The Evolution of Tap
In the spring of 2018, tap embarked on a mission to eliminate the single-use plastic water bottle. The company was founded on the idea that water is a human right, we must democratize access to clean drinking water worldwide, and technology can be utilized to enable anyone to fulfill their basic physiological human need for water. It was also founded on the knowledge that almost a billion people worldwide do not have access to clean drinking water, and the search to obtain that water largely disenfranchises women and children by limiting their access to the workforce and education. Furthermore, the transport of packaged water is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, while the broken recycling system makes packaged water one of the largest contributors to pollution in oceans, waterways, and landfills worldwide.
In October 2018, we launched an app in conjunction with a social media campaign. We logged over 50,000 Authorized Refill Stations worldwide, from eco-friendly cafes and restaurants, to businesses and public fountains that provide clean, safe drinking water. We used app-based mapping technology to create the âGoogle Maps for Waterâ and put this information into the hands of anyone who downloaded our free app. At the same time, we launched a social media movement, and called for individuals to #DrinkDifferent and complete a 30-day challenge to refuse single-use plastic water bottles. The message of this technology and the commitment to our planet was spread by 600 influencers to a combined following of over 100 million social media users. With over 100,000 app downloads, we were hopeful to see a shift in consumer behavior towards refilling. Sadly, however, the sales of plastic water bottles continued to rise, and despite enthusiasm from a core group of users, the trend did not spread far enough, fast enough to make a significant impact towards saving our planet.
What we learned, however, sparked a new investigation -- if people have the knowledge of the harms of plastic for their body and the planet, a reusable bottle, and the knowledge of where to refill in the palm of their hand -- why would they choose to purchase single-use plastic water bottles? We conducted a grassroots investigation to listen to consumers at the ground level, and worked with community groups, business owners, local municipalities, and city governments across the world. What we found was that the biggest problem we have in putting water on the map is a fundamental mistrust of drinking sources. Before users can advocate carrying a reusable water bottle, they need to trust that when they fill that bottle up the water will be as safe and pleasant to drink as bottled water. Consumers are not willing to sacrifice taste and correctly, unwilling to sacrifice safety.
The problem is it'll take over $1 trillion to upgrade US drinking water infrastructure. So, the investment must generate a return in order to be self sustaining -- thus, we've created the world's first network of revenue generating water fountains. This is akin to LinkNYC kiosks (Free Wifi), or Volta (Free electricity for Electric Vehicles) but for water.
Tap Unveils a Revenue Generating Smart Water Fountain
The Tap Refill Station is the worldâs only refill kiosk to offer free, filtered water, connected to the Internet that will provide information back to users regarding the location and quality of the water. The Tap Refill Station combines a computer with our most precious commodity, enabling a platform through which information regarding water contents can be obtained easily. Furthermore, by combining water with a digital display, we are able to provide this service for free -- the cost of water is only the userâs attention, while revenue generated can fund water or health related community impact projects. At the most micro level, for cities and small businesses alike, the Tap Refill Station offers a way to break free from the revenue trap created by the sales of single-use plastic water bottles. At the macro level, Tap Refill Stations represent a trusted brand, so that regardless of where you are in the world, seeing the iconic big blue box will let you know that you have found clean, safe Tap water.
Currently, the Tap Refill Station connects to an existing water supply line and uses a 3 step filtration process. The digital screen provides an opportunity for advertisers to share their brand message while enabling communities to lower carbon emissions and achieve sustainability goals. In the future, we will upgrade our Refill Station hardware with greater filtration capacity, including lead-removal systems, sensors for feedback to provide cities with information regarding density statistics and water usage in order to provide even greater public utility. Furthermore, while our app software currently documents drinking infrastructure, we will upgrade it to include even more information to establish faith in the Tap drinking network, including the water quality information of any given location, filtration systems across the network, the price for water at points worldwide, and the status of a given refill point.
Tapâs mission to eliminate the single-use plastic water bottle will be achieved by reestablishing faith in the drinking water system, bringing together water, advanced filtration, the internet, corporate sponsors, and community partnerships in the form of a trusted brand recognized across the globe.
When youâre looking for the best water, drink Tap.