In barely 10 years, the Tarpon Springs (Fla.) Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility has gone from “the little plant that couldn’t” to “ the little plant that can” — and does.
That’s how utilities superintendent Ray Page and director of public services Paul Smith describe the progress they’ve made at the 4.0 mgd (design) plant. They compare multiple operator-driven process improvements to the train engine in the old children’s story that found it could achieve success if it reminded itself: I think I can.
“In 1999, we were under a consent decree,” recalls Page. “But most of what we’ve done to improve treatment
