The general process control method is to monitor sludge blanket level, SVI (Sludge Volume Index), MCRT (Mean Cell Residence Time), F/M (Food to Microorganism), as well as the biota of the activated sludge and the major nutrients DO (Dissolved oxygen), nitrogen, phosphate, BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand), and COD (Chemical oxygen demand). In the reactor/aerator and clarifier system, the sludge blanket is measured from the bottom of the clarifier to the level of settled solids in the clarifier's water column; this, in large plants, can be done up to three times a day.
The SVI is the volume of settled sludge occupied by a given mass of dry sludge solids. It is calculated by dividing the volume of settled sludge in a mixed liquor sample, measured in milliliters per liter of sample (after 30 minutes of settling), by the MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids), measured in grams per liter. The MCRT is the total mass (in kilograms or pounds) of mixed liquor suspended solids in the aerator and clarifier divided by the mass flow rate (in kilograms/pounds per day) of mixed liquor suspended solids leaving as WAS and final effluent. The F/M is the ratio of food fed to the microorganisms each day to the mass of microorganisms held under aeration. Specifically, it is the amount of BOD fed to the aerator (in kilograms/pounds per day) divided by the amount (in kilograms or pounds) of Mixed Liquor Volatile Suspended Solids (MLVSS) under aeration. Note:  Some references use MLSS (Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids) for expedience, but MLVSS is considered more accurate for the measure of microorganisms. Again, due to expedience, COD is generally used, in lieu of BOD, as BOD takes five days for results.
Based on these control methods, the amount of settled solids in the mixed liquor can be varied by wasting activated sludge (WAS) or returning activated sludge (RAS).
The returning activated sludge is designed to recycle a portion of the activated sludge from the secondary clarifier back t the aeration tank. It usually includes a pump that draws the portion back. 
The RAS line is designed considering the potential for clogging, settling, and other relatable issues that manage to impact the flow of the activated sludge back to the aeration tank. This line must handle the required flow of the plant and has to be designed to minimize the risk of solids settling or accumulating.