A number of microorganisms were isolated from ten samples taken at various locations throughout the Kelly AFB industrial waste treatment facility. Nineteen of these strains were found to be capable of metabolizing cresol and some other related phenolic compounds as a sole carbon and energy source. Taxonomic studies placed these microbes in the flourescent group of Pseudomonas. The effects of temperature and initial pH on the growth rate was determined for these isolates. The highest concentration of cresol utilized by organisms in this study was 1450 ppm which is several fold higher than any previous published reports. The information gained from individual cultures under controlled environmental conditions was used to establish strains compatible in mixed culture. The product of these studies was a stable mixture of bacteria which was used to seed a bench scale pilot plant, operated for seven months, to determine practicality of using these Pseudomonads in a biological system for the removal of cresylic acid from waste water. Results demonstrate this system is stable and efficient. Large scale field tests should be considered. (Author).