In the present manuscript a new adsorbent namely copper oxide incorporated mesoporous alumina (COIMA) for removal of arsenic from water is reported. The COIMA was prepared by treating mesoporous alumina with copper sulphate solution followed by calcination at 450 degrees C in the presence of air. Various adsorption isotherm and kinetic parameters were computed using batch adsorption studies to determine the adsorption capacity for As(III) and As(V) and to understand the mechanism of adsorption. It was observed that incorporation of copper oxide improves the adsorption capacity of unmodified alumina from 0.92 to 2.16 mg g(-1) for As(III) and from 0.84 to 2.02 mg g(-1) for As(V). The results revealed that the adsorption follows Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models for both As(III) and As(V). The material is capable of simultaneously removing As(III) and As(V) with removal efficiencies of more than 95% for both As(III) and As(V). Assessment of the water quality before and after treatment with COIMA also confirmed that the there is no leaching of copper and other parameters were also within permissible limits of Indian drinking water standard indicating that the COIMA can be used for treatment of arsenic contaminated drinking water. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.