El Paso Water Rate Hike Vote Held During Ongoing Water Crisis
An El Paso Water meeting held at 8:30 a.m. on January 14 drew intense public attention as officials voted on whether to raise customer water rates. The meeting took place during day four of a massive water main break that left large portions of Northeast El Paso without clean water.
At the time of the meeting, thousands of residents remained under a boil water notice. Multiple schools were closed, and emergency water distribution stations were operating across the area to support tens of thousands of residents without running water.
Massive Water Main Break Impacts Northeast El Paso Neighborhoods
The Northeast El Paso water main break continues to affect daily life across the region. Entire neighborhoods were left without clean water, and in some cases the damage extended far beyond inconvenience. Several homes were flooded, resulting in significant property damage for affected families.
El Paso Water crews have been working to repair the break, but criticism has grown from residents who believe the situation could have been avoided. Many have pointed to aging pipe systems and years of delayed infrastructure investment as factors that contributed to the failure.
Additional Water Main Break in Westway Closes Deanna Davenport Elementary
During the same meeting, officials confirmed another water main break, this time in the Westway area. The break resulted in the closure of Deanna Davenport Elementary School, adding to the list of school disruptions tied to water system failures across the city. For residents watching the meeting, the announcement further reinforced concerns about the condition of El Paso’s water infrastructure, especially as discussions about raising rates moved forward.
Citizen Removed by Police During Public Comment Sparks Outrage
Before the board proceeded with the rate hike vote, video from the meeting began circulating online. The footage shows a woman speaking during public comment being tackled by three police officers as she voiced her frustration about the water crisis and the proposed rate increase.
As the video spread to news outlets and major social media pages such as FitFam, reaction was swift. Many commenters expressed support for the woman, stating that she should have been allowed to finish voicing her concerns during the meeting.
EP Water Board Approves Rate Increase Despite Opposition
Despite an unusually large crowd in attendance and visible public frustration, the board moved forward with the vote. Even with Mayor Renard Johnson voting against the increase, the rate hike passed by a 5–2 vote adding $10 to current rates.
For many El Pasoans, the outcome of the meeting raised broader questions about priorities and accountability. With thousands still without water, additional breaks occurring, and trust already strained, the decision to approve a rate increase during this moment has become a focal point of public concern across the city.
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