Water conservation-oriented rates are an effective tool for reducing water use in states and cities that are faced with drought, shrinking water supplies, or other reasons to conserve water.

This book discusses rate structures that encourage water conservation: drought demand rates, excess use rates or excess surcharges, inclining block rates, and seasonal rates.

The book explores implementation issues, economic issues for the utility and the consumer (especially low-income consumers), advantages and disadvantages, which rate type is suitable for specific customer groups or situations, and real-world utility experiences with conservation rates.