Electropolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine in anhydrous organic medium was performed for grafting poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP) on usual conducting substrates [J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 74 (1999) 1557]. The interfacial links between the polymer and the metal bring chemical and mechanical stability suitable for technological processes. Layers of few tens of nanometer were grafted on large specific area materials such as metallic woven cloths or carbon felts. Synthetic copper wastewater passed through the functionalized substrates laid in columns. Swelling properties of P4VP and basic properties of pyridine are conjugated to lead to a rapid complexation of copper ions. Expulsion of the ions from the polymer layer toward a concentrated bath could be operated either chemically or electrochemically. This "surface route" for removal of heavy metals from wastewater intends to minimize the use of chemical compounds at the regeneration stage. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.