Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning A

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

activated sludge process

A biological wastewater treatment process that speeds up the decomposition of wastes in the wastewater being treated. Activated sludge is added to wastewater and the mixture (mixed liquor) is aerated and agitated. After some time in the aeration tank, the activated sludge is allowed to settle out by sedimentation and is disposed of (wasted) or reused (returned to the aeration tank) as needed. The remaining wastewater then undergoes more treatment. Also called conventional activated sludge. [From JM: Review for consistent usage among activated sludge process, AS process, conventional activated sludge (CAS), etc.]