Abstract Much interst has been taken during the last decade in finding methods alternative to the usual treatment method. Wastewater application on sand is often acceptable alternative. In this study, sand beds were used in treating a beer ‐ factory influent for organic content removal based upon the chemical oxygen demand(COD). Optimum COD removal percentages were found to be 90 to 96% for sand depth and applied influent COD concentrations of 61 to 82.5 cm and 1550 to 2125 mg/l, respectively. Prediction models of the bed ‐ COD removal percentage in terms of sand depth and influent concentration were determined.