Meeting Recap (2.1.11) - Slavko Milekic

As we sat down with Slavko, we explained our recent experiences interviewing and observing a few stakeholders. We interviewed two end users, two contractors, and a worker at home depot. We also observed customers at Home Depot in the water fixture aisle. Our interviews and observations led us to believe that wealthy end users usually don’t make decisions regarding what fixtures are purchased; these decisions are made by the designer, usually based on aesthetics. However, we interviewed a plumber who stated that his upper middle-class clients usually pick their own fixtures out online or from a retail outlet. He also explained that 95% of the time, women made the purchasing decisions regarding fixtures. This supported our observations at Home Depot, where the majority of shoppers for fixtures were women. This presented women as a possible target audience.

We also discussed the WaterSense seal and its prevalence among bathroom faucets but not for kitchen sinks or shower heads. Slavko said this was likely becoming a standard in bathroom faucets because of a government mandate; we’ll need to research this. We also assumed that the differing levels of WaterSense adoption may be a result of different tasks. For example, one may need higher flow at a kitchen because he/she is washing dishes, whereas a high flow rate is not required to wash hands in the bathroom sink. We’ll need to research the cause of this discrepancy. We also need to understand the precise standards needed to obtain a WaterSense seal for a product.

Slavko then helped us develop our design strategy. He commented that as we discover more major players in the fixture lifestyle, we may want to try to design an approach for each audience, creating an environment for change. An example would be increase awareness among end users, make laws that guide manufacturers, and modify the retail environment. With this type of strategy, the environment will naturally encourage each stakeholder to adopt more conservative behavior.

With this in mind, Slavko also raised a number of questions:

1. Can we create entry points into behavior change?
2. What local, state, or national laws must be in place?
3. What are the current laws that govern flow standards?
4. Are women really the decision makers?
5. Have we talked with a designer?
6. How do we prompt political action?
7. How did Walmart change the light bulb standard?
8. Look at the difference in washing machines and other appliances in U.S. vs Europe.
9. Who are the largest water consumers in Philadelphia? Restaurants, laundromats, car washing businesses?
10. Is the household the most effective audience to focus on?

Meeting “take-aways”:

Research government mandate regarding WaterSense and bathroom faucets. Research the cause for varying adoption rates of WaterSense standards among different types of fixtures. Understand the precise standards needed to obtain a WaterSense seal for a product. Find research to address questions raised; this will allow us to understand the issues on a larger scale.