Waterpebble gets water-wasters out of the shower

March 10, 2010 6:00 AM PST

by Leslie Katz
(Credit: Priestmangoode)

It's easy to lose track of how long your shower's getting--especially when it's 10 degrees out and the only thing that roused you from bed was the vision of a steamy cascade of water. Well, Waterpebble is here to guilt you out of your wasteful ways.

The little round device monitors water going down the drain. It records the length of your first Waterpebble shower and uses that as a benchmark, then indicating via a series of gently flashing "traffic lights" when you need to get out of the shower already! Green tells you to start showering, amber means you're halfway through, and red means you should get ready to brave the icy air. (Wait, where's the light that tells you to stop singing before everyone in the house suffers permanent hearing loss?)

Anyway, each time you shower, Waterpebble automatically reduces your bathing time by a fraction, helping you to save water--and hopefully money.

(Credit: Priestmangoode) Paul Priestman, director of U.K. design firm Priestmangoode, got the idea for Watterpebble from a hotel bathroom sign encouraging guests to use water sparingly.

The battery will last for four to six months with average use and cannot be reused, but Waterpebble can be broken apart once it's washed up and the plastics and electronics separated and recycled. The gadget costs about $5, plus shipping.

Most posters to Waterpebble's site like the idea: "The guilt trip works, already saving five minutes;" "It's like a little disco each time I have a shower! Looking forward to my next water bill..."

But at least one poster thinks Watterpebble works against its green aims: "First of all, natural resources are wasted for the production of it, secondly you don't need it, and last but not least, recycling it is also bad for the environment. Instead, take your water-resistant watch with you and check how much time you need under the shower, then the next time just use half of the time."

What do you think? Does Priestman's idea float?
?
Six-core Intel CPU debuts in Falcon Northwest Mach V
Motion-aware phones may be your new nemesis Add a Comment (Log in or register) Showing 1 of 2 pages (44 Comments) prev 1 2 next by Random_Walk March 10, 2010 6:39 AM PST
Kinda useful in states where water is an actual (and very real) concern (e.g. Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, California), but I doubt it flies very far up here in the Pacific Northwest (where in most places up here, water is definitely, absolutely, certainly, holy-crap-I'm-not-kidding, not a problem).
Like this Reply to this comment 2 people like this comment
by MEPace March 10, 2010 10:39 AM PST
I live in the desert in Richland, Washington, we get about 6 inches of rain a year. Not all of the Pacific Northwest is a moderate wet climate. I'm in an irrigation district and have to pay for the water I use to water my lawn. This winter was a mild winter here despite what the rest of the country experienced and the snow pack may end up being lower than average in the Cascade mountains and I wouldn't be surprised if my irrigation water gets cut off or restricted due to the need for rationing, it's happened in the past.
Like this by getwired March 10, 2010 10:55 AM PST
Include Texas in the list of "should care about it" states - but honestly, even Seattle is probably headed into a drought this summer, due to the warm weather it's had.

I like the spirit of this invention, but it has the following problems:

a) It should just have a default setting (or a couple), rather than basing it upon the initial shower "control".
b) the battery should be replaceable. It's not just silly, but downright bizarre, for a product that aims to deliver "green" to in and of itself be of limited lifespan and be disposable in this way. Wasteful.
c) Really - how hard is it to buy a $5 travel alarm clock and put it in the bathroom if you're _that_ forgetful that your shower has switched from short -> relaxing -> wasteful?
Like this by WVaBound March 10, 2010 1:03 PM PST
Wasting water's not a problem for you if you shower outdoors in the rain. Otherwise, you're wasting resources damming rivers, treating and distributing water.
Like this by jaguar717 March 10, 2010 1:04 PM PST
2 questions: Do Rahm and his Chicago Machine thugs show up to tell you to get out?

And what do you guys think is being "saved" or "conserved? It's not like watering your lawn...100% of the water goes down the drain, and what do you think happens to it? It just disappears?

Water costs about 10 cents per hundred gallons, and that's after all the gov't taxes and "fees".
Like this 1 person likes this comment
by Random_Walk March 10, 2010 1:35 PM PST
Eastern WA (and Eastern OR) I can agree about - it gets a tad dry out that way (which is why I put in the proviso of "most" :) ). That said, why do you, in a desert, have a lawn?

Don't get me wrong, I've lived in desert areas before myself, but I went out of my way to make sure the front yard was as xeriscaped as possible (that is, almost all native plants and trees, drought-hardy grasses, and as little watering as possible). Most of Utah for instance has two types of water: Culinary, and "secondary". The first type is like water that most folks get. The second type is what you water the yard, wash your car, etc. with... you pay a flat fee for the stuff per acre (at a price determined each year), and it comes from catch-basins along the mountainsides and fronts. Here's the trick - once it runs out, it simply runs out, and you do without until next year's snow melt.

As for the rest? Seriously, the only reason we dam the Columbia River isn't for drinking water - we do it for electricity.

