人们经常从改造厕所或教育项目等特定项目的有效性来讨论节水问题。然而，在这些项目能够实施并有效实施之前，需要建立正确的体制机制。在英格兰和威尔士，环境署最近的国家水资源战略确定了在未来25年内继续管理水需求的必要性。主要的体制机制有中央政府政策、地方政府角色、经济监管、环境监管、国家立法、水利设施角色、非政府组织角色- 政府组织、废物最小化倡议和合作研究项目。本文描述了每一种机制，以及它们对实现节水目标所做的贡献。随着许多项目的到位和其他项目的出现，水资源保护活动将稳步增长。本文评估了通过考虑需求构成的变化所取得的成就，并考虑了这些当前安排是否会在未来很好地服务于英格兰和威尔士。包括15个参考文献、表格和图表。

Water conservation is frequently discussed in terms of the effectiveness of particular programs such as retrofitting toilets or an education program. However, before such programs can take place and for them to be effective, the correct institutional mechanisms need to be in place. In England and Wales the Environment Agency's recent National Water Resources strategies have identified the continuing need to manage the demand for water over the next twenty-five years. The main institutional mechanisms have been central government policy, the role of local government, economic regulation, environmental regulation, national legislation, the role of water utilities, the role of non-governmental organizations, waste minimization initiatives and collaborative research programs. This paper describes each of these mechanisms and the contributions they have made to the goal of water conservation. With many in place and others on the horizon the scene is set for a steady growth in water conservation activity. This paper assesses what has been achieved by considering changes in demand components and considers whether these current arrangements will serve England and Wales well in the future. Includes 15 references, tables, figure.