The levels of total PAHs in River Nile water ranged from 1112.7 to 4351.2 ng l(-1). It is significant that the mean values of the total PAHs found in water samples collected from four sites along the River Nile were among the highest values recorded in other world areas. The obtained results show that PAHs in sediments are within or lower than the residue levels reported in certain other areas. It was found that the PAHs in River Nile were mainly derived from combustion coming from the traffics, heating system and run off. Meanwhile, the sources of pollution include petroleum-derived hydrocarbons which contributed to minor inputs. B(a)P, a carcinogenic PAH, was not detected in treated drinking water samples. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.