Abstract: Urban agglomeration development plays an important role in national economic growth and enhancement of harmonious co-existence between human and nature, and meanwhile it is greatly restricted by water resources.To promote scientific application of urban agglomerations water resources, based on the ecological footprint theory of water resources, the sustainable utilization of water resources in four major urban agglomerations(Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing) were compared and analyzed using the relevant data of water resources and social-economic development from 2012 to 2021.The analysis results show that:(1) In the past 10 years, per capita water resources and production water ecological footprints of four major urban agglomerations are in a downward trend, while per capita domestic water and ecological water ecological footprints are in an upward trend.The ecological footprint of per capita production water accounts for the highest proportion in the study area, exceeding 50%;the lowest proportion is the ecological footprint of per capita ecological water, less than 20%.(2) Per capita water resources and production water ecological footprint in Yangtze River Delta is the highest, yet those in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei is in the bottom.After 2015,per capita water resources, production water and domestic water ecological footprint in Chengdu-Chongqing surpass that in Pearl River Delta.(3) Per capita water resources carrying capacity in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei is far poorer than the other clusters, while its per capita water resources stress index and its per capita production, domestic, ecological water resources stress indexes are much higher than the other clusters.After 2017,per capita water resources carrying capacity in Chengdu-Chongqing exceeded that in Pearl River Delta.(4) Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei cluster is ecologically in a deficit state, yet water resources in Pearl River Delta and Chengdu-Chongqing are in a state of ecological surplus.Overall, Yangtze River Delta is in a state of ecological surplus.(5) With more efficiency in water utilization, water resources ecological footprint of per ten thousand yuan GDP has shown a downward trend in all four urban agglomerations.The research results can provide a reference for scientific water utilization and promotion of green and balanced development in urban agglomerations.