The characteristics of foam generation were assessed for freshwater and seawater using a foam generator. Both in freshwater and seawater, the height of the foam layer increased with initial protein concentrations. The height of the foam layer also increased with pore size of the air distributor. The optimum superficial air velocities (SAV) in freshwater and seawater were 0.84 cm/sec and 0.6 cm/sec, respectively. The height of the foam layer was the highest in pH 3 in freshwater and in the region of pH 5-7 in seawater. The height of the foam layer increased with $NaHCO_3$ concentration in freshwater, and $NaHCO_3$ concentration had little effect in seawater. Removal efficiencies of total suspended solid (TSS) and turbidity decreased with an increase of initial protein concentrations in a batch foam separator both in freshwater and seawater.