Abstract: Due to the excellent physical and chemical properties such as high specific surface area, large porous volume and adjustable structure morphology, porous carbon materials have been proven to show outstanding adsorption performance for water pollutants. Lignin is a kind of natural and abundant biomass resource. It has the characteristics of high carbon content, low cost, and easy to modification. Thus, it has been regarded as an ideal precursor for replacing traditional fossil resources to prepare porous carbon materials. This review focuses on the preparation methods of lignin-based porous carbon materials and the application research progress in the adsorption and degradation of heavy metal ions, dyes, aromatic compounds, and antibiotics from water. Based on the problems existing in the application of water purification treatment, the development trend of lignin-based porous carbon materials is also prospected.