WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
- Totally get the “rebound effect”—I’ve seen it in my own place. After switching to low-flow everything, I started feeling like I could be a bit more careless, which kind of defeated the purpose.
- When my city started a pilot program with tiered pricing, I thought it’d be a hassle, but it actually made me rethink every faucet turn. The ongoing feedback (and higher bills) kept me honest way more than a one-off rebate.
- I do wonder if we focus too much on tech upgrades and not enough on just changing habits. Like, gadgets are cool, but if I’m still taking 20-minute showers, what’s the point?
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
- I’m all for getting paid to save, but honestly, the tech upgrades only go so far. Like, I swapped in low-flow showerheads and yeah, my bill dropped a bit, but habits matter way more.
- Tiered pricing did more for me than rebates ever did. Seeing that higher rate kick in made me rethink laundry days and how long I let the water run.
- If cities actually paid out monthly for hitting targets, I’d probably track usage like I track my grocery budget. It’s the ongoing feedback that really changes behavior, not just a one-time gadget swap.
- Not against gadgets, but if I’m still filling up the tub every night, it’s just money down the drain... literally.
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
If cities actually paid out monthly for hitting targets, I’d probably track usage like I track my grocery budget. It’s the ongoing feedback that really changes behavior, not just a one-time gadget swap.
Funny you mention tracking—when we built our last project, the city offered a small bonus for using drought-tolerant landscaping. At first, I thought it was just a drop in the bucket, but once we started getting those monthly updates on water use, it turned into this weirdly satisfying game to see how low we could go. The real motivator wasn’t the rebate itself, but seeing progress month to month. Tech helps, but honestly, nothing beats that little nudge every billing cycle.
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
That’s interesting—makes me wonder if the feedback loop is more powerful than the actual cash. I mean, I’ve seen people get way more competitive about their energy or water dashboards than the rebates themselves. Do you think people would keep up the low usage if the city stopped sending those monthly updates? Or does it all just fade once the novelty wears off?
WHAT IF YOUR CITY PAID YOU TO USE LESS WATER?
It’s funny, but I’ve noticed people get really into those usage charts—almost like a game. If the city stopped sending updates, I bet a lot of folks would slip back into old habits. Here’s how I’d approach it: first, keep the feedback loop going, even if it’s just a simple email or app notification. Second, design the updates to highlight personal progress, not just raw numbers. Third, maybe add some neighborhood comparisons—nothing like a little friendly rivalry to keep people engaged. Without that regular nudge, most people probably won’t stick with it long-term... novelty fades fast.
