The composition of wastewater from the dyeing and textile processes is highly variable depending on the dyestuff type and typically has high COD and color. This study examined the decolorization of some of the most commonly used disperse and reactive dyestuffs by combination of chemical coagulation and Fenton oxidation. In addition, performances between Fe3+ coagulation and Fenton oxidation of dye solutions were compared by measuring COD and dye removals, distributions of zeta potential, concentration of suspended solid were investigated. Fenton oxidation in combination with Fe3+ coagulation has shown to effectively remove COD and dye. About 90% of COD and 99% of dye removals were obtained at the optimum conditions. Compared to reactive dyes, disperse dyes have lower solubility, higher suspended solids concentrations and lower SCOD/TCOD ratios. The COD and dye removed per unit Fe3+ coagulant added for disperse dye solutions were higher than those for reactive dye solutions. Therefore, the disperse dye solutions are more easily decolorized by chemical coagulation than reactive dye solutions. Conversely, reactive dye solutions have higher applicability of Fenton oxidation than disperse dye solutions due to their higher solubility, lower suspended solids concentrations and higher SCOD/TCOD ratios. The COD and dye removed per Fe2+ Fenton reagent added for reactive dye solutions are respectively higher than those for disperse dye solutions. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.