美国的水务公司正在使用节约用水的费率结构 帮助促进水的有效利用。季节性利率，反向区块 费率和超额使用率提供了促进节水的价格信号， 尤其是住宅客户。然而，这些比率的有效性 降低用水水平的结构有时会受到公用事业监管机构的质疑， 城市官员，甚至公用事业客户。本文给出了三个案例 对使用这些保护促进率的水系统进行检查，以评估 这些费率结构在传达适当定价方面的有效性 向客户发出信号，帮助支持更广泛的保护工作。这个 论文最后提出了考虑实施 以保护为导向的利率结构。包括3个参考文献、表格。

Water utilities in the US are using conservation-oriented water rate structures to help promote the efficient use of water. Seasonal rates, inverted-block rates and excess-use rates provide pricing signals that promote water conservation, particularly for residential customers. However, the effectiveness of these rate structures in reducing water usage levels is sometimes questioned by utility regulators, city officials, and even utility customers. In this paper, three case examples of water systems that are using these conservation promoting rates are examined to assess how effective these rate structures are both in conveying appropriate pricing signals to customers and in helping to support broader conservation efforts. The paper concludes with suggestions for water utilities considering implementation of conservation-oriented rate structures. Includes 3 references, tables.