The stateofart of ground water treatment of tunnels is analysed, so as to make further study on the ground water treatment issue often encountered in the design and construction of tunnels and to provide theoretical basis for the design and construction of highpressure watersrich tunnels. Conclusions drawn are as follows: different standards and different ground water treatment technologies are proposed by different authority departments at different time and under different socioeconomic conditions; experts from different authoritiy departments hold different views on the effect of ground water pressure on the lining structures of tunnels in waterrich zones, especially they hold different views on whether the external water pressure can be reduced or not; the experts also have different opions on the effect of ground water. Therefore, the ground water of tunnels should be further studied in terms of concept and method. The principle for further studies on the treatment of tunnel ground water is proposed. 