Video above: Santa Teresa residents speak out about water issues in January 2024.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Sunland Park and Santa Teresa residents will be gathering at the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) board meeting on Monday, July 8, to protest the ongoing water quality issues and rate increases, according to a press release from the Empowerment Congress of Doña Ana County.
The press release says many residents have experienced yellow and brown water and the CRRUA has acknowledged arsenic levels that exceeded federal standards.
Residents will be calling for immediate action from the CRRUA and will demand the following:
The CRRUA must provide arsenic testing strips for all households, allowing residents to independently test their water.
The CRRUA must supply clean third-party water to residents for a minimum of six months to compensate for the contaminated water that was previously supplied.
A freeze on water rate increases for the next four years, effective from July 1.
“CRRUA has acknowledged arsenic levels exceeding federal standards, yet their communication has often downplayed the severity, instructing residents that no immediate action is needed. This dismissive attitude towards our health and well-being is unacceptable. The lack of transparency from CRRUA exacerbates these issues,” the press release said.
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