We visualize water utilization in China from source to service and onward to destination, using a Sankey diagram to analyse the energy-water nexus at the national level. Among total water usage in China, about53.4 % ultimately enters the atmosphere through evaporation and evapotranspiration; and 20.7 % and 6.4% flows out to other countries or to salt basins, respectively. Only 0.4 % is re-used after sewage treatment and reclamation. The electricity required for water supply, treatment, utilization and post-use utilization comprised about 4–10 % of total national electricity consumption in 2009. Water used by energy-related industry represents an important contribution (about 14 %) of total water consumption and withdrawal in this country.
