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Doña Ana County Orders Notice to Terminate Sunland Park JPA as Residents Press CRUAA on Water Safety
Summary
After months of resident complaints about discolored, odorous water and a recent arsenic exceedance, commissioners voted to notify Sunland Park of intent to terminate its joint-powers agreement with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRUAA). Community leaders urged a citizen advisory board and better utility responsiveness.
Doña Ana County commissioners voted May 13 to give the city of Sunland Park immediate notice of the county’s intent to terminate its joint-powers agreement (JPA) with the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, following public testimony about water quality problems in Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.
Residents and community groups told the commission they have experienced long-running problems with discolored, foul-smelling water and difficulty reaching CRUAA for emergency or routine service. Speakers said a recent lab result from April 23 showed an arsenic measurement of 12 parts per billion — above the U.S. EPA’s maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb — and called for a citizen advisory board controlled by affected communities.
Why it matters: County leaders said the combination of repeated resident complaints, a documented arsenic exceedance, and what speakers described as poor utility responsiveness undermines public trust in CRUAA and prompted the board action. Commissioners said they will notify Sunland Park and continue oversight of water safety matters affecting county residents.
Public commenters described ongoing problems and urged action. Daisy Maldonado, director of Empowerment Congress, said, “residents’ experiences of discolored water, odorous, and unpleasant tasting water are not overstated, but are well documented, credible, and widespread.” Vivian Fuller, community programs manager for Empowerment Congress and a Sunland Park and Santa Teresa resident, urged the county to require that any CRUAA citizens advisory committee be “created by and for the communities that CRUAA serves.”
Jose Plascencia, an Empowerment Congress staff member who described a May 5 rally at Sunland Park Sports Complex, said attendees reported skin rashes, high water bills and reliance on bottled water because “none of the people that I spoke to actually drink tap water.” Several speakers asked the board to push CRUAA for clearer communications and more local participation on advisory panels. Community members said they want regular meetings at later times so working residents can attend.
Commissioners and county staff pressed for operational clarity. Commissioner [Last name: Gamedos] and other commissioners noted the utility’s April arsenic result and urged CRUAA to adopt stronger, proactive monitoring and faster response procedures rather than relying on periodic testing alone. Commissioner [Last name: Chaparro] said testing is “reactive” and pressed for improved day-to-day operations.
The board’s action: The commission moved, seconded and approved a motion to give Sunland Park immediate notice of its intent to terminate the CRUAA JPA. The motion passed on a roll-call vote: Commissioner Gamedos — yes; Commissioner Reynolds — yes; Commissioner Sanchez — yes; Vice Chair Chaparro — yes; Chair Shelda Hernandez — yes. (See provenance for source excerpts.)
What residents asked for: Speakers asked the county to support (1) formation of a citizens advisory committee made up of local residents and business owners rather than mostly utility staff or local officials, (2) weekly public reporting of water tests after any exceedance, (3) improved call/response procedures for emergencies, and (4) relocating some CRUAA meetings to later hours to increase community participation.
County staff responses: Commissioners and staff said they will continue oversight and follow up with CRUAA leadership. Commissioners also discussed directing staff to work with community groups and the utility on advisory committee membership and on communicating monitoring results to residents.
Background and context: CRUAA stands for Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, the regional utility serving Sunland Park, Santa Teresa and neighboring areas. Public commenters named Ben Archer and La Clinica (two health centers) as local care providers that will continue services even when county indigent-care funding is constrained; those remarks reflected public-comment discussion about health access but were separate from the CRUAA testimony.
Ending: The county’s notice to Sunland Park marks a formal step in a longer oversight process. Commissioners said they expect additional follow-up and will be monitoring CRUAA test results, advisory-board development and community outreach in coming weeks.
