The liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) technique was employed to study the retention of arsenate species by poly(vinylbenzyl trimethylammonium chloride), P(CIAETA), and poly[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyltrimethylammonium chloride], P(CIAETA). The effect of parameters such as polymer concentration, time exposure, competition Of Sulfate and phosphate anions, and the use of natural systems as drinking water on the retention of As(V) species was analyzed. The mole ratios of polymer As(V) of (31 : 1), (20 : 1), (10 : 1), (6 : 1), and (3 : 1) by using the washing method at pH 8 and 6 were assayed. The retention capacity was a function of polymer concentration and pH. The optimum mole ratio of polymer : As(V) was (20 : 1) for all pHs studied and all polymeric structures. The polymer's activity recovery assays were performed by washing at PH 2 and 3. A 95%, As(V) elimination was achieved from Polymers. A study of competition in the presence of other anions was performed at the same poly mer : As(V) ratio (20 : 1). At pH 8 and at the same concentration of arsenate anions, sulfate, and phosphate anions, no important competition on arsenic retention was observed. Assays for P(CIVBTA) at pH 8 and mote ratio of polymer : As(V) (20 : 1), (40 : 1), and (60 : 1) using drinking water showed that the efficiency Was higher Under these conditions for the three As(V) retention cases. All unbuffered system with drinking water was tested for washing and enrichment methods by determining the maximum saturation capacity of the P(CIVBTA) polymer. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 112: 2327-2333, 2009