Itijah Amman February 2013
The i-tap/i-shower concept is a simple technical tool to help
with water conservation. The system itself is a water saving
technique that shows tap/shower/water consumption in terms of
litres used as well as the cost implications associated with that
consumption. The prototype calls for an installed sensor to read
the flow of water through your taps and shower, which will be
highlighted to a screen. This screen will also provide the cost
implications based on your current usage levels
The sensor itself is not a new concept, however sourcing and
analysing data in real time and highlighting the cost implications
to the consumer directly is the new element. This new model
believes that data and information is what will create behaviour
change at the individual level. The new software will gather data
and provide statistics relating to average consumption trends with
a particular focus on the cost implications. This cost element will
be projected on the new i-tap/shower screen.
The working group are also considering creating an application
for smart phones that will demonstrate these factors, linked to the
main consumption point. The conceptual idea is that Government can
then use this new data to target policies/regulations/incentives
based on the type of usage per household.
The system will be programmed with averages, relating to
specific households and industries with the possibility of
discounts on consumer/industrial bills if your usage is within
certain limits. One of the key aims is looking to educate children
to be within city specific limits.
This solution could also be applicable to gardening/commercial
solutions by again relating consumption to a more incentivised
process that would lead to savings, awareness raising and
innovating to cost.
A trial scheme can be implemented in hotels to track consumption
before scaling the project towards a household level.
The Oasis concept is a locally situated waste water treatment
plant developed in a community space. Community ownership is at the
heart of this innovative idea, whereby it is operated by members of
the local community or a local social entrepreneur.
The working group are looking to raise awareness of solutions to
the waste water problem and create an example that can be up-scaled
into other locations.
The water treatment plant itself will have benefits at a local
community level, it will recycle water on a household level, or
also look to drive behaviour change on a public institutional level
i.e. schools &hospitals.
This concept essentially will explore the possibility of using
waste water as an input (closed cycle) into the process. Oasis
wants to make water re-use more central to the community rather
than flushing it away into the sewage system. If the system is
closed and as a community you are dependent on certain access
restrictions you will become more aware of your consumption needs.
Surplus can also be used to create green urban spaces by developing
a system of pipes to create a diverted community interaction with
nature. All of which will be in the vicinity of the local
community.
One of the key objectives is to change the idea that has been
created that water is now a commodity, and move individual thinking
back towards it being a natural resource. This is a sustainable
model designed to benefit future generations, especially as it
develops a sense of local ownerships to a global challenge.
Locally situated water purification system can add benefit for
local communities to support green spaces and natural recreation
space
In terms of piloting the idea the Oasis working group are
currently looking at using the outflow of water from local mosques
and transforming this into an input of water i.e. for gardens, with
the first pilot planned for Amman.
A market study is being prepared at present looking to identify
key stakeholders, some of which will include local community
members and experts in water issues at both local and international
levels
The key issues surrounding the issue of water scarcity are
awareness, growing finance, and lack of viable infrastructure.
There are numerous organisations donating money with the overall
aim of solving these issues, however there is no clear ownership of
these varying and competing projects. CWI has been created as a
Clean Water Investment fund to address the lack of synergy evident
amongst international water organisational projects.
CWI will act as a responsible, sustainable social invest fund,
with an overall aim of solving water access issues for all.
Investments will always be sustainable, however the group
will also eb looking to create finance. This will provide an
opportunity for SME's to invest in water solutions, which has not
been achieved on a large scale in the past. projects.
CWI will develop a social venture capital fund that will look to
attract investment from multiple sources, both conventional (water
based) and non conventional. Through focusing on worldwide social
impact investors and crowd sourcing opportunities CWI will gain
access to a wealth of knowledge and experience of individuals
tasked with creating long lasting social impact at a global
level.
CWI will look to find innovative opportunities for investment
using an entrepreneurial mechanism. There are certain investment
criteria in place will be endeavour to create the appropriate
investment funds such as;
- Investment needs to be financially viable
- Investment needs to be in the field of
water/innovation/sustainable from an environmental point of
view
- New investments must be replicable across nations
It will therefore also be developed as a percentage scheme,
whereby an investment will lead to a percentage in return. The
management company will also hold a share in the investment.
The original pilot will take place in Jordan, as the idea was
developed in the region with a particular focus on exploring new
technologies, such as nano-technology (initial pilot). CWI will
endeavour to connect knowledge and test ideas to be replicable
across countries.
This new initiative is looking to invite everyone that was part
of the Itijah Venture to participate in this investment model. An
offer has been made to the wider Itijah group to contribute £1,000
per person if they would like to invest and contribute as a
founding member of the organisation.
Water wars is an online game designed to highlight the issue of
water scarcity worldwide. it is linked to local
countries. this working group are aiming to tap into the
gaming community to enthuse them on water issues. They also hope
to introduce an element of charity into gaming by providing a
donation option. The idea will help to build a strategy and vision
around water in the youth sector.
As water is a global issue the game will segment countries based
on their water resourcing levels. Pooper water countries have more
levels, such as rainwater collection, closing leakages, waste water
plant etc. All the ideas stemming from Itijah will become a
level. Each level will hold facts on the country in which you are
playing.
This will be the first English/Arabic game of its type (water).
Water will be the initiator and the concept will develop from
there. A sustainability tool for local NGO's.
The working group are looking at developing connections with
iPark and EDARMA in Jordan initially to start scaling the new
game.
This is an innovative approach aimed
at creating a "Blue School" which will include water
issues in the school's curriculum and also possibly developing an
innovative resource centre, to which other schools could
send their students. All of the school's water practices will be
water sustainable. The working group are proposing to educate youth
on water saving initiatives through imbedding these ideas at an
early stage.
The green school idea is in use in other areas however
concentrating on one specific issue, such as water, has not been
done as yet. Trialing this will educate and help focus the younger
generation, which will speed up the process of changing individual
behaviour in respect of water issues.
The group will be talking to existing schools initially to see
can they implement some of the other groups' ideas into
practice in a school curriculum. They need to also
look at what avenues can used to bring water scarcity issues to
school goers i.e. animation, experiencing water scarcity, puppet
shows, photography competitions etc.
The group are proposing to develop a link with EDARMA who
have existing programmes for youth and university funds that
try to raise money for Jordanian specific projects through their
micro financing institute. An analysis of existing curriculum for
schools and universities will also be undertaken in its initial
phasing.
