EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Doña Ana County is ending its longstanding agreement with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), an agency that has been the subject of years of resident frustration and alleged state violations over water quality in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.
County officials made the announcement last week, citing a need to prioritize public health and restore community trust after repeated complaints of dirty, foul-smelling water.
“This is about clean water. Sure, but it’s also about equity. It’s about ensuring that no community feels forgotten and no resident goes unheard,” said Scott Andrews, Doña Ana County manager.
CRRUA has been responsible for water and wastewater services in the area, but the agency has faced scrutiny for alleged state violations related to arsenic levels in drinking water. For years, residents have reported murky water, prompting many to rely on bottled water and home filtration systems.
Vivian Fuller, a resident of Santa Teresa, said water quality issues have persisted.
“We’ve been fighting for many years. Clean, safe drinking water, that’s the ultimate goal,” she said.
The County’s decision initiates a four-year transition period, where CRRUA will continue to operate under closer oversight. During a press conference on Friday, County officials said they are exploring long-term alternatives, including selecting a new provider.
“We have already hired HDR Engineering to do the assessment of the CRRUA system, so we can start figuring out the condition of the wells, condition of the pipes, conditions of the tanks, condition of fire hydrants, all aspects of the system,” said Stephen Lopez, assistant county manager for Doña Ana County.
In a statement sent to KTSM, CRRUA said:
“This is a matter between Sunland Park and Doña Ana County. They are co-owners (of CRRUA). We will continue to operate as normal after Doña Ana County’s decision to leave the JPA (joint powers agreement).”
County leaders say they plan to hold a series of community meetings in the coming months to keep residents informed and involved in the transition.
CRRUA said it has recently achieved 94.8 percent compliance in correcting deficiencies identified by the New Mexico Environment Department in its 2023 survey of the utility. Of the 58 deficiencies identified, CRRUA said it has corrected 55.
Since Jan. 24, 2024, CRRUA said it has passed 22 arsenic tests, including four quarterly NMED tests, the utility said.
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