A method of treating a mixture of microorganisms containing phosphorus and
magnesium, by first inducing the mixture microorganisms to release
phosphorus and magnesium which is then tapped off as the mixture is
thickened, to produce phosphorus and magnesium-rich liquid and phosphorus
and magnesium-reduced treated mixture. This treated mixture is placed in
an anaerobic digester where ammonia is formed but combines very little
with phosphorus or magnesium as these elements have been greatly reduced
in concentration. Next the high-ammonia mixture is dewatered, to produce
an ammonia-rich liquid, which is combined with the phosphorus and
magnesium-rich liquid. In one preferred embodiment a useable struvite
product is harvested from this combination. Additionally, the production
of nuisance struvite in the anaerobic digester is greatly reduced, in
comparison with prior art waste treatment methods.