Sunland Park's Drinking Water Crisis: Health Risks Uncovered

Sunland Park, New Mexico residents got bad water and weren't notified about unsafe arsenic levels, (among other things), and it's going to cost their water utility BIG bucks.

The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority provides Sunland Park, New Mexico with water and has apparently not been following all the safety guidelines for several years. Their "oopses" not only could have made people sick, they're going to cost the utility $189,000.

The New Mexico Environment Department, (NMED), has been trying for years to hold the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, (CRRUA), accountable for multiple violations and feels this huge fine is finally a step in the right direction.

What Were The CRRUA Violations?

The department says for years, the company failed to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the residents of Sunland Park by exceeding arsenic limits, failing to notify customers of high PH levels, and failing to make corrections found in multiple sanitary surveys. - krqe

The violations, according to KRQE happened from 2020 to 2024 and also included the CRRUA not taking action to protect their customers from the high PH levels.

NMED vs. CRRUA - It's Not Over Yet

Bruce Baizel, Director of NMED’s Compliance and Enforcement Division said:

“The Environment Department has for years worked to hold CRRUA accountable for repeatedly failing its duty to deliver safe and reliable drinking water to the residents of Sunland Park” - krqe

They apparently are not settling for just the $189,000 fine. Per KRQE, the New Mexico Environment Department is still seeking an independent manager to oversee operations.

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Gallery Credit: Daniel Paulus