URGENT: Westside residents to reduce use

EPWater is experiencing a wastewater pipeline emergency on the Westside of El Paso with the main wastewater artery that conveys all residential and commercial wastewater to the Hickerson Water Reclamation Facility disrupted by pipeline breaks.

EPWater is urgently asking all Westside residents anywhere north of Sunland Park Drive to reduce their indoor water use.

“If at all possible, please delay use of dishwashers, washing machines, delay or cut short shower times, and only flush when you have to,” said Chief Technical Officer Gilbert Trejo. “Residents may continue to drink the tap water or use water for health or medical needs.” “The tap water quality is not affected and remains safe and of high quality,” said Trejo. “We simply have too much wastewater coming through the system and need the cooperation of Westside water users to reduce usage.”

Trejo said crew have been on-site for more than 24 hours, working to repair the lines. The pair of broken lines are part of a pipeline replacement construction project to increase reliability of the system.

The first main break occurred Friday at approximately 1:30 a.m. on the 3900 block of Doniphan Park Cir. When wastewater was diverted to the second parallel pipeline, the pressure caused a second break at approximately 8:30 a.m. Friday near the corner of Sunland Park and Doniphan Park. This combined event has resulted in a discharge of hundreds of thousands of gallons of domestic wastewater, which has been largely contained, disinfected and diverted to a nearby pond. However, wastewater volume has ballooned today, causing wastewater backups in multiple areas along the wastewater pipelines, causing some wastewater to emerge on neighborhood streets and even intrude on private property.

EPWater reports that more than a dozen residents have filed claims for private property damage from the wastewater. EPWater will continue to provide updates when normal water use can resume. Trejo says this may take 24-48 hours.

For residents directly impacted by the wastewater flows, please contact 915-594-5500. Residents are advised to avoid coming in contact with wastewater.

El Paso Water | All Rights Reserved | Powered by CivicLive | © PowerSchool Corporation