[Objective] Based on analyzing the time series of urban water ecological footprint in Guiyang City, this paper made use of the water ecological footprint model to calculate the water ecological footprint and evaluated the sustainable utilization of water resources and to provide some advice for rational utilization of water resources.[Methods] Using water ecological footprint theory, the water ecological footprint, water resources carrying capacity and sustainable utilization index of water resources in Guiyang City from 2002 to 2016 were calculated. Then, according to the environmental pressure model STIRPAT modeling and using partial least squares(PLS) regression and elastic net regression to back up and analyse the driving force factors which affect the water ecological footprint.[Results] ① From 2002 to 2015, as a whole, water ecological footprint in Guiyang City was on the rise. The water ecological carrying capacity was in a large fluctuating range. The water resources sustainable utilization index was lower than 1. The water resource in the whole city was in a insecure state. ② Using LS regression to analyze the STIRPAT model, the results showed that the four driving force factors in the model have multiple collinear. Then, using partial least squares(PLS) to modify the STIRPAT model, the total linearity between the driving force factors was eliminated. But the VIP value only selected two meaningful driver force factors:the quadratic term of per capita GDP and the population. ③ According to the analysis of STIRPAT by elastic net, the results showed that the population, per capita GPD, the first two industries accounted for the ratio of the total industry, and the urbanization rates affected the water ecological footprint of Guiyang City. The water ecological footprint between first two industries accounted for the ratio of the total industry and the urbanization rate both existed the environmental Kuzenets curve.[Conclusion] In the process of developing and promoting rapid urbanization, the water ecological footprint of Guiyang City must be reduced, which is the key to the sustainable development of water resources.