This paper reviews the research progress of characteristics and control of combined sewer overflows(CSOs)pollution at home and abroad. The pollutant sources, the relationship between the water quality and quantity, and water environment impact characteristics of CSOs wastewater are summarized, and the influencing factors of pollution characteristics of CSOs are analyzed, and the control measures for pollution of common CSOs are discussed in different categories. The research progress of end control technologies such as cyclone separation and sedimentation is compared. Finally, it is pointed out that the combination of deposition-flush-contamination release monitoring of pipeline sediments and combined pipeline, intercepting wells and drain outlet purification technologies is the key technical node for controlling the pollution of CSOs in China.