OBJECTIVE To develop an analytical method for simultaneous determination of 6 pesticides, namely bentazone, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid,carbofuran, carbaryl, atrazine and pentachlorophenol, in drinking water by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and thereby to provide a reference to revise the Health Standards for Drinking Water (GB/T 5750-2006). Meanwhile, to evaluate the content of the above 6 pesticides in the drinking water samples supplied by 12 centralized water plants in Jiangsu province. METHODS The 10 ml water sample was acidized by hydrochloric acid to pH ≤ 2, and then concentrated by solid phase extraction cartridge and eluted with acetone. The solvent was changed into methanol after drying by nitrogen blow. The target compounds were separated by C18 column using methanol/water as mobile phase, and detected by mass spectrometry with multi-reaction-monitoring(MRM) mode. The repeatability and sensitivity of the assay were evaluated. The drinking water samples from the 12 water plants were then detected. RESULTS In this experimental method, the minimum detectable concentration were around 0.02-0.41 µg/L, with the recovery rate at 75%-115%, and the RSD between 2% and 10%. Under the experimental condition, there were no pesticides detected in the drinking water samples from the 12 centralized water plants. CONCLUSIONS The method is efficient and environment-friendly, with little discharge of effluent, which could meet the requirement of the drinking water monitor.