A combination of hydrodynamic cavitation and heterogeneous advanced Fenton process (AFP) based on the use of zero valent iron as the catalyst has been investigated for the treatment of real industrial wastewater. The effect of various operating parameters such as inlet pressure, temperature, and the presence of copper windings on the extent of mineralization as measured by total organic carbon (TOC) content have been studied with the aim of maximizing the extent of degradation. It has been observed that increased pressures. higher operating temperature and the absence of copper windings are more favourable for a rapid TOC mineralization. A new approach of latent remediation has also been investigated where hydrodynamic cavitation is only used as a pre-treatment with an aim of reducing the overall cost of pollutant degradation. It has been observed that approach of latent remediation works quite well with about 50-60% removal of TOC using only minimal initial treatment by hydrodynamic cavitation. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.