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A lawsuit has been filed against the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) on November 20, 2024, over allegations of unsafe drinking water containing arsenic. The legal action was initiated by several plaintiffs from Doña Ana County, who claim they have suffered health consequences from exposure to arsenic and other contaminants in the water supplied by CRRUA. A town hall meeting will be held on November 21, 2024, to discuss the case, hosted by the three law firms representing the plaintiffs.
CRRUA, which provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, has faced ongoing concerns about water quality, particularly over discolored water. Doña Ana County and Sunland Park jointly oversee the utility, sharing profits and losses. The lawsuit also names the City of Sunland Park, Doña Ana County, and CRRUA’s former executive director, Brent Westmoreland, who resigned in December 2023.
Arsenic, a toxic substance found in groundwater, can cause severe health issues, including nausea, high blood pressure, and an increased risk of cancer and other diseases. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the maximum allowable concentration of arsenic in drinking water is 0.010 milligrams per liter (mg/L). However, CRRUA’s water records show arsenic levels above the EPA limit, with some readings exceeding 0.02 mg/L since 2012.
The lawsuit alleges that CRRUA failed to address these violations, notify residents, or take proper actions to protect them. Despite this, CRRUA has consistently claimed that its water meets federal standards, even after multiple violations were reported by the EPA between 2014 and 2024.
The New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) conducted a survey in December 2023, discovering that CRRUA had not been treating the water for arsenic for an entire year. The lawsuit claims that CRRUA intentionally bypassed arsenic treatment plants, failing to inform the public about the water’s unsafe quality.
Plaintiffs assert that they have been unknowingly exposed to arsenic for decades and have suffered emotional distress, health concerns, and a loss of trust in their water supply. They are seeking a jury trial and compensation for damages.
