Sunland Park considers creating its own water utility following CRRUA split
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Sunland Park city officials are now laying out their plans to move forward following the termination of the joint powers agreement that established the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA).
CRRUA provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa.
Doña Ana County cuts ties with CRRUA after years of water quality issues
During a press conference on Wednesday, May 28, city leaders announced they are preparing a resolution that would allow Sunland Park to create its own water and wastewater department.
This comes after Doña Ana County voted to end its agreement with CRRUA, citing years of resident complaints about water quality.
Doña Ana County takes steps to terminate Camino Real Regional Utility Authority
'Our staff is going to be presenting a resolution that is requesting support from the city council to establish our own water and wastewater department to make sure that we are prepared in case of the decision that the county wants to separate the assets, and we have to create our own water wastewater service,' Sunland Park Mayor Javier Perea said.
In addition to the possible creation of a new department, the city plans to request $1.2 million from municipal funds to address infrastructure problems, including the ongoing issue of discolored water that many residents have reported over the years.
'That will be necessary to address the tanks, the Anapra tank, the Middle Vista tank, and the Tierra Madre tank, all located within the City of Sunland Park, and hopefully reduce the number of incidents of discolored water within the city,' Perea said.
The resolutions will be presented to the city council in the coming weeks, officials said.
The transition away from CRRUA could take up to four years, with the agency continuing day-to-day operations during that time, according to city officials.
In the meantime, Doña Ana County and the City of Sunland Park have activated a dedicated phone line and online form for CRRUA customers to report water-related issues or concerns. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish by calling (575) 525-5589.
Doña Ana County activates support line for CRRUA customers
For more information, or to access the support form, visit water.donaana.gov.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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