The use of remote analysis techniques over optical fibers for underground water sampling is considerably less expensive (and offers faster and more complete analysis) than the conventional borehole fields containing sampling devices. The technology is based on fluorometric analysis, combining long range communication fiber optics, laser excitation, and Raman spectroscopic measurement technology. Detection at up to 1000 m range of ppb quantities of fluorescent dye tracers, and ppm quantities of heat and radiation stable tracers, with ~1% qualitative accuracy, has been accomplished. For nonfluorescent compounds, or for mixtures too complex for the intrinsic selectivity of fluorescence, specific compound optrodes (by analogy to electrodes) are used at the fiber tip. These contain immobilized reagents which become fluorescent or whose fluorescence is altered by the sample (reversibly for continuous measurements or irreversibly for cumulative ones).