Frequently Asked Questions
What is AquaShares?
AquaShares is a platform that empowers families and firms like you to market and monetize your water savings through a voluntary online marketplace linked to your utility.
Where did AquaShares come from?
The most durable societies – from Bali, to Oman, to Spain, to Africa’s Kalahari Bushmen – all share water through a proven local exchange system, after which AquaShares has been modelled.
Does enrollment cost me anything?
Earning, donating and trading your water savings is free if you have a meter and your utility permits you access to AquaShares, which collects a small percentage of each transaction.
Do I have to participate?
Your enrollment is completely voluntary, and you can opt out at any time, should you wish to let others use your share of water.
How is my ‘AquaMark’ baseline for water savings set?
AquaShares establishes your equitable earning threshold based on your average usage during the most recent years, which is then seasonally adjusted by weather, temperature, and broken out over 365 days.
Doesn’t that give heavy users an unfair advantage?
Families or firms that traditionally use higher volumes of water have invested more heavily in the water system, paying more than others over time through higher service rates and hookup fees.
If I don’t use very much, should I bother enrolling in AquaShares?
Even the most frugal water users discover ways to reduce demand when given proper data, tools and incentives; indoor water is valuable because every gallon saved also reduces energy and pollution.
Who or what will buy my AquaShares?
Based on conversations, we’ve found California governments, foundations, local businesses, industries, farms and neighboring families all express interest in reducing overall water use, achieving water usage neutrality, and offsetting demand.
What if I don’t want to buy or sell my water savings?
Participation is voluntary, yet rather than allow new development by strangers to use up your savings, you may wish to ensure it remains in rivers and aquifers by donating your AquaShares to nature.
Don’t we already buy our water through meters?
Actually, and surprisingly, no. Your meter helps distribute the proportional costs of service provision: skilled labor, energy, chemicals, pumps, pipes, distribution and treatment infrastructure. But water itself has been free.
What’s in it for AquaShares?
As a trusted independent broker, AquaShares teams up with water utilities and institutions to unlock water’s scarcity value, lower social tensions, enhance community engagement, and reduce water related vulnerabilities and exposure to risks; like our colleagues in the sharing economy, we earn a small fee from engagement and voluntary transactions.
So who should we contact with questions or issues — you or our utility?
Your utility will continue to handle all matters related to the physical infrastructure and billing for water provision; AquaShares will cover all questions and issues related to your online water earnings.