MONTROSE, Colo. — City leaders broke ground Monday on a massive $40 million upgrade to the Montrose Wastewater Treatment Plant, replacing 1980s equipment that workers have been keeping alive with parts scavenged from junkyards and, yes, even museums.
The 18-month project will modernize every major system and add new technology to remove phosphorus before Colorado makes it mandatory.
The plant has reached the breaking point.
“It’s original to when the plant was built,” Mayor Dave Frank told the crowd at the ceremony. “When something fails now, our guys are hunting eBay, calling retired operators, or driving to salvage yards just to keep it running.”
Superintendent Hyrum Webb says the team has become expert at patching 40-year-old gear, but the fixes are no longer enough.
Why Phosphorus Removal Matters Now
Colorado regulators are rolling out stricter nutrient limits across the state under Regulation 85. Montrose wants to get ahead of the curve.
“We’re doing this voluntarily today so we’re not forced to do it at gunpoint tomorrow,” Webb said. “It costs less now, and it earns us credits with the state for future permits.”
Excess phosphorus fuels toxic algae blooms that choke oxygen from rivers, kill fish, and make water unsafe for people and pets. The treated water from Montrose flows straight into the Uncompahgre River, which joins the Gunnison and eventually the Colorado River.
By installing biological phosphorus removal, the city expects to cut phosphorus levels by more than 80% before the state deadline hits.
What Residents Will See (and Pay For)
The price tag: $40 million.
The city will cover it with a mix of bonds and existing reserve funds. Officials insist there will be no immediate sewer rate spike.
“We’ve been saving for this exact moment,” Frank said. “We’re using the money we’ve set aside over the years so we don’t have to slam residents with huge rate increases all at once.”
Some rate adjustments are likely in the coming years, but city leaders say the proactive approach will keep future hikes smaller than if they waited for state mandates.
A Cleaner Uncompahgre, A Healthier Valley
The Uncompahgre River runs right through the heart of Montrose. Kids fish it. Farmers irrigate with it. Raft guides float it.
The upgrade means the water returning to the river will be dramatically cleaner than it has been in decades.
Downstream communities like Delta, Olathe, and eventually Grand Junction will benefit too. So will the endangered fish species in the Colorado River basin that have been hammered by decades of nutrient pollution.
“This isn’t just about compliance,” Frank said. “It’s about pride. We want the water leaving Montrose to be the cleanest it can possibly be before it heads downstream to our neighbors.”
Project Timeline at a Glance
- Construction starts: Immediately
- Major equipment replacement: Spring–Fall 2025
- New phosphorus removal system online: Late 2025
- Full completion: Summer 2026
The plant will stay fully operational during construction. Crews will work in phases to avoid any service disruptions.
Monday’s groundbreaking drew city council members, plant workers, engineers, and plenty of residents who live near the facility. Many say they’re relieved the city is finally tackling the long-overdue overhaul.
One longtime resident told me after the ceremony: “I’ve watched that plant limp along my whole adult life. It’s about damn time.”
Twenty years from now, when today’s kids are raising their own families along the Uncompahgre, they’ll enjoy a river their grandparents helped save. That’s what $40 million and a little foresight can do.
What do you think about the city getting ahead of state rules instead of waiting? Drop your thoughts below, and if you’re sharing on social, use #CleanUncompahgre so we can keep the conversation going.
