Detroit’s Water
A service addressing the issues of water use and shutoffs in low-income Detroit communities, by facilitating resource mobility through neighborhood based water centers
Sustainable Use
The use of water by the average homeowner is incredibly high and the opportunity to reduce waste and increase water efficiency is large and attainable with greater conscientiousness and intention in home resource management
The Problem
For individuals struggling financially, water shutoffs have become a critical issue for homeowners to maintain hygiene, comfort, and dignity. As water and sewage bills rise for residents, Detroit communities are facing a struggle to receive this fundamental resource
Context
Considering the context of Detroit, neighborhoods contain large amounts of vacant and abandoned homes as well as deal with the ramifications of intense rainfall and even flooding
Community Connecting
through a number of sessions meeting with local residents in Detroit’s neighborhoods, we gained a more intimate perspective on the issue, the pain points of stakeholders, what resonates in approaches to a solution, and overall how to efficiently empathize with our key user
Design Solution
To combat local water issues our service was brought to the neighborhoods themselves through the formation of Blue Houses. These are repurposed abandoned homes in a Detroit neighborhood that serve as bases from which water is harvested sustainably and residents can benefit from its facilities and water distribution.
Blue House
By repurposing abandoned houses, we have the infrastructure to create a block base to harvest water, host water-based facilities, and provide aid to homeowners in need of water in their own residence. Ultimately Blue Houses serve to unify, dignify, and support residents through their water use.
Blue House harvesting service map
Repurposing
The abundance of abandoned and unclaimed houses serve as opportunities to host our water support centers without needing to build from the ground up. This can also be applied to community buildings as well such as churches as recommended by the residents themselves.
Emergency User Map
All neighborhood residents are to benefit from the Blue House services, the “emergency user” however relies on it. In the case of a shutoff, residents can visit their local Blue House for its facilities as well as request a water container for personal use in their own residence.
