Surfactants are chemical compounds with an amphiphilic structure that, due to the presence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic components, exhibit the ability to reduce surface tension and adsorb at phase boundaries, which determines their wide application and analytical significance in environmental research. This paper presents a characterization of surface-active compounds, including their chemical structure, classification based on the structure of the hydrophobic component, basic physicochemical properties, analytical methods used for their determination, range of applications and production volume, and their impact on the aquatic environment. The study area, located in the Kórnik commune, within the Kórnik-Zaniemyśl channel, was also characterized. Anionic and nonionic surfactant content was determined in surface water samples collected between June and November 2025 from six sites: Lake Bnińskie, the Głuszynka River between the lakes, Lake Kórnickie, and the Skrzyneckie Lakes. Anionic surfactants were determined using the simplified MBAS spectrophotometric method, while nonionic surfactants were analyzed using the BiAS-thio method, a modification of the classic BiAS method based on complex formation with Dragendorff's reagent. The reliability of the analytical procedures used was confirmed by testing environmental samples with the added standard and assessing its recovery.