The study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of gravels, sandy soils and coal for treating household waste water in the laboratory. Electrical Conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of wastewater filtered through constructed filter columns were measured over time to evaluate the pollutant removal characteristics of these filter materials. During filtration, coarse gravel, fine gravel 1 (white), fine gravel 2 (brown), coarse sand, sandy clay and coal could reduce EC of wastewater by 269, 385, 429, 56, 167 and 32 µS cm-1 in 39, 39, 32, 170, 212 and 48 minutes, respectively. These materials reduced TDS by 143, 171, 218, 57, 79 and 18 ppm, respectively during the same period required for reduction of EC. Coal showed very poor performance in reducing EC and TDS from wastewater. Since the ability of the filter columns in reducing EC and TDS was decreased with time, washing was accomplished by using tap water. During washing, coarse gravel, fine gravel 1 (white), fine gravel 2 (brown), coarse sand, sandy clay and coal required 400, 400, 400, 700, 200 and 600 ml of tap water, respectively. The corresponding times for washing were 108, 126, 108, 275, 81 and 194 minutes, respectively. Among these six materials, sandy clay was washed very efficiently whereas coal was observed the poorest filter material in respect of washing.