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A new class of ion exchanger polymer referred to as polymeric ligand exchanger (PLE) was studied in laboratory columns (2.54 cm dia) to adsorb phosphate from a synthetic wastewater solution (simulated recirculating sand filter effluent). Four bed depths (12.7, 22.9, 38.1, 50.8 cm) and three loading rates (1.7, 3.3, 6.7 ml/min.cm2) were used. The maximum bed volumes achieved before breakthrough occurred for columns of 38.1 and 50.8 cm bed depth and loading rate of 1.7 and 3.3 ml/min.cm2. Higher loading rates resulted in faster breakthrough. Maximum phosphorus removal per unit mass of resin (0.008 mg P removed/mg resin) occurred at a bed depth of 38.1 cm for loading rates of 1.7 and 3.3 ml/min.cm2. Bicarbonate was a major competing ion resulting in a reduction of 60% in phosphate removal when the bicarbonate alkalinity was increased from 66 to 240 mg/L. High alkalinity wastewater may have to be pretreated with acid to lower the alkalinity and increase the efficiency of the PLE column. When laboratory column data is applied to the Bohart-Adams equation, reasonable design numbers were obtained in regard to small wastewater systems.