In face of increasingly serious water crisis, groundwater has been regarded as important resources that can be either individually used or conjunctively used with surface water. Despite some mechanisms and polices on surface waters, little effort has been taken on groundwater. It is necessary to explore eco-compensation related theory, methodologies and framework, not limited to ranges, principles, standards, modes, policies, etc. This paper aims to give an overview on the previous studies on groundwater eco-compensation studies, summarize the major issues that have not yet sufficiently solved, and suggest future research directions. Output from this exploration will provide scientific basis for seeking the tradeoffs among groundwater resources utilization, eco-environmental protection and economic development.