Microcystins (MCs) are hepatopancereatic toxins released from several cyanobacteria and all living organism can be exposed to the toxic effects of MCs mainly through consumption of contaminated surface water. Although the Nile River is the main source of fresh drinking water supply in Egypt, it is exposed to different anthropogenic pollution sources. Therefore, a total of 16 water samples were collected along river Nile in Sohag Governorate and examined for MCs (MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR) using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). In addition, the removal efficiency of MCs in both acidified and neutral water by using activated charcoal (AC) was examined. The results revealed the presence of MCs in all water samples were collected and 25 % of the samples had concentration exceeded the WHO guideline level. Furthermore, the high efficiency of activated charcoal was observed for removal of MCs reaching 89% in the acidified water (pH 4 ± 0.3) and 92.53 % in the neutral water (pH 7 ± 0.3). Extensive monitoring should be paid to the presence of MCs contamination source unless a potential public health hazard could be observed in Egypt due to utilization of river water.