Abstract <p>The study investigates the chemical composition of natural waters of rivers, streams, lakes, including the littoral zone of Lake Ladoga, and artificial reservoirs (ponds and flooded quarries) in the Pitkyaranta District of the Republic of Karelia. The aim was to assess water quality refer to the standards established for the surface waters of fishery importance and recreational use, as well as to identify patterns in the formation of chemical composition during low-water period. It was found that the formation of the chemical composition and the exceedance of maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) for some trace elements are mainly associated with natural factors and processes (the spread of ore mineralization in the study area, the waterlogging of the territory, the atmospheric transport of salts, the hydrological feeding regime of the studied water bodies and watercourses). The most frequently observed concentrations in excess of the MACs were recorded for Fe, Al, Mn, Cu, Zn, F^–, and Mo with respect to the quality standards for surface waters of fishery importance; and Fe and Al, with respect to the standards established for recreational waters. In some cases, the incompliance for water chemistry characteristics with the quality standards is due to anthropogenic factors, namely, the impact of historical mining production, the road network, and the infrastructure of Pitkyaranta. This indicates the need for particular attention to monitoring water quality in the zone of influence of both existing and historical enterprises, and also demonstrates the importance of reclamation of abandoned mines and their waste rock dumps. Reclamation of the waste rock dumps of the historical mines and development of the adjacent territory, in addition to environmental significance, has tourism and recreational potential, since the ore mining sites are the historical and cultural heritage of the region. The natural water bodies are the most favorable as recreation surface waters; however, only the littoral zone of Lake Ladoga and water of Lakes Nietjarvi, Peryalampi and Valkamalampi fully meet the quality standards in terms of chemical indicators among the water bodies considered. Higher values and variations of the total pollution index and a wider range of pollutants were observed in the watercourses and artificial reservoirs compared to the natural water bodies. In particular, they showed concentrations in excess of the MACs for the substances of the hazard classes 1 and 2 (F^–, Li, Cd, Cr, U). If the most common pollutants—Fe and Al—are excluded from consideration, the water quality of all natural water bodies and almost all watercourses will be assessed as satisfactory, which indicates the need to discuss the introduction of regional MACs at least for these elements, since they do not have a toxic effect on human body.</p>