In the title compound, [Cd(C(8)H(4)O(4))(C(3)H(4)N(2))(H(2)O)](n), the Cd(II) ion is seven-coordinated by five O atoms from three crystallographically independent benzene-1,3-carboxylate ligands, one N atom from the imidazole ligand and one coordinated water mol-ecule. Neighboring Cd(II) ions are bridged by the benzene-1,3-dicarboxyl-ate ligands, forming a zigzag polymeric chain structure. These chains are further extended into a three-dimensional supra-molecular structure through O-H⋯O and N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds.