A dewatering screw press has a hopper, a discharge outlet, a cylindrical screen flexibly mounted to the hopper and rigidly connected to the discharge outlet, a screw mounted to rotate beginning in the hopper and ending at the discharge outlet, the screw having an outer surface contacting the cylindrical screen, and at least one vibrator mounted to the cylindrical screen. Dewatering efficiency is improved by vibrations that are strong near the middle of the screen, while reducing or eliminating vibration near the discharge end of the screen where pressure is highest and a breaking of the seal between the screw and the screen due to vibration can reduce dewatering of sludge near the discharge end of the screen.