Human-induced water pollution occurs as a result of direct or indirect discharge of waste materials into water without prior treatment. Of all pollutants, heavy metals receive special attention due to their toxic nature. They are present in traces in natural waters, but some of them are toxic even at low concentrations. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on the quality of water and sediments in the Ljucha River. For this purpose, concentrations of heavy metals in water and sediment were examined at nine locations of the Ljucha River upstream of its confluence with Lake Plav. For the first time, analyses of heavy metals in this river were carried out: Cd, As, Cu, Fe, Hg, Pb, Ni, and Zn. The results showed that the concentrations of Cd, Cu, Zn, Pb, As, and Hg in the water of the river Ljucha do not exceed the maximum allowed values. Concentrations of heavy metals in the sediment follow the following sequence: Fe>Ni>Zn >Cu>Pb>As>Hg>Cd. The highest values in the sediment were recorded for iron (Fe) and nickel (Ni) at all nine investigated locations and were above the maximum allowed values. Sediment plays a major role in the transport and fate of pollutants, but is often overlooked as a factor in water quality assessment. It represents a natural part of the water habitat, and any change in its characteristics affects the physical, chemical, and biological importance of water.