AbstractNitrifying characteristics were compared for an extended aeration (total cell recycle) process and one employing an engineering modification of the process utilizing a “hydrolytic assist” to aid biological autodigestion. Laboratory pilot plants were run over a period of years, and it was found that the recently recommended “hydrolytic assist” did not militate against production of a highly nitrified effluent. Under this mode of operation, the effluent was as nitrified as the effluent from the normal extended aeration process. It was also found that the modified process rapidly recovered its nitrifying capability after a period of deprivation of excess ammonia nitrogen. Throughout the period of operation, substrate removal efficiency remain