NEWS
Water authority probes sewage spill
About 15K gallons released into a stormwater catchment pond on the West Side
The water authority is investigating how approximately 15,000 gallons of raw sewage was released into a stormwater catchment pond Wednesday evening on Albuquerque's West Side.
The spill happened around 5:45 p.m. on Coors NW, near Western Trail, according to a Thursday news release from the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority.
According to the utility, the overflow ran into a storm drain and into the catchment pond.
"It has not yet been determined whether any of the sewage escaped the pond, but the Water Authority has nevertheless informed Isleta Pueblo of the possibility of diluted sewage entering the Rio Grande upstream of the Pueblo via stormwater diversion channels," the release said.
The New Mexico Environment Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA) were notified of the spill in accordance with the water authority's spill response procedures.
"Residents are advised to heed barrier tape and safety instructions from water authority personnel working in the area," the agency said. "No other actions by the public are required."
