Grant to Fund Montana Vista Wastewater Project

Families in El Paso County’s Montana Vista area receive water from El Paso Water Utilities, but the wastewater flows into septic tanks that no longer function efficiently. With assistance from the Texas Water Development Board, however, El Paso Water Utilities will plan and design wastewater infrastructure for the small community.

Last October, State Rep. Chente Quintanilla hosted a public meeting attended by representatives from EPWU, the County and the Texas Water Development Board. The Montana Vista residents asked for help in obtaining wastewater service, and more than 1,000 residents signed a survey citing septic tank deficiencies such as odor and other health-related complaints.

The El Paso County and EPWU service areas overlap in the Montana Vista area, so both entities are collaborating on a study to determine the feasibility of providing wastewater service. The project will be funded by a $300,000 Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP) grant from the Texas Water Development Board, and EPWU will provide $35,000 in in-kind services.

EDAP funds projects that extend water and wastewater service to economically distressed areas that lack minimal water and wastewater facilities. The cost of building and operating the infrastructure will be funded and financed through grants and payments from customers in El Paso County.