由于更多的水利设施考虑使用各种节约用水率结构中的一种，以帮助促进水的有效利用，这些速率结构的实际有效性有时被称为问题。统一费率、季节费率、反向阻塞费率和超额使用费率已被用于提供价格信号，以促进节水，尤其是对居民用水者。本文考察了这些不同费率结构的有效性，以传达适当的定价信号，并帮助支持更广泛的保护工作。对使用这些以节约为导向的费率结构的水系统的几个案例进行了研究，包括对其水资源使用随时间变化的回顾。 本文最后对正在考虑实施其中一种费率结构的水务公司提出了几点建议。

As more water utilities consider using one of a variety of conservation-oriented water rate structures to help promote the efficient use of water, the actual effectiveness of these rate structures is sometimes called into question. Uniform rates, seasonal rates, inverted-block rates and excess-use rates have been used to provide pricing signals that promote water conservation, particularly for residential water users. This paper examines the effectiveness of these various rates structures both to convey appropriate pricing signals and to help support broader conservation efforts. Several case examples of water systems that use these conservation-oriented rate structures are examined, including a review of how their water usage has changed over time. The paper concludes with several suggestions for those water utilities that are considering implementing one of these rate structures.