EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The number of residents affected by the water main break that happened Saturday evening near the intersection of Girl Scout Way and Transmountain has been reduced to 8,000 customer connections, totaling around 24,000 people in Northeast and Central El Paso without water, El Paso Water officials said on Tuesday.
Broken water main removed in Northeast El Paso, operation ongoing
A news conference was held at 3 p.m. on Tuesday at the El Paso Regional Communications Center in Northeast El Paso. Speakers included Gilbert Trejo, vice president of operations and technical services for El Paso Water; Ruben Rodriguez, chief water quality compliance officer; and Dr. Hector Ocaranza, El Paso City-County Health Authority.
Residents affected
As KTSM 9 News previously reported, the break had initially impacted about 38,000 customer connections, totaling 100,000 people in Northeast El Paso and Central El Paso. People had been left without water service or with low pressure.
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As of Tuesday, that number significantly dropped from 38,000 to 8,000 customer connections, totaling 24,000 people affected.
Repairs and restoration
On Monday evening, El Paso Water isolated and removed the damaged section of the pipe. Following on Tuesday, crews are installing and welding the new pipe segment. Once that is complete, the utility will transition from repairing to restoring service for customers. If conditions remain favorable, the utility said they expect service restoration overnight.
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Boil water notice still in place
However, after water service is restored, the boil water notice will remain in effect for the impacted area.
Chief Water Quality Compliance Officer Rodriguez explained that whenever a main break happens, water pressure can drop, and there is an intrusion into the pipe. When that pressure is lost, that can lead to groundwater, soil, sediment, and other debris going into the pipe.
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Pipes are exposed to the environment, and there’s going to be equipment and materials that come into contact with water in the system. Sediments inside the pipe can also be disrupted, and those things can lead to a reduction in chlorine in the water itself. Chlorine is what the utility said it uses in its system to verify the safety of the water supply.
Rodriguez added that there are certain actions that the utility must take after the repairs have been completed, including the following:
Restore the system and the pressure throughout the system.
Collect a lot of samples throughout the affected areas, specifically, test for E. coli in the water as well. These are done through state and EPA-certified laboratories and procedures that the utility follows in its own laboratory.
Rodriguez also stressed that the boil water notice itself does not indicate that the water is contaminated. It’s something the utility must do as a precaution.
School closures
EPISD says the remaining schools that were impacted by the main break will open on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
“As we continue working closely with El Paso Water Utilities and reviewing updated information, the remaining schools will be open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, under a Boil Water Notice and will operate on a regular class schedule. These campuses will follow all established safety protocols, including providing hand sanitizer, bottled water, and having water fountains blocked off and unavailable for use to help ensure safety and comfort.”
EPISD also says regular bus routes will be in service for all open campuses, and any campus under a boil water notice on Jan. 12 and 13 will remain open and continue operating under the notice.
Tap water consumption
El Paso City-County Health Authority Dr. Ocaranza said that the water has not been contaminated, and the emergency medical services have not received any calls related to any medical issues since the boil water notice was issued. That being said, officials are encouraging people to drink water, either from the boiled water that they have prepared or from bottled water.
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“It is important to note that the boiled water has to be until you see all the bubbles coming up. You need to leave it for three minutes at least and let it cool off. And that’s going to be the one that is going to be safe for consumption, meaning drinking, meaning preparing food, or also washing the dishes that we have,” Ocaranza said.
As far as laundry, bathing, and hand washing, people can use tap water, as they don’t drink the water.
Water distribution sites
Six distribution sites are still available due to low overnight traffic. Stations are operating from 5 a.m. to midnight.
Latest information on water distribution sites
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