U radu je ukratko opisan proces proizvodnje etanola iz melase obzirom da isti direktno utječe na količinu i sastav nastalih otpadnih voda. Dani su podatci o sastavu otpadnih voda iz dostupne svjetske literature te toksični učinci ovih voda na različitim test organizmima. Dan je literaturni pregled najčešće korištenih postupaka pročišćavanja te njihove prednosti i nedostatci. Otpadne vode iz destilerija melase su tamne boje, niske pH vrijednosti, visoke vodljivosti, visoko su opterećene organskom tvari niske biorazgradivosti, ekstremno su toksične te se kao takve ne smiju bez prethodne obrade ispustiti u okoliš ili sustav javne odvodnje. Stoga, u svrhu smanjenja rizika za sastavnice prirode i okoliša, destilerijske otpadne vode zahtijevaju visok stupanj obrade kombinacijom različitih postupaka kako bi ih se učinilo neškodljivim za prirodu i okoliš te zadovoljili propisani zakonski kriteriji za ispust u okoliš..; The paper briefly describes the process of ethanol production from molasses which directly affects the quantity and composition of generated wastewater. The data on wastewater composition are quoted from available international literature, and include data on the toxic impacts of this wastewater on different test organisms, as well as a literature overview of the most frequently used treatment procedures and their advantages and disadvantages. Wastewater from molasses-based distilleries is characterized by dark colour, low pH value, high conductivity, and has a high load of organic matter with low biodegradability. It is extremely toxic and cannot be discharged into the environment or public wastewater systems without preliminary treatment. Therefore, in order to reduce the risks for nature and environment components, distillery wastewater requires a high level of treatment as a combination of different procedures to render it harmless for the nature and environment and comply with the prescribed legal criteria for discharges into the environment.