Abstract: In recent years, the construction of long-distance water transmission pipeline projects in Xinjiang has been developing rapidly, steel pipes（SP pipes） and prestressed concrete cylinder pipes（PCCP pipes） are widely used. Due to the large number of landform units and complex geological conditions in Xinjiang, engineering construction is generally faced with the test of high earthquake, severe cold, and corrosive soil environment. In addition to considering the factors of large flow and high pressure in pipeline design, pipeline design also needs to focus on the damage caused by water, soil and other erosive media. This paper introduces the mechanism of soil corrosion and cathodic protection methods, emphatically introduces the relevant progress in the field of cathodic protection engineering, and summarizes the necessity and technical application of cathodic protection. The development of cathodic protection technology is summarized in combination with several engineering water pipeline examples, and the key technologies of cathodic protection technology development and the key points that need further attention in the future are put forward.