Using Games to Change Water Consumption Habits
Many people use a lot of water during specific times of the day, particularly in the morning and evening. These peaks often align with daily routines such as taking showers, doing the dishes, or using washing machines. Concentrated periods of high water demand put extra pressure on water systems, requiring pumps to work harder and consume more energy. To address this issue, Vitens, a forward-thinking water provider, sought to encourage customers to spread their water usage more evenly, saving both energy and costs.
Vitens knew from experience that changing customer behavior can be a significant challenge. This inspired them to explore an innovative approach: using a game to foster change. “We approached Grendel Games,” says Micha van Aken, business development manager at Vitens. “It was the first time we’d used a game to influence behavior. The Grendel team was excited to take on the challenge and quickly came up with creative ideas.”
A Thoughtfully Designed Game
The result was the Wijk & Water Battle, a collaborative game aimed at promoting sustainable water usage. The project included an app, a website, and a Facebook page to engage users across multiple platforms. “Grendel Games is fantastic at visualization, which gave the game its unique appeal,” Micha explains. “They also brought in behavioral scientists to ensure the game was both fun and effective.”
How It Works
The objective of Wijk & Water Battle is to provide participants with insights into their water and energy consumption, ultimately encouraging them to change their habits. The pilot launched in the autumn of 2015, involving children from two primary schools in different neighborhoods of Leeuwarden. Over three months, the children teamed up with local residents in a “battle” to reduce peaks in water usage, successfully spreading consumption more evenly throughout the day.
The Story Behind the Game
In the game, whimsical water creatures live in the local water network, but their tiny homes are frequently flooded due to high water consumption during peak hours. Schoolchildren and residents join forces to help these creatures by reducing water use at critical times. Participants track their progress using a smart meter and an app, making it easy to see the impact of their efforts. As they change their habits, the creatures experience less flooding, creating a rewarding and meaningful connection between the game and real-world behavior.
Through this innovative collaboration, Vitens and Grendel Games demonstrated how gamification can inspire positive change, fostering greater awareness and more sustainable water usage habits in the community.
