ABSTRACT A technique employing solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography – high resolution mass spectrometry system was established for quantifying nitrofurans (NFs) in various environmental water samples, such as river, sea, and lake water. The samples were prepared, and the analytes were preconcentrated using an Oasis HLB cartridge. The experimental parameters, including the pH value and the extraction solvent, were thoroughly optimised. The method detection limits ranged from 2.5 to 10 ng L−1. The recoveries of the target compounds at three spiking levels varied between 76% and 102%, while the repeatability ranged from 4.1% to 9.0%. The optimised technique was applied to examine its performance in water samples obtained from various aquatic systems, impacted by aquaculture facilities. The proposed method proved to be simple, sensitive, and suitable for the simultaneous analysis and monitoring study of NFs in natural water samples.