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Background: Surfactants are organic compounds that increase the cleaning power of water due to decreased surface tension. Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) belongs to anionic surfactants that can cause environmental problems, especially eutrophication in surface water. The aim of this study was to measure LAS in Zayandehrood River, 8 wells located around the river, and at the entry and exit of water treatment plant (WTP) located in south of Isfahan, Iran. Methods: In order to survey the concentration of LAS and other parameters, samples were taken from Zayandehrood River, wells around the river and the southern WTP of Isfahan. Temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), and pH were measured by a portable device (YSI). Phosphorus (P), LAS, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were measured by a spectrophotometer. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) was measured by Winkler method. T-test, Pearson's correlation, and Duncan's test were used for statistical analyses in this study. Findings: Our results indicated that in Zayandehrood River, concentrations of LAS, COD, BOD5, EC, and P were 0.025-0.114 mg/l, 5.2-41 mg/l, 2.4-17.3 mg/l, 284-913 mg/l, and 0.025-1.32 mg/l, respectively. The corresponding values in the wells around the rivers were 0.009-0.056 mg/l, 1-14 mg/l, 0.7-3.4 mg/l, 408-2230 mg/l, and 0.019-0.517 mg/l. In addition, concentrations of LAS in wastewater influent and effluent from the southern WTP of Isfahan were 5.52 mg/l and 0.076 mg/l, respectively. Pearson's correlation test showed a direct correlation between LAS, BOD5, and P concentrations. However, there was an inverse correlation between these parameters and distance of well from the river. Conclusion: Our results indicated that the city of Isfahan and the WTP in south of Isfahan have the greatest impact on LAS concentration in Zayandehrood River. The effectiveness of Isfahan WTP in removing LAS is greater than 98%, but concentration of the measured parameters in fall are significantly higher than in summer.

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