Access to clean and safe drinking water is a fundamental human right (United Nations sustainable goal 6) and is essential for maintaining good health. However, many water sources worldwide are contaminated with emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, plasticizers, and flame retardants. Pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, hormones, and analgesics, can enter the environment through various pathways, including the discharge of treated wastewater, agricultural runoff, and improper disposal of unused medication. Pharmaceutical emerging contaminants (PECs) have become a significant concern for drinking water sources due to their potentially harmful effects on human health and persistence in the environment for prolonged periods. The grave consequences of pharmaceutical contaminants on human health, such as endocrine disruption, antibiotic resistance, and other chronic illnesses, are well-documented. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective treatment methods for removing these contaminants from all potable water sources. Current treatment methods include microbial degradation, photocatalytic degradation, UV oxidation processes, and ozonation. The excessive cost and energy demand of these methods may not be affordable for small counties and most developing countries. Hence, there is a need for simple and low-energy removal techniques to address the water contamination challenge globally. This study aims to establish an efficient and economically viable approach for eliminating PECs from drinking water sources, achievable through a synergistic application of advanced oxidation and adsorption techniques in a laboratory-scale model. The study centers on eliminating two prevalent PECs, Ibuprofen (IBP) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP), while concurrently exploring the counteractive impact of generic co-contaminants such as humic acid and carbonates on the PEC removal efficiency. Thermo Fisher Vanquish Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography is used to quantify the pharmaceuticals before and after treatment. Specifically, the study assesses the performance of persulfate, permanganate, and activated carbon. The effect of operating parameters, such as pH, contact time, oxidant and adsorbent dosage, and co-contaminants, on the removal efficiency of PECs is also evaluated. The outcome of this study is insights into developing a sustainable and cost-effective integrated approach for eliminating PECs from drinking water sources. Moreover, the research contributes to understanding co-contaminant effects on PEC removal and provides recommendations for optimizing treatment processes. This study addresses the pressing demand for effective and sustainable techniques to eliminate PECs from potable water sources, thereby ensuring the availability of safe and healthy drinking water for all.