The simultaneous removal of organic and inorganic pollutants from tannery wastewater in Rouiba was investigated by electrocoagulation. One liter of effluent was treated by using aluminum and steel cathode and aluminum anodes materials. In the electrocoagulation of the wastewater, the effect of electrolysis time and current density were examined. The results show that aluminum cathode, a current density of 75 A/m(2) in 45 min is the optimal condition for removing pollutants from tannery wastewater. At optimum condition, more than 90% of BOD5, COD, turbidity, chromium, iron and nitrate were removal. The simulation of results showed a satisfactory fit to the experimental data. In addition, electrocoagulated sludge was analyzed; the results showed the presence of chromium (50%), Total Carbone (15%) and Sulfide (03%) which creates disposal problems. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.