The activated sludge system is responsible for promoting the removal of dissolved and suspended organic matter in wastewater. This process also enables the removal of other components of wastewater – solids in suspension, nitrogen, phosphorus, heavy metals and coenobites.

The activated sludge process is one of the most used treatment processes in industries, but the use of this treatment technique requires flow control, settled microorganisms recirculation, oxygen supply, among others. In addition, the factors that can most affect this technique are temperatures, nutrient availability, pH, the presence of toxic elements and oxygen supply.