Spatial correlation network of sustainable water resources utilization and its driving factors in China: Evidence from a provincial three-dimensional water ecological footprint

• Spatial correlation of SWRU is analyzed from water flow and water stock capital perspectives. • Spatial correlation of SWRU forms a distinct and complex network structure. • There is an inverse correlation between SWRU levels and network status. • Inter-block correlations are significantly stronger than intra-block correlations. • Some critical driving factors are identified, and policy implications are provided. Sustainable water resources utilization (SWRU) is crucial for regional sustainable development, but comprehensive analyses of its spatial correlation network (SCN) remain limited. This study investigates the SCN of SWRU and its driving factors through three-dimensional water ecological footprint, social network analysis, and quadratic assignment procedure from the perspectives of water stock and water flow capital. The main findings are as follows: (1) SWRU exhibits pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with stronger levels in the south and weaker in the north; (2) Spatial correlation of SWRU displays a distinct network structure with increased stability and density, although further optimization is required; (3) There is an inverse correlation between SWRU levels and network status, with Shanghai, Jiangsu, Beijing, Zhejiang, Tianjin, and Guangdong forming the core of SCN; (4) The SCN is divided into four major blocks, with inter-block spatial correlations significantly stronger than intra-block correlations; (5) Per capita GDP, technological innovation, geospatial adjacency, openness level, and ecological water replenishment significantly affect the spatial correlation of SWRU. These findings provide valuable insights for rational water allocation and cross-regional integrated water management in water-scarce regions.