The study looked at how much water is used by people in Hebei Province, China, by measuring something called "virtual water." This measures the water used to make the products and services that people consume. Researchers calculated the total water used (water footprint) by residents from 2000 to 2007. They found that although the water usage per person was quite low, it increased each year. The largest part of this water usage was linked to the products and services consumed by residents in the province. This data can help Hebei Province manage its water resources better for a sustainable future.