As an important material basis for social and economic development, water resource in rational development and utilization is critical for social and economic sustainable development.Based on water consumption and supply data from Chinese Statistical Yearbook and Chinese Water Resources Bulletin from 2003 to 2012, the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of water consumption and water resource utilization in China were analyzed by means of empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis.The results show that in the last ten years the gross water usage have been increasing, but with reduced increase trend.The change of the gross water usage is diversified in different regions, which is greatest in area of middle east, and least in the western region.Hebei, Zhejiang, Hainan, Qinghai, and Gansu had an opposite trend in change of gross water usage compared with the rest of the provinces.Underground water is an important part of water resources.Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces utilize their underground water in a coordinated mode with industrial development, which can be models for other areas.Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces optimize their usage of the underground water by restructuring their industrial development.However, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are not optimistic in underground water utilization status and trends.More attention should be paid to strengthen the water resource protection and optimize the industrial structure, in order to develop and use water resources coordinately and sustainably in these areas.