Challenge 6: Behavioral Change for Water Justice

“Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.”

W.H. Auden
People queing in a street with empty water bottles.
Source: Water Salahkar Team

Problem Statement

Water scarcity and conservation have become pressing global issues, necessitating innovative and smart solutions to address the challenge. The Drop Count App is a tailor-made solution to cater to the unique needs of high-income households, who tend to have higher water consumption levels compared to the rest of the population. Here’s why we need Drop Count:

High-income households live a luxurious and standard lifestyle by means of amenities that require an uninterrupted and high quantity of water leading to increased water usage. In the case of Delhi, 16 percent of annual water consumption is reported to be consumed by 5 percent of HIG households

(source: https://www.orfonline.org/research/water-supply-in-delhi-five-key-issues-67477/).

It is crucial to address this segment’s water consumption behavioural patterns to make a significant impact on overall conservation efforts.

Young person, not amused.
Have you ever thought about the scenario of your taps running dry? Do you know that fresh water is a finite resource rather than an abundant and freely accessible commodity? Have you ever considered the importance of water conservation?

Existing Challenge

Existing challenges.

Concept Development

Concept Development timeline
  • Monitor and track user’s real-time water consumption to create awareness about their usage patterns
  • Educate users about water conservation practices and the importance of sustainable water management.
  • Provide personalized recommendations and tips to help users reduce their water consumption.
  • Implement incentives and rewards to motivate users to adopt water-saving behaviours.
  • Foster a sense of responsibility and ownership among users towards sustainable water consumption practices.

Our Intervention

Introducing Drop Count, an app designed exclusively for high-income households to track and optimize their water usage. With Drop Count, ‘user’ can monitor their daily water consumption, compare it with their own progress, and benchmark against similar households.

Why Choose Drop Count?

  • Track and analyze your water usage with intuitive visualizations and insights.
  • Benchmark against similar households to motivate and inspire competition.
  • Personalized notifications and recommendations for efficient water usage.
  • Achievements and rewards to celebrate your water-saving milestones.
  • Join a supportive community of water-conscious individuals to amplify your impact.
2 iphones.

Join us in this transformative challenge to become a water-saving hero!

Young person

Join the Drop Count Challenge: Drop Count is your gateway to transforming water consumption in high-income households. Embrace the challenge, revolutionize your water usage, and pave the way for a sustainable future. Whether you’re a responsible homeowner, a concerned citizen, or an environmental enthusiast, be a part of this remarkable journey.

Download Drop Count today and become a water-saving hero!

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Product Features

Water Usage Tracker: Drop Count provides you with a live tool to monitor your daily water usage effortlessly. The app offers a user-friendly interface that allows you to track and measure water consumption. Once you are aware and informed about your water usage patterns, identify areas where you can curtail and save water during its consumption.

  • Real-time Water Usage Tracking: Drop Count utilizes sensor-based technology and smart meters to collect real-time water usage data automatically. Seamlessly integrate your smart meter with the app and effortlessly monitor your water consumption throughout the day. Get accurate and up-to-date insights into your usage patterns, empowering you to make informed decisions about your water consumption.
  • AI-driven Consumption Pattern Analysis: The power of AI comes into play as Drop Count analyzes your water consumption patterns using advanced algorithms. Leverage the AI-driven insights to understand your usage trends, identify areas of improvement, and optimize your water consumption habits. Receive personalized recommendations and tips for water conservation based on your unique consumption patterns.
  • Self-Comparison and Insights: Visualize your water usage trends with comprehensive charts and graphs. Drop Count empowers you with valuable insights into your consumption habits, helping you identify opportunities for conservation. By comparing your data over time, you can track progress, make informed adjustments, and reduce your ecological footprint.
  • Benchmarking against Similar Households: Drop Count takes water conservation to the next level by providing a unique feature—comparing your water usage with similar high-income households. By anonymizing and aggregating data, the app generates benchmarks that evaluate your consumption against households with similar profiles, including size, location, and income level. Engage in friendly competition and strive to be a water-saving leader among your peers!
  • Notifications and Reminders: Drop Count ensures you never lose track of your water conservation goals. Receive personalized notifications and reminders tailored to your usage patterns, encouraging you to be mindful of your water consumption throughout the day. Stay motivated and committed to making a positive impact on the environment.
  • Conservation Tips and Recommendations: Drop Count’s intelligent algorithm analyzes your water usage data and provides customized recommendations to optimize your conservation efforts. From practical tips on efficient irrigation practices to suggestions for low-flow fixtures, the app offers actionable advice to help you reduce wastage and save water effectively.
  • Achievements and Rewards: Stay motivated and engaged with Drop Count’s achievement system. Earn badges, unlock milestones, and receive rewards for reaching water-saving targets. Celebrate your success and share your accomplishments with friends and family on social media. Together, let’s inspire others to join the water-saving movement! By integrating educational videos within the gamification screen, Drop Count not only promotes water conservation but also empowers users to expand their knowledge on environmental sustainability. This feature adds an element of continuous learning and rewards, making the app both informative and engaging. Users can unlock a wealth of knowledge while earning points to further enhance their water-saving achievements.
  • Community Support and Challenges: Connect with a community of like-minded individuals passionate about water conservation. Engage in challenges, share your progress, and learn from others’ experiences. With Drop Count, you can collaborate to create a positive environmental impact and foster a sustainable future.

