Out of an array of bacterial strains isolated from soil contaminated with effluents from electroplating wastewater, Bacillus coagulans exhibited the maximum Cr(VI) reduction potential. The feasibility of an immobilized B. coagulans bioreactor for hexavalent chromium reduction was investigated. Experimental results demonstrated that near complete removal of Cr(VI) was achieved in the reactor with an initial Cr(VI) concentration of 26 mg/l and reactor time of 24 h. The removal efficiency in the bioreactor was significantly affected by the influent Cr(VI) concentration, the Cr(VI) loading rate, the reaction time and the amount of Cr(VI) reduced by the biomass.