NM agencies to address arsenic in local drinking water

EL PASO, Texas ( KTSM ) – New Mexico health and environment agencies will hold a town-hall meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16 at the Doña Ana Community College (DACC) Sunland Park Center, 3365 McNutt Rd, to discuss health impacts of arsenic levels on local drinking water.

The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.

New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) Secretary Patrick Allen and New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) Deputy Secretary Sydney Lienemann, along with environmental health and water quality experts, will answer questions from the community, according to a news release sent by NMHealth.

“We want to hear straight from Sunland Park and Santa Teresa residents and local leaders about their concerns of water quality in their area,” Allen said. “We will, face-to-face, answer questions about health impacts of arsenic levels in their water supply.”

“Our top priority is ensuring that every New Mexican has access to clean, safe drinking water,” Lienemann said. “We will listen to the community, answer questions, and provide clarity on the steps we’re taking to protect public health and the environment.”

NMHealth said Spanish interpreters will be available at the meeting and will be streamed live online on the NMED’s Facebook page .

As we previously reported, CRRUA has been under fire for water quality issues. Some residents have told KTSM that the issues have been going on for years.

“Since last year, CRRUA has been subject to escalated NMED testing of its water supply to assure arsenic sampling results meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards,” read the news release. “Arsenic is a poisonous metal that can cause skin changes, liver and kidney damage, and birth defects.”

In March, NMED issued the utility an administrative order for ongoing violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and New Mexico Drinking Water Regulations, according to the news release.

You can read the administrative order here:

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