Recently, there has been research into the
separate treatment of these high-nutrient side
streams. It is reported to be more efficient and
cost effective than the conventional method of
returning these side streams untreated to the
headworks of the plant. The use of side stream
treatment is intended to decrease the loading on
the main nutrient removal process, resulting in
lower effluent nutrient concentrations (Vandaele
et al. 2000).