A chemical oxygen demand (COD) of a sample including water is determined. At least two test specimens are obtained. Each of the test specimens include a mixture of the sample and a standard solution including potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) in a known concentration. Each of the specimens include a same amount of the sample. Each of the specimens include different amounts of the standard solution. Each of the specimens is diluted with water. A COD of each of the specimens is measured. A COD of the sample is determined based on the measured CODs of the specimens.