This document discusses using ambient information systems to change water use behavior. It describes how water consumption technology has progressed from analog meters to integrated smart controllers and ambient information services. Ambient information systems can subtly convey information about water usage and goals to influence individual behavior without distraction. A proposed ambient water information system would provide data on individual usage, pricing, and system demands to users to reduce consumption and optimize stormwater control usage. Intelligent digital agents could also help automate decisions to achieve user resource goals and preferences.

1. USING AMBIENT INFORMATION
SYSTEMS TO CHANGE WATER USE
BEHAVIOR
Marcus Quigley, P.E.
Geosyntec Consultants
Brookline, MA

2. Initial Research
Real-Time Tide Gate Retrofit for Salt Mash Restoration
Patent # 60/850,600 and 11/869,927

3. Real-Time and Dynamic Control for
Combination Rainwater Harvesting and
Low Impact Development Management
Systems

4. Conventional Harvesting System
Roof Runoff
Site
Impervious
Runoff
Irrigation
Harvesting System
Infiltration
Stream
Detention/Infiltration System

5. Combination Detention/Infiltration/Harvesting
System
Roof Runoff
Site
Impervious
Runoff
Irrigation
Tight Tank Controlled
Valves
Stream
Infiltration

6. Controlled
Green Roofs for
Seismic/Wind
Load Damping
Snap back test model set up
Shake table model set up
From - M.O. Carmody, M. Jasarevic, P. Omenzetter, G.C. Clifton &
E. A. Fassman, 2009

7. Need to integrate forecast information into
distributed real-time control systems.
What is the least expensive means for
getting data from the Internet into the field
for real-time control?

8. Ambient Information Systems
•Move digital information “off the screen
into the physical environment,
manifesting itself as subtle changes in
form, movement, sound, color, smell,
temperature, or light. Ambient displays
are well suited as a means to keep
users aware of… general states of
large systems…”
(Ishii et al:, 1998)

9. Ambient Information Systems
•“Ambient displays have the ambitious
goal of presenting information without
distracting or burdening the user.”
(Mankoff et al. 2003)

10. Ambient Information in Electric
Power Use/Grid Feedback

11. Water Consumption Technology
Progression
 Analog Meters
 Digital Meters
 Automated Meter Reading
 Fixed Data Collection Networks/AMI
 Web Access
 Online Dashboards/Hardware
Dashboards
 Integrated Smart Controllers/Self-
Organizing Networks
 Ambient Information Services
 Intelligent Agents

12. Data
Information
Knowledge
Wisdom

13. Ann Arbor, MI
 Web Access

14. Boston, MA
 Web Access

15. Ambient Water Information Systems
Target Outcomes
Information Conveyed to
Goal
Individual
Individual feedback on weekly Reductions in consumptive use and
Reduce
cumulative water use, water changes in timing of use as a
Consumptive
pricing data, and/or system result of feedback and awareness
Use Waste
of impacts.
demand. Information regarding
irrigation consumption best
practice based on weather
and/or climatic data. Indicating
and alerting individuals to
changes in local regulatory
actions relative to consumptive
use such as irrigation bans.
Information on how to optimize use of Optimal use of Rain Barrels or other
Optimize Storm
storm water controls that require controls which require operator
Water Control
individual participation (e.g., rain control and decision making (e.g.,
Usage
barrel, blue roof, or cistern drain or leave full) for volume
management). control in urbanized areas.
Information regarding receiving water Consumptive use changes based on
Reduce CSO
quality and CSO status in direct impacts on receiving waters.
Impacts
combined sewer areas. These could include but are not
limited to timing or other decisions
about consumptive use and
decisions about waste water

17. Water Beacon System Design
Water Information Server
•Account Information
•Conservation Targets
•Water Bans/Alerts
•Watch/Warning Source Data (e.g., CSO)
•Telemetry Data (e.g., gauge data, flow)
•Real-Time Modeling (e.g., Streeter-Phelps)
Color and Animation Data to Ambient Devices Servers

18. With Permission - Copyright Ambient Devices © 2008

19. With Permission - Copyright Ambient Devices © 2008

20. With Permission - Copyright Ambient Devices © 2008

21. With Permission - Copyright Ambient Devices © 2008

22. Intelligent Digital Agents
 Express intents and values
 Express cost sensitivity
 Agents manage resources and decisions to
achieve intents and values
 Example
 Washing machines or dishwashers could be
deferred to times when use fits the individuals
desired resource consumption intent
 Irrigation controllers optimize user intents
 Reuse – balancing competing interests

23. Empowering the Consumer
 Enable trading markets between consumers
 Collective bargaining between consumers and
bond holders
 What will the role of utilities be?
 Fundamental link between policy and technology

24. Thank You!
mquigley@geosyntec.com
Presentation will be posted on
LinkedIn/SlideShare
www.linkedin.com/in/marcusquigley