Abstract: The activated sludge mathematical model has been paid more and more attention both at home and abroad as an effective tool for sewage treatment process design, sewage treatment plant optimization operation and sewage treatment process research and development. In this paper, the development course of the activated sludge mathematical model is reviewed, and the modeling mechanism and research status of the static and dynamic models of activated sludge are introduced. It is pointed out that the ASM model is the focus of the research both at home and abroad. And the three aspects of ASM series about model research progress is emphasized: ASM series water quality component measurement research, ASM series model calibration research and ASM improved model application research. In the end, the possible research directions of the activated sludge mathematical model are pointed out.