Abstract: A method for treating wastewater is disclosed. In step a), a predetermined volume of the wastewater is mixed in a first receptacle with a predetermined volume of sludge-containing returned denitrified mixed liquor under anaerobic conditions for a predetermined time period to produce an anaerobically mix rich in released phosphates. In step b), at least a portion of the anaerobically treated mix is then treated in a second receptacle under aerobic and anoxic conditions to produce a part-treated mix. In step c) at least a portion of solids from the part-treated mix to produce a low reduced-solids effluent. Steps b) and c) are sequential and cyclical and the treatment in step a) occurs during one or both of steps b) and c). In an alternative method, a predetermined volume of wastewater is treated under aerobic and anoxic conditions to produce a part-treated mix.