Wait... App

Challenge: NYC sewage treatment can overflow during heavy rain events; decreasing the volume of public water usage during these events can help avoid that. Use technology to inform the public and encourage them to wait to use water until the event has passed.

Background: NYC DEP piloted a SMS-based program in 2016-2020, and wanted to expand that with mobile apps for iOS and Android. After an RFP process, they chose StudioLabs to design and build the apps. The program has successfully saved thousands of gallons of wastewater from overflowing into NYC waterways.

Approach: We performed a discovery including stakeholder interviews, user testing and feedback, feature roadmaps, and UX planning to give the easiest and most intuitive experience for NYC residents, many of whom are not tech-savvy. We drafted wireframes and then visual designs, creating animations and graphics based on existing DEP program assets. We coded the mobile app along with a web-based admin portal for DEP management, and also created an API that DEP sensors could use to trigger alerts during rain events. We QA tested internally, and then went through rounds of revisions with DEP stakeholders. We launched the app in Spring 2022 and started saving water!

Mobile app: Ionic (cross-platform, single codebase)
Admin App: Node BE, Angular FE
API: Node
Database: MS SQL Server
Hosting: MS Azure

Features:

• Users receive alerts based on their sewershed, which is defined by their home location in NYC.
• They can set or change their sewershed by manually entering their address, or by using their phone’s location feature.
• During a rain event, users can tell the app what water-use activities they plan to “Wait…” on, and then can confirm after the event.
• Based on their reporting, the app tracks how many gallons of water they’ve saved, and displays graphics based on that.
• Users can define when they are willing to receive Wait… notifications and set do-not-disturb hours.
• They can easily click to share the app with friends and neighbors via SMS or email.
• The app provides info at their fingertips about the Wait… program, the DEP, and NYC waterways and conservation programs.

Admin Features:

• View app users by list or location.
• Track water conservation with graphs and data lists.
• Send notifications to users in one or multiple sewersheds.
• Create forms and collect feedback about the app and the Wait… program.