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Perchlorate is a component found in solid rocket fuels, explosives, fireworks, and road flares. In addition, perchlorate is a minor component of natural salt deposits in semiarid and arid regions. Discharge and storage areas as well as accidents are potential sources for perchlorate contamination of aquatic systems. Perchlorate has been detected in surface water and groundwater from several places worldwide. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether perchlorate occurs in surface water, groundwater, or soil leachate at selected sites in Germany. These sites include surface water from a military base in southern Germany, groundwater from a production site, and groundwater and soil leachate from a location where fireworks shows are performed regularly. Results show that perchlorate was detected in all surface water and groundwater samples with values around 1 mu g/l. Highest values (up to 15,000 mu g/l) were detected in pore waters of the "Maifeld" area in Berlin where soil was sampled immediately after a fireworks show.