FeCl 3 coagulation was used to achieve maximum reduction of COD, phosphate, sulfate and color and process optimization (FeCl 3 dosage, pH, reaction time) was done by BBD-RSM. Responses were recorded in terms of EC, COD, phosphate, color and sulfate removal. Variables A (pH) and B (reaction time) were negatively related to removal of COD and phosphate, whereas, C (FeCl 3 dosage) was positive in case of COD removal and negative for phosphate removal. pH and coagulant dosage had negative relationship with color removal; however, reaction time showed positive relationship. In case of percent sulfate removal, variable A (pH) demonstrated negative relationship whereas B (reaction time) and C (FeCl 3 dosage) were found to be positively related. Numerical optimization of the model revealed a maximum reduction of 71, 93, 86 and 99.6 % COD, phosphate, color and sulfate at optimal FeCl 3 dosage = 3 g/l, pH 8, and reaction time = 95 min.