【Objective】 Climate change results in frequent occurrence of extreme weather and improving sustain-ability in water resources use is hence essential to economic development. Taking Chongqing as an example, this paper analyzes how to use the ecological water footprint model to help improve sustainable water resources use. 【Method】 We used water ecological footprint of 10 000 Yuan GDP, analyzing the water ecological footprint, ecological carrying capacity and water resources utilization from 2003 to 2016 in Chongqing.【Result】 On average,the water ecological footprint in Chongqing was improving despite occasional drop in a few individual years, changing from 72.56 million hm~2 to 140.72 million hm~2. Water consumption was mainly by primary and secondary industry, and sewage disposed from urban and rural areas was the main origin of water pollution. Water ecological carrying capacity was affected greatly by precipitation, changing from 51.30 million hm~2 to 89.42 million hm~2 and varying spatially. The ecological footprint of 10 000 Yuan GDP was in decline except a sudden drop in 2011. Water resources utilization rate was in rise, although there is still room for improvement in development and utilization of water resources.【Conclusion】 Sustainable development and utilization of water resources should focus on improving the treatment of domestic sewage. The industry should be reconstructed by shifting to tertiary industry. The regional water utilization should also be reconstructed assisted by policy changes.