Methods and apparatus for treating wastewater are described, one method
embodiment including the steps of flowing a stream comprising mixed
liquor suspended solids and fixed growth solids to a high rate
clarification stage, forming a clarifier effluent, a first waste
activated sludge stream, and a return waste activated sludge stream. The
high rate clarifier effluent stream then flows to a membrane stage that
includes a membrane media, producing a membrane reject (retentate) stream
and a treated effluent (permeate) stream. Optionally, the methods include
routing a screened raw wastewater to an anaerobic and/or aerated anoxic
stage and introducing a gas comprising oxygen to the wastewater during
the aerated anoxic stage, and optionally allowing the product of this
stage to flow to an aeration stage prior to the high rate clarification
stage.