This study examined the changes of water quality in relation to distribution of hydrophytes, and the purification capacity of Zizania latifolia to improve the effluent from Munpyeong stream from March 1997 to December 1999. While the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorous in water were increased during the farming season, those decreased, during the streaming down to paddy and drainage areas. In investigated sites, the Z. latifolia was dominant community according to the development of the natural wetlands. Furthermore, it formed a large community owing to its high adaptability to environmental changes in the agriculture lands. In September, the leaves productivity of the Z. latifolia were 4,032g D.W/$m^2$and roots were 7,680gD.W/$m^2$. The purification capacity of the Z. latifolia for NH$_3$-N, $No_3$-N, and PO$_4$-P were 13.41, 17.07, and 4.58 respectively during 5 days. The results suggested that it needs to establish wetlands vegetated by hydrophytes to improve the water quality of the effluent from agricultural lands.