Wastewater characterization is an integral part of treatment and management strategies for industrial effluents. This paper outlines the results of detailed wastewater characterization studies conducted for a textile mill in Lahore, Punjab. The results of this study demonstrated that the composition of textile wastewater could change continuously due to inherent nature of textile operations. In general, textile wastewater was high in temperature and alkaline in nature. It was highly polluted in terms of solids and organic content. Most of the portion of solids and organic load was in the soluble form. On the basis of mean values, temperature, pH, TDS (Total Dissolved Solids), BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) were above the limits set by NEQS (National Environmental Quality Standards) while chlorides and sulfates were below the limits set by NEQS. Prior neutralization of wastewater with an acid and addition of phosphorus and nitrogen is imperative for its effective treatment.