Humic acid (HA) was impregnated onto powdered activated carbon to improve its Cu(II) adsorption capability. The optimum pH value for Cu(II) removal was 6. The maximum adsorption capacity of HA-impregnated activated carbon was up to 5.98 mg·g^-1, which is five times the capacity of virgin activated carbon. The adsorption processes were rapid and accompanied by changes in pH. In using a linear method, it was determined that the equilibrium experimental data were better represented by the Langmuir isotherm than by the Freundlich isotherm. Surface charges and surface functional groups were studied through zeta potential and FTIR measurements to explain the mechanism behind the humic-acid modification that enhanced the Cu(II) adsorption capacity of activated carbon.