New Mexico
“Systematic failures” found by New Mexico Environment Department in CRRUA investigation – KVIA
SANTA TERESA, New Mexico (KVIA) — The New Mexico Environment Department has released their findings from their investigation into the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority, better known as CRRUA.
The investigation stems from a treatment plant mishap in late November that caused the PH level to rise to unsafe levels in thousands of people’s drinking water in Santa Teresa and Sunland Park.
The 132-page report says that pH sensor malfunctions and operation failures by CRRUA’s staff led to excess sodium hydroxide, also known as caustic soda, to be dumped into the water.
“The sensors, that actually monitor the acidity of the water, were reading that the pH levels were negative, and that’s what caused that system to call the caustic soda to be dumped in to bring the pH level back up,” said John Rhoderick, the director of NMED’s Water Protection Division.
The official cause of the incident from the NMED’s report is different than the explanation that CRRUA officials gave to ABC-7.
Former CRRUA executive director Brent Westmoreland originally told ABC-7 that a pump failure caused excess amounts of sulfuric acid to be dumped into the water, causing it to feel slimy.
However, Rhoderick says sulfuric acid would have reduced pH levels, not cause them to rise.
“I don’t know why [CRRUA] continued to talk about it being the acid, it was in fact just the opposite,” he added.
ABC-7 spoke with CRRUA’s interim director, Juan Carlos, Friday.
We asked him to comment on the investigation’s findings, and he told us to send him a list of written questions that will be answered within “one-to-two days.”
As for consequences CRRUA may face, Rhoderick says the utility company may be forced to re-train operational staff, and adds that there’s “additional enforcement acts coming.”
The investigation also found that seven violation notices were sent to CRRUA in 2023. As of this publication, only one has been resolved according to the NMED.
ABC-7 will bring you CRRUA’s response to the investigation both on-air and online at KVIA.com as soon as it’s provided to us.
A copy of the investigation report is linked to this story.
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Laguna Pueblo woman is the front runner to be New Mexico’s next governor.
Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Deb Haaland was declared the winner over Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman in the state’s semi-open Democratic Party primary. As of 11:00 p.m., Haaland carried support from 72% of the Democratic primary voters to Bregman’s 28%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
“We’re showing everyone that a better future in New Mexico is possible,” she told supporters gathered in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town Plaza. “New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people, and who is ready to take on Donald Trump. I proudly accept your nomination as a Democratic nominee.”
Haaland spoke for 13 minutes, at times through a scratchy throat that required her to pause for water breaks. “Excuse me, I’ve been talking with voters all day,” she said while grabbing a water bottle before hitting her campaign stump notes on affordability, health care and public safety.
She will face Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor from suburban Rio Rancho that won his party’s three-way primary with 47% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Haaland will be the Democratic Party nominee in a state dominated at every level by Democrats, and is expected to be heavily favored in the general election. With that insight she said her campaign message does translate to Republicans and Independent voters.
“We want our kids to thrive. We want our kids to have a quality, public education. We want every New Mexican to have health care. Everybody wants to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and everybody wants to be able to afford to put a hot meal on their table every night and have a roof over their children’s heads,” she said. “Those issues transcend whatever political spectrum we’re trying to slice and dice people into.”
Shortly after the race was called, Haaland campaign staff, major donors, surrogates, and their families walked from a building on the west side of Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza to the historic plaza core, where the Haaland campaign had set up a stage and reserved the entire plaza for its victory celebration.
“We are now witnessing history in the making,” New Mexico state Rep. Derrick Lente (Sandia Pueblo) said to supporters immediately after Haaland was declared the winner.
Denise Wilie (Dine) also joined the celebration of Haaland’s victory. Wilie said she worked on get-out-the-vote efforts with the Native American Voters Alliance in McKinley County.
“It just is so exhilarating to even think about, a woman and a Pueblo woman,” she said. “Indigenous all the way, is how I feel. I’m like, yes, let’s get more of our voices.”
Haaland was introduced by her two sisters and walked to the stage escorted by a mariachi band.
Speaking to reporters after the event Haaland reflected on voting for a Pueblo woman (herself) for governor.
“I got emotional, quite frankly, when I went to vote for myself because you do that when you’re a candidate,” she said. “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico. We’re a multicultural state. I think representation matters, especially in a political era such as this one. So, I’m really proud and honored to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, who worked so incredibly hard to make sure that I had a place here today.”
Related
When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – When a famly unexpectedly loses a loved one, or has someone go missing, the details of what comes next can be overwhelming.
But they don’t have to do it alone thanks to an organization helping New Mexico families with some of those burdens.
Watch the video above for more.
-
Kentucky3 minutes agoUK Healthcare prepares to become Kentucky’s only Level 2 special pathogen treatment center
-
Louisiana6 minutes agoHeart of Louisiana: Civilian Conservation Corps
-
Maine11 minutes agoOpinion: Owen McCarthy offers Maine Republicans real change
-
Maryland18 minutes agoMaryland Dem lawmaker runs taxpayer-funded nonprofit with audit struggles
-
Michigan21 minutes agoResidents in Taylor, Michigan, fight against possible rezoning
-
Massachusetts26 minutes agoMassachusetts high school under investigation after teachers diagnosed with breast cancer
-
Minnesota33 minutes agoMedical services in limbo for thousands of providers amid Minnesota fraud crisis
-
Mississippi36 minutes agoMississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 2, 2026
