Crews working to
repair main at Bustamante Wastewater Plant
EL PASO – At
10:15 a.m. Friday morning, a wastewater main break occurred at the Roberto Bustamante
Wastewater Treatment Plant at 10001 Pan American Drive in a non-residential area of
southeast El Paso. The 36-inch line was damaged during construction at the
plant. The spill was isolated at 11:00 a.m., and crews are working to make
repairs. Wastewater is no longer flowing out of the main.
EPWater
officials confirm the spilled wastewater volume exceeded 100,000 gallons. The
entirety of the spill was contained within the Bustamante Plant property. No
water or wastewater services were affected. The public drinking water supply is
not at risk.
The
following is required language from the Texas Commission on Environmental
Quality for a wastewater discharge event of this size:
Although it
was determined that the public water supply was not affected, EPWater customers
or persons who purchase water from another public water supply may contact
their water supply distributor to determine if the water is safe for personal
use.
Persons using private
drinking water supply wells located within 1/2-mile of the spill site or within
the potentially affected area should use only water that has been distilled or
boiled at a rolling boil for at least one minute for all personal uses
including drinking, cooking, bathing, and tooth brushing. Individuals with
private water wells should have their well water tested and disinfected, if
necessary, prior to discontinuing distillation or boiling.
The public
should avoid contact with wastewater or soil in the area affected by the
discharge. If contact is made, it is advised to bathe and wash clothes
thoroughly as soon as possible.
For customers who have questions
about the wastewater spill, please contact Angel Bustamante, Wastewater Systems
Division Manager at (915) 594-5401.