Simulated wastewater containing propylene glycol methyl ether, Ni 2+ and Zn 2+ was treated using an aerated packed column. An electrochemical cell was also installed beneath the packing support in the bottom section of the column. The flowrate of water through the column was maintained at 8.94 kg m −2 s −1 . For 72 h of treatment using aeration alone, the BOD 5 was reduced by 43%, 56%, and 54% for air flowrates of 0.00094, 0.00141, and 0.00188 kg m −2 s −1 respectively. On the other hand, when the electrochemical cell was activated without aeration, the BOD 5 was reduced by 15%, 17%, and 23% at the applied voltages of 8, 16, and 25 V respectively. When both aeration of the wastewater and a voltage of 25 V were used, the percentage removal of BOD 5 , on the average, was about 65% for all air flowrates used.