Lawsuit Targets City, County, and Water Authority Over Contaminated Water in Sunland Park

Residents in Sunland Park, New Mexico, have filed a lawsuit against the city, county, and Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), accusing them of failing to provide safe drinking water for years. According to Israel Chavez, co-counsel for the plaintiffs, the ongoing water issues in the area have been known for some time but have been largely ignored by local authorities.

The lawsuit, filed by a group of Doña Ana County residents, claims that the county, city, and CRRUA have neglected their responsibility to ensure residents have access to clean, safe water. “Residents of Sunland Park just want water they can drink, bathe their children in, and use for cooking and cleaning, but they haven’t had that for decades,” Chavez stated.

A major concern raised in the lawsuit is the long-standing presence of arsenic in the water supply. The lawsuit alleges that arsenic levels in Sunland Park’s water have repeatedly exceeded the legal limit set by the EPA, and despite the agency notifying CRRUA of violations every quarter for over ten years, no corrective actions were taken. Arsenic exposure is linked to serious health risks, including cancer.

Chavez emphasized that the community is seeking justice and accountability. “The community is simply looking for water they can rely on and trust,” he said.

In response to the lawsuit, the attorneys involved are holding a town hall at Doña Ana Community College’s Sunland Park center on Thursday, where residents can learn more about the legal action and how they may join the lawsuit. The town hall will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

KRQE News 13 reached out to Doña Ana County, the City of Sunland Park, and CRRUA for comment, but received no responses regarding the pending litigation.

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