New CRRUA rates for water, wastewater service go into effect July 1

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Camino Real Regional Utility Authority wants to remind its customers that it will be increasing rates for water and wastewater service starting on Monday, July 1.

The utility is calling the rate increases “corrections and adjustments” to its rate structure.

CRRUA says voluntary testing showed high arsenic levels at one plant

CRRUA, which serves Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, last increased its rates in 2019. That year, its board voted to phase in rate increases for water and wastewater service over four years, but the new rates were never implemented.

On May 13 of this year, the utility’s board voted to implement new rates starting on July 1.

CRRUA board votes to increase water, wastewater rates

The utility said the rate increases were needed to keep up with inflation, do maintenance on its systems and hire qualified staff members, whose current pay is below market rates for several positions.

Monthly residential water rates will increase from $15 to $17.83 for the first 3,000 gallons. Residential wastewater rates will increase from $20.62 to $27 for the first 7,000 gallons.

Water and wastewater rates for commercial, industrial, institutional and bulk users will also increase, according to the utility.

For commercial users, water rates, for instance, are increasing from $50 to $53.07 for the first 3,000 gallons and from $77.08 to $81.51 for wastewater service for the first 7,000 gallons.

Here is a breakdown of all the rate changes from CRRUA:

The CRRUA provides water and wastewater service to Santa Teresa and Sunland Park.

In recent months, its customers have been vocal about their concerns over water quality and some say their water issues go back years.

The State of New Mexico also identified 59 deficiencies in the CRRUA water system back in December. The utility said it has made progress in addressing those deficiencies and that the rate adjustments are necessary to continue to improve and maintain their systems.

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