Managers of municipal utilities must deal with a wide range of technological issues and effectively use their engineering staff when managing the implementation of advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) technologies. AWT is defined as any advanced technology required to meet an effluent requirement more stringent than that normally required by EPA for secondary treatment. This implies restrictive requirements for conventional pollutants, toxics or nutrients and is normally justified based upon receiving water concerns. The technologies normally applied to meet more stringent objectives are defined in terms of four treatment levels. Steps that managers can take to influence the decision making process and contain the high cost of AWT are emphasized.