ECTOR COUNTY, Texas — Water issues in West Odessa have plagued residents for decades, leaving many to rely on creative and cumbersome solutions just to meet basic needs.
Now, a $750,000 grant resolution approved by Ector County Commissioners is sparking hope that relief is finally on the horizon.
“This grant might seem small to some, but to us, it’s everything,” said Catarina Tavarez, a board member of West Texas Water Warriors. “It’s the beginning of great things. It opens the door to so many possibilities for more assistance.”
For Tavarez, the struggle is deeply personal. “I have to go to my mom’s house, fill up a tank, take it home, and pour it into my system,” she said. “This is my daily routine, but not everyone here is as fortunate as I am to even do that."
Tavarez explained how the Water Warriors, a grassroots organization founded in June, have been stepping up to fill the gap.
“We’ve opened up our Facebook page to connect with the community, and now we can help deliver water to those who can’t access it themselves,” she said. “We’ve also found safer, though still non-drinkable, water sources for people who need it. The water situation here is dire, and the dangers of contamination are very real.”
For others, the consequences are even more heartbreaking. “We’ve seen families forced to sell their homes and move because they couldn’t get running water,” said Michele Spinks, another Water Warriors board member. “Kids can’t bathe unless water is brought in, sometimes using tubs outside. These are the stories people don’t talk about, but they’re our reality in West Odessa.”
Ector County Commissioner Mike Gardner expressed pride in the county’s role in the grant resolution approval.
“These are my people,” Gardner said. “The ones I represent. It means a lot to me to help them because the need is so great. With a 30% poverty rate in this area, according to TxDOT, securing funds like these is essential.”
Collaboration between the county, the Water Warriors, and the Ector County Utility District (ECUD) hasn’t always been smooth. But new leadership is changing that dynamic. “In the past, it felt like ECUD was putting up walls,” explained Darrell Pando, a new ECUD board member. “Now, we’re finally moving forward together.”
Pando sees this as the first of many steps toward progress. “This is a small step in the direction we want to go,” Pando said. “It’ll take years to get where we need to be, but this shows the community that West Odessa matters. The county, ECUD, and the Water Warriors are here to make a big change.”
The Water Warriors’ work is already making an impact, and with more resources on the way, the group is optimistic about the future. “This grant is just the beginning,” Tavarez said. “Once you open the door to one grant, others start to follow. We’re very excited about what’s ahead.”
For residents of West Odessa, the $750,000 grant isn’t just about water—it’s about restoring hope in a community that’s been overlooked for too long.