This contribution presents the current state of the environment in the largest river basin of West Ukraine, the Dniester, on the background of the total river system of Ukraine. According to the results of the hydro- and lithochemical investigations performed during the period of 1995-2001, the Dniester River system is in a satisfactory state according to total macrocomponents composition, nitric compounds and heavy metals content. But ground waters of the region are regionally polluted by nitrate-ions, thanks to the wide use of mineral fertilizers, wastewaters of animal farms and municipal sewage. Surface waters of the Dniester River, its tributaries and the Dniester Reservoir are strongly regionally polluted by phenols and oil-products, that may be connected with man-made as well as natural factors.