Albuquerque Water Authority Investigates Sewage Spill

Approximately 15,000 gallons of raw sewage released into stormwater pond

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority is investigating how around 15,000 gallons of raw sewage was released into a stormwater catchment pond on the city's West Side on Wednesday evening. The spill occurred around 5:45 pm and the overflow ran into a storm drain and the nearby pond. The water authority has informed Isleta Pueblo of the possibility of diluted sewage entering the Rio Grande upstream of the Pueblo.

Why it matters

Sewage spills can pose serious health and environmental risks, contaminating water sources and ecosystems. The water authority is taking steps to assess the extent of the spill and notify relevant agencies and communities that may be impacted.

The details

According to the water authority, the spill happened near the intersection of Coors NW and Western Trail. The overflow ran into a storm drain and into the nearby stormwater catchment pond. The water authority has not yet determined if any of the sewage escaped the pond, but has informed Isleta Pueblo of the possibility of diluted sewage entering the Rio Grande upstream of the Pueblo.

  • The spill occurred around 5:45 pm on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority

The local water authority responsible for managing the water supply and wastewater treatment in Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

Isleta Pueblo

A Native American pueblo located along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico, downstream from Albuquerque.

New Mexico Environment Department

The state agency responsible for protecting the environment and public health in New Mexico.

Environmental Protection Agency

The federal agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood Control Authority (AMAFCA)

The local agency responsible for managing flood control infrastructure and stormwater in the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

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What’s next

The water authority is continuing to investigate the cause of the spill and monitor the situation to determine if any sewage escaped the catchment pond and entered the Rio Grande. The relevant state and federal agencies have been notified and are working with the water authority to address the incident.

The takeaway

This sewage spill highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading aging wastewater infrastructure to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health. The water authority's swift response and coordination with regulatory agencies demonstrates their commitment to addressing such incidents and mitigating their impacts on the local community and environment.