Los Lunas lifts precautionary boil order; no contamination detected

UPDATE (Aug.16): The precautionary boil water advisory has been lifted as samples obtained throughout the affected area passed potability tests. The temporary by-pass is in effect. Los Lunas Water and Sewer Superintendent Scott White said a permanent fix should be completed within a few weeks.

UPDATE (Aug. 12, 9:10 a.m.): Service has been restored to the areas affected by yesterday’s water main break in Los Lunas. At this time, while no contamination has currently been detected due to the outage, the Los Lunas Water System is advising the municipal water be boiled before consuming.

Now that the repairs are made to the water system, the water department will conduct special monitoring to ensure the system is free of microbial contamination. Residents will be informed when the boil advisory has been lifted, hopefully within the next 12 hours.

For more information about precautions, click here (English)or here (Spanish).

UPDATE: In a press release issued by the Los Lunas Fire Department shortly after 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 11, Los Lunas Water and Sewer Superintendent Scott White advised that contractors are on scene working on a by-pass to re-establish water to affected areas. The water division will then flush the water system in the area. This will allow restoration of water to the area hopefully within the next 5 to 6 hours.

LOS LUNAS — The Village of Los Lunas Water Department has shut off water and issued a “no consumption of water alert” in the areas of Sundance St. SW to Pioneer Trail SW and surrounding areas due to an unexpected water break.

Los Lunas Water and Sewer Superintendent Scott White said the break is due to a technological communication failure that did not shut the well off. This led to an overflow that eroded ground underneath a water pipe which collapsed as a result.

“The water is shut down, but there’s still whatever is in the pipes that’s allowing some usage, but I don’t want people drinking it. There’s nothing wrong with it, some dirt did get in line, but it’s preventative care for protection of everybody,” said White.

While it’s not advised to consume, White said whatever water still remaining in the pipe can be used to flush toilets and wash hands.

White said about 200-250 residents are being affected. Additionally, Sundance Elementary had to shut down early, requiring families to pick up their students at the school and take them home due to the water break.

Those affected by the no water consumption alert can pick up bottled water at Los Lunas Fire Station #2, 465 Sand Sage Rd, from 2-8p.m., today, Friday, Aug. 11. There will be a five bottle per household member limit at this time to ensure equal distribution. There is also a filling station for potable water at Fire Station #2 on the south side of the building throughout the duration of this incident.

White said crews are currently out on the scene assessing the situation and working on a temporary bypass fix until they can get a new pipe.

“Pipe is scarce, so we’re trying to get that ordered and get it here. The temporary fix will happen by tonight and the complete repair will probably be done by Tuesday or Thursday of next week,” said White.