In the title compound, [Cd(C8H4O4)(C3H4N2)(H2O)]n, the CdII 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 molecule. Neighboring CdII ions are bridged by the benzene-1,3-dicarboxylate ligands, forming a zigzag polymeric chain structure. These chains are further extended into a three-dimensional supramolecular structure through O—H...O and N—H...O hydrogen bonds.