> Because you don't pay for the water, you buy the rights.

Is that true? I've only ever lived places where we pay for water by the gallon from a municipal system. I've always assumed that's how most non-agricultural consumers of water pay.

> we would create an incredible burden for regular people

Why do you think that? Google says the average household water bill is $48 to $70 / month. If you priced it on an exponential curve, the first gallons could be practically free and the millionth gallon could be crazy expensive. Data centers can use millions of gallons per day. That should be outrageously expensive in places where water is scarce.