St. Johns River Water Management District and Ocala partner on WaterSmart program

PALATKA, FL  – The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and the city of Ocala are partnering on a one-year pilot project that could result in a 5 percent water savings by participating water users.

The District has committed $75,000 to the WaterSmart pilot project in Ocala. The WaterSmart program utilizes social norms in conjunction with comprehensive data analytics and targeted messaging to modify water use behavior.

Five thousand of Ocala’s residential customers will participate in the pilot program and receive mobile, email and print reports that provide consumption details and targeted water savings recommendations. By educating residential customers on their uses of water and ways to conserve, WaterSmart Software has been proven to improve water-use efficiency.

“Water conservation is a key component of protecting water resources in Marion County,” said the District’s North Central Florida Water Initiative Leader Lou Donnangelo. “We are working diligently to identify and implement prevention and recovery strategies to protect Silver Springs and other waterways.”

“Any and all projects that can assist in understanding the role we all have in the state of Florida to collaborate, conserve and protect the natural resources which are vital to our existence, the better we can manage the water that we have,” said Ocala’s Director of Water Resources, Jeff Halcomb. “The WaterSmart project is not just another tool in the tool box; it is a specific program that we believe will drive awareness and lower water demand.”

“WaterSmart applauds the St. Johns River Water Management District for its foresight and willingness to invest in new technological approaches to data-driven water management,” said Robin Gilthorpe, CEO of WaterSmart Software. “While Florida has unique water challenges stemming from population growth, the District recognizes the most cost-effective solutions to these issues begin with greater data transparency to inform ongoing investments that result in more resilient water systems.”

WaterSmart has partnerships with more than 40 water utilities nationally and has verified nearly 2 billion gallons of water saved through its programs.

WaterSmart Software provides intelligence beyond the meter to make the lives of water utility managers easier. Water providers using WaterSmart’s cloud-based, customer self-service and engagement platform have been proven to reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction by more than 25%. WaterSmart is a winner of the globally coveted World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers Award for their potential to “significantly impact business and society through the design, development and implementation of new technologies and innovation.” Come help us change the way the world uses water. 

Ali Barsamian, WaterSmart Software – (415-366-8622 x 819): abarsamian@watersmart.com