Surface active agents are organic compounds that can be divided into anionic, cationic, non-ionic and amphoteric. They are used as ingredients in many hygiene and disinfection products in households and industry. They act as biocides, disinfectants, emulsifiers, foaming and degreasing agents. These compounds are produced in large quantities and their consumption increases every year as a consequence of their extensive use. The negative impact of surface active agents has been recorded in all the components of the environment as well as in living organisms. They accumulate easily in sediment, soil, plants, and organisms and they cause foaming, reduce surface tension and prevent oxygen exchange. At a biological level, they have an adverse effect on microorganisms, animals, and plants. They reach soil from sludge and liquid and how they get into the atmosphere is still unknown. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor and control surfactants in the environment. Nowadays, several analytical methods are used to successfully determined their presence in water. The techniques are based on a visual detection with organic extraction and formation of a coloured ion pair and electrochemical detection includes ion-selective electrodes for surfactants based on an ion pair in a liquid membrane. Surface active agents are successfully removed from the environment through physio-chemical and biological decomposition processes in wastewater treatment systems.