Water at large? Unlike most resources, it does recycle very, very nicely. OTOH, when you pack way too many people into an area that doesn't have enough water to sustain the population? Well, you're going to have to deal with the shortages, the insane water rights laws, and the high cost of the stuff... or, well, move.
Like this by george_liquor March 10, 2010 2:46 PM PST
Don't forget: You're not just paying for the water, you're paying for the energy (gas or electricity) to heat that water.

Like this 1 person likes this comment
by cspyker444 March 10, 2010 6:53 AM PST
I like the idea of the device. I do not like how the designer has created a device that I cannot open and replace the battery on. This seeems very wasteful (recycle or not) and seems like a GREAT way for the designer to have a device that keeps sellings. So were they looking out for their own pocket or the earth?
Like this Reply to this comment 7 people like this comment
by yanchineseguy March 10, 2010 10:01 AM PST
I'm thinking the reason the battery is not replaceable is because it needs to be water-tight. Even if it was designed with a water tight seal, I doubt that the seal would be able to stay water tight for too long after the first open. Also, creating a reusable tight water seal also probably cost more.

Like this 1 person likes this comment
by digit1001 March 10, 2010 7:01 AM PST
Better idea...integrate a timer into a showerhead that shuts off after a set amount of time....

You're welcome.

Send your royalty check to me here.
Like this Reply to this comment by scrubbingbubbles March 10, 2010 7:09 AM PST
Or you are just unable to control the temp after a certain time. Stay in too long and you have to deal with blasting cold water and a bad case of the shrinky dinks!
Like this 9 people like this comment
by Super2online March 10, 2010 7:57 AM PST
I like the idea of a shower head with timer that overrides the hot and cold controls when your time is up. Cold water is a lot harder to deal with than cold air!
Like this 2 people like this comment
by disco-legend-zeke March 11, 2010 4:43 AM PST
Or just use a 20 gallon hot water heater. After a few minutes the water starts getting gradually cooler and cooler.
Like this by Punster61 March 10, 2010 7:11 AM PST
Just because your water is "not a problem" doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to conserve water! That's pretty much like saying, "There is no fuel problem, my tank is full." Stop and think!
Like this Reply to this comment 3 people like this comment
by firaider March 10, 2010 7:15 AM PST
I think Random_Walk was referring to the amount of rain they receive.
Like this 2 people like this comment
by qpzmal1029 March 10, 2010 8:13 AM PST
It's not like someone living in an area with abundant clean fresh water can efficiently or cheaply send it to other parts of the world where they need it. Being wasteful is never good, but forcing someone to conserve something that is eternally abundant is kinda silly. It's not the same as oil.
Like this 5 people like this comment
by tipoo_ March 10, 2010 7:25 AM PST
But can it differentiate water from urine? If I step in the shower with a "full tank", so to speak, I don't want that going towards my overall count!
Like this Reply to this comment 10 people like this comment
by Super2online March 10, 2010 7:51 AM PST
Ok, that was funny, and I'm one that added to your thumbs up count but, I'm wondering if you would step into a puddle of your own pee on the floor since you obviously don't mind it on your feet?
Like this 1 person likes this comment
by FargoUT March 10, 2010 3:05 PM PST
@ Super2online:

That's why you pee in the shower, where it goes down the drain and you can wash your feet after. Plus, rumor has it that peeing on your feet keeps athlete's foot at bay.
Like this 1 person likes this comment
by gerrrg March 10, 2010 7:26 AM PST
The best way to encourage efficiency, is to raise prices, then use that excess government income to give to consumers to purchase more efficient products.
Like this Reply to this comment by Jeromy1234 March 10, 2010 8:26 AM PST
Real Nice, Give even more money to the government. Yeah Right.

Sorry Pal, it isn't my place to buy more efficient products for you!!!!!!

Leacher
Like this 5 people like this comment
by eolson1001 March 10, 2010 8:34 AM PST
Great! Another example of Robin Hood taking from the 'rich' to give to the 'poor'. Enough already! I don't want government in my bathroom telling me how many flushes I can have a day or how long a shower I can take and you shouldn't either! The United States of America used to be the 'land of the free and the brave', but now we are a bunch of wusses who want the government to regulate EVERY PART of our lives. What the heck is wrong with people these days?!?

Water is a renewable resource, at least in most of the country. It rains and we use that water for our needs. It's not like we use it up and it goes away forever!
Like this 8 people like this comment
by gerrrg March 10, 2010 11:43 AM PST
@eolson1001 -

"Water is a renewable resource, at least in most of the country. It rains and we use that water for our needs. It's not like we use it up and it goes away forever!"

-Renewable doesn't mean it's equally available everywhere; talk about being clueless.

"Another example of Robin Hood taking from the 'rich' to give to the 'poor'."

