NOVELTY - Removal of a contaminant from a waste stream comprises applying a pulsed electrical signal to at least one of electrodes submersed in the waste stream, generating oxyhydrogen-rich gas (214) from the water component, the oxyhydrogen-rich gas forming bubbles in an interaction zone that rise to a surface of the waste stream; and contacting the volatile contaminant and/or solid-phase contaminant with some of the bubbles as they rise through the waste stream, transporting a portion of the volatile and/or solid-phase contaminants to the surface of the waste stream.    USE - The method is for removing contaminant comprising volatile and/or solid-phase contaminant (e.g. biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia, acetone, toluene, dichloromethane, dichlorobenzene, phosphorus, suspended solids, and pathogens) from a waste stream, such as industrial and municipal waste water (raw sewage), to recover high-quality water that can be stored for use within the wastewater treatment facility for a variety of uses, e.g. as water for flushing of toilets and urinals, and dilution water for polymer solutions and preparing other chemical solutions. Uses include but are not limited to intermediate waste stream such as supernatant or biosolids, chemical processing effluent, animal waste, paper mill effluent, landfill leachate, marine wastewater, storm water runoff, ground water, surface water, in-situ treatment process effluent, and environmental contaminate remediation process effluent.    ADVANTAGE - The availability of an energy-rich gas, which may be used to generate electricity on site, allows the facility to control power costs and ensures that an adequate supply of power is available. The oxyhydrogen-rich gas can be combusted with minimal greenhouse gases as by-products; and does not require extensive cleaning. The quantity of gas produced can be adjusted to match the demand for power. The production of power within the treatment plant utilizing the produced gas will result in long-term lower electrical costs and provide a secure supply of electricity that is independent of external market conditions. Water condensed from combustion exhaust can replace water otherwise purchased from a municipal water supply for uses where potable water is not a requirement, reducing operating costs.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Removal of a contaminant from a waste stream comprises submersing two closely spaced electrodes in the waste stream comprising a water component and a volatile contaminant and/or a solid-phase contaminant, the electrodes bordering an interaction zone extending between them; applying a pulsed electrical signal to at least one of the electrodes, generating oxyhydrogen-rich gas from the water component, the oxyhydrogen-rich gas forming bubbles in the interaction zone that rise to a surface of the waste stream; contacting the volatile contaminant and/or solid-phase contaminant with some of the bubbles as they rise through the waste stream, transporting a portion of the volatile contaminant and/or a portion of the solid-phase contaminant to the surface of the waste stream; if the volatile contaminant is present, trapping a mixture of the oxyhydrogen-rich gas and the volatile contaminant above the waste stream and transporting the mixture to a secondary process for further treatment; and if the solid-phase contaminant is present, collecting the solid-phase contaminant as a floating layer. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a waste treatment system (204).    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is a schematic diagram illustrating treatment of a waste stream via a waste treatment system.    Waste treatment system (204)    Oxyhydrogen gas generator (207)    Oxyhydrogen-rich gas (214)