In this study, we investgated the uptake capacity of several water plants for heavy metals (lead and cadmium) in soil of rivers where are adjacent to a industrial complex in Chun-An city and in A-San city. We also examined the deposition pattern of heavy metal in plants. The results are as follows: 1. The soil of river in Chun-An city was polluted more serious than that of A-San city. In Chun-An city, mean values of lead and cadmium contents in soil were 26.224 $pm$ 28.037 $mu$g/g, and 0.854 $pm$ 1. 127 $mu$g/g, respectively. 2. Water plants examined in this study were Slum suave KITAGAWA, Persicaria thunbergii H. GROSS, Phragmiles japonica STEUD, Echinochloa crus-galli var. frumentacea WIGHT and Persicaria hydropiper SPACH. Both metal contents of several water plants distributed in Chun-An city were higher than those in A-San city. In these plants, Slum suave showed the highest uptake capacity for lead and cadmium. The mean values of lead and cadmium contents in Slum suave were 40.957 $pm$ 29.577 $mu$g/g and 1. 930 $pm$ 1. 076 $mu$g/g, respectively. Persicaria thunbergii also showed a relatively high uptake capacity for both metal. 3. Correlation between metal contents in soil and water plants was high. In both cases of Sium suave and Persicaria thunbergii correlation coefficients were 0.605 and 0.549, respectively. 4. We analyzed lead and cadmium contents in root, stem and leaf of several water plants. Both metals were mostly deposited in root. Much of both metals were also deposited in leaf. From the results, we suggest that Slum suave KITAGAWA and Persicaria thunbegii H. GROSS can be used to reduce heavy metals from industrial waste water.