CHICAGO (AP) — A private Canadian company plans to use phosphorus produced by the wastewater from the Chicago area’s massive sewage treatment plant and turn it into slow-release fertilizer.

The Chicago Tribune reports the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, which operates the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant, has agreed to finance the $31 million project by Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies.

The district estimates the project by the Vancouver, British Columbia-based company will reduce the Stickney plant’s phosphorus discharges by about 30 percent.

Local officials believe the project could be the solution to phosphorus pollution that’s been sought for years by scientists, regulators, lawyers and advocates and could become a model for other communities in the region.

Environmental activists say the project is a good start, but more must be done to address phosphorus pollution.