On Tuesday, members of Marietta City Council's water, sewer and sanitation committee agreed to spend an estimated $31,380 through the end of this year, and another $63,000 in 2013 on a chemical that helps reduce the odor caused by equipment failure last year at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
Though very expensive, we think continuing to use the VX-456 while work on a plant upgrade continues, is the right decision.
The area around the wastewater treatment plant includes a shopping center, restaurants and hotels. Employees and customers have said the smell is so intense at times that there has been a loss of business.
It's important that city council doesn't allow there to be an impact to the businesses, which pay wages to many local residents and are an important part of the local economic cycle.
The expense won't be forever-the plant upgrade is scheduled to be completed in 2015. But until then, it's important to support the businesses in Marietta and help them attract customers.
We hope council takes the recommendation of the committee and continues this fix.
