In this paper,the researches in the applications of ionic liquids (ILs) and polymerized ionic liquids (PILs) in disinfection,desalination,removal of phenols and metal ions in water,and improving the antifouling properties of membranes in water treatment are reviewed.It is expected that the other application potentials of ILs and PILs can be developed and realized as soon as possible in the future research work,making them play a more important role in the future water treatment field.