Resources available to help Tornillo residents without water

If you live in Tornillo you’re likely without running water and the problem may not be fixed until Friday.

About 3,000 residents are affected by problems caused by a malfunctioning well pump. For the people who are getting some type of water pressure, they’re still getting their own warnings.

“My dad was here all day. He was like, ‘There’s no water. What are we going to do?'” Suzetth Rivera said. She and her neighbors are not able to shower, cook, clean or use evaporative coolers unless they’re getting water from a source other than the El Paso County Tornillo Water Improvement District. Fortunately, Rivera and her family have one working water spout in front of their home.

Rivera said she takes a precaution with the water she does get and says it is yellow. It’s the same one the water district recommends.

“We are recommending that everyone boil water,” Francelia Vega with TWID said. “When the water is returned, boil it until we get samples and we notify them not to boil it.”

As for the Tornillo Independent School District? They’re being proactive about the matter. There’s plenty of hand sanitizer, bottled water and portable restrooms on hand. Superintendent Jeannie Meza-Chavez said the district may need to cancel classes on Thursday and Friday if the problem is not resolved.

Late evening Tuesday, the TWID issued the following in a news release:

Currently, the El Paso Water Utility is providing Tornillo residents with access to drinking water at the Tornillo ISD Administration Building at 19200 Cobb Street. Residents must bring their own containers and will be limited to five gallons of water per household, per 24 hours. The Red Cross is also establishing a comfort shelter for residents that will have portable showers, restrooms and drinking water at Amador Field House at the Fabens High School Football Field, NE G Avenue and 3 rd Street. The comfort shelter will open at 7 a.m. April 22 . The Red Cross comfort center will operate from 7 a.m. – noon and 5-9 p.m.

El Paso County will also offer shuttle service for Tornillo residents who are in need of transportation service to the Red Cross comfort center. The shuttle service will begin Wednesday at 10 a.m. to noon and 5-9 p.m.

Residents can contact the TWID for more information and critical updates at 915-764-2966 or 19225 Highland Street, Tornillo, TX 79853.