<p>The monitoring of ions in natural water provides valuable insights into environmental processes and impacts. Liquid ion chromatography (LIC) is a widely utilised method for the analysis of ionic species in water, facilitating the identification of pollution and environmental assessment. Despite its accuracy and reliability, LIC methods are not widely adopted, with outdated methods such as flame photometry and titrimetry still being prevalent. In this study, we employed LIC to assess the concentrations of cations (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and anions (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻) in the surface water of the Styr river, Ukraine. The LIC measurements were conducted using Dionex ICS- 1500 and ICS- 2000 devices, with anion and cation exchange columns and appropriate eluents. Samples were collected on a weekly basis throughout 2023, subsequently stored and handled in accordance with standardised protocols. The analysis of the data was conducted using Pearson's correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), with the objective of identifying underlying relationships between parameters. The greenness of the LIC method was then compared with that of traditional methods using the AGREE software metric. The ion concentrations present in the Styr river exhibited a specific order of abundance: Ca²⁺ &gt; Mg²⁺ &gt; Na⁺ &gt; K⁺ for cations and SO₄²⁻ &gt; Cl⁻ for anions. Pearson's correlation and PCA identified five principal components representing different aspects of the water's ionic composition. The greenness assessment using AGREE indicated that the LIC method is more sustainable compared to traditional methods. The comprehensive evaluation of irrigation suitability, based on various indices, confirmed that the water of the Styr river is suitable for irrigation. The adoption of LIC, coupled with green analytical practices, can significantly enhance water quality assessment, promoting sustainable environmental management.</p> Graphic Abstract <p></p>