The potential benefits of electrolysis-conditioned sludge dewaterability treatments with surfactants were investigated in this study. Capillary suction time (CST) and specific resistance of filtration (SRF) were used to evaluate the sludge dewaterability. Extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) content, viscosity and zeta potential were determined in an attempt to explain the observed changes in the conditioning process. The results indicated that SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate) and Triton X-100 have negative effect on the dewaterability of sludge pretreated both with and without electrolysis. However, with a combination of CTAB (Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide) and electrolysis pretreatment presented clear advantages over surfactant conditioning alone for improving sludge dewaterability. The optimal dosage of CTAB to give maximal dewaterability was found to be 2000 mg/L, which generated sludge with optimal EPS concentration (150-300 mg/L), viscosity (55-62 mpa s) and zeta potential (-2.12 to -1.19 mV). (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.