Observations on the availability and pricing of water for industrial use are presented here from the viewpoint of the General Motors Corporation (GM). The article discusses four primary factors that distinguish the cost of serving one class from another including water demand and load factor of customers, seasonal use of water, and amount of utility plant dedicated to serving that class. The importance of cost-of-service studies and cost-based rates for the utility, rate design for industrial customers, connection charges, availability charges, financial considerations for utilities, and contracts between water utilities and GM are also addressed.