The title hydrated quinoline derivative, C11H9NO3·2H2O, crystallizes as a zwitterion in which the quinoline N atom is protonated. The quinoline ring is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation of 0.017 (2) Å. An intramolecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bond between the protonated N atom and the O atom of the carboxylate group in the zwitterion forms an S(5) ring motif. In the crystal, the zwitterions are connected into inversion dimers via pairs of N—H⋯O and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with R
2
2(4) and R
1
2(6) motifs. The water molecules are connected via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming supramolecular chains along the c axis. Furthermore, the chains and the dimers are connected via O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming ladder-like supramolecular ribbons along the c axis.