In this study, field geological investigations, hydrogeological tests, water level monitoring, and water quality analyses were conducted to investigate the recharge and discharge between the seriously polluted Jialu River and the nearby groundwater in Henan province. The results indicate that the river stage was higher than the groundwater level because of nearby groundwater pumping, causing the river to recharge groundwater with an average water flux per unit width of 2.04 m2·d-1. The NH3 and COD pollution in the river was serious and the concentrations of NH3-N, NO2-N, and NO3-N in groundwater were all higher than the standards. The NO2 and NH3 pollution was especially serious; the NH3-N concentration in the river was much higher than that in groundwater and the NH3 pollution in groundwater near the river was more serious as a result of the river recharge, but was gradually reduced away from the river due to nitrification and adsorption. The NO3-N concentration in the river was lower than that in the groundwater and the NO3-N concentration in the groundwater gradually increases away from the river due to nitrification and infiltration of the nitrogen fertilizer applied at the land-surface.