What type of treatment method commonly follows primary treatment in wastewater management?

In wastewater management, the primary treatment stage focuses on the removal of larger solid particles and some organic matter through physical methods such as screening and sedimentation. Following this initial process, the wastewater typically undergoes secondary treatment, which is designed to further reduce the organic content and eliminate pathogens.

The activated sludge process is a widely used secondary treatment method that employs aeration tanks where microbes break down organic material. In this biological process, microorganisms consume the remaining nutrients in the wastewater. This method is effective in reducing biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and suspended solids, making it essential for improving water quality before any further treatment or discharge.

While the other methods listed may have applications in wastewater management, they are not typically the primary processes that directly follow primary treatment. Recycling and reuse typically occur after treatment is complete, reverse osmosis is often used for the final polishing of water in advanced treatment, and sedimentation is part of the primary treatment phase. Therefore, the activated sludge process stands out as the correct answer by serving as the most common treatment after primary processes to enhance the quality of wastewater.