The removal of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and phenol from water by a combined process of PAC (powdered activated carbon) adsorption and cross-flow microfiltration (PAC–MF) was investigated. Batch PAC adsorption studies were made to obtain the isotherm data. The PAC–MF experiments were performed as a function of PAC dose (0.2–1.0 g dm−3), solution pH (2.5–11.2), transmembrane pressure (10–30 psi), and cross-flow velocity (4.7–8.3 mm s−1). A compromise between removal efficiency of the organics and the permeate flux in the PAC–MF process was needed to select a suitable PAC dose. The role of pH in the PAC–MF process mainly depended on the acid–base nature of the organics being removed. A comparison of PAC–MF and fixed bed processes was also made, and the application potential of this PAC–MF process for continuous removal of relatively high-molar-mass organics such as SDBS from waste effluents was demonstrated. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry