Monticello gets funds to upgrade drinking, waste water systems

The Utah Permanent Community Impact Board (CIB) recently approved $1.8 million to improve health services and drinking and waste water systems in San Juan County.

Most of the money – a $790,000 grant and $1 million loan to be repaid over 20 years at zero percent – will repair and upgrade water and sewer lines in Monticello City.

The upgrade is timed to coincide with reconstruction of US Hwy 491 and repaving of US Hwy 191, said Bevan Wilson, a member of the CIB board and State Transportation Commission. “We want to avoid having to dig up the new road sometime later.”

Work on Hwy 191 could begin as soon as this summer. Preliminary work at the intersection of Hwys 191 and 491 was temporary in nature because of the intent to replace water and sewer lines in the street near the intersection.

In addition, the San Juan County Health Service District also received a $50,000 grant to assess the county’s health needs and better coordinate services among various clinics and two hospitals in San Juan County and Blanding.

The Community Impact Board awards grants and low-interest loans to cities, towns and counties impacted by mining and the extraction of oil and gas on federal land. Most of the money benefits rural Utah and is spent creating safer, more liveable communities.

The program is managed by the Division of Housing and Community Development under the Utah Department of Community and Culture.