Abstract: Water quality dynamic data can provide data support for the sustainable development of water environment, and the development of water quality monitoring instruments and methods is the key to obtain accurate water quality data and formulate pollution prevention and control planning. At present, the development direction of patents related to spectroscopic water quality monitoring instruments and methods is not clear. Based on the patent database of Wanfang Data knowledge service platform, the patent data of spectroscopic water quality monitoring instruments and methods applied in China from 1993 to 2022 were retrieved, and the patent application status, instrument types involved in the patented instruments and methods, subject of patent applications and their distribution areas, etc. were compared and analyzed. Through the comparative study, the development trend of domestic spectroscopic water quality monitoring instruments and methods were revealed, in order to provide a decision-making basis for the relevant personnel of the government, scientific research institutions and enterprises to develop spectroscopic water quality monitoring instruments and methods.