‘There’s no trust in CRRUA’ Doña Ana commissioners grill officials from water utility

Juan Carlos Crosby, the interim director of the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority speaks with Doña Ana County Manager Fernando Macias after the CRRUA presentation Tueday, April 9, 2024. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority heard again that it needs to do more to restore trust with the communities of Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.

Black and white signs reading “We want safe drinking water,” and “We are paying for water we can not drink!” sat in the front row at Tuesday’s Doña Ana County Commission meeting, next to residents who continued raising concerns about their water.

If that message wasn’t clear enough, county commissioner Manuel Sanchez went on further in his comments to Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) interim director Juan Carlos Crosby.

“There’s no trust in CRRUA, and I understand where they’re coming from,” Sanchez said. “And I understand where you’re having to come in and work on building that trust again.”

Crosby gave a presentation Tuesday, following a combative town hall last week that ended with his abrupt departure.

He told commissioners the water CRRUA provides is safe and potable, adding that arsenic treatment is treating water to below the federal safety standard, and recent water quality issues have been discoloration from sediments.

While Tuesday was a more sedate affair, Crosby faced criticism from Doña Ana County commissioners on transparency in the aftermath of water issues at the utility for Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, following comments from a handful of residents and advocates who gave comments Tuesday morning.

Crosby said since he took on his role in January, the utility was attempting to address a state environmental regulator’s list of 58 structural issues following an investigation into a water quality issue in November. That incident resulted in unsafe water with a high pH sent to about 1,000 households . Last month, state agencies increased their scrutiny of the utility.

In his presentation, Crosby said that CRRUA needs an additional eight staff members – five in operations, and another three or four in support.

“There are still additional upgrades required to bring the arsenic treatment system up to its optimal level,” Crosby told commissioners.

Crosby said the utility had been understaffed the entire year and half he’s been employed. Previously, Crosby was a city planner with the City of Sunland Park.

Vivian Fuller, a resident of Sunland Park, told Doña Ana County Commissioners Tuesday that the concerns on the safety of drinking water remain longstanding in Sunland Park, as concerns over arsenic and other contaminants in the water have increased since a November incident. (Danielle Prokop / Source NM)

He faced questions from commissioners about the staffing issues and where to find the utlity’s latest Consumer Confidence Report on its website. Commission chair Christopher Schaljo – Hernandez asked Crosby how CRRUA will restore trust.

Sanchez asked for more information on CRRUA’s staff training and efforts to build standard procedures.

CRRUA quiet following pending lawsuit

In response to several commissioner questions, Crosby said he would not answer any regarding arsenic levels in water delivered from CRRUA,because of potential lawsuits. Crosby has maintained this response since a tort claim was filed on Feb. 5.

Tort claims often come before litigation.

Four Las Cruces attorneys listed the Doña Ana County Commission, the City of Sunland Park and the New Mexico Environment Department, alleging that CRRUA’s recent water quality issues, including allegations of high levels of arsenic without telling the public, were civil rights violations.

Sanchez said the utility had so far failed to give an update behind closed doors about the February tort claim.

“We haven’t, as commissioners, received any updates from you, from our legal department or anything. And so that was what I was hoping for, is to understand what’s going on,” he said.

Two county commissioners, Susana Chaparro and Diana Murillo,are on the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority board. Murillo’s district includes Sunland Park.

Both said they welcomed a closed-session discussion with the water utility.

Crosby commits to more meetings, with approval

Residents and advocates urged the commission to push for accountability, and ensure they get clean water.

“We want your help please, we are asking from the heart,” said Sunland Park resident Irene Rodriguez.

Daisy Maldonado, an organizer at nonprofit Empowerment Congress of Doña Ana County, addressed Murillo and Chaparro directly.

“What are you going to do to ensure clean and safe drinking water is being delivered to your constituents?”

NMED: Water utility in Doña Ana Co. sent customers ‘high levels of arsenic’ in their tap water

In an interview after the meeting, Crosby said he would only speak at further public meetings, such as future town halls in Sunland Park, with the permission of the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority board.

“I have a protocol to follow. And if my board allows it, then I’ll take those appropriate meetings,” he said.

When asked what prevented him from addressing the surprise arsenic test from state officials, showing that CRRUA had one test out of 10 samples which exceeded federal limits, Crosby again referenced the tort letter.

“Just due to ongoing litigation, I’m not going to speak on that,” he said.

Schaljo – Hernandez suggested the utility coordinate with the county’s Office of Emergency Management to distribute water during future issues with water quality.

“There needs to be confidence restored,” he said. “And, until that’s done, it’s kind of a no-go nonstarter for me, we need to figure this out.”

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