Establishing a system of rigid constraints on water resources is essential for promoting high-quality economic and social development and advancing ecological civilization. Taking Shanghai as a case study and considering the implementation of major national strategies

this paper systematically examines the practical approaches adopted by Shanghai to implement the system and identifies directions for further improvement. Through measures including the establishment of a dualcontrol mechanism for total water use and water use intensity

the closer integration of economic and social development with water resources management

the improvement of mechanisms for the intensive and efficient use of water resources

and the rehabilitation of groundwater overexploitation areas

Shanghai has decoupled economic growth from water resource consumption

achieved a nationally leading level of water use efficiency

and eliminated all designated groundwater overexploitation areas. Nevertheless

several challenges remain

including insufficient resilience to risks affecting drinking water sources

the need to improve water supply system reliability

inadequate refinement of groundwater regulation

and the need to further advance the development of a water-saving society. It is therefore recommended that Shanghai further strengthen urban water security

improve the precision of water affairs management

enhance groundwater regulation capacity

and comprehensively promote the development of a water-saving city. These measures may provide useful practical experience for megacities in water-abundant regions seeking to implement a system of rigid constraints on water resources.