Book excerpt: This book was stimulated by and sets out to analyse a political battle over water pricing by a municipal system. Originally published in 1984, this title provides improved methods for demand function estimation where block rates are involved, suggests procedures for rational pricing of municipal water, and explains how politics can dominate when real decisions are made. Due to the additional virtue of this title being easy to read, it is ideal for students interested in environmental studies, economics, and policy making, as well as for those involved with municipal services and resource management in general.