these investments are generally for the purpose of improving the quantity quality timing or reliability of water itself at the place where the farmer needs it in much the same way as a reduced cost of maintaining infrastructure improves farm income greater amounts of water saved from that investment that is made available for irrigation use on the farm have a similar economic effect however depending on the price of water charged to irrigators additional water saved may or may not end up getting used there is only additional farm income resulting from saved water if water demand exceeds supply at the going price charged to farmers if there is an excess supply at the going price the additional water will not be used for irrigation and there is no farm income gained