Fate and health risks associated with persistent organic pollutants present in water effluents are one of the major environmental challenges of this century. In this paper, the electrochemical advanced oxidation process electrochemical oxidation is reviewed for its performance over the treatment of actual industrial and urban effluents. The electrochemical treatment of industrial effluents resulting from textile dyeing, petrochemical, paper mill, tannery industry as well as the treatment of domestic and urban wastewaters are discussed. Furthermore, the combination of electrochemical oxidation with other water treatment technologies as pre-treatment, post-treatment, and integrated treatment is also examined. (C) 2017 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.