A $40 million phosphorus recovery facility will be constructed by the Des Moines Metropolitan Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA), expected to be completed by 2025. 

  • WRA's staff developed and patented a new method that absorbs more phosphorus from wastewater.
  • The facility will run an estimated three times more efficiently as compared to others that use more common techniques that involve chemicals.
  • It will reduce phosphorus in water cleaned by the WRA by an estimated 80%.
  • The removed phosphorus will be converted into pellets and sold to fertilizer markets, likely covering the cost of the plant's future operating costs.

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