an activated sludge process for the clarification of wastewater comprising introducing the wastewater into a reactor where microorganisms consume organic material in the wastewater to form a mixed liquor comprising water , the microorganisms and an activated sludge ; separating clarified water from the mixed liquor by filtration through a microfiltration or ultrafiltration membrane ; separating the activated sludge from the mixed liquor ; adding to the activated sludge at least one high molecular weight water soluble polymer to form a mixture of water and coagulated and flocculated solids ; dewatering the coagulated and flocculated solids to form a mixture of dewatered solids and filtrate water ; and recycling the filtrate water into the mixed liquor and a method of controlling polymer dosage , preferably using fluorescence emission spectroscopy .