This work focuses on computer-assisted gradient elution method development in inorganic anion analysis of surface water using ion chromatography. An integral elution model was applied to model gradient retention behavior based on isocratic experimental information. Applied optimization strategy incorporates in-house developed elimination criteria for optimal condition search routine with gradient retention modeling resulting in baseline separation within satisfactory run time. The reliability of developed method was extensively tested by carrying out a performance characteristics evaluation process. Based on the evaluation results it can be stated that the method developed shows more than satisfactory performance characteristics, proving that the applied computer-assisted method development process is a very useful alternative when surface waters differing in composition significantly have to be analyzed in a limited time frame.