In recent years, there has been a significant increase in molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction (MISPE) technique for the purification and clean-up of environmental samples. In this study, solid-phase extraction using the imprinted polymer has been optimized with the experimental design approach for a triazine herbicide, named ametryn with regard to the critical factors such as sample pH, sample concentration, sample flow-rate, sample volume, elution solvent, washing solvent and sorbent mass. These factors were evaluated statistically and also validated with spiked drinking water samples and showed a good reproducibility over six consecutive days as well as six within-day experiments. Also, in order to the evaluate efficiency of the optimized MISPE protocols, enrichment capacity, reusability and cross-reactivity of cartridges have been studied. Finally, a selective MISPE was successfully demonstrated for ametryn with a recovery of above 90% for spiked drinking water samples. It was concluded that the central composite design could prove beneficial for aiding the MIP and MISPE development. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.