The Water Framework Directive (WFD) has drawn the attention on a series of metals and organic compounds because of their demonstrated or potential harmfulness for aquatic environments. The aim of our work was to build and to process a practical database focused on the role of wastewater treatment plants for the removal of the 37 priority compounds that have to be reduced or stopped by 2015, and of 34 additional emerging contaminants. About 11000 concentration values in raw and treated wastewater and sludge, from more than 200 peer-reviewed articles and 6 French national screenings were integrated, but only 10% could be used for the calculation of removal efficiencies. A semi-quantitative analysis allowed the identification of 20 priority and 10 emerging substances more frequently quantified at significant concentrations in raw wastewater and treated wastewater. Conventional activated sludge was able to remove more than 70% of half of the studied compounds, leaving only 10% of them with less than 50% removal. Physical-chemical treatments appeared to be about 30% less efficient than biological treatments. A systematic approach showed the globally low quality of data for most of the compounds, with missing information about the treatment process and about sampling and analysis. In addition, very few data are available concerning some compounds and some processes, especially sludge treatment and tertiary wastewater treatment processes. Therefore, complementary on-site measurements are required to propose adapted solutions for the treatment of priority and emerging substances in wastewater treatment plants.