Water shortage grips El Paso: Schools, businesses forced to close again

A water crisis in El Paso continues today, causing schools to close, car washes and other businesses to shut down and authorities mandating that residents curb water use for a third day. El Paso Water Utilities officials are trying to replenish reservoirs to normal levels in the aftermath of a winter storm that paralyzed the city last week. "I think (in) the best possible circumstances, and if we have good cooperation, in 24 hours we should be back in a reasonable situation," John Balliew, vice president of operations and technical services for the water utility, said Sunday. "If people don't cooperate, and they continue using water and watering their lawn and so forth, it can extend for several days." Mayor John Cook on Sunday declared a "water emergency" because of the low reservoir levels caused by a combination of factors following several days of sharply freezing temperatures last week. The mayor's emergency declaration allows El Paso Water Utilities to shut off water to car washes, laundromats and industrial water users (such as garment plants) that do not comply with the mandatory restrictions...more