Based on the data of the Tarim River in 2003,the method of assessing virtual water was briefly introduced.Virtual water for the main primary farm products and total virtual water consumed by citizens were calculated.The results showed that virtual water for the main primary farm products in the region was lower as compared with other regions in Northwest China.In terms of total virtual water expenditure,there was no significant difference between urban and rural residents.However,for the consumptions such as food supply,pork,poultry,egg,cake,fish,there was a significant difference between urban and rural residents.The total amount of consumed virtual water was estimated to be 7.01×109 m³,and the total amount of the virtual water for production,2.20×1010 m³.This indicates that the total amount of virtual water for production is much more than that for consumption.