Map of the water outage and road closure area today in Quemazon, Courtesy/LAC

COUNTY News:

An emergency water valve repair is creating a water outage and road closure today, May 6, in Quemazon. A valve that was scheduled to be replaced has failed prior to its repair date resulting in the emergency.

Residents located between Sinuoso and Sereno roads along Quemazon Place will experience a water outage. Quemazon Place will be closed in this section and traffic will detour down Sinuoso and back through Sereno.

Traffic controls remain in place for the work zone and drivers are asked to exercise caution. This area will continue to be closed to through traffic until the road replacement is complete.

Los Alamos County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and Los Alamos County Traffic and Streets Division crews are on site. The water outage and road closure is expected to be completed by 4 p.m. Updates will be provided.

This work is part of an ongoing repair plan announced May 3, 2024. The water breaks are due to corrosion on the underground piping system. DPU staff has developed a plan to proactively replace valve hardware in the subdivision as the pressure impact of repairs increases the likelihood of breaks to neighboring valves. While the valves themselves are still in good condition, the bolts and other hardware holding them together are corroding. Stainless steel replacements for these items are on order and DPU water crews are putting other preventive measures in place to try to prevent additional leaks.

Community members with questions or concerns about the project may contact the Los Alamos County Customer Care Center at CustomerCare@lacnm.us or call 505.662.8333 during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.