Documents: El Paso Water takes $1.2M fine fight across state lines
El Paso Water officials are making the case that New Mexico environmental regulators have no business fining the utility over a decision to divert sewage into the Rio Grande for months.
Attorneys representing El Paso Water said the New Mexico Environment Department has no power to fine a Texas water utility, according to filings requesting a hearing before the New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission. The commission regulates New Mexico’s water pollution, and hears appeals of fines or other enforcement actions from state environment officials.
NMED issued a $1.2 million fine to El Paso Water in June, alleging the utility violated New Mexico’s water quality laws and failed to give proper notice regarding the sewage spill, which started after heavy rains burst corroded pipelines in August 2021.
Between August 2021 and January 2022, the utility diverted more than 1.1 billion gallons of untreated sewage into the Rio Grande, saying there was no other option until a replacement fiberglass pipeline was completed.
Read more: https://elpasomatters.org/2022/08/08/documents-el-paso-water-takes-1-2m-fine-fight-across-state-lines/