Fate of cyanobacteria and their metabolites during water treatment sludge management processes

► Coagulation removed cyanobacteria without an additional exertion on coagulant demand. ► During a stagnation period in direct filtration intracellular metabolites were released. ► Cyanobacterial cells were not damaged during backwashing of the filters. ► In coagulant sludge, cyanobacteria released intracellular metabolites into the supernatant.