El Paso Transit Unaffected by Water Spill
Wastewater treatment plant spills 670,000 gallons after contractor pump failure
El Paso Plant Spills 670,000 Gallons Near Rio Grande
A West El Paso wastewater treatment facility spilled approximately 670,000 gallons of wastewater Tuesday, with some reaching the Rio Grande, El Paso Water officials confirmed. The incident at the John T. Hickerson Treatment Plant was caused by the failure of four contractor pumps during an ongoing project. Officials said the spill's been fully contained, with most wastewater remaining at the treatment plant, though the exact amount that reached the river wasn't specified.
Pump Failure Triggers Major Release
The spill was first reported Tuesday at around 12:10 a.m. at the facility located at 701 Executive Center Blvd., near the Rio Grande River and the U.S.-Mexico border. El Paso Water officials said the contractor pumps failed during construction work at the plant. The Rio Grande is currently mostly dry in this section, which officials said limited the immediate environmental impact. Wastewater treatment facilities typically use contractor pumps during maintenance projects to bypass sections of the plant undergoing repairs or upgrades.
Containment and Cleanup Underway
Officials confirmed that 670,000 gallons of wastewater were released—enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The contractor's taking responsibility for the incident and is working on repairs, environmental impact mitigation, and cleanup efforts, according to El Paso Water. The affected area isn't publicly accessible, officials said. The incident's been reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and EP Water will continue working with the agency to assess environmental impacts.
No Timeline for Cleanup Completion
Officials didn't provide a timeline for when cleanup efforts will be completed or when the contractor project will resume. El Paso Water confirmed that water service wasn't interrupted during the incident and there's no risk to the region's surface water supply. Authorities assured the public there's no immediate risk to health or safety from the spill.
Well Water Users Advised to Take Precautions
Residents using private drinking water wells within half a mile of the spill site are advised to use distilled or boiled water for all personal uses until their well water's tested and disinfected. Officials didn't say how many households might be affected by the advisory or when testing will be available. Moovit provides real-time transit updates for El Paso's Sun Metro system and other transit services across the region.
