A method for the determination of trichloro acetaldehyde in surface water by using liquid liquid extraction-gas chromatography was developed. The p H value of water sample was adjusted to 5 with hydrochloric acid, chloral was extracted by toluene and then detected by gas chromatograph. The method had the advantages of simple operation, good precision and accuracy, low detection limit and satisfactory results. The method was suitable for the determination of chloral in surface water.