Aims:  To evaluate the use of Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC‐PCR)‐derived probes and primers to specifically detect bacterial strains in an activated sludge microbial community. Methods and Results:  ERIC‐PCR was performed on two phenol‐degrading bacterial strains, Arthrobacter nicotianae P1‐7 and Klebsiella sp. P8‐14. Their amplicons were DIG labelled for use as probes and then hybridized with ERIC‐PCR fingerprints. The results showed the distinct band patterns for both bacterial strains. Strain‐specific PCR primers were designed based on the sequences of ERIC‐PCR bands. The DNA of each of these strains was successfully detected from its mixture with activated sludge DNA, either by using their respective ERIC‐PCR‐based probes for hybridization or by using species‐specific primers for amplification, with higher sensitivity by latter method. Conclusions:  Two phenol‐degrading bacterial strains were identified from a mixture of activated sludge by using ERIC‐PCR‐based methods. Significance and Impact of the Study:  The study demonstrated that the bacteria, which have important functions in complex wastewater treatment microbial communities, could be specifically detected by using ERIC‐PCR fingerprint‐based hybridization or amplification.