This study explored the feasibility of utilizing industrial waste iron oxide tailings for phosphate removal in laboratory experiments. The experimental work emphasized on the evaluation of phosphate adsorption and desorption characteristics of the tailing material. The adsorption isotherm, kinetics, pH effect and desorption were examined in batch experiments. Five isotherm models were used for data fitting. The three-parameter equations (Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir-Freundlich) showed more applicability than the two-parameter equations (Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin). A modified equation for calculation of the separation factor using the Langmuir-Freundlich equation constants was developed. The initial phosphate adsorption on the tailings was rapid. The adsorption kinetics can be best described by either the simple Elovich or power function equation. The phosphate adsorption on the tailings tended to decrease with an increase of pH. A phosphate desorbability of approximately 13-14% was observed, and this low desorbability likely resulted from a strong bonding between the adsorbed PO(4)(3-)and iron oxides in the tailings. Column flow-through tests using both synthetic phosphate solution and liquid hog manure confirmed the phosphate removal ability of the tailings. Due to their low cost and high capability, this type of iron oxide tailings has the potential to be utilized for cost-effective removal of phosphate from wastewater.