Faculty of Technical Sciences, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia info:eu-repo/semantics/conferenceProceedings All rights reserved surface water quality; lead (Pb); nickel (Ni); environmental quality standards (EQS); monitoring Monitoring and Evaluation of Lead and Nickel Contamination in Surface Waters in Serbia eng 5th International Student Conference – DISC2025, Hybrid event, Abstract book, 11-12th December 2025, Novi Sad startpage: 39 application/pdf 825635 bytes Perović, Marija Mitrović, Tatjana 2025 https://unilib.phaidrabg.rs/o:9029 ISBN: 978-86-6022-762-3 The quality of surface waters in Serbia is systematically monitored by competent authorities such as the Environmental Protection Agency. For the purposes of this publication, data on lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) concentrations of the 79 water bodies (2016-2022) were selected as indicators of the trends in surface water quality (Environmental Protection Agency, 2016–2022). Evaluation of the water quality was based on the limit values for priority and priority hazardous substances in surface waters (Environmental Quality Standards - EQS) which are established by the "Official Gazette of RS", No. 24/2014. EQS is concentration which cannot be exceeded to protect the environment and human health. The EQS is linked to the maximum allowed concentration (MDK) and to the values of average annual concentration (PGK) of priority substances. Descriptive statistics showed a median value of 1.0 μg/L for Pb and 3.9 μg/L for Ni. Considering both metals, only a few percent of the values exceeded the MDK values, while over 50 % of the results indicate low pollution. The most polluted water bodies were detected on the rivers Ibar (profiles Raška and Kraljevo), Velika Morava (profile Ljubičevo bridge), and Tisa (profile Titel). In summary, the continuous monitoring of surface water quality in Serbia ensures compliance with regulatory standards aimed safeguarding environmental and human health. While elevated Pb and Ni concentrations do exist, overall trends suggest relatively low pollution levels in the majority of monitored water bodies.