LIMA,
OHIO
PILOT STUDY: PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL OPTIMIZATION
Community Overview
Located along the Maumee River, Lima faces wastewater operational challenges tied to nutrient pollution, aging infrastructure, and limited funding capacity. The city struggled to meet stringent phosphorus discharge limits aimed at protecting the Western Lake Erie Basin. They partnered with Moonshot Missions to explore high-impact optimization strategies.
Population: 34,954
Watershed: Fountain Creek
Poverty Rate: 24.2% below the poverty line
Key Environmental Challenges: Nutrient removal and operational pptimization
MHI: $34,586
Ohio Average: $73,770
Topic Areas: Operational optimization and capital funding
Project Summary
In 2024, Moonshot partnered with Lima to address urgent phosphorus discharge challenges threatening the Maumee River and the broader Western Lake Erie Basin. Moonshot conducted a targeted operational assessment and developed a cost-effective optimization plan that avoided the need for a $20 million tertiary treatment system. Through chemical evaluations and pilot testing, Moonshot helped identify a rare earth solution capable of achieving significant phosphorus reduction at lower dosages. This effort, supported by a $20,000 Ohio EPA grant, enabled Lima to reduce phosphorus loading by an estimated 15,339 pounds per year, then advancing regulatory compliance while offering a replicable model for other resource-constrained utilities.
At a Glance
CHALLENGES
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New phosphorus discharge limit required a reduction from 1.0 mg/L to 0.37 mg/L.
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Existing ferrous chloride treatment did not meet regulatory limits
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Infrastructure upgrades are financially unsustainable
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Nutrient pollution in the Maumee River contributed to harmful algal blooms in the Western Lake Erie Basin
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Secured $20,000 from the Ohio EPA
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Validated a rare earth chemical, achieving low phosphorus discharge levels
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Reduced phosphorus loading to the Maumee River by about 15,339 lbs/yr
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Avoided $20 million investment in infrastructure
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Developed a replicable, low-cost phosphorus removal strategy for other small utilities
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:
Advanced expertise in wastewater process optimization and environmental systems planning.
Thirteen years of experience in wastewater treatment operations with advanced operator certifications.
The Moonshot Method
PROFILE:
Identified nutrient pollution and regulatory compliance risks stemming from phosphorus discharge limits.
ASSESSMENT:
Conducted a technical assessment to assess current phosphorus removal methods and explore performance gaps.
OUR METHOD IN ACTION
LAUNCH:
Helped secure $20,000 in Ohio EPA funding and launched the full-scale phosphorus optimization pilot.
MAP:
Designed a full-scale pilot plan using rare earth chemicals and supported grant application development.
MENU:
Developed an optimization strategy, including performance-based chemical dosing, evaluation of seven alternative chemicals, and bench-scale testing protocols.
