Water & Other Utilities

Due to an abundant aquifer, the Horizon area has one of the most reliable water supplies in the arid southwest. The Horizon Regional Municipal Utility District, rated a superior water system by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, operates a state-of-the-art reverse-osmosis water treatment plant. The facility converts the brackish groundwater into 8 million gallons of potable water per day. Given Horizon’s growth, HRMUD’s wastewater treatment plant is planned to expand by an additional 1.5 million gallons per day.

Horizon Regional Municipal Utility District

HRMUD (☎ 915.852.3917) was created by legislation in 1961 and converted to a municipal utility district in 1989. The district encompasses about 91,000 acres in east El Paso County and is governed by a five-member elected board.

The boundaries of the HRMUD include most of the wider Horizon area. HRMUD now has more than adequate water supply and treatment capacity for the next five years and can expand as needed. The HRMUD also provides sewerage and trash services.

Horizon‘s growth had HRMUD reporting an average an increase of about 300 water connections a year between 1995 and 2000. This increased to 400 new water connections in 2001, and a record 542 in 2003. By December 31, 2003, the district had 5,268 active water connections and 3,828 sewer connections. Sewerage upgrade projects planned for the next few years will see sewer figures catch up.

Click on the links below for Maps of Water and Sewage Lines:
➤Map-1
➤Map-2

Other MUDs

The area between the Town of Horizon City and the eastern boundary of El Paso is served by smaller MUDs. These will be responsible for supplying the Paseo Del Este development as it extends west along Eastlake Drive. Because these MUDs will most likely obtain water from neighboring water utilities, an agreement has already been reached with the Public Service Board (El Paso’s water authority) to meet most of the foreseeable water and sewer needs of Paseo Del Este.

HCIA's Role

In its 30-year history, Horizon Communities Improvement Association has made major contributions to local water infrastructure. It funded pioneering investigations of the groundwater resource in the 1980s. All major works financed by the association are now owned and managed by HRMUD. Further funding and assistance is proposed to expand networks, which will serve more association members’ properties. Horizon Communities recently completed construction of a new sewer line to permit planned development along Eastlake Drive to connect with the new lift station one mile to the east. Similar extensions are proposed in 2004.

Other Utilities

El Paso Electric (☎ 915.543.5970) covers the whole of the county and has been implementing a major upgrade of its network in the Horizon area. Power is supplied by coal-generated stations in New Mexico and long-term availability has been assured by the procuring of a stake in Arizona's Palo Verde Nuclear Generation Station. The company is also investing in alternative energy sources.

Texas Gas Service (☎ 800.700.2443) distributes natural gas. The City of El Paso regulates the company at the local level and the Texas Railroad Commission regulates it at the state level. The company uses a mix of interstate, intrastate and spot market gas. This affords customers some of the lowest available rates along with one of the more stable gas supplies in the nation.

AT&T oversees the local telephone network. The company has deployed advanced digital switches in all central offices and connected them with fiber optics. There are currently 13 central offices in the Horizon/El Paso area.

Our Good Life

The Advantages

Our core communities offer all the advantages of small-town living, friendliness, safety, good schools, local shops, and peace and quiet. Horizon’s residents know each other and watch out for one another. Neighbors can meet up at the country club, which offers an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, elegant dining, and entertainment. Old-fashioned community values are alive and well here.

Big City Amenities

The city of El Paso is less than a 15 minute drive west of Horizon. Some of El Paso’s newest shopping malls, outlets, and restaurants are located on El Paso’s rapidly growing eastside. For a more exotic shopping experience, cross the Zaragoza International Bridge and enjoy what Mexico has to offer. We are also 10 minutes from Mission Valley, once settled by the Spanish in the late 16th century. The old churches that line the historic Mission Trail mark the birthplace of El Paso. And with such close access to I-10, road trips spanning the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean is easy.

The Climate

Here in the high desert, our average high summer temperature is 95 degrees. The average winter high is about 60 degrees. Low humidity and moderate rainfall, 8.65 inches annually, combine to create an ideal climate.

In winter, sunshine and warmth are aplenty. Concerned you might miss the snow? Don't worry. Some winters deliver up to six inches of snowfall overnight (the all time record for El Paso was 22.4 inches in 1987). But wake up early to build your snowman. It will probably melt by noon.