EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — El Paso Water crews responded to an 8-inch water main break on Thursday morning, April 3, in West El Paso.
This is the second water main break this week; the other happened on April 1st, in Northwest El Paso.
Officials with El Paso Water said water main breaks are not uncommon, adding that a majority of factors can cause them, including aging infrastructure.
“Aging infrastructure is something that, you know, El Paso Water, along with the rest of the nation, is trying to catch up with. These lines are getting older, (we are) trying to replace them. We look at the location of the lines, ‘Is it in a high traffic area? What is the impact of that?’” Denise Parra, public affairs officer for El Paso Water, said.
Parra adds that the utility is working to address aging water lines across the city, with several projects in progress.
“We are looking at several areas throughout El Paso. Off the top of my head right now, we do have one in a couple in Central El Paso where we are replacing these aging water lines. That is, of course, to ensure that we have that reliable service to our customers,” Parra adds.
The utility implemented a 7 percent rate increase on residential bills for water, wastewater and stormwater charges. The change took effect in March.
Parra adds that customers’ dollars will go towards these infrastructure projects.
“When you see the main breaks happening or when you see these, you know, construction projects where we are replacing aging infrastructure, that is our ratepayers’ dollars at work,” Parra said.
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