El Paso County colonia gets $28 million for new water, sewer systems

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- El Paso County will receive $28 million from the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) to improve water access in Montana Vista. The colonia has lacked consistent, safe water access since its establishment. The money from TWDB allows officials to plan, acquire, design, and construct water and wastewater system projects.

The funding consists of $8 million in direct financing from the state, and a $20 million grant from the Economically Distressed Areas Program, according to State Senator César Blanco, who represents parts of El Paso County. Blanco says he supported the project's application.

“This funding will help protect the residents in the Montana Vista area to improve public health and ensure families have access to a clean, centralized wastewater collection," the State Senator stated.

Montana Vista is home to 8,132 residents. There are 2,396 homes in the colonia, which is located in eastern El Paso county. Right now residents get water through El Paso Water of the El Paso County East Montana Water System, but they have never had access to wastewater service, according to Blanco. Most residents have cesspools, on-site sewage systems, or dump the wastewater onto their land.

Other colonias in eastern El Paso County continue to struggle with water and wastewater system access. You can read about their struggles here.