NMED News:
SANTA FE — New Mexico state agencies will host a community meeting at the Doña Ana Community College in Sunland Park at 6 p.m., April 7, 2026, to gather input from residents affected by arsenic contamination in their drinking water and outline public health resources the state is working to provide.
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) will present updates regarding the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), which in recent years failed to properly treat arsenic in drinking water served to customers.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to ask questions and provide suggestions for future state efforts, which could include free water sampling, filtration or biomonitoring—testing to measure arsenic levels in residents’ bodies.
To protect customers long-term, NMED is seeking a court-appointed independent manager to oversee operations at the troubled utility.
NMED is also working to require CRRUA to:
- Implement real-time arsenic monitoring
- Distribute free arsenic test strips for all CRRUA customers
- Provide an alternative drinking water source if arsenic levels exceed state limits
- Conduct monthly public meetings
NMED recently fined CRRUA nearly $200,000 for five violations committed by the utility since 2023, including exceeding federal arsenic limits and failing to notify customers of high pH levels.
The forum on April 7 is an opportunity for Sunland Park residents to be heard and explore what resources might best serve them. NMED and NMDOH are committed to working alongside this community to address the impacts of arsenic exposure and prevent future harm.