Water main break floods parts of Western Hills, closes several schools

RIO RANCHO — A water main break Friday morning caused flooding for some neighborhood streets in the Western Hills area and the closure of several schools.

The break occurred at 6:30 a.m. near the intersection of Western Hills Drive and Lema Road, the city of Rio Rancho said in a statement on its website. As of 1:15 p.m. Friday, the city did not know what caused the break, but it did say the estimated repair time is 10-12 hours.

Rio Rancho Fire and Rescue stated on its Facebook page Friday afternoon, shortly before the Observer’s press time, that the city water department was “actively trying to isolate the break.”

The city cautioned that residents in the area “may experience low (or) no water pressure” and that free water would be at fire stations 1 and 2.

Wyndham Kemsley, spokesperson for Rio Rancho Public Schools, wrote in an email that the water main break restricted the flow of water to Rio Rancho Elementary, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary and Lincoln Middle School.

A letter to families with children at the impacted schools stated that officials decided to release all students from instruction early, citing the break.

“We apologize for the inconvenience but hope that you understand this decision was made with your child’s well-being in mind,” the statement said. “No water means no fountains, limited food services, and no access to restrooms, which would severely disrupt the learning process and could endanger our students. Thank you for your continued support.”

Deputy City Manager Peter Wells wrote in an email following the statement that he did not have an update on the situation. He added that “crews are working to isolate the area in question, in relation to the overall water distribution system, as they prepare to make repairs.”

Updates to this story will be available at rrobserver.com.