In the title compound, [Ba{HOOC(C(6)H(4))(2)CO(2)}(2)(H(2)O)(2)] or [Ba(C(14)H(9)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(2)], the Ba atoms are coordinated by nine O atoms, six from two 2'-carboxybiphenyl-2-carboxylate (Hbpdc(-)) ligands and three from three coordinated water molecules, resulting in the formation of face-sharing distorted monocapped square antiprisms. The Hbpdc(-) ligands bridge the Ba atoms to form a one-dimensional helical polymer, with a Ba...Ba distance across the chain of 4.1386 (17) A. Adjacent chains are parallel to each other. The two independent ligands are tetradentate and have the same coordination mode, exhibiting mu-oxo bridges and eta(8)-chelation. The crystal structure is further stabilized by hydrogen bonds within each chain.