Abstract: Based on the water footprint, this paper studies the water use efficiency of various industries in China from 2006 to 2015. The results of empirical study show that water use efficiency of animal husbandry, mining, petroleum refining and coking, non-metallic mineral products industry is relatively high, while that of planting, food manufacturing and tobacco processing industry is relatively low. There are differences in the calculation results of ML index and GML index, but the results of ML index and GML index together indicate: water use efficiency is increasing in 2006—2015 in industries such as textile, wood processing and furniture manufacturing, paper printing, cultural and educational sporting goods, chemistry, non-metallic mineral products, metal products, electrical machinery and equipment, and construction .