Abstract: This invention is directed to a method of removing color bodies from paper mill waste water comprising adding to the water an effective color-removing amount of a hydrophilic cationic dispersion polymer prepared by polymerizing i. a cationic diallyl-N,N-disubstituted ammonium monomer of formula (H2C═CHCH2)2N+R1R2X−  wherein R1 and R2 are independently C1-C20 alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl and X is an anionic counterion and ii. an acrylamide monomer of formula  wherein R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, C1-C10 alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl; R5 is hydrogen or methyl and R6 and R7 are independently hydrogen or C1-C10 alkyl, in an aqueous solution of a polyvalent anionic salt wherein the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a dispersant.

Abstract: Processes for removing color from a paper mill waste effluent and for removing color from a textile plant waste effluent utilizing an amphoteric copolymer/polyamine combination are described. A preferred amphoteric copolymer is poly(dimethylaminoethylacrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt/acrylic acid) and a preferred polyamine is a polymeric reaction product of epichlorohydrin and dimethylamine.