Abstract: A method and composition for treating wastewater streams is provided. The composition includes a zirconium salt and preferably a zirconium carbonate. In addition to the zirconium salt; a ferrate, a reducing agent, a weighting agent and an anionic coagulating agent can also be employed. The method includes the steps of adjusting the pH of a wastewater stream to between about pH 6.5 and about pH 14, adding the composition, precipitating contaminants from the wastewater stream and separating a solution having a reduced contaminants content therefrom.

Abstract: A process for producing stable, high purity ferrate (VI) employing beta-ferric oxide (beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3), and preferably monohydrated beta-ferric oxide (beta-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 .multidot.H.sub.2 O) as the iron source. An improved process for producing stable, high purity beta-ferric oxide is also disclosed. The process results in the efficient and effective productions of ferrate with high yields and small amounts of waste production. A large portion of the unused product stream can be recycled to the ferrate reactor for the production of additional ferrate.