In this work, factors that affect removal of zinc ion from aqueous solution by activated carbon were evaluated using the response surface methodology. The effects of concentration, pH, and activated carbon/solution ratio on removal efficiency were considered, and optimum conditions were determined. Then, the kinetics and equilibrium equations were expressed. Maximum removal efficiency for zinc in batch tests reached 96.7%. Moreover, co-adsorption of zinc and nickel ions was studied. Zn removal efficiency when Ni ions were present was enhanced surprisingly. Also, single Zn, as well as a system containing Zn and Ni ions, removal in a permeable reactive barrier was investigated. Single zinc breakthrough time reached 60 h, while similar breakthrough in a system containing Zn and Ni ions reached 65 h. Finally, various regeneration tests were conducted with over 90% desorption efficiency.