In the MAP reaction column 2, an alkali such as NaOH is introduced in such a way as to set the preferred pH conditions of from pH 8 to 10, and most desirably of from pH 8 to 9, for MAP, along with, in those cases where there is insufficient magnesium to precipitate MAP, the addition of a magnesium compound such as M g C l2 or M g ( 0 H ) 2, for example, (this should contain a magnesium compound and may be sea water), and the phosphorus and ammonia in the liquid react with the magnesium to form MAP which forms a precipitate, and the phosphorus in the liquid is removed in this way. In particular, the phosphorus in the solubilized sludge is in the form of orthophosphoric acid which is convenient for the formation of MAP as a result of the biological treatment, and the MAP formation reaction efficiency in the MAP reaction column 2 is high and so the removal of phosphorus is carried out efficiently.
The liquid which flows out of the MAP reaction column 2 is generally a liquid which has a phosphorus concentration of some 10 mg/1 and this discharged liquid is then introduced into the denitrification tank 3. In the denitrification tank 3, the B O D in the waste-w ater is utilized and the N 0 3 and N 0 2 in the nitrification cycle liquid provide for nitrogen removal.