Water at Work
A New Approach
The Palouse region of eastern Washington and northern Idaho draws its water supply from two subterranean aquifers, and both are declining at a troubling rate. The Public Works Department at the City of Moscow, Idaho initially requested one documentary short about water-efficient landscaping, but they soon realized the tremendous potential of visual media when compared to traditional public outreach methods. Over five years, the department requested I create another 25 videos and dozens of web pages about topics benefiting residents and utility customers.
Why Wisescape?
Who says water conservation can’t be beautiful? I interviewed several local gardeners and landscapers to find out why they chose to make the switch.
But Have You Asked Your Toilet?
Building on the success of the Wisescape video, the department hoped to increase participation in its other water conservation programs. How do you entice people to watch a video about replacing their bathroom fixtures? Make them talk, of course!
Changes on the Horizon
Nobody likes surprises when it comes to the cost of water. When it became necessary to switch from a popular rate to a more equitable model, we expected a considerable amount of resistance from the community. The department desired a definitive resource to address questions and concerns, so I produced a 24-minute video detailing the utility’s rationales. This video features four subject matter experts and civil authorities explaining the details and nuances that necessitated these changes.
I also built a landing page (pictured) that included a brief background, the feature video, a companion presentation, and a FAQ section. During a 30-day public comment period, the city received little criticism. When asked about the proposed changes, the stakeholders who would be most impacted said they felt “well informed” about the reasons behind the changes, and they agreed this was the correct action from the city.
Videos Produced: 25
Views: 52,638 (as of Aug 2020)
Earned Media Impressions: 50,000+
Water Reduction: 97 million gallons per year
97 Million Gallons Per Year
Over the five years I produced water videos, Moscow residents reduced their consumption from 864 million gal/year (PBAC, 2014) to 767 million gal/year (PBAC, 2019) despite the population growing by 6.8% (U.S. Census, 2020). While this decrease was mostly due to my coworkers’ hard work at the City of Moscow and the willingness of the city’s 25,435 residents to sacrifice lush green lawns in arid summer months, my videos and digital media gave them valuable tools in their efforts to keep the Palouse sustainable.