About 560,000 gallons of wastewater were contained inside El Paso’s Roberto Bustamante Wastewater Treatment Plant after a spill reported on Sunday, May 31. Utility officials say the release never left plant property, and crews are in the thick of cleanup and disinfection work. Public drinking water supplies are not considered at risk, and customer water and wastewater service have continued without interruption.
According to KVIA, El Paso Water crews moved in immediately and traced the problem to a clog in equipment that catches large debris before wastewater enters the main treatment process. KVIA reports that containment measures kept the spill confined within the facility and that disinfection work is ongoing.
Where It Happened And Why Bustamante Matters
The Roberto Bustamante facility is El Paso Water’s largest wastewater plant, built to handle roughly 39 million gallons per day. The utility says the plant is edging close to its permitted capacity and is currently being expanded. The site provides reclaimed water for irrigation and is slated to feed the planned Pure Water Center, so keeping it running smoothly is key to the city’s water reuse plans and to protecting downstream habitats, according to El Paso Water.
Not The First Big Release This Year
This Bustamante spill is the latest in a series of significant wastewater releases in 2026, including a March 24 incident at the John T. Hickerson plant and a nearly 950,000-gallon line break in early April. That earlier 950,000-gallon sewage spill and the utility’s response were documented by local outlets and utility notices, as per Hoodline.
What Residents Should Know
El Paso Water officials told KVIA that city drinking water and wastewater services were not affected by the Bustamante incident.
Private well owners near treatment facilities are advised to follow Texas Commission on Environmental Quality guidance if they suspect any contamination. The agency’s GI-432 fact sheet explains how to disinfect and sample private wells, according to TCEQ.
What To Watch For Next
El Paso Water says crews remain stationed at the Bustamante plant and will continue to post updates through its newsroom and customer communication channels. Residents with questions can contact the utility’s customer service line for current information. For background on plant upgrades, capacity projects, and repair decisions, see El Paso Water’s newsroom.
