Austin – The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) approved a $2.8 million grant to the El Paso Water Utilities Pubic Service Board (EPWU) for planning and design of a first-time sewer system for the Montana Vista community.
“I am grateful to the TWDB for this action, and to EPWU for making this project a priority,” said Senator José Rodríguez. “This is basic infrastructure that most of us take for granted, and it’s long past time we move all Texas communities into the 21st century.”
There are approximately 2,400 households in the Montana Vista area, which received first-time water service in 1996. However, this area still lacks a public sewer collection system, and many homes have overflowing, leaking, and otherwise unsanitary septic systems.
EPWU has been designated by the State of Texas as the regional water planning agency for the El Paso region and, in the effort to provide a sanitary sewer system to the Montana Vista area, submitted a request to be considered for 100 percent grant funding available under the Economically Distressed Areas Program (EDAP). The goal is to provide first-time wastewater services to include a centralized gravity flow wastewater transmission line, various diameter collection lines, and manholes.
The full project cost is estimated at $30 million. This $2.8 million grant approved by the TWDB today will allow EPWU to plan and design the full project in detail.
Author: Office of Texas State Senator Jose Rodriguez
