Bromide ion removal from a real water matrix by hydrortalcite-like compounds (HTCs) was attempted in a column reactor to control the formation of brominated disinfection by-products in drinking water treatment process. The performance of HTCs was found to be comparable to a commercially available ion exchange resin for relatively low alkalinity water. Also, it was deduced that HTCs are better than ion exchange resins for high sulfate water because of their unique ion selectivity. In addition, the ion exchange reactions by HTCs were faster than a commercially available resin. Thus, HTCs are expected to provide similar performance to organic resins without the concern about secondary contamination (i.e., elution of organic compounds from resins).