Residents in Vinton know the threat a failing septic tank can have on the community as a whole. 

"Pretty soon a lot of us are going to be having problems," said Andres Pacheco. 

Like many homes in Vinton, outside Pacheco's front door hangs a sign that reads, "We Want Sewer." 

Continual problems with his septic tank and witnessing the problems his neighbors have encountered has made Pacheco even more determined to see the village obtain a sewer system. 

Pacheco's house receives water from a privately operated well a few blocks from his home. Many residents depend on that well, but he believes that water system has already been compromised. 

"Water goes from our septic tank, goes to the leash lines, into the ground, into the water table, then back, back (to the water wells). It's a circle. Pretty soon we will be getting the same water we are disposing of," said Pacheco. 

That is why it was a relief for residents to hear that on Monday, County Commissioners voted in favor of attempting to bring a sewer system to Vinton by applying for federal grants on the village's behalf. 

Commissioners cited their reasons for doing so that there is a potential, that in the future, the ground water in the county could be contaminated by seepage for septic tanks. 

"I felt we really had to do it. The county as a whole suffers the consequences. If their sewage seeps into our groundwater, then it's a bigger issue than just (in) Vinton," said Commissioner Tania Chozet. 

The court received recommendations to make their decision from the county attorney's office, the county public works director, the Border Environmental Collation Commission, and the Secretary of State's office. 

As cited in a previous KFOX14 article, the El Paso Water Utilities Vice President John Balliew gave a presentation to the court the week prior, on the status of water resources. A presentation, many commissioners referred to in their discussion of the issues in Vinton. 

During commissioners court Monday, Commissioner Dan Haggerty questioned whether there were any studies showing the contamination in the county's water supply. 

The county said they could not predict the future.  

"If we could present you with a study that tells you definitely in 15 years your water supply would be contaminated, Commissioner, we would," said County Attorney Jo Ann Bernal. 

Haggerty said he didn't buy the hype. "I felt it was sensationalism," he told KFOX14.

Bernal added the county did not want to be alarmists but said correcting the issues before it becomes a problem is the "prudent thing to do." 

The county cited information from EPWU that they are drilling more wells in the Upper Valleyand will be more dependent upon those wells as they are using less and less river water. 

"There is greater contamination to the ground water, which we are going to rely on more in (the) Mesilla Bolson aquifer. It's one of the most important aquifers for the city of El Paso water supply," said Erich Morales, assistant county attorney. 

Representatives for EPWU present at the meeting did not go on record contradicting the information presented to the commissioners. 

After our story aired, EPWU contacted KFOX14 and said the information from the county was incorrect and that their wells run no risk of potential contamination. 

EPWU declined an on camera interview but sent us this statement: "EPWU wells are drilled deep below the surface and built to standards set by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, which protects them from contamination caused by failing septic systems. As a separate issue, the failure of septic systems could contaminate shallow, privately-drilled wells," Ed Archuleta, President and CEO of El Paso Water Utilities, 

Wednesday the county took the position that they support EPWU's assertions on the status and safety of their wells and that they are in compliance with TCEQ standards to protect against seepage from failing septic systems. 

County leaders said there remains a possibility for ground water contamination and pollution of the water table, which could affect communities in the surrounding areas as well as shallow private wells and agriculture wells. 

County leaders tell KFOX14, they stand by their decision to intervene. 

In a letter from the Texas Department of Health, the department cited Vinton in violation of Chapter 341 of the Texas Health and Safety Code and should be considered to be dangerous to the health and safety of the people that live in Vinton. 

TDH also noted the way Vinton disposes of its waste "adds weight to the possibility that the groundwater supplies are in danger of contamination from these substandard and illegal wastewater systems." 

The county will continue to explore the options to apply for federal grant money to help Vinton achieve a sewer system. 

The county's involvement is encouraging to Pacheco who said Vinton has waited too long. 

Three council members continue to block the efforts of the village to achieve a sewer system, turning down millions in federal grants. 

"I was born in El Paso, but I grew up across the border. Even back then, we had sewer. That's a third world country and we had sewer. I traded that, for this?" said Pacheco.