Further improvements can be obtained if we consider operating without the thermal dryer, which has a total cost greater than that of the b-PBRs and dewatering train combined. The stream that exits the pressure filter is ~27% biomass by weight. Using the PST+ mutant, this stream has a P density of 0.039 g P/g effluent, 2.3 times greater than the P density of dry wild-type biomass and 64 times greater than that of manure. As a result, completely drying the biomass might not be the most economical option, especially if it will be used locally. The TAC of the back-end without the dryer is 0.093 MMUSD/yr, resulting in a PRC of 9.2 USD/kg P, this is 88% less than the socioeconomic cost of P runoff. Note that this is equivalent to charging 0.015 USD/gal of manure processed, which is comparable to the 0.005 USD/gal of sewage charged by the Madison Metropolitan Sewage District. This result demonstrates that the PST+ strain may enable a scalable nutrient recovery process that operates at a similar price point as an existing urban wastewater treatment facility, thereby delivering a significant socioeconomic benefit.