When funding wastewater treatment plants,
most cities try to get the biggest bang for their buck. In Marathon, Fla., it was more like getting the biggest bang for fifty cents.
Under orders to get rid of package plants and upgrade treatment, Marathon faced a potential bill of over $181 million for a new plant. Instead, the city and its design firm, Weiler Engineering, came up with a plan for five small treatment facilities that cost about $90 million, including new sanitary sewers. Staffing costs have been lowered, too.
At the same time, the city anticipated upcoming stormwater
