In the work there were presented results on investigations on retention ability of industrial wastes regarding possibility to use them in technical and biological reclamation. Water characteristic curves were determined in pressure chamber with porous ceramic plate and parameterized for the van Genuchten’s equation. Analysis of obtained results shows the least advantageous retention ability have flotation wastes and coal loam and the average ability have metallurgical and soda wastes. The best retention properties have power plant and thermal power plant wastes. The analysis showed that retention ability depends mostly on texture of wastes.