Las Cruces Utilities Department staff members have received numerous phone calls and questions from concerned citizens regarding arsenic levels in the Las Cruces Municipal Water System. The intent of this statement is to clarify and hopefully bring peace of mind to Las Cruces residents.
Source: City of Las Cruces
With ongoing water quality and arsenic issues facing Sunland Park, there is a misperception that Las Cruces and Sunland Park share the same water and arsenic exists in our drinking water. This is not the case, as Las Cruces pumps from the Mesilla and Jornada del Muerto bolsons (aquifers).
Sunland Park is approximately 40 miles south of Las Cruces and does share a portion of the Mesilla Bolson. However pumping regimes and water quality are very different further South, and toward the bottom of the bolson.
Las Cruces and Sunland Park do not mix water sources or systems of any kind, so there is no relationship tied to one another.
As many people already know, water sources and quality vary from other cities, towns, villages, and communities. Some systems only have a surface water source, such as rivers, springs, and lakes. Other systems may only have a groundwater source, an aquifer, artesian well, or bolsons. Additionally, some systems may have a mixture of surface water and groundwater, which are blended.
Las Cruces Water System is strictly a groundwater system. Las Cruces Water System does not use any surface water nor blend it with any other water source.
Las Cruces, like all other water systems in New Mexico, report to the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA). These agencies oversee and enforce all drinking water regulations.
Furthermore, if any contaminant in drinking water exceeds its maximum contaminant level (MCL), which is a federal and state mandated level, Las Cruces Utilities Department, as a water provider, must report the exceedance to our customers and users. This would require official paperwork and notification that would result in further violations and fines if we fail to report.
Las Cruces’ water quality is well below the maximum level for arsenic. Therefore, we do not have anything to report to our customers nor are we facing violations or fines from the NMED and EPA.
For information or questions, you can refer to our recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), or contact Ronald N. Borunda, Deputy Director of Water for Las Cruces Utilities at (575) 528-3514 or by email at rborunda@lascruces.gov.
