Using an improved ecological footprint model to analyze the sustainable utilization of water resources in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region

Ecological security and sustainable utilization of water resources have become increasingly important focal areas in today’s conversation about water resource management. Ecological footprint models of water resources are commonly used to analyze these factors; however, traditional models do not consider regional and interannual differences. Here, an improved model by calculating water resource equilibrium factors ( γ w ) was used to simulate the water resources ecological footprint (EF w ) and water resources ecological carrying capacity (EC w ) of Beijing, Tianjin, and Hebei. Ecological deficit and surplus ( EDS ), water load index ( WRL ), and ecological footprint of water resources per 10 4 Chinese yuan ( WFG ) were used to evaluate sustainable water usage. The findings reveal that γ w is discrepant in across regions and years, as were EF w and EC w . Over the course of the study, EF w and EC w of Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei increased by > 25 and 46%, respectively. The sustainable utilization of water resources in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region was found to be poor, but the utilization efficiency had improved through time. Finally, an uncertainty analysis was performed to determine how to improve sustainable development of water resources in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei. Results suggested that reducing the discharge of sewage could reduce EF w and reducing the water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP could reduce WRL . This study provides valuable support for the sustainable utilization of water resources and the protection of ecological security in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region.