The synthetic carbon spheres derived from phenol resin (APT, APT-P and GP-30) were used for water purification from trihalomethanes (THMs). All samples as prepared were inactive in adsorption of THMs from water solution, Presented chemical modification of carbon spheres by nitric acid permits us to obtain a useful carbon adsorption material, in which the chemical character of the surface is drastically changed by the aforementioned treatment. The resulting THMs adsorption data indicate a new environmental application of the modified synthetic carbons. APT carbon has a good future for an application as a powdered activated carbon (PAC), whereas APT-P might be used as a granular activated carbon (GAG) or shaped hard carbon material of different equipment for removal of THMs from drinking water.