The characteristics of water resources and their exploitation status in Yan'an City are analyzed in order to solve the problems existed in water resource utilization,such as low level exploitation and utilization accompanied with serious shortage in water resources,high percentage of water use and low reuse efficiency in petroleum industry,and serious water pollution.Based on the concept of sustainability,the corresponding countermeasures are proposed: constructing a water-saving and anti-pollution society;making sound water resource development and utilization planning from a long-term and practical viewpoint;solving the problem of rural safety drinking water;and strengthening water resource protection and preventing water from pollution.