In the cation of the title compound, C(8)H(11)N(2)O(+)·Cl(-)·H(2)O, the C-N bonds of the amidinium group are identical within experiemental error [1.305 (2) and 1.304 (2) Å], and its plane forms a dihedral angle of 25.83 (8)° with the phenyl ring. The ionic components are associated in the crystal into polymeric hydrogen-bonded supra-molecular tapes stabilized by N-H(+)⋯Cl(-) and N-H(+)⋯Ow inter-molecular hydrogen bonds, and by Ow-H⋯Cl(-) inter-actions.