Abstract: The Bhilai Steel Plant is an integrated steel plant situated 30 kilometers (west) of Raipur, the capital of the state of Chhattisgarh (India). The waste generated in the coke ovens has a strong phenolic odour and contains a high amount of phenol, besides the presence of other toxic substances. A preliminary survey was conducted in five localities of the coke oven effluent channel, also known as Purena nala and gross effluent characteristics observed along with associated aquatic animals and plants growing in the embankment of the channel. Besides this, the LC₅₀ of the waste water was also observed on the fresh water fish, Channa punctatus Bloch, for 24 to 96 h (short term exposure) and one month (long term exposure) using bioassay method. Percent mortalities of the fishes were also observed during short and long term exposures to lower and higher concentrations. The concentration of the effluent and duration of exposure were observed to have significant effects on organisms. Besides, some necrotic spots, lesions along with tail rotting were also observed.