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The pesticide concentration data found in the Waterbase - Water Quality database were investigated for pesticide groups (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), pesticide substances (including metabolites), monitoring sites (including major and minor rivers and water bodies). Additionally, but seldom reported, the limits of quantification were of interest. Our statistical checks to unravel concentration values lower than the limits of quantification (LOQ) are an example of the need to improve harmonisation of the reporting. At present, with the assumption that remaining uncertainties within these checks could be solved, we consider that the existing data could be used to describe pesticide concentrations. Comparison with environmental quality standards (EQS) could allow these data to describe the pesticide risk.