SUNLAND PARK, N.M (KFOX14/CBS4) — The Sunland Park City Council has approved a new rate structure for the Camino Real Regional Utility Authority (CRRUA), set to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
CRRUA, which provides water and wastewater services to Sunland Park and Santa Teresa, N.M., required approval from both the City of Sunland Park and Dona Ana County, as well as the CRRUA Board of Directors.
The CRRUA board approved the plan on Nov. 10, 2025, followed by the Dona Ana County Commission on Nov. 14, 2025.
The new rate structure is based on a cost-of-service rate study conducted by Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
CRRUA Executive Director Juan Crosby emphasized the necessity of the new rates, stating, “CRRUA serves one of New Mexico’s fastest-growing regions. Rapid growth, aging infrastructure, and increased regulatory compliance costs have placed growing pressure on the utility system.”
Crosby added, “This rate structure is essential for us to accurately recover the costs associated with delivering high-quality water services to homes and businesses and ensuring that rates are aligned with the resources required to keep the water utility system running at optimal performance now and in the future.”
In 2024, the New Mexico Environment Department commissioned an independent Comprehensive Performance Evaluation (CPE) of CRRUA, conducted by Eastern Research Group (ERG).
The evaluation found that “Rates have not kept pace with the full cost to properly staff, operate, and maintain the water system,” and recommended immediate action, including a rate study and building reserves to prevent further financial strain. Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., supported by Garza & Associates, completed the Cost-of-Service Study this past summer.
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