According to the official website of Monticello, Utah, George Rice was listed as the Waste Water Operator as of July 28, 2026. His contact information, which included the phone number (435) 459-2222 and the email address george@monticelloutah.org, was provided in the staff directory for the city's sanitation department on that date.
Rice's role as Waste Water Operator is connected to the broader Public Works Department, which is responsible for managing critical infrastructure for the community. According to the city's Public Works website as of August 25, 2026, the department is tasked with managing several essential services, including water, sewer, trash, streets, curb and gutter, stormwater, and sidewalks. The department also oversees the maintenance of water and sewer reservoirs and ensures the safe treatment and delivery of drinking water through water plant operations.
The sewer system itself is a significant component of the town's infrastructure. According to the city's Sewer information page as of September 1, 2026, the City of Monticello owns, operates, and maintains the Sanitary Sewer Collection System and Lagoon Treatment Ponds. This system is comprised of miles of pipeline, manholes, and four treatment ponds. To keep the system running as trouble-free as possible and to minimize problems, the sewer department performs regular maintenance on all areas of the system.
One specific maintenance task noted in the city's documentation as of September 1, 2026, involves the cleaning of sewer lines. Each year, the Sewer Department cleans approximately one-half (1/2) of the city's sewer collection lines. This process utilizes high-powered sewer Jetter equipment, where a cleaning nozzle is propelled from one manhole to the next using high-pressure water at approximately 2000 PSI. As the nozzle is pulled back to the starting manhole, the high-pressure water jets blast the inside of the pipe to scrape away sludge buildup, grease, and even tree roots.
Residents encounter the work of the Public Works and sewer departments through various guidelines intended to prevent system failures. According to the city's Sewer information page as of September 1, 2026, residents and business owners are responsible for the sewer line from their building to the point where it connects to the sewer main line, a section known as the sewer lateral. The city does not maintain or clean this lateral. To reduce potential problems, the city advises against dumping grease, chemicals like gas, paint, or antifreeze, or flushing items such as diapers, sanitary napkins, or wet wipes down the drain.
In the event of suspected sewer line blockages, the city provides assistance by inspecting the sewer main through a manhole. According to the city's documentation as of September 1, 2026, if the blockage is found to be in the main line, the city handles it; if the blockage is in the lateral, the resident is advised to contact a plumber or drain cleaning service.
What this means for Monticello
For the residents of Monticello, the presence of a dedicated Waste Water Operator like George Rice, as listed in July 2026, ensures that the city's complex network of pipelines and treatment ponds receives professional oversight. Following city guidelines regarding what is placed in drains helps prevent blockages in the main lines and the private sewer laterals used by local residents.
