Removal of materials from water

Various embodiments relate to an electrochemical cell for removal of materials from water and methods of using the same. A method of removing phosphorus from water includes immersing an electrochemical cell in water including phosphorus to form treated water including a salt that includes the phosphorus. The electrochemical cell includes an anode including Mg, Al, Fe, Zn, or a combination thereof, a cathode including Cu, Ni, Fe, or a combination thereof. The method includes separating the salt including the phosphorus from the treated water, to form separated water having a lower phosphorus concentration than the water including phosphorus.