DORCHESTER COUNTY SANITARY DISTRICT, MARYLAND
Operational Optimization, Capital & SRF Funding
Community Overview
Located on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore, Dorchester County lies within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area and faces severe threats from aging water infrastructure, sea level rise, and environmental degradation. The county did not have the resources to solve these issues without aid from Moonshot Missions.
Population: 169,833
Watershed: Little Blackwater River Watershed
Poverty Rate: 16.3% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: Sea level rise, environmental degradation, aging infrastructure
MHI: $60,495
Maryland Average: $101,652
Topic Areas: Funding and infrastructure improvements to wastewater treatment
Project Summary
In 2024, Moonshot Missions partnered with Dorchester County and the Campbell Foundation to address the urgent risks posed by outdated wastewater infrastructure and climate vulnerability. Through a collaborative technical and organizational assessment, Moonshot guided the county to secure over $1.5 million in funding, decommission three failing Bermed Infiltration Ponds (BIPs), and redirect hundreds of thousands of gallons of raw sewage to proper wastewater treatment. This work not only protects portions of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, but also builds long-term climate resilience for the over 33,000 residents of the county.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
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100% of household wastewater flows into outdated Bermed InfiltrationPonds (BIPs).
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High risk of sewer spills into the Chesapeake Bay due to system failures.
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Workforce turnover and limited technical capacity hindered improvements.
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Sea level is projected to rise 1.57 feet by 2050, putting existing infrastructure at risk of flooding and saltwater intrusion.
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Secured $1,513,356 in funding.
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Decommissioned 3 BIPs.
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Redirected 400,000 gallons/year of sewage to proper wastewater treatment.
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Protected water quality for 67 households.
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Reduced wastewater pollution risk to the Chesapeake Bay.
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 35 years of experience leading major wastewater utilities.
Advanced expertise in wastewater process optimization and environmental systems planning.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified critical risks from aging BIPs by analyzing system operations, infrastructure, and governance.
ASSESSMENT:
Conducted a joint technical and organizational assessment with Dorchester Sanitary District and the EPA to evaluate infrastructure failures and workforce needs.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
LAUNCH:
Guided the county through SRF application processes, discontinued three out-of-commission BIPs, and connected these systems to proper wastewater treatment plants.
MAP:
Developed a phased plan to align priority projects with the submission of SRF applications to secure funding for the replacement of three BIPs.
MENU:
Delivered a targeted set of solutions, including BIP decommissioning, treatment plant connections, utility reorganization strategies, and a three-part climate adaptation planning workshop.
