AbstractTime series of dissolved oxygen (DO), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), nitrate, total phosphorus, chloride, ammonia and faecal coliforms (FC), monitored by CETESB (‘Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental’), in the period from 1979 to 2001, were analysed in seven river basins located in the São Paulo State, one of the most developed regions in Brazil. The selected rivers, Piracicaba, Mogi‐Guaçu, Turvo Grande, Peixe, Aguapeí, São José dos Dourados and Alto Paranapanema have different degrees of development concerning industrial, agricultural and population growth. Trend analysis methodology was based on graphical exploratory analysis followed by confirmation through statistical tests. Results showed impoverishment of the water quality conditions in most of the studied basins, represented by the positive trends of the parameters (BOD, nitrogens, total phosphorus, clorate and FC) and negative trend of the parameter (DO). Among the analysed basins, the Piracicaba River is the most severely affected with higher variations in the magnitude followed by the basins of the Mogi‐Guaçu, Turvo Grande, Peixe and Aguapeí Rivers. On the other hand, the Alto Paranapanema and São José dos Dourados basins are the least affected. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.