Energy efficient and reliable high-ammonia wastewater treatment processes are needed to reduce nitrogen loading in wastewater discharge for protected natural water systems. The University of Alberta is collaborating with The City of Calgary to develop cost-effective and energy efficient processes and control strategies for ammonia-rich sludge liquor treatment. Pilot-scale granular sludge reactor (GSR) will be operated and optimized for enhanced ammonia reduction and reduced energy consumption. The team will employ biochemical and molecular tools to advance the knowledge of physicochemical and biological properties and activities of the microbial granular sludge under various operation and control conditions.