The El Paso, Texas water utility has been slapped with a $1.2 million fine by the state of New Mexico for dumping 1.1 billion gallons of raw sewage into the Rio Grande river.
New Mexico officials claim that El Paso Water did not inform the New Mexico Environmental Department that they were dumping upwards of 10 million gallons of raw sewage a day in the river, something they did for 136 days.
However, the utility asserts that they informed state and federal regulatory agencies, including NMED, of their actions.
The dumping of raw sewage in the river caused a lingering stench of waste on the West side of El Paso, and areas of Sunland Park New Mexico. The smell often times making its way into nearby businesses and homes causing health concerns for families and patrons.
In addition to the stench, standing pools of wastewater could also be seen on sidewalks and intersections around the area.
The New Mexico Environment Department said that the the wastewater that was dumped into the river does indeed pose a threat to public health and they will hold El Paso Water accountable for their actions. They also say the utility will be made to remove any contaminated soil and abstain from dumping wastewater into the river in the future.
El Paso Water started dumping the wastewater into the river after an underground line break that took nearly 6 months to fix.
