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In this study, an eco‐efficient scheme (EES) that is both selective and environmentally viable is proposed and compared to a conventional activated sludge scheme (CAS). The results showed an optimal process operation and a significant difference (p < 0.001) in organic load and nutrient removal efficiencies between CAS and EES. Moreover, statistical analysis based on variance and principal component analysis highlighted a significant positive correlation between influent/effluent wastewater parameters, performance indicators and adopted process configuration. Thus, the average concentrations of activated sludge biomass were 3.11 ± 0.48 g_TSS.L⁻¹ and 2.51 ± 0.37 g_VSS.L⁻¹, and the volatile suspended solids (VSS) to average total suspended solids (TSS) ratio, which indicates the rate of active fraction of activated sludge biomass and the degree of mineralization, was approximately 81%± 2 …