This paper reports a comparative Study of four kinetic models that can be applied in the design of Subsurface horizontal flow reed beds for wastewater treatment. The models were developed from different combinations of Mound kinetics, first-order kinetics, continuous stirred-tank reactor and Plug flow patterns. Using three statistical parameters (coefficient of determination, relative root mean Square error, and model efficiency), critical examinations were made on the accuracy of these models. For predicting organic matter removal, the combination of Monod kinetics with plug flow pattern gave the closest match between theoretical predictions and actual performances of 80 horizontal How reed beds. In all four models, the coefficients of BOD removal were found to increase slightly with BOD loading. The ratios of BOD/COD had no correlation with the coefficients, indicating that in the horizontal flow reed beds the degradation of organic matter is insensitive to the nature of organics in the wastewater. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.