Water main break in Rio Rancho impacts 500 Rio Rancho homes
A 24-inch water main break is causing traffic delays as repairs are underway. In an update Saturday, Rio Ranch officials say the estimated repair time is 10 hours.
RIO RANCHO, N.M. – A 24-inch water main break is causing traffic delays as repairs are underway.
In an update Saturday, Rio Ranch officials say the estimated repair time is 10 hours.
Rio Rancho Fire Rescue reports the rupture happened near Western Hills Drive and Lema Road, just northeast of Unser and Southern, around 7:36 a.m Friday.
City officials tell KOB the area may experience low water pressure while repairs are taking place. As of 1:15 p.m., the estimated repair time was 10 -12 hours.
Rio Rancho City Manager Peter Wells says about 500 homes are estimated to be impacted.
Rio Rancho Fire Rescue says if you are currently being affected by the water main break, RRFR has set up water distribution stations at Station 1 (Southern and Golf Course) and Station 2 ( Unser and Cherry).
Impact on Lincoln Middle School
The location is close to Lincoln Middle School. While the school initially welcomed students in the morning, parents say staff canceled classes and started sending students home at 10:20 a.m.
Rio Rancho Public Schools is also cancelling classes at Rio Rancho Elementary and Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary.
Parents say they received the following email from Lincoln Middle School:
“A major water main break in the area has significantly reduced water flow to our campus. City officials have informed us that they will need to shut off water within the next hour to begin repairs. They are unsure how long the repair will take, but they anticipate it will require most of the day. Because of this, we are releasing all Lincoln Middle School students early today, Friday, November 21, 2025.
You may pick up your child starting immediately. Anyone listed on your emergency contact list will also be permitted to pick up your child. Students who ride the bus will be transported to their normal stop within the hour.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but hope that you understand this decision was made with your child’s wellbeing in mind. No water means no fountains, limited food services, and no access to restrooms, which would severely disrupt the learning process and could endanger our students.
Thank you for your continued support.”