The primary goal of this research was to determine whether recovery of polymeric aluminum species from PACl sludges is feasible. Recovery method was acidic extraction. To determine the reuse potential of the recovered coagulant, effectiveness was evaluated and compared to virgin PACl coagulant and alum. The recovered coagulant characteristics were similar to those of the virgin coagulant. The effectiveness of the recovered coagulant in removing turbidity was the same as with virgin coagulant at high dosages, while the virgin performed better at low dosages. Also, residual sludge characteristics such as solids content and dewaterability were measured and compared to sludges from water treatment plants without coagulant recovery. The residual sludge produced from the recovery process was dewatered more easily than either dilute or thickened sludge from the treatment plant. The sludge volume was decreased almost two-fold over the thickened sludge based on analysis of the sludge cake formed following vacuum filtration.