In addition to its primary features, Drop Count also prioritizes accessibility to ensure that everyone, including elderly and specially-abled individuals, can benefit from the app. The app incorporates various accessibility features to enhance usability and make it inclusive for all users. Here’s how Drop Count caters to accessibility:

  • User-Friendly Interface: The app is designed with a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy to navigate and understand for users of all abilities. Clear and legible text, well-contrasted colors, and logical layout contribute to an optimal user experience.
  • Voice Assistance: Drop Count integrates voice assistance capabilities, enabling users to interact with the app through voice commands. This feature benefits visually impaired or blind individuals who may rely on auditory cues for app navigation and operation.
  • Adjustable Font Size and Display Settings: The app allows users to customize font sizes and display settings according to their preferences. This feature is particularly beneficial for users with visual impairments or those who require larger text sizes for improved readability.
  • Gesture and Voice Controls: Drop Count supports alternative input methods, such as gesture controls and voice commands, for users who may have limited dexterity or mobility. This ensures that individuals with physical disabilities can navigate the app seamlessly and access all its features.
  • Screen Reader Compatibility: The app is designed to be compatible with popular screen reader software, allowing visually impaired users to access and interact with app content using their preferred assistive technology.
  • High Contrast Mode: Drop Count offers a high contrast mode option, which enhances visibility for users with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. The high contrast mode provides better differentiation between text, buttons, and background elements, facilitating easier app usage.
  • Tactile Feedback: The app incorporates tactile feedback features, such as haptic feedback or vibration, to provide additional sensory cues and confirmations. These feedback mechanisms assist users with hearing impairments or those who benefit from tactile responses.

By integrating these accessibility features, Drop Count ensures that elderly and specially-abled individuals can use the app comfortably, independently, and with full functionality. The app aims to create an inclusive user experience, empowering all users to actively participate in water conservation and make a positive impact on their communities and the environment.

Business Model

Roadmap

RoadMap Timeline of the Project.

Impact

By using this app, we will be able to save around 50% of water which is saving Rs. 2160 million of the Government.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1E2BYR5Qy5LPphy9BahgLKK6c1sNHwcIRaFWiqd9qCrY/edit#gid=0

Way Forward

We are also developing a sensor-based device for integrating the app interface so that water consumption patterns can be tracked easily.

Team Members

Team name: Water Salahkar. Savitri Kumari, Sheilja Singh, Zeeshan Ibrar.
@savitriplanner@Sheilja4@zeeshanibrar

Mentors

  1. Jay Bhagwan, Executive Manager: Water Use and Waste Management, Water Research
    Commission
  2. Tamlyn Sasha Naidu, Post Doctoral Fellow, University of the Witwatersrand
  3. Chiara Farné Fratini, Innovation Specialist, DTU
  4. Dagný Valgeirsdóttir, Assistant Professor, DTU Skylab / DTU Entrepreneurship
  5. Marie Louise (Møllebæk) Pollmann-Larsen, Project Manager at DTU Skylab
  6. Björgvin Hjartarson, Research Assistant, Department of Technology, Management and Economics, DTU Skylab
  7. Professor Dr. Rabidyuti Biswas, Department of Physical Planning, School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, India.

References

  • https://wrc.org.za/?mdocs-file=58890
  • https://delhijalboard.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/ace_m_3_0.pdf
  • https://thedharmatrails.com/reduce-energy-footprint-while-travelling/
  • https://thedharmatrails.com/conserve-water-while-travelling/
  • https://www.orfonline.org/research/water-supply-in-delhi-five-key-issues-67477/
  • http://shodhbhagirathi.iitr.ac.in:8081/jspui/image/pdf/web/viewer.html?file=/jspui/bitstream/123456789/515/3/WATER%20MANAGEMENT%20URBAN%20RESIDENTIAL%20DEVELOPMENT.pdf
  • https://www.who.int/teams/environment-climate-change-and-health/water-sanitation-and-health/environmental-health-in-emergencies/technical-notes-on-wash-in-emergencies
  • https://delhiplanning.delhi.gov.in/sites/default/files/Planning/generic_multiple_files/3_ws.pdf
  • https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323255576_Behavioural_Nudges_for_Water_Conservation_Experimental_Evidence_from_Cape_Town
  • https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14486563.2011.566160#:~:text=Consequently%2C%20it%20can%20be%20concluded,1979.