EL PASO – El Paso Water is joining forces with other public agencies to raise awareness of how quickly intense rainstorms and moving water can become dangerous. Tragically, Texas has already experienced 43 child drowning fatalities in 2019. Last year, there were 91 child drownings in Texas. Additionally, El Paso has seen nine drowning fatalities along the Rio Grande and American canal.
EPWater, the El Paso Fire Department, the Drowning Prevention Coalition of El Paso, the National Weather Service and the El Paso County Water Improvement District #1 (EPCWID #1) will jointly discuss this problem and urge the public to “Turn Around Don’t Drown.”
WHAT:
Stormwater Safety Media Event
WHO: El Paso Water Vice President Alan Shubert
El Paso Fire Department Capt. Kristian Menendez
Drowning Prevention Coalition of El Paso Wayne Thornton
EPCWID #1 General Manager Jesus Reyes
National Weather Service Jason Laney
WHEN: Monday, July 1 at 10 a.m.
WHERE:
Copia Pond (corner of Aurora Ave. and Russell St., just east of the Municipal Rose Garden)
PHOTO OP: Media will be able to get photos and b-roll of the recently completed Copia Pond from the corner of Aurora Ave. and Russell St. The Copia Pond is one of the latest improvements to the stormwater system. The pond is capable of removing up to 6.5 million gallons of stormwater that if not collected, could potentially floods homes and businesses.
For more on the Turn Around Don’t Drown outreach campaign, visit
turnaroundep.org