The performance of electrochemical filter-press cells, operated in a batch recirculation mode, for the removal of heavy metals from copper smelting effluent was investigated. The effect of flow rates (26, 35, 46, 53 and 61 mL min(-1)) and current density (1.2 and 3 A dm(-2)) on percentage removal of heavy metals and energy consumptions were studied. Significant removal of heavy metals (more than 99%) and the specific energy consumption of 15.24 kWh kg(-1) have been achieved for the current density of 2 A dm(-2) and the flow rate of 61 mL min(-1). In the present work, the removal of arsenic by electrochemical ion exchange technique was also studied. The operating parameters of 12.5 V and a circulation rate of 10.7 mL min(-1), has been observed better results in the removal of arsenate/arsenite ions from the effluent (more than 99%) with a specific energy consumption of 152.22 kWh kg(-1). (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.