Based on summarizing the practice and related research results regarding sponge city construction in China, we analyze the background, expectations, and possible problems regarding the construction of sponge cities, and elaborate on the application of water science to the construction of sponge cities according to the various water science disciplines, including hydrology, water resources, water environment, water security, water engineering, water economy, water law, water culture, water information, and water education. We also put forward six aspects of water science issues probably related to sponge city construction, which involve hydrological effects and water system models in sponge city construction, mechanisms and scheme optimization for effective utilization of water resources, the reduction mechanisms and effects of non-point source pollution through soil percolation, the infiltration-storage-stagnation interaction mechanism and design and calculation of urban rainfall floods, water security risk control and adaptation mechanisms, and water management system research. In addition, we propose solutions to these issues, in order to provide references for the research and implementation of sponge city construction.