Lets Talk Abaout Water: Changing Citizen Behavior Through Participatory Data by Jose Duarte Quitian

Bogotá Faces a Water Crisis

Since 2024, Bogotá has been facing a water crisis: the reservoirs supplying water to the city have reached historically low levels. In response, the city government implemented rationing measures and issued general recommendations for water conservation, based on data that did not always resonate with people.

Change Through Data-Driven Conversations

At EasyDataViz, we believe that change arises from horizontal conversations where people exchange experiences based on their realities. That’s why, together with the Bogotá Cultural Observatory, we designed a public space intervention to spark citizen conversations about responsible water use through data, beyond government spaces.

An Exchange for Transformation

The intervention invited people to share their most useful water-saving tips by writing them on cards and placing them on a matrix that classified actions based on how easy and quick they were to implement. This approach promoted collective learning, where citizens shared proven strategies from their households, fostering behavior change based on real experiences.

Debunking Myths with Data

We presented visualized data that challenged common beliefs, such as the idea that the washing machine is the biggest water consumer in the home, when in fact it’s the shower. This approach allowed people to connect their habits with concrete information, facilitating a clearer understanding of their consumption.

A Design Inspired by Everyday Life

The device’s design used plastic market baskets, everyday items that added modularity and versatility to the space. We transformed the area into a “store” where facilitators, dressed as vendors with aprons, conducted a symbolic exchange: for every water-saving tip, participants received a piece of fruit.

Intergenerational Conversations in Public Spaces

The intervention took place in Simón Bolívar Park during Bogotá’s birthday celebration and a music festival, creating spaces for intergenerational conversations. Children, young people, and older adults shared knowledge, demonstrating how traditional wisdom, passed down through generations, remains key in times of crisis.

Democratizing Change Through Data-Driven Play

In a city with one of the highest water costs in the country, the intervention combined data literacy and play. This approach democratized information, strengthened citizen awareness, and highlighted that change begins by sharing and learning together.