Social innovation
Ecowa
Ecowa is of product which allows users to control the amount of water they consume in their homes and know in real time how much money it’s the equivalent to that consumption, while sensitizing about rational use of drinking water.
The problem
How to create a solution to the poor control and lack of awareness about the rational use of drinking water?
Completed
2015
My role
Research
User experience
User interface
Teammates
Luisa Arteaga
Eliana Monroy
Sharlyn Grau
The water situation in Colombia
Water plays a primary role for development, economic growth, environmental sustainability, poverty reduction, and overall human health.
According to a 2015 report by the DNP (National Planning Department):
in Colombia, 43% of drinking water is wasted.
Wasting such amount of water while facing environmental phenomena such as El Niño, represents a serious danger for communities across the country. Until October 2015, 28% of the country was in crisis.
What do users think?
We interviewed 76 users, to understand their consumption habits and the measures they are taking in their homes as a result of the crisis. We also conducted interviews with experts in the field of water.
Solution
Starting from a PDS (Product Design Specification), which covered functional, installation, and aesthetic requirements we designed a concept and later built a functional model that was used to test users.
Our concept is a wireless accessory that is installed in household water taps. It’s integrated with a water dripper that allows a saving of water of 40% to 60% in comparison with the traditional taps. It also has a screen that displays the amount of water consumed and how much money that consumption is equivalent to, and by a warning with light it notifies the user if it is close to its maximum permitted consumption.
Concept
Model
User Testing
With the functional model created, we develop a test protocol. The tests are divided into two types: formal and indicative functions.
"The product seems very functional to me, especially because it's easy to use and also because it can be easily transferred from the kitchen to the bathroom so it is useful for practically everything"
Angélica
User 1
"I like that it has colors like at a traffic light to know that I am doing well. It would be good for me, it the product stops when it reaches red or to turn off when I have exceeded the amount of water I have to consumed"
Adolfo
User 2
In addition to user tests, 40 user interviews were conducted to validate the model. From these people surveyed
100% acceptance of the interest in acquiring a product that helps them and teaches them to save water was obtained.