The New Mexico Environment Department has issued a compliance order and civil penalties to the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority.
CRRUA has been under scrutiny from the state since a New Mexico Environment Department report found a “do not drink” order that affected residents of Santa Teresa and Sunland Park in December was due to “systematic failures” of the regional water authority.
On Feb. 2, Drinking Water Bureau Chief Joe Martinez issued two letters to CRRUA Interim Director JC Crosby.
According to a notice of violation, the utility failed to correct all significant deficiencies identified during the 2023 sanitary survey performed by the NMED. The CRRUA water system was required to complete corrective action and document it to the state by Jan. 31. According to the letter, the utility had yet to respond and would be required to notify customers of the violations within 30 days of the letter, and continue to post the public notice every three months until the deficiencies have been corrected.