This study has investigated in a comparative fashion the effect of cation, polysaccharide, and Polyelectrolyte on the flocculation dynamics and final properties of both synthetic and activated sludge. The results from experiments indicate that cation, polysaccharide, and Polyelectrolyte could influence sludge floc characteristics as they relate to sludge conditioning. The relationship between polysaccharide and cation concentration was examined at laboratory scale during flocculation with both synthetic and activated.