Residents of Southern New Mexico are calling for accountability from state officials regarding unhealthy drinking water. On September 16, 2024, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) held a public town hall in Sunland Park to address ongoing water issues managed by the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA).

NMED Secretary James Kenney moderated the meeting, which lasted approximately two and a half hours. The session was streamed live. Contrary to what was indicated in promotional materials, no presentations on the health impacts of arsenic were given by NMED or NMDOH staff. Instead, the entire event focused on fielding questions and comments from residents who expressed their dissatisfaction with how state officials have handled the crisis.

Sunland Park resident José Saldana voiced his concerns during the meeting: “The Governor promised us that the increase of the water was not going to happen. She promised us, the community, that she was going to stop the increase of the water bill and nothing has happened. So that’s why we made this meeting. And they should increase the water rates to the dispensaries and to the landfill.”

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