Thus, an apparatus for the biological removal of phosphorus, in which some of the return sludge is left to stand in an anaerobic tank and phosphorus is released and then this is subjected to solid/liquid separation, the solid fraction is solubilized and the amount of sludge is reduced in volume, has been proposed (Japanese Unexamined Laid
Open Patent Application Hll-188383). Furthermore, an apparatus for the biological removal of phosphorus, in which the return sludge is solubilized and the sludge is reduced in volume and at the same time the phosphorus- containing water which is discharged from the sludge in the anaerobic tank is subjected to a crystallization type phosphorus removal treatment, has been proposed by the present applicant (Japanese Unexamined Laid Open Patent Application Hll-57773).