RL pretreatment was successfully developed to enhance P release from WAS.
The cumulative PO43−–P was better fitted with pseudo-first-order kinetic model.
This was the first time to explore the role of EPSs in P-release from WAS.
Changes of metal elements, P fractions and species in EPSs had been investigated.
Release contributions of P from EPSs/(cells + others) to liquid had been identified.