A system and method are disclosed for control of feast and famine conditions in continuous-flow biological nutrient removal processes to drive intensification of the activated sludge wastewater treatment process. For control of feast conditions, an upfront anaerobic zone is equipped with a biosensor to monitor real-time soluble biodegradable carbon uptake rate. Readings from the biosensor are received in a controller, which makes adjustments to operation of the anaerobic zone when readings deviate beyond said threshold limits. In one aspect return activated sludge to the anaerobic zone is modulated via an automated flow control device. Famine conditions in downstream process zones are also monitored and controlled.

Provided herein is a process for the removal of micropollutants and/or other pollutants from water, involving subjecting the water to a consecutive combination of biological adsorbent filtration (BAF) followed by oxidation treatment (OT), preferably ozone treatment. In a preferred embodiment, an adjustable amount of the OT effluent, preferably an adjustable amount ranging between 10-100%, more preferably 20-90%, more preferably 20-80%, most preferably 20-50% of the OT effluent, is recirculated to the BAF. The process may involve monitoring the formation of oxidation products at the end of the OT, and/or for measuring TOC, DOC, SUVA, ammonium and/or specifically targeted pollutants in or at the end of the BAF, and controlling the amount of BAF-OT treated water which is recirculated to the consecutive steps of BAF and OT based on the output of the monitoring step.