This invention presents chemical and biological methods, processes and systems for purifying, reclaiming and/or recycling metal(s) in aqueous solution. This invention presents methods, processes and systems for purifying, reclaiming and/or recycling: waste sludge from water purification plants, waste catalyst form polymer manufacturing plants and other waste aqueous metal streams, wherein said waste stream(s) contains at least one metal in concert with BOD and/or TOC and/or COD. Removal of at least one of: BOD, TOC, COD and any combination therein is accomplished via a biological reactor, wherein it is most preferred that an operating pH of 9.25+/-0.50 is maintained to maximize the insoluble oxide and/or hydroxide form of the metal, while minimizing the ionic form, toxic form, of the metal, thereby providing an environment which is conducive to biological activity. Post biological reaction, metal(s) are removed from aqueous solution with liquid/solids separation. Post biological reaction bacteria are removed from aqueous solution with liquid/solids separation. In the most preferred embodiment, the metals from liquid/solids separation are recycled into coagulant manufacture.
