In this paper, in-situ deposited bismuth films that have been plated with the use of a zinc mediator on either self-produced or commercially available screen-printed carbon electrodes (BiF/SPCEs) are assessed for their potential as Cd(II) and Pb(II) determinates, and as for being cheap and environmentally friendly alternatives to mercury and other bismuth-coated electrodes. Herein, the composition of the supporting electrolytes and the influence of procedure parameters on the sensitivity of Cd and Pb responses are discussed. The voltammetric studies were also complemented by optical and atomic force microscopic, and optical profilometry observations, as well as by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. The obtained detection limits for Cd(II) and Pb(II) were 1.35 x 10(-9) and 1.41 x 10(-10) mol L-1 (the deposition time of 190 s), respectively. The proposed voltammetric procedure was then applied for the simultaneous determination without a preliminary mineralization step of Cd(II) and Pb(II) in certified reference material, as well as in sea and river water samples. The obtained results were found to be satisfactory. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.