Empirical analysis on the influence of industrial structure adjustment on water resource utilization efficiency in resource-based regions: empirical evidence from 10 resource-based provinces in China

Shandong, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Heilongjiang, Chongqing, Guizhou, Shaanxi and Gansu were selected to study the impact of industrial restructuring on water resource utilization efficiency in resource-based regions from 2003 to 2017．Water resource utilization in resource-based areas was found to be generally in the DEA inefficient state and presents significant spatial non-equilibrium, generally being higher in the east and lower in the west．Correlation degree between change coefficients in the first, second and third industrial structure towards water resource utilization efficiency was found to be 0.535, 0.806 and 0.849 respectively．Adjustment of industrial structure was found closely related to utilization efficiency of water resources．Adjustment of industrial structure in resource-based areas was found to have no effect on overall efficiency of water resources utilization．Ratio of output value in the first and third industries to water resource utilization efficiency was found to have significant negative effect．Coordinated development of economic growth and water resources utilization in resource-based areas should be promoted to change the mode of agricultural extensive discharge, to optimize water structure of the tertiary industry．The urbanization rate has been found to be significantly positively correlated with utilization efficiency of water resources．Accelerated urbanization has been found to be an important driving force to improve utilization efficiency of water resources．The above empirical analysis indicates that, to improve efficiency of water resources utilization, it is necessary to control strictly water use in primary industry, to optimizate water use structure in the tertiary industry．Urbanization construction must be actively promoted, expenditure of fiscal science and technology should be reasonably allocated．Supporting role of green technology innovation on the premise of ensuring food security must be strengthened．