More emergency water is on the way for Northeast El Paso residents still reeling from a water main break.
Mayor Renard Johnson announced on Instagram Monday, January 12, that Fort Bliss is stepping up for those still in need of water as El Paso Water works to repair the break that occurred the night of Saturday, Jan. 10. The company said it could be up to three days before the problem is resolved.
“This morning, I spoke with (Major-General) Curtis Taylor and our partners at Fort Bliss,” Johnson wrote. “They will be sending in additional potable water for the El Paso community today. Our sincere thanks to our Fort Bliss team for their rapid support and coordination.”
Andy Menchaca volunteers to distribute potable water during a water distribution at Sue Young Park on Monday, Jan. 12, 2025. The event was organized by El Paso Water to assist Northeast El Paso residents affected by a water line break that interrupted service.
The following water distribution sites will see additional help from Fort Bliss:
• Veterans Park — 5301 Salem Drive• North Skies Park — 7073 Copper Town Drive, Mesquite Hills• Chapin High School – 7000 Dyer St.
“We will continue working with our local and federal partners to ensure families in the Northeast have access to the resources they need,” Johnson wrote. “More updates will follow as they come in.”
The water main break that has left thousands without water comes only days before El Paso Water is expected to approve another price hike, something commenters on Instagram were quick to point out.
“This is absolutely insane,” wrote cassandralsaenz in response to Johnson’s post. “What are they doing to fix infrastructure that isn’t going to cost us more money?”
“(El Paso Water) had a (million-dollar) budget increase for infrastructure improvement,” wrote velverity. “(Where) is that money going?”
Water distribution sites
El Paso Water has set up water tanker trucks and water bottle distribution points at the following parks:
Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana Drive.
Arlington Park, 103050 Pasadena Circle.
Sunrise Park, 3800 Sunrise Ave.
North Skies Park, 7073 Copper Town Drive.
Veterans Park, 5301 Salem Drive.
Chapin High School, 7000 Dyer St.
Water and mud cover the ground at a water infrastructure station near Antonio Avenue in Northeast El Paso on Monday, Jan. 12, 2025, as seen from a drone after a water line break.
Water tankers are located at Sue Young, Arlington, Veterans, North Skies and Sunrise parks and Chapin High School. Residents should take containers to fill. Water bottle distribution is at all sites and begins about 8 a.m., El Paso Water said.
El Paso Water said that senior citizens and disabled persons in need of water delivery may call 915-594-5500.
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso Water outage: Fort Bliss sends aid to Northeast