Wastewater plant repairs underway after major pipe rupture in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Emergency repairs are currently underway at the Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant in the Lower Valley following a significant rupture last month.

A 36-inch pipe burst at the facility, releasing over 100,000 gallons of raw sewage into a retaining pond. El Paso Water reported that the spill was contained within the plant, posing no risk to public health.

Gilbert Trejo, Vice President of Operations at El Paso Water, emphasized the plant’s significance, stating, “The Bustamante wastewater treatment plant is very important to El Pasoans and to the El Paso water system simply because it’s the largest wastewater treatment plant that we have. It treats upwards of 39 million gallons per day and it serves the entirety of the east side.”

Efforts are now focused on removing the old piping and designing replacements to prevent future issues.

RECOMMENDED: Mary Haskins, ‘First lady of UTEP basketball,’ remembered at funeral service

Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.