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Public raises lead-and-copper inventory concerns; utilities say NMED oversight and annual reporting will guide next steps
Summary
Residents told the council they believe Las Cruces Utilities' lead service-line inventory contains inaccurate classifications and missing records; utility staff said NMED provides oversight and the city will shift to annual reporting and hire a consultant using grant funds.
Several residents told the Las Cruces City Council during public participation that they distrust the city's lead service-line inventory and its methods for classifying service-line materials under the federal Lead and Copper Rule.
Speakers urged clearer evidence and records for the inventory and said the city's use of visual inspection at meter pits and water sampling without records can produce false non-lead classifications. Lynn Morerer, who identified herself as utilities director (in public comment), told the council the New Mexico Environment Division has no primacy and that EPA alone enforces the rule; Morerer said the city misclassified more…
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