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Residents accuse Las Cruces Utilities of misstating lead sampling; council hears multiple public complaints
Summary
Multiple residents told council they believe Las Cruces Utilities misreported lead sampling and failed to notify homeowners with galvanized piping; speakers cited lab reports, an NMED response, and federal Lead and Copper Rule requirements and asked the utilities director for follow-up.
During public participation, several residents accused Las Cruces Utilities of failing to report accurate lead sampling and of not notifying property owners whose inspections showed galvanized piping. Lynn Moore presented what she called documented evidence and said the New Mexico Environment Department agreed with her assessment that the 2025 consumer confidence report for University Estates was inaccurate. She said "the CCR says water was sampled for lead in 2024... In reality... the most recent sampling occurred in 2023," and asserted the 2023 lab results exceeded EPA action levels.
Liz Rodriguez Johnson asked the utilities to prove that it acted in good faith when applying for $15,000,000 from the New Mexico Finance Authority to replace lead and galvanized piping and requested inspections of properties on the city's disadvantaged list. Derek Pacheco and others described inspection practices that checked only meter boxes and later discovered exposed galvanized piping out of the meter box, and they urged the council and utilities to notify affected owners and to resample.
Councilors and staff did not take formal action during public comment; city staff said they follow state and federal rules, and the mayor noted staff follow-ups and outreach have been performed in prior months. The public commenters asked for documented compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule, more resampling where exceedances were found, and clearer notifications to property owners.
