SUNLAND PARK, N. M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — The troubled water utility company that serves Sunland Park and Santa Teresa is on the defense as the state issued them a “Notice of Violation” as for months they’ve failed to fix a water tank issue.

On Tuesday, the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA) issued an alert, saying that it is sending letters to its customers clarifying why they missed a deadline to install a splash pad at the Tierra Madre storage tank, a move that helps prevent ground erosion at the base of the water tank.

According to the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) sanitary survey, the deadline for CRRUA to install that splash pad was May 31.

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Six months later CRRUA said that “addressing this issue is a priority,” and that it has secured a contractor to review the erosion, and that it is working with engineers to develop a “cost-effective approach” to control erosion at that water tank.

CRRUA said it expects to finish this correction sometime in 2025 and stressed that the issue does not impact the quality of its water.

Below you can find the “progress checklist” which details all the deficiencies NMED found at CRRUA (the “checkmark” means those issues have been addressed and the “P” means CRRUA is in the process of correcting those issues).

The splash pad at Tierra Madre Tank is deficiency number 50.

The original deadline to address the 58 deficiencies was Dec. 15, but NMED granted CRRUA an extension, giving them until June 15, 2025, to finish the checklist.

On Monday, CRRUA boasted it has resolved 91.3 percent of the deficiencies, saying it only has to address five more issues before it’s in full compliance with NMED standards.

CRRUA claims significant progress, says its 91% compliant with state standards

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Every state has its own unique, rather strange laws that make you wonder where they come from and why they are still there. 

Some strange laws in states have since been repealed, or were never true laws after all, and rather just rumors that have circulated. 

Though, there are weird laws that can be found in U.S. states with just a simple search. 

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In New Mexico, some of the strangest laws include the playing of the national anthem as well as strict penalties for engaging in the tripping of a horse. 

Read more about a handful of weird laws in New Mexico below. 

1. New Mexico’s dueling law
2. Punishment for tripping a horse
3. No improper use of the national or state anthem

1. New Mexico’s dueling law

New Mexico still has a law that prohibits duels in the state.

An ancient duel was a planned fight between two individuals who engaged in combat to settle a disagreement. 

New Mexico is one U.S. state that explicitly bans duels in law.

New Mexico explicitly describes and prohibits duels in state law. (Florilegius/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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Dueling law in the state is laid out in New Mexico Statutes Chapter 30. Criminal Offenses § 30-20-11, according to FindLaw.com. 

In the law, the definition of a duel is described as consisting of a person “conveying by written or verbal message a challenge to any other person to fight a duel with any deadly weapon, and whether or not such duel ensues; accepting a challenge from another person to fight a duel with any deadly weapon, and whether or not such duel ensues; engaging in or fighting a duel with any deadly weapon; or aiding, encouraging or seconding either party to a duel and being present at such duel when deadly weapons are used.”

According to the statute, those who break the law are “guilty of a fourth degree felony.” 

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2. Punishment for tripping a horse

One head-scratching law in New Mexico is one that involves the penalty for tripping a horse.

The details of this law can be found in New Mexico Statute § 30-18-11, according to Justia.com. 

“Unlawful tripping of an equine consists of intentionally using a wire, pole, stick, rope or any other object to cause an equine to lose its balance or fall, for the purpose of sport or entertainment,” the law states.

Tripping a horse in New Mexico is against the law, and causing injury or death is a fourth-degree felony. (iStock)

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Under the law, an equine is described as a donkey, horse, pony, mule or a hinny. 

“The provisions of Subsection A of this section do not apply to laying an equine down for medical or identification purposes,” the law also states.

Those who break this law will be guilty of a misdemeanor, though if the horse is injured as a result of the incident, the penalty becomes more severe. 

“Whoever commits unlawful tripping of an equine that causes the maiming, crippling or death of the equine is guilty of a fourth degree felony,” according to the law. 

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3. No improper use of the national or state anthem

Many U.S. states have laws that revolve around the national anthem. New Mexico is one example of a state with such a law. 

In New Mexico, it is illegal to “improperly use” the national anthem or the New Mexico state anthem, “Oh Fair New Mexico.” 

This law is written out in New Mexico Statute § 30-21-5, according to Justia.com. 

Those who “improperly use” the national anthem, or the state anthem of New Mexico, are guilty of a petty misdemeanor, according to state law. (iStock)

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The law defines “improper use” as “singing, playing or rendering ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ or ‘Oh Fair New Mexico’ in any public place or assemblage in this state except as an entire or separate composition or number.” 

Those who break the law are guilty of a petty misdemeanor.