The loss of nutrients, particularly phosphorus (P), in agricultural and urban/suburban drainage waters is a priority conservation concern. Although several best management practices are effective in preventing particulate P losses to surface waters, they are less effective on dissolved P losses. Open channel ditches and sedimentation ponds concentrate drainage water from both runoff and subsurface flow offering an opportunity to remove non-point pollution generated across large areas of land. This study provides an overview of the potential to use P sorbing materials in surface water structures such as drainage ditches to sequester dissolved P. We describe factors affecting structure design and P sorbing material selection, such as chemical mechanisms of P removal, kinetics, physical properties, and potential contaminants in regard to use in treating surface waters. In addition, we will review several previously demonstrated P reduction/removal systems and potential alternative systems.