Using a simple continuous optical technique, coupled with measurements of zeta potential, the effects of polyelectrolyte dosage, kaoline particles and pH on flocculation of humic acid by several cationic polyelectrolytes, have been examined. The charge density of a polyelectolyte is important in determining the optimum dosage and in the removal of humic acid. The optimum dosage is less for the polyelectrolytes of higher charge density and is the same regardless of the presence of kaoline particles of different turbidity. At the dosage, the removal of humic acid is higher for the polyelectrolytes of higher charge density and the zeta potential of humic acid approaches to near zero, With increasing pH of humic acid, the optimum dosage increases and the flocculation index value obtained at the dosage decreases in the following pH 7 ＞ pH 5 ＞ pH 9, regardless of polyelectrolytes.