Flow-through electrode system (FES): An effective approach for biofouling control of reverse osmosis membranes for municipal wastewater reclamation

•AC-FES effectively controlled the irreversible biofouling of the RO membrane.•AC-FES could effectively inhibit bacterial regrowth after disinfection.•AC-FES-treated water formed thinner and looser fouling layers on the RO membrane.•The relative abundance of biofilm-forming bacteria was the key factor of biofouling.•Functional/phenotypic prediction explained the fouling difference after disinfection.