Water governance is a key response to climate change and the achievement of sustainable development as well as an important component of public governance. To present a comprehensive overview and suggest new directions for water governance research in public administration, this study conducted a quantitative systematic literature review and social network analysis of the literature of water governance in PA based on the web of science (WoS) database. The results show an upward trend in the publications on water governance as a research hotspot. The articles on water governance are mainly published in JCR Q1 outlets. The United States and United Kingdom are the research centers of water governance in PA. The global collaborative network of water governance researchers must be strengthened. Current research topics of water governance include collaborative governance, public-private partnerships, adaptive governance, and transboundary water governance. Cooperation is the research frontier of water governance in PA. This study provides crucial insights for the progress and scholarly contributions of water governance in public administration and enriches the body of knowledge about water governance.
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