Click the link to read the article on the KJCT website (Spence Breed). Here’s an excerpt:
March 17, 2026
The city of Montrose held a groundbreaking Monday marking the start of a major upgradereaking Monday marking the start of a major upgrade to its wastewater treatment plant, a facility that has operated with much of its original equipment since it was built in the 1980s. The project will replace outdated equipment and install new infrastructure to meet current and future water quality standards set by state and federal regulators. Mayor Dave Frank said the plant’s equipment has become difficult to maintain.
“The equipment in our wastewater treatment plant is original to the building of the wastewater treatment plant,” Frank said. “So when something breaks, they’re having to find parts in museums and junkyards in order to repair the equipment that we currently have.”
[…]
The plant treats sanitary sewage in accordance with federal and state standards, releasing treated water back into the Uncompahgre River. The project will replace existing equipment with newer versions and install a tank for biological phosphorus removal. Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent Hyrum Webb said the phosphorus removal addition is a proactive step.
“We want to get ahead of the curve on removing phosphorus out of the water before we’re required to by the state,” Webb said. “It gives us some incentive points to help out with future permitting, and it’ll be cheaper now than when the state mandates us to do so.”
Frank said water quality going back into the river is a priority…The project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. The total cost is estimated at $40 million, which will be funded through bonds and reserve funds.
