What if our city had a bountiful resource that could save money, promote healthy habits, and reduce plastic waste?
The good news?
This resource already exists and it comes right from the tap.
Philadelphia’s tap water, which meets (and in some cases, even exceeds) federal safety standards, is cheaper than bottled water and doesn’t rely on disposable plastic.
The bad news?
Tap water may be Philadelphia’s most underutilized resource. Approximately forty percent of residents say they choose bottled water—many Philadelphians perceive it as safer, prefer the taste, or find it more convenient.
We’re hoping to use technology to address those barriers and make it easier for Philadelphians to choose tap water as their beverage of choice.
Pitch & Pilot, a new program from the SmartCityPHL initiative, challenges solution providers to tell us how data, sensors, applications, and other technical solutions could help motivate and track behavior change. We’re inviting companies to pitch their ideas for helping increase the tap water’s access and appeal.
Once the application cycle closes, the program’s working group will select one of the ideas and award the winner up to $34,000 to pilot the solution.
Here’s what we’re asking:
- How can technology help Philadelphians choose tap water over bottled water?
- Are there existing solutions that can be adapted or modified to closely target our goals?
- Where can we test new ideas?
- What can we learn from a pilot?
To propose a solution, please review the full Call for Solutions and submit an application by February 27, 2020. The Office of Innovation and Technology and other City partners will work with the firm that can best meet our objectives to pilot the chosen solution through June 2020.
How will you help Philadelphia choose the tap?
