The　startup　and　long　term　operation　of　enhanced　biological　phosphorus　removal　(EBPR)　in　a　continuous-flow　reactor　(CFR)　with　granules　were　investigated　in　this　study.　Through　reducing　the　settling　time　from　9　min　to　3　min　gradually,　the　startup　of　EBPR　in　a　CFR　with　granules　was　successfully　realized　in　16　days.　Under　continuous-flow　operation,　the　granules　with　good　phosphorus　and　COD　removal　performance　were　stably　operated　for　more　than　6　months.　And　the　granules　were　characterized　with　particle　size　of　around　960　mu　m,　loose　structure　and　good　settling　ability.　During　the　startup　phase,　polysaccharides　(PS)　was　secreted　excessively　by　microorganisms　to　resist　the　influence　from　the　variation　of　operational　mode.　Results　of　relative　quantitative　PCR　indicated　that　granules　dominated　by　polyphosphateaccumulating　organisms　(PAOs)　were　easier　accumulated　in　the　CFR　because　more　excellent　settling　ability　was　needed　in　the　system.　(C)　2016　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.