CRISFIELD,
MARYLAND
WASTEWATER SYSTEM REHABILITATION & NUTRIENT COMPLIANCE PLANNING
Community Overview
Located along the Chesapeake Bay, Moonshot Missions partnered with Crisfield through a referral from the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center to address critical wastewater system failures and persistent nutrient compliance violations that threaten both public health and environmental quality in the region.
Population: 2,460
Watershed: Chesapeake Bay
Poverty Rate: 33.8% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: Nutrient pollution, aging infrastructure, sea level rise
MHI: $29,464
Maryland Average: $98,461
Topic Areas: Funding and compliance strategy for wastewater operations
Project Summary
In 2024, Moonshot partnered with Crisfield to confront persistent wastewater treatment challenges, including nutrient permit violations and deteriorating infrastructure. With support from the University of Maryland Environmental Finance Center and the Campbell Foundation, Moonshot conducted a full technical assessment of the wastewater system. Moonshot led targeted interventions such as restoring grit removal, reducing dangerously high sludge levels, replacing outdated lab equipment, stabilizing dissolved oxygen through tank repairs, and supported the city in preparing documentation for State Revolving Fund (SRF) applications. These efforts laid the foundation for long-term system rehabilitation, regulatory compliance, and a more resilient future for the Crisfield community.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
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Nitrogen permit violations
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Limited local capacity to address technical and compliance issues
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Lack of a funding strategy for system rehabilitation
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Equipment failures across all systems
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Vulnerability to sea level rise
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Developed a CIP to prioritize repairs
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Restored the grit removal and sludge processing functions
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Replaced outdated lab equipment to improve sampling accuracy
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Supported pre-application efforts for State Revolving Fund grants
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Strengthened capacity to pursue funding and comply with state requirements.
OUTCOMES
The Team
The engine behind the Moonshot Method is the key talent we deploy. Our goal is to bring experience and knowledge to the community through a team of peer advisors. This project was led by:
Licensed civil and environmental engineer with over two decades of experience in the water industry.
Has twenty-one years of experience in public utility management in public water and wastewater services.
Environmental engineer with eight years of consulting experience in water resources and environmental remediation.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified nitrogen permit violations, failing equipment, and compounding technical failures.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
ASSESSMENT:
Conducted a site visit with utility staff and collected three years of plant data.
LAUNCH:
Stabilized critical treatment processes, improved nutrient sampling accuracy, and prepared Crisfield for SRF application.
MENU:
Led urgent plant interventions: rented a belt filter, replaced cyclone valve, cleaned filter radials, and upgraded lab equipment for accurate sampling..
MAP:
Supported application work for SRF grants. Partnered with the Environmental Finance Center and Campbell Foundation.
