The present invention provides a method for removing selenium from an aqueous stream by passing the aqueous stream, in combination with a quaternary amine compound, through a filter and recovering a treated aqueous stream which is depleted in selenium content relative to the untreated aqueous stream. The present method removes selenium from an aqueous refinery stream by passing the aqueous stream, in combination with a quaternary amine compound, through a filter that can include clay, cellulose, starch, activated carbon, and the like.