**El Paso Water Crisis Shuts 13 EPISD Schools Amid Boil Advisory**
Key Takeaways:
- A major water main break in El Paso cut service to thousands of residents
- El Paso ISD closed 13 campuses for safety due to water contamination concerns
- Boil water advisory remains in effect across parts of Northeast and Central El Paso
EL PASO, TEXAS — A massive water main break affecting Northeast and Central El Paso has led to a boil advisory and the closure of 13 schools within the El Paso Independent School District (EPISD), prompting widespread concern for public safety and infrastructure resilience.
Schools Closed, Residents Urged to Boil Water
A ruptured 36-inch water main near Antonio Avenue and Dyer Street left thousands of homes and businesses with little or no water pressure as of Sunday morning. By Sunday evening, EPISD confirmed in a public statement the closure of 13 campuses for Monday, January 12, 2026, to protect students and staff amid water quality uncertainty. El Paso Water issued a warning advising residents in affected areas — including parts of McGregor Range — to boil water for three minutes before consuming, cooking, or using it in food preparation.
Complex Leak Strains Infrastructure and Response
The break occurred near Skyline Park early Sunday and impacted multiple distribution zones, draining 15 water reservoirs. Repair crews faced significant delays caused by freezing overnight temperatures, the complex structure of the pipeline system, and the sheer volume of water released. Emergency responders are working to isolate the damaged section and deploy water tankers at four public parks to aid local residents.
Public Health and Service Restoration on Uncertain Timeline
El Paso Water estimates restoring basic service may take up to 24 hours, although full repairs could last several days. Those with partial service are warned that intermittent outages remain likely as the system stabilizes. The ongoing disruption may affect schools, businesses, and hospitals unless alternate water sources like bottled water or tankers are used. The boil advisory will remain active until lab testing confirms the water is safe from bacterial and microbial contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is episd trending?
A: Because the El Paso Independent School District closed 13 schools due to a major water main break and boil water advisory.
Q: What happens next?
A: Water service restoration may take up to 24 hours, and schools may reopen once water quality is confirmed safe.
#ElPaso #EPISD #WaterMainBreak #BoilAdvisory #TexasNews