You don't have to use 100,000 gallons of water. Half a brain would tell you that.
Like this by gerrrg March 10, 2010 11:49 AM PST
@Jeromy1234

Yeah, and what about that 15% tax bracket for capital gains, which means that millionaires and billionaires getting most of their income from capital gains, pay at a lower tax rate than 95% of all Americans?
Like this by NRGspot March 10, 2010 7:27 AM PST
Great idea? but not having a replaceable battery is contradictory. http://nrgspot.com
Like this Reply to this comment 2 people like this comment
by mike_ekim March 10, 2010 11:12 AM PST
Yeah, a removable cover with a rubber gasket would be a nice feature.
Like this by jmcdon00 March 10, 2010 7:27 AM PST
I won't be buying this, it looks like a waste of money. Clever idea though. I would like to see a variation of it that doesn't require a battery and therefore would last for ever. Maybe a cylinder that very slowly allows water in, and when it's full your shower is up.
Like this Reply to this comment 1 person likes this comment
by mike_ekim March 10, 2010 11:12 AM PST
Or something that you screw in between the shower head and pipe, that would be powered by the flowing water.
Like this by fbcx March 10, 2010 7:30 AM PST
OK for tub showers I guess, but a definite obstacle in a single purpose shower stall with a central drain. Stepping on that thing sitting on the gorund in the middle of the shhower with soap in your eyes could lead to some nasty falls.
Like this Reply to this comment 4 people like this comment
by tek-ed March 10, 2010 8:49 AM PST
Yeah! I can see how this can be a money *MAKING* device! Step on it in the shower and *SUE* the maker for millions! Instant savings!
Like this by Remo_Williams March 10, 2010 8:14 AM PST
"Hi, I need a battery-powered piece of plastic to help me determine if I'm using too much water. I can't tell time or determine if my hot water heater is too high, and ironically I earn a living that would astonish you. Please invent something to tell me if I've used twenty extra gallons of water. Also, invent something to tell me how much electricity I use at home, and maybe even my room temperature."

--#
Like this Reply to this comment 2 people like this comment
by TX-Sunset March 10, 2010 8:48 AM PST
I think it is a bad idea and agree that it is a waste of resources. It is like the V-Chip in TVs. People do not want to take responsibility for their own actions (or lack there of, apparently) so they have to go buy some gadget that will do it for them. Is it that hard to limit yourself to a 5 min shower?
Like this Reply to this comment 2 people like this comment
by tek-ed March 10, 2010 8:48 AM PST
Where did this inventor graduate from? The Apple school of "batteries cannot be replaced so you need to throw the device away"?
This is a joke, right? I have 3 showers in my house. That's $30/year in these devices. That's 10% of my total cost for water for the entire year! Why would I do that? To save perhaps ten bucks? yeah, right...that's not fiscally responsible!

Like this Reply to this comment by george_liquor March 10, 2010 2:49 PM PST
I was wondering when the Apple-bashing would begin.
Like this 2 people like this comment
by pw1y March 10, 2010 9:15 AM PST
Buying this device is like telling everyone that you are a bloody moron. Keep recycling and buying new cars. You moron!

Like this Reply to this comment by c|net Reader March 10, 2010 9:24 AM PST
The passive nature of the device makes it a non-starter. If it doesn't cause the water to begin backing up (by restricting the drain), the water temperature to drop, or make annoying noise, it isn't likely to cause a change in behavior for those not already inclined to reduce their time in the shower. For such people, a clock near the shower or a waterproof clock or watch in the shower should suffice, assuming they can tell time and subtract.

Like this Reply to this comment by jimfrankanderson March 10, 2010 9:36 AM PST
Why not just put a real pebble in the drain? When the water reaches your ankles, its time to get out.

Like this Reply to this comment 1 person likes this comment
by hashref March 10, 2010 9:44 AM PST
The need something like this for the entire bathroom. Why in the heck is she in there for so long!!!

Like this Reply to this comment 1 person likes this comment
by ReubenET March 10, 2010 12:40 PM PST
How nasty will a little plastic ball next to your drain get after sitting there for four to six months? I say 'YUCK' to you, sir!

Like this Reply to this comment by Proud_Geek March 10, 2010 2:15 PM PST
It would be more useful if it included an audio chip & speakers, and was programmed to - after a set length of time - hurl insults at you regarding your crooked wee-wee or flappy hoo-haa.

Like this Reply to this comment by phyvyn_the_dude March 10, 2010 2:16 PM PST
cmon - we dont live in a world of perfect people. i love this except for the battery thing. guys cant you just charge a buck more for a usb interface? usb should be the gold stand for everything anyways. tell everyone that dont know better to clean and dry the device before opening the charger port...

Like this Reply to this comment by thinkerofstuff March 10, 2010 2:59 PM PST
I personalty think that this a cool and novel idea that (even if mildly) will succeed.

Comment

I have a buddy who lives in Texas and invented a device that goes between the outlet pipe and the shower head that allows you to set the water to whatever temp you want and it will reciculate the water until it reaches that temp, and then release it. It saves that gallon that we usually waste before getting in the shower to let the water warm up to our preference. It also might be cool to have it measure ten or twelve gallons and then cut off, whatever you set it on.