In this work, an inexpensive and environmentally friendly natural adsorbent obtained from shelled (GD) and unshelled (GND) Moringa oleifera seeds was used for copper adsorption from aqueous solutions. A series of experiments were performed to assess the parameters influencing the adsorption phenomenon such as pH, adsorbent mass, adsorption equilibrium time and temperature. The kinetic results of adsorption described a pseudo-second order model. The adsorption isotherms are satisfactorily described by the Langmuir mathematical model. The thermodynamic data revealed a spontaneous and endothermic adsorption phenomenon. The level of copper in surface water before and after addition of moringa powders was carried out to verify the effectiveness of the adsorbent. A maximum adsorption rate of 51.28% and 61.96% was obtained with GD and GND powders respectively. Moringa oleifera seed powders are an effective alternative for the removal of copper from surface water.