The title compound, [Zn(C(14)H(8)O(6)S)(H(2)O)(2)](n), is the first reported metal complex of the 4,4'-sulfonyldibenzoate anion. The structure comprises zigzag chains of alternating [Zn(H(2)O)(2)](2+) and sulfonyldibenzoate units, the central Zn and S atoms of which lie on crystallographic twofold axes. The Zn(II) centre occupies a strongly distorted tetrahedral environment [O-Zn-O = 83.30 (7)-136.19 (8) degrees], coordinated by the two water O atoms [Zn-O = 1.986 (2) A] and one O atom from each of two carboxylate groups [Zn-O = 1.9942 (19) A], with much longer contacts to the other O atoms of these carboxylates [Zn-O = 2.528 (2) A]. Hydrogen bonds between carboxylate O atoms and coordinated water molecules in adjacent chains lead to the formation of a three-dimensional network structure.