The subject study revealed several unique properties of polymer-based zirconium phosphate (ZrP) for lead removal from waters. ZrP particles were impregnated within two porous polymers, namely, a chloromethylated polystyrene (CP) and a polystyrene cation exchange resin (D-001). Both as-prepared hybrid sorbents (designated ZrP-CP and ZrP-001, respectively) were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a N2 adsorption-desorption test at 77K. As compared to the fresh particles, ZrP impregnated onto CP exhibits a slight increase in sorption capacity, which may result from their nanosized particles after impregnation. More attractively, ZrP-001 displays much higher sorption preference toward lead ions over calcium ions than ZrP, D-001, and ZrP-CP. Such significant phenomena is mainly attributed to the Donnan membrane effect exerted by the immobilized sulfonate groups on D-001 and further validates its potential application for enhanced removal of the toxic metal from contaminated waters.