Aquanomics discusses some of the instruments and policies that may be implemented to postpone, or even avoid, the onset of "water crises." These policies include establishing secure and transferable private water rights and extending these rights to uses that traditionally have not been allowed, including altering in-stream flows and ecosystem functions. The editors argue that such policies will help maximize water quantity and quality as water becomes scarcer and more valuable. Aquanomics contains examples of how this is being accomplished, particularly in the formation of water markets and market-like exchanges of water rights.
There were a couple chapters I was interested in. Brian Steed's discussion of LA and groundwater markets was mostly new. And there were snippets elsewhere as well. The anti-commons chapter was published elsewhere. The public trust history was good but also covered elsewhere. Overall, nothing struck me as a must read.