Rep. Vasquez inquires about troubled water utility in Southern New Mexico

Rep. Gabe Vasquez speaks at the ribbon-cutting at Arcosa Wind Towers in Rio Communities, New Mexico on Friday, April 26, 2024. Vasquez has sent letters to state environment and the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority in recent months, requesting more information on operations and accountability for the troubled water utility. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)

State agencies aren’t the only ones taking a harder look at operations and oversight of a troubled Southern New Mexico water utility.

In recent months, scrutiny has intensified from the state auditor and attorney general’s office, after top environment officials called for a look into how the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority spent millions in public money.

Last week, U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) sent a letter to top officials at the New Mexico Environment Department to take additional actions to “ensure the safety” of residents in Doña Ana County that receive water from the water utility.

Vasquez asked for regular reports on all violations of federal drinking water regulations, and asked the state agency to hold community meetings in Southern New Mexico county, in the April 24 letter.

He further said the environment department should perform “random, unannounced water quality testing” for the next calendar year, and that state and federal funds remain available to the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA).

The state agency’s response listed the results of a random test in April showing the utility was below the federal limit of arsenic in drinking water. The agency also served the utility with a $251,580 penalty, which the utility is appealing, and asked for additional information on the utility’s operations and finances in a March 27 letter.

Currently, New Mexico Environment Department officials are testing the water quarterly, and said the utility performs additional water tests every two weeks.

Additionally, the agency is planning on hosting community meetings, but none are scheduled at this time, wrote deputy secretary Sydney Lienemann in a response to Source New Mexico.

Arsenic levels in compliance

The latest three tests from the New Mexico Environment Department show the utility is now in compliance, with arsenic levels in the utility’s water measuring below the federal limit of 10 parts per billion.

In December, state officials found the utility has 58 significant deficiencies from systemic management failures following an investigation into high alkaline water sent to residents triggered a “Do Not Drink” order for several days.

Utility officials said they have addressed more than half of the deficiencies in recent months.

The regional water supply in Southern Doña Ana has long struggled with arsenic. The mineral naturally occurs at higher levels in the groundwater, which in exposure over time, contributes to certain kinds of cancers, is linked to higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart conditions, and skin irritation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

CRRUA responds to Vasquez letter sent in February

In February, Vasquez sent a letter to the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority asking what the utility was doing to address the “concerning pattern of reported failures by the utility’s arsenic treatment plant as far back as 2016.”

He asked the utility to detail corrective actions to address the failures and ensure “clean, safe drinking water moving forward.” He further asked how the utility planned to reach out to residents within 24 hours of an issue, and what infrastructure upgrades the utility has made.

The utility’s response took just over two months.

On Wednesday, May 1, the utility sent a response letter addressed from Susana Chaparro, who is both a Doña Ana County Commissioner and the chair of the utility’s governing board.

Chaparro wrote that since January, “we have made much progress in a short time.”

Then follows a bulleted list, noting that CRRUA hired a certified operator, that all four arsenic treatment facilities are now operational, that water is below the federal limit, and that the utility is upgrading facilities.

This includes using $5 million from the state legislature for rehabilitating a wastewater treatment plant.

“We welcome any financial assistance you can provide Congressman Vasquez, as we have had to use reserve funds to pay for some of our infrastructure improvements,” the letter stated.

Chaparro then listed more than $1.5 million for nine projects the board approved. Some of those projects include $440,000 for new media filters in arsenic treatment plants, and more than $123,000 for a new system to monitor the water system. Another $238,000 was approved for electrical and sludge pump replacements at the Sunland Park Wastewater Treatment Facility.

The utility further said it was now providing updates in Spanish and English on its website and Facebook, a change after the water quality issue in November. The utility is also buying a “direct messaging system” to contact customers.

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