This research investigated the effect of copper and nickel on the performance of a laboratory scale activated sludge system. The wastewater used for this research was the influent to the activated sludge process at the Hoechst Celanese cellulose acetate manufacturing plant, located at Narrows, Virginia. The influent wastewater to the experimental unit was pretreated with lime and then selected amounts of copper and nickel were added separately or together to evaluate their effects on the performance of the system. The Specific Uptake of Metal (SUM), Dissolved Metal (DM), Total Metal Loading Rate (TMLR), and Specific Total Metal Loading Rate (STMLR) were useful parameters for analysis of the effects of the metals on activated sludge performance. No significant changes in effluent COD, SS, and OUR were observed for the acclimated activated sludge when the selected amounts of metals were added but not when either was added separately. The settling characteristics of the activated sludge deteriorated when a combination of copper and nickel were added. The SUM increased at a faster rate at higher metal loading rates than at lower metal loading rates to the reactor. The increases in dissolved metal concentrations in the mixed liquor were a linear function of the metal loading rates. / Master of Science