Abstract: Phosphates and chromates are selectively removed from contaminated water by a new class of sorbent, referred to as a Polymeric Ligand Exchanger (PLE). The exchanger bed comprising a styrene-divinylbenzene or polymethacrylate matrix having an electrically neutral chelating functional group with nitrogen or oxygen donor atoms, and a Lewis-acid type metal cation, such as copper, bonded to the chelating functional group in a manner that the positive charges of the metal cation are not neutralized. PLEs are very selective toward phosphates and chromates, chemically stable, and also amenable to efficient regeneration.