Capturing the imagination and promoting water efficiency through game-play
20 May 2021
The rule of halves suggests that only a small fraction of people will realise sustained behavioural change as a result of exposure to an important message.
When it comes to water efficiency (or as we put it to the younger generation, ‘being water-wise’), this is a message that needs to resonate. With an average water consumption of 177 litres per person per day (around 18 buckets), and with the ongoing challenges of climate change and population growth, it is clear to see why.
How do you therefore ensure that a message is not only received, but captures the attention, is comprehensively understood and motivates action? Enter Dewie. For those who might think that I have miss-spelt the Welsh name ‘Dewi’, I have not. Dewie is Dutch. An enegetic, curious and water-consicious character that features in the Water Battle App, developed by Grendel Games.
In this game, wonderful water creatures live in the water network, and players must help them by completing levels and answering quizzes. Participants can join teams, parents are encouraged to help – and the more water conscious, will progress through the levels quicker.
In a trial led by our Water Services Innovation Team – and in collaboration with our Water Efficiency, Education and Data Team, efforts are underway, working in partnership with multiple schools in Rhyl, to measure the impact of this slightly less conventional approach to encourage behavioural change. After being first piloted in the Netherlands, where 250 households saved 1.4 million litres of water over the 3 months, Grendel Games are keen to see to what extent the impressive results can be replicated elsewhere.
Schools in the area of Rhyl, which are familiar with Dwr Cymru’s education provision owing to their links to the Water Resilient Communities Project, offer an useful vehicle to promote downloads. The most progressive of teachers will always be looking the next idea to capture the imagination and engage the most disengaged in the class – and often games such as Water Battle are a fantastic way to do that. Not only is it visually engaging, captivating and competitive, but it also captures key curriculum themes on the environment and sustainability – as well as provides a rich variety of literacy and numeracy follow-on activities. Learning, without realising that you are learning. Key to this trial however, is the degree to which pupils will be tempted to continue using the Water Battle App, outside of the classroom, when they get home.
The intervention period (the period during which the game is introduced and repeated use encouraged through our education provision), has now ended. It’s over now to the Water Efficiency & Data team, alongside Grendel Games, to capture and record any sustained and comparative reductions in water consumption.
For water saving tips for households, go to https://www.dwrcymru.com/en/help-advice/water-saving-tips-for-households