Abstract: The current situation and tendency of water environment, some characteristics of water resource distribution, and water utilization in China are analyzed in this paper. An emphasis is placed on the significance of utilization of rainfall, mine discharge, and salt water, water saving, and reuse of waste water in water short areas of northern China. A discussion is mainly on some ways to combined use of surface water and underground water. Three models for sustainable utilization of water resources are put forward, i.e. artificial recharge and optimized adjustment and control, systematical planning and combined utilization, and combination of wells and channels and reasonable development and full use of water resources.