Fourteen samples of activated carbon were prepared by carbonization and chemical activation of coconut shell. Carbonization was  achieved at 500  ?C for 2 hours while chemical activation was achieved by first impregnating the prepared raw coconut shell charcoal with activating reagents, and then activating at 900  ?C. Characteristics of the activated carbons were determined using standard methods. The best activating agent is sulphuric acid and the optimum concentration of activating agent is 10%. The soaking time was 48 hours and the activation time was 4hours to get maximum iodine number. Removal of pollutants from river water and ground water were satisfactory for filter with prepared activated carbon, gravel and silica sand. Results reveal that quality activated carbon could be produced from agro waste coconut shell