The quickest way to stir up trouble in a dusty desert town is to mention water and rationing in the same sentence. The next is to put those two words in Tuesday's City Council agenda. Now both sides of the debate are awaiting the next showdown at the Water Corral -- aka, Council Chambers. So are residents, who continue to ask if the city was doing all it can to save water.

"I don't really go along with raising prices," said Maynard Giguere, whose backyard oasis of green is surrounded by desert landscaping. "There are a lot of places to conserve. ... A lot of water is being dumped on the ground (by water tankers) to hold down the dust."

Fairness remained a concern for others.

"It sure looks like the average El Pasoans are scrapping over crumbs, while certain segments of the area just have what they want," said Central El Paso resident Susan Webb, contrasting residential yards with commercial landscaping.

El Paso Water Utilities General Manager Ed Archuleta said his task Tuesday would be to educate and persuade the council and city to adopt Stage 2 water restrictions, which were rejected two weeks ago.

The utility and council have feuded over ! pricing versus policing since, with the Public Service Bo! ard voting last week to send its Stage 2 plan -- with a few adjustments -- back to council.

West Side Rep. Jan Sumrall said education could help win others over as well. "I don't think it's been emphasized enough by PSB that this is not a lifetime commitment," Sumrall said. "It's just for a period of a few months. ... Then Stage 2 would go away."

The council will also consider appointing one of three nominees to the El Paso Water Utilities' Public Service Board.


Charles K. Wilson may be reached at cwilson@elpasotimes.com