Water Conservation Is All In The Game

Ratepayers in La Habra Heights, California, who reduce their consumption are eligible for a cash prize, and the contest is already paying dividends

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Gamefication — the use of game mechanics in non-game contexts — has been used in everything from encouraging consumer buy-in to crafting employee training programs. So why not water conservation? Adopting the concept has earned measurable dividends for the La Habra Heights County Water District. 

In drought-stricken California, water conservation has become increasingly important. However, in La Habra Heights, a relatively affluent community of sprawling ranch-style homes, the price of water isn’t a significant factor. 

“We don’t have a tiered rate, and if a resident’s priority is keeping the grass green and they can afford to pay for the water, it’s more challenging to change those patterns,” says Michael Gualtieri, general manager of the LHHCWD. “We’ve monitored usage patterns, and it’s clear that increased consumption correlates with increased heat and drought, with most of the water used for landscaping.” 

The district has planted its own demonstration garden of drought-resistant native plants and conducted an extensive public education effort, ranging from school programs to those aimed at ratepayers. However, a contest targeted to engage ratepayers has produced surprising results. 

Ratepayers who reduce their water consumption by 10 percent or more from 2013 levels are eligible to submit their water bills in a quarterly prize drawing for $125. Eligible ratepayers are also automatically entered in a yearly drawing for $500. 

“We haven’t tallied the final numbers, but we’ve seen a significant decrease in water consumption that we associate with the contest announcement — 6.5 percent between February 2014 and February 2015,” Gualtieri says. “So far, 54 people have submitted their entries for the first quarterly draw. Framing the program in the context of a game seems to have made the difference.”

The City of La Habra Heights takes water conservation seriously. Learn how the water district has managed its resources wisely in our July 2015 cover story, "California Utility Stays Ahead Of Leaks."



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