 inmates in a nearby facility has further strained the system, leading to nightly water shut-offs to refill the tanks.
The addition of about 1,000 inmates in a nearby facility has further strained the system, leading to nightly water shut-offs to refill the tanks.

“We need a lot of financial aid to manage the maintenance system,” Marquez said. “Now that we’re responsible for the water system from Van Horn to Sierra Blanca, it’s become even more burdensome. We must drive 30 to 60 miles daily to maintain the system and the line leaks everywhere. We’d like to replace it, but there’s no money for that.”

Despite these challenges, the Environmental Services Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) is working with Sierra Blanca to address their water issues. Their early plans include working with HCWCID on grant applications so they can get funding to build a new well, install generators, and replace the pipeline. The system also needs a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which helps water and wastewater staff monitor and address system problems efficiently.

Financial stability is a significant concern for Sierra Blanca.
Financial stability is a significant concern for Sierra Blanca.

“I’ve been pushing my water board to increase the water rates because we need to generate more funds,” Marquez said. “This isn’t just for the district’s benefit; it also helps us look financially stable when applying for loans and grants. Potential lenders and grantors want to see that we’re financially sound and can repay our debts.”

However, resistance from board members makes it difficult to raise rates. In June 2024, CU attended a water board meeting in Sierra Blanca, sparking important discussions about potential solutions. The judge and jail warden were present, and they began planning critical measures. The jail, currently trucking water from Fabens 60 miles away, is keen for Sierra Blanca’s assistance with their water issues.

“There’s still a lot of work needed to reach that point,” said Rebecca Manriquez-Fuentes, CU Community Environmental Management Specialist.

The community is determined to improve its situation. They have applied for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and, with CU’s assistance, are exploring other funding options. CU is helping them not only with grant applications but also with conducting rate studies and improving office management to build a sustainable and secure water system.

Despite these obstacles, the community remains hopeful.
Despite these obstacles, the community remains hopeful.

“Right now, we’re in the early stages of getting support,” Marquez said. “We’re in discussions with the county, which is trying to help us secure some CDBG grants. These grants could provide some financial assistance for us.”

Added Manriquez-Fuentes, “I’m excited because this is my first project here at CU and I’m hopeful we can help secure the funding to get Sierra Blanca the clean water they need.”