100K Citizens Left WITHOUT Water

Close-up of a dripping outdoor water faucet

A massive water main break in border-city El Paso has left over 100,000 residents—many hardworking American families—scrambling for basic water amid aging infrastructure failures that demand urgent federal attention under President Trump’s infrastructure push.

Story Snapshot

A 36-inch water main ruptured late Saturday, draining 15 reservoirs and cutting service to 38,000 customers and 100,000+ residents in Northeast and Central El Paso.
EPWater activated 24/7 repairs and water distribution at 7 sites, issuing a boil notice to protect public health.
Multiple El Paso ISD schools closed Monday, disrupting education for thousands of students and families.
Officials call the outage “unprecedented,” highlighting vulnerabilities in desert-region infrastructure serving 700,000 people.
Restoration could take 72 hours or more, with crews working nonstop despite undetermined cause.

The Break and Immediate Crisis

A 36-inch water main broke late Saturday night, January 10, 2026, near Girl Scout and Transmountain roads in Northeast El Paso. The rupture drained 15 reservoirs, triggering outages for 38,000 customers impacting over 100,000 residents. EPWater confirmed the incident early Sunday, activating the city’s Emergency Operations Center. Low pressure forced a precautionary boil water notice across affected areas. This scale exceeded typical breaks due to interconnected lines feeding key distribution points. Residents in residential zones near Skyline Park faced sudden scarcity in a desert city already stressed by water demands.

Official Response and Community Aid

EPWater Vice President Gilbert Trejo described the event as “unprecedented in proportion” during updates, apologizing to residents and urging water conservation. The utility set up 24/7 distribution at seven sites, prioritizing vulnerable groups like the elderly and disabled for home delivery. City leaders coordinated via the El Paso Regional Communications Center, holding a 3 p.m. press conference Monday, January 12. Crews worked overnight to isolate the break and begin repairs. Partial service returned in spots, but full restoration hinges on refilling reservoirs and testing. Businesses suspended non-essential use to aid recovery.

Disruptions to Schools and Daily Life

El Paso Independent School District closed at least seven campuses Monday, including Andress High School and Irvin High School, excusing all absences and maintaining bus services. This affected thousands of students, compounding family stresses amid water shortages. McGregor Range lost service, while Fort Bliss military base remained operational. Social impacts rippled through parks turned distribution points and halted routines. Economic fallout hit local commerce, underscoring how fragile infrastructure disrupts conservative values of self-reliance and family stability. Long-term, this exposes needs for resilient systems in arid border regions.

Repair Challenges and Outlook

As of Monday, repairs progressed but full main fixes may span days due to the pipe’s size and design flaws amplifying the outage. Trejo estimated 36-72 hours for broad restoration, with boil notices persisting until water tests clear. No external cause emerged, pointing to potential aging infrastructure issues. EPWater’s swift response minimized health risks, yet the event spotlights chronic underinvestment from past mismanaged policies. In Trump’s America, bolstering such critical utilities aligns with promises of strong borders and reliable services for citizens first. Patience remains key as crews push forward.

El Paso’s ordeal reminds us how government overreach and neglect elsewhere drained resources, but local action now proves competence matters. Families deserve infrastructure that withstands shocks, free from wasteful spending distractions.