Gabe Vasquez seeks federal money for Do帽a Ana County water issues
Taken from the Texas side of the Rio Grande, razor wire lines a stretch of the river near Sunland Park.
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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez wants to draw in federal money to fix water issues in southern New Mexico.
Sunland Park and Santa Teresa residents came together on Friday to hear from their water utility, the state, local officials and their federal representative about safe drinking water.
In December, Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, or CRRUA, issued a 鈥渄o not drink鈥� advisory to residents, and reports later came out showing high arsenic levels in the water and systemic failures at the utility.
Tests conducted since then haven鈥檛 shown exceedingly high arsenic levels, but the New Mexico Environment Department on March 27 issued an 鈥渋nformation demand letter鈥� to CRRUA as part of an investigation into the systemic failures, according to the New Mexico Democrat鈥檚 office.
Vasquez, the 2nd Congressional District representative, has been vocal about ensuring CRRUA is held accountable and the water is safe to drink.
He鈥檚 asking for $2.5 million in federal investments to renovate a utility well, his office announced Friday. The news release didn鈥檛 specify where the money would come from.
鈥淓nsuring the safety of our drinking water is non-negotiable. The residents of Do帽a Ana County deserve nothing less than full accountability, transparency and reliable solutions to fix the ongoing issues with our water infrastructure,鈥� Vasquez said in a statement.
