Waterworld: New design encourages thoughtful use of water

Considered design is helping to improve awareness of our consumption of limited resources. David Weatherhead’s new water-powered timers, shown at the 2008 London Design Festival, encourage a more efficient use of water and energy by making users aware of how long they spend in the bathroom.

The hanging shower timer is a hooked water container with a small hole in its base that dispenses water for five minutes – the maximum amount of time one should spend in the shower before a bath becomes more water and energy efficient. The toothbrush cup uses a similar principle to encourage good dental habits, dispensing a precise amount of water to measure the length of time one should spend brushing his or her teeth – any more and the brushing becomes counterproductive.

As they represent time in what Weatherhead calls ‘the wet environment’, the designs serve to make consumers aware of their use of natural resources while also helping those who want to keep track of the rising costs of utilities.