In this study, Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) ions were precipitated from synthetic aqueous solutions as hydroxides by using CKD leachate. Precipitation tests were carried out batch wise in agitated flasks with single-metal solutions (each solution contained 100 mg/1 of one of the three metals), and a multi-metal solution that contained 50 mg/1 of each of the three elements. The results showed that high removal efficiencies, approaching 100%, of these heavy metals were attained and the leachate of the solid waste CKD, therefore, can be used for removing heavy metals from aqueous solutions. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.