Neighborhood Water Challenge

About the Program

Category: County Resiliency (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

The Neighborhood Water Challenge (NWC or Challenge) was advanced as a targeted campaign designed to engage the general public in water conservation, while simultaneously advancing specific water conservation goals. NWC asks people to both save water and teach others how, with winners in this initial challenge receiving cash or a water-saving irrigation system controller. The NWC was sponsored by the Broward County’s Broward Water Partnership (BWP), which brings together 17 cities and water utilities to promote indoor water conservation. The BWP has an overall long-term goal of saving 30 million gallons of water per day through education and outreach, free water saving devices, and high efficiency toilet rebates. The BWP provides a consistent and clear message about water conservation, making it easier for people to understand the need to save water. The NWC was designed as an innovative strategy to boost BWP goals. While the availability of rebates and devices are well-recognized as ways to realize water savings, the NWC focused on maximizing engagement of the general public through a number of creative social campaigns and the distribution of prizes. With traditional and social media, in face-to-face engagement and through elected officials, BWP’s partners reached out to residents and the residents responded with great enthusiasm and results. The 2016 NWC generated more than 300 applicants, achieved significant social media activity from the general public and its partners, and increased overall participation in Broward County’s broader water conservation programs. In addition, water savings were up to 22 percent among participants, during the campaign’s period. These savings were computed during the tail end of the dry season, when demands are acute in Florida. Therefore, the NWC had a very positive impact not only in reinforcing citizen’s education about how they can help save Broward County’s precious water resources, but also in contributing to reduce peak demands at the end of the drier season.