In the present investigation, synthetic wastewater was prepared by the addition of required amount of salts into deionized water. Their performance, on removal of Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, Ca2+, Fe2+ and Mg2+ in laboratory scale plate and frame type electrochemical ion exchange (EIX) cells, were evaluated under varying operating conditions. Ruthenium dioxide coated titanium plates (RuO2/Ti) were used as anode and stainless steel plates as cathode in all the four different EIX cells used in the present investigation. All the four EIX cells were run for a maximum of 7 h. Almost complete removal of all the above ionic solids were observed within 4.5-7 h under one or more test conditions. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.