Updated Jan. 13, 2026, 5:22 p.m. MT

The boil water order issued after a weekend water main break remains in effect for Northeast and Central El Paso.

El Paso Water officials announced during a news conference Tuesday, Jan. 13, that the boil order would remain in effect for at least another day as crews continue working to restore water to thousands of El Pasoans after a 70-year-old main line burst late Saturday night, Jan. 10.

Initially, some 38,000 water connections — representing about 100,000 residents — were impacted. Crews have now gotten that number down to about 8,000 connections, or 24,000 residents, officials noted.

A line of cars waits to receive potable water during a 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.

“We are happy to report 30,000 connections now have water service with adequate pressure,” said Gilbert Trejo, vice president of operations and technical services for El Paso Water.

Trejo reported that working in the area where the break occurred has proven difficult, but the damaged section of the pipeline was removed Monday night, Jan. 12, and crews are now installing a new one. Once that is done, he said, El Paso Water will transition from repairs to restoration, which should begin overnight.

Officials are still not sure what caused the line break.

Boil order remains in place

Ruben Rodriguez, chief water quality compliance officer for El Paso Water, reported that several steps must be taken before the boil order can be lifted.

When a water main breaks, Rodriguez reported, pressure drops, allowing sediment and debris to enter and causing the water to lose chlorine.

More: El Paso Water outage: Chlorine levels improve, boil order continues

Once repairs are completed, the entire system will have to be slowly repressurized and flushed of contaminants. After that, samples have to be taken to ensure the water is clean and safe for consumption.

“We’re having very good results, but we need to continue throughout before we lift the order,” Rodriguez said. “This process really cannot be rushed.”

Potable water distribution sites

El Paso Water continues to offer potable water to residents in need. The following is a list of sites currently distributing water:

Sue Young Park, 9730 Diana Drive.Arlington Park, 103050 Pasadena Circle.Sunrise Park, 3800 Sunrise Ave.LTC Robert “Bob” Chisolm Park, across from Clendenin Elementary School, 2701 Harrison Ave.North Skies Park, 7073 Copper Town Drive.Chapin High School, 7000 Dyer St.

Veterans Park, which was previously activated as a distribution site, has now been closed.

Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.