Waste in a black or gray water holding tank is treated by an oxygen activated biocide by the addition of tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) and a peroxygen compound. Hydrogen peroxide and/or peracetic acid are released over a period of time and thus maintained in the wastewater solution. Peracetic acid under controlled release conditions dissipates prior to the wastewater being deposited in a wastewater treatment plant.