The objective of this paper is to present relevant information and data from domestic and foreign references and to propose legal standards on pesticide residues in order to mitigate the pesticide contamination in the water environment. Among 200 pesticide ingredients in use in Korea, items necessary for standard setting were selected and theoretical residue limits were computed. The results are summarized as follows. In advanced countries, drinking water standards are established on the basis of health index ADI and water intake, whereas standards for surface water are established temporarily on the basis of different parameters, inconsistent with different countries. Pesticide residue limits applicable in Korea were proposed for 24 pesticides in drinking water(health basis) and for 25 pesticides in surface water(ecotoxicological basis), as selected by risk priority. It was recommended to accumulate scientific data by persistent research efforts in order to maintain the justification of the pesticide residue limits in water and relevant research topics to be undertaken in future were proposed.