DEMING – Residents in southern Doña Ana County are being invited to speak directly with state officials as concerns grow over arsenic contamination in drinking water in the Sunland Park area.
State agencies, including the New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health, have scheduled a community meeting for 6 p.m. on April 7 at Doña Ana Community College Sunland Park Center. The session is intended to gather public input and provide updates related to ongoing issues with arsenic treatment.
At the center of the concern is the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, which continues to serve roughly 20,000 customers in Sunland Park and nearby Santa Teresa. The utility has faced mounting scrutiny in recent years over failures to properly treat arsenic in drinking water.
Although Doña Ana County voted in May 2025 to end its joint powers agreement with Sunland Park tied to the utility, the system remains in operation while both sides work out how to divide assets. Meanwhile, customers have already begun to feel the financial impact. A rate increase approved in December 2025 raised monthly residential water bills from about $20 to approximately $27 starting in January 2026, with officials saying higher rates were necessary to sustain operations.
Regulatory pressure has also intensified. In February 2026, the state reached a settlement requiring the utility to pay nearly $200,000 in penalties for multiple violations dating back to 2023, including an additional payment tied to what officials described as bad faith.
State officials are now pushing for stronger oversight and protections for residents. Proposed measures include appointing an independent manager to oversee operations, distributing free arsenic testing strips to customers, implementing real-time monitoring, and providing alternative drinking water if contamination levels exceed safe limits. Monthly public meetings are also being considered to keep residents informed.
In announcing the April 7 meeting, state officials emphasized that community voices will play a critical role moving forward, calling the forum an opportunity for residents to share concerns, ask questions, and help shape solutions aimed at reducing exposure and preventing future harm.