The growth of Pistia stratiotes in an industrial effluent obtained from a battery factory was investigated over time. This was to access its suitability for use as a bioindicator of heavy metal pollution. An assay of the concentrated effluent showed that Cadmium (Cd) and Zinc (Zn) were found to be present at 0.415 mg/l and 0.80 mg/l respectively. The plants were grown in full and half strength concentrations of the effluent. By the third day, plants grown in full concentration of the effluent showed signs of stress and chlorotic by the seventh day. The plant parts analysed showed that the leaves and roots of the young plants took up high quantities of the heavy metals than the mature plants with the roots however took up more heavy metals than the leaves. Pistia stratiotes can be used as a bioindicator of Cd and Zn pollution streams as it responds quickly to their presence in water.