SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KTSM) — Las Cruces attorneys are filing a lawsuit on behalf of residents in Southern Dona Ana County over the condition of drinking water.
The lawsuit alleges that the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, the City of Sunland park, Dona Ana County and the State of New Mexico failed to provide safe, clean drinking water without promptly notifying families of dangerous conditions.
“They are a day late and a drop of water short because the people of this community have drawn a line in the sand,” said attorney Israel Chavez.
According to the press release sent by the law firm, they allege that the dangerous water conditions are caused by the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, which provides water service to residents in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.
“That’s what has been happening in this community for not one year and not five years, but more than a decade. It is unacceptable. It is a violation of the people’s civil rights, and we intend to bring litigation to remedy that,” Chavez said.
According to Chavez and the press release, CRRUA knew that the water supply had high pH levels due to equipment failures, but residents weren’t notified in a prompt fashion.
Lawyers also said that there’s been a long-term issue of high levels of arsenic in the water supply.
“I stopped using it when the water started coming out like brown and we did call the city at that time. And they told us not to worry, that that happens in nature, just to let it go and it will be safe to drink. But then I just stopped using the water and the only thing that we were using it for was for the restroom and showers,” said one Sunland Park resident.
Another attorney, Jessica Insurriaga, said the environmental reports were shocking.
“If the board wants to minimize this and make it seem like it is just a water issue, that is the absolute problem right there. This is a human issue. People deserve to have drinkable water, tap water that they can bathe in, that they can cook with. And so, we hope that the community will stand with us to give CRRUA a message that this is unacceptable,” Insurriaga said.
CRRUA said they will not be commenting because this is pending litigation.
To reach out to the attorneys filing the lawsuit you can call (575) 448-1143
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