A composite adsorption material for removing As from water is prepared from activated carbon and iron oxide through washing activated carbon by water, heating, drying, adding it to nitric acid, stirring, laying aside, water washing, drying, dissolving FeSO4*7H2O in water, adding it to NaOH solution, stirring to generate iron oxide deposit, using NaOH to regulate pH=9-10, water washing, adding lauric acid, dripping NaOH while stirring, heating to make pH=4-5, mixing said activated carbon with the suspension of iron oxide, and stirring. It has high capacity, selectivity, adsorptivity and mechanical strength.