基于最近的一项调查、涵盖过去十年的文献检索，以及作者对该主题的广泛观点，本文描述和总结了20世纪80年代水价的变化和趋势，并假设了20世纪90年代可能发生的主要变化。包括单位消费价格（每1000加仑）的变化幅度和变化方向——即所采用的费率类型或费率结构。20世纪80年代，递减分段费率结构的使用逐渐减少，越来越多的水务公司选择统一费率、递增分段费率或基于边际（或增量）成本的费率。除了这些变化，本文还研究了全国范围内越来越多地采用和考虑的一系列结构，包括季节性费率、独立客户类别、需求和服务费、生命线费率和影响费。 表中列出了30家受调查公用事业公司的十年水费对比。讨论了导致增长率的因素。在图表中预测了1999年的水价，并讨论了对消费者的影响。作者的结论是，提高费率将导致更多的客户和政治参与费率制定过程；针对这些发展提出了四点建议。

Based on a recent survey, a literature search covering the last decade, and the authors' broad perspectives on the topic, this paper describes and summarizes the changes and trends in water rates that have evolved during the 1980s and postulates on the major changes that can be expected in the 1990s. Included are both the magnitude of change in terms of prices charged per unit of consumption (per 1,000 gal) and the direction of change--that is, the types of rates or rate structures employed. The use of declining block rate structures waned during the 1980s with more and more water utilities opting for uniform rates, increasing block rates, or rates based on marginal (or incremental) costs. In addition to these shifts, this paper looks at a range of structures being adopted in increasing numbers and considered throughout the country, including seasonal rates, separate customer classes, demand and service charges, lifeline rates, and impact fees. A table offers a ten-year comparison of water rates for 30 utilities surveyed. Factors that have contributed to increasing rates are discussed. Water rates through 1999 are projected in a graph, with consumer impacts discussed. The author concludes that increasing rates will result in more customer and political involvement in the rate- setting process; four suggestions for dealing with these developments are offered.