Grantsville weighs water-credit fund for wastewater solar and water-line matches
Grantsville City, Utah · Meeting date: November 4, 2026 · Published: November 6, 2026
Grantsville City Council began setting priorities for $18.33 million in water-credit funds, which have already generated $177,000 in bank interest. A proposed solar project at the wastewater treatment plant, alongside grant matches for two water-line schemes, is central to the emerging capital plan.
Key points
- The city received $18.333 million in water-credit funds in June and transferred the full balance to an investment company on 21 October.
- The funds earned about $177,000 while held in a bank account, or roughly $45,000 per month; staff estimated annual investment earnings of roughly $700,000 when the full balance is invested.
- A wastewater-treatment-plant solar scheme is estimated at just under $4 million and has identified grant funding of $1.5 million, although most project costs would need to be paid before $1.2 million of the grant is received after completion.
- The council also considered potential matching commitments of up to $1.2 million for a Clark Street water-line CDBG application and $300,000 for the Burmester and Vegas water-line application.
Full report
Grantsville City Council has started to map out the use of its $18.33 million water-credit fund, identifying wastewater-treatment-plant solar and grant-backed water-line work as early utility priorities while keeping the balance invested pending further decisions.
The city received $18.333 million in June. The money remained in a bank account for about four months before being transferred to an investment company on 21 October. It generated approximately $177,000 in interest while in the bank, equivalent to roughly $45,000 a month. Staff said the balance had not yet been drawn down and estimated that full investment could produce around $700,000 a year, subject to returns and the need to retain access to the money.
The largest water-related item discussed was a solar installation for the wastewater treatment plant. The project is estimated at just under $4 million, with $1.5 million in grant funding identified. The city would receive $250,000 initially, but the remaining $1.2 million would not be paid until the project is complete, requiring Grantsville to finance most of the cost upfront. Staff also said a tax credit may be available, with a firm answer expected by February.
Siting is unresolved. The city’s existing wastewater-treatment-plant parcel has wet areas, and staff said a potential solar location on city-owned land lies in wetlands and could require a lengthy conduit run. A neighboring, roughly eight-acre parcel on the drier south-east side of the plant was identified as a possible acquisition. A preliminary allowance of $50,000 per acre, or about $400,000, was included for potential land purchase, although staff said the figure was a low estimate and appraisals were being pursued. About five acres would be needed for the panels, according to the discussion.
The preliminary funding list also includes water-system grant matches: up to $1.2 million for a Clark Street water-line CDBG application and $300,000 for a Burmester and Vegas water-line application. The Clark Street application had not yet been awarded, while the Burmester and Vegas application had been submitted and was awaiting results.
Council members also linked the wastewater solar proposal to pressure on sewer charges associated with the new wastewater treatment plant. Staff said further work would be needed to establish whether water-credit cash could provide meaningful sewer-fee relief while maintaining funds required for bond payments and cash reserves.
Staff will return with further information on the solar engineering estimate, project siting and funding options.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council, Grantsville City