Three-dimensional excitation emission matrix was applied to characterize the fluorescence properties of dissolved organic matter in various waters of Shilong coal-mining area. Fluorescence peak I (fulvic-like) and peak II (humic-like) were strong, while peak IV and peak V (protein-like) were weak or even undetected in some samples. Fluorescence peaks in various waters and different zones showed great difference in intensities and the fluorescence peaks in underground water tended to be much lower than those of surface waters. Furthermore, the fluorescence peaks of rivers and lakes were higher than those of mine drainage, and also the fluorescence peaks in coking zone and coal mining zone were higher than those in sewage-irrigated zone, or even much higher than those in farming zone. The reason may be that coal mining activities and coal industry can bring plenty of organic matter from coal to surroundings. Meanwhile, surface water would accept mine drainage, waste water of coal-washing and sewage from daily life easier than underground water, so surface water can be polluted seriously. Fluorescence peaks in waters from coal mining area are little influenced by pH of the water but can be influenced by the content of Ca2+ to water in some extent.