The aim of this work was to perform tests of genotoxicity and toxicity on samples of riverine sediments from a location subject to motor industry load (car battery production). Together with sediment samples we also collected benthos, biofilm and juvenile fish. Concentration of lead was established in all the samples since the sewage waters discharged from the car battery production plant are heavily polluted with lead. Genotoxicity was tested with two tests of genotoxicity: the SOS chromotest and the E. coli WP2 test. The toxicity of sediments was tested with a test of toxicity performed on the D. magna. A profound toxic influence upon benthic organisms was found; a consequence of the river pollution with waste water and flush water from the car battery production plant. This toxic effect has also been proved by an aqueous leach from the test performed with D. magna. Both tests of genotoxicity have proved a significant genotoxic potential of the sediment samples linked with the growth of the concentration of lead in the sediments (up to 647 mg.kg-1). The content of lead also increased in the biofilm (up to 3.37 mg.kg-1 of dry mass) and also in the fish bodies (up to 804.5 mg.kg-1 of dry mass).