Illustration of an expert conversation.
Understand
Water Matters
Explore conversations and ideas from people working to understand water.
Find Water Matters in the app.
LET’S LOOK TOGETHER
A clear answer, with more to explore.
Start with a place you care about. Water Savvy helps you read what the information says about its water. You can start with a quick view, then look closer when you want to know more.
Start with the words.
The condition gives you a simple starting point. In this sample, the word is Excellent.
Read the score with it.
The score adds detail to the condition. Read them together, then open See proof to find out what shaped the result.
See where it comes from.
Look at the sources and dates. Open See everything to explore the measurements and the benchmarks used to review them.
Some information may be missing or older than other records. Look for gaps and differences between records, too.
See How Water Savvy WorksLOOK BEHIND THE SCORE
Open “See proof” to explore what shaped this result.
MEET BUBBLE
Understanding your waters starts with a question.
Why is the lake green? What does that water term mean? Sometimes, one answer leads to another question.
Meet Bubble, the AI assistant in Water Savvy. Ask about something you’ve noticed or want to understand. Bubble helps explain water topics in everyday language, with a little humor along the way.
You don’t need to know the science or find the right words. Start with what you’re wondering.
Chat with Bubble!
Your water expert, on call
Wade
9:22 AM
Why is the lake water I am swimming in green?
Bubble
9:22 AM
Sifting through the water… and the nonsense!
Ask Bubble about your water…
Bubble
Water Savvy AI assistant
Excerpt from a Bubble conversation
Edited example
The green hue in your lake water is most likely due to the presence of algae, specifically a type known as phytoplankton.
These microscopic, plant-like organisms love to throw a party when conditions are just right. Think warm temperatures, plenty of sunlight, and an abundance of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. It’s like an all-you-can-eat buffet for algae, and they RSVP in droves.
Read Bubble’s full answerClose Bubble’s full answer
Here are a few reasons why your lake might be looking like a giant bowl of pea soup:
- Nutrient Runoff: Fertilizers from nearby agricultural fields or lawns can wash into the lake, providing a feast for algae. It’s like sending out free pizza coupons to the entire neighborhood.
- Warm Weather: Algae thrive in warm water, so a hot summer day is basically their version of a beach vacation.
- Stagnant Water: If the water isn’t moving much, it creates a perfect environment for algae to multiply. It’s like a lazy river, but with more chlorophyll.
- Pollution: Sometimes, pollution from sewage or industrial waste can contribute to algal blooms. Not exactly the kind of spa treatment you were hoping for.
While a little algae is normal and even beneficial for aquatic ecosystems, too much can lead to problems like reduced oxygen levels in the water, which can harm fish and other aquatic life. Plus, some types of algae can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals.
If the lake looks like it’s been taken over by the Jolly Green Giant, it may be best to stay on dry land.
Always check current local advisories before taking a dip. If in doubt, consult your local environmental or public-health authority.
For illustration only. Examples shown do not represent live readings or alerts. Water conditions change, and the information you see will depend on your location, available sources, and when those sources were updated. Check dates and local guidance before making decisions about water use or safety.
ONE NEW EVERYDAY HABIT
Make knowing your waters part of your life.
You check the weather before heading out. Water can become part of that routine, too.
Look up the lake before a family visit. Read about the water supplied to your home. Return to a place you care about and see what information is new.
As you learn what to look for, checking your waters gets easier. You have more to draw on the next time you make plans or ask a question.
ALL THE WATERS OF YOUR LIFE
Water Intelligence, Made Useful.
Water fills your glass, grows your food, and helps make the things you use. It matters to your home, your work, and your community.
Water Savvy helps you explore the information available about these waters and what it means for your life.
Drinking Water
Find information about your water supply and learn what questions to ask.
Explore Drinking Water
Recreation Water
Check reports and local notices for the beaches, lakes, and rivers you visit.
Explore Recreation Water
Agricultural Water
Explore how water connects the farms, food, and waterways around your community.
Industrial Water
Learn how local industries depend on water and share it with the communities around them.
Treated Water
Understand how used water is treated and where it goes next, including when it is used again.
Water Savvy Reaches You.
Explore your waters in the app. Get updates by email and through notifications on your phone. Text and WhatsApp updates are coming soon.
Stay connected to your waters in ways that fit your day.
Water Savvy app
Available now. Explore the waters and places you care about.
Phone notifications and email updates
Phone notifications: Available nowEmail updates: Available now
Text messages and WhatsApp
Text messages: Coming soonWhatsApp: Coming soon
WATER SPOTTERS
The waters you know can help others know more.
A favorite beach. The creek near your home. A shoreline you walk every week. You may notice changes that others haven’t seen.
Take a photo in the Water Savvy app or choose one from your gallery. Add where it was taken and, if you know it, when.
Your photos help Water Savvy gather more views of the waters around us. They can help others see a place before they visit, notice changes, and know what questions to ask.
You don’t need to be a water expert. Start with a place you know and share what you see.
For illustration only. Examples shown do not represent live readings or alerts. Water conditions change, and the information you see will depend on your location, available sources, and when those sources were updated. Check dates and local guidance before making decisions about water use or safety.
WHY WE BUILT WATER SAVVY
Everyone deserves safe water and the chance to understand it.
Safe water is a human right. Clear information about your water should be within reach, too.
You use water to fill a child’s glass, cook a meal, and care for your home. We built Water Savvy to help you understand the waters you depend on and care for the places you share.
THE PEOPLE AND SCIENCE BEHIND WATER SAVVY
Water expertise you can turn to.
True Elements brings together water data, science, and technology to help explain what is happening and why it matters. Water Savvy brings that knowledge into your life, with answers you can explore and evidence you can check.
Behind the information is the work of scientists, public agencies, and other water experts. As you learn about your waters, you can look at the sources, see what is known, and find out where questions remain.
Each useful answer gives you a reason to return. Trust grows through what you learn.
See How Water Savvy KnowsFrom water information to something you can use
Water information
Reports, measurements, and other sources help describe a place and its waters.
True Elements and TrueQi®
Science helps connect the information and explain what it means.
Water Savvy
An explanation you can read, with details you can explore.
Get to know the people who know water.
Water Savvy connects you with a wider network of water knowledge. Alongside True Elements expertise, explore reporting, research, and conversations that help you understand why water matters in your life.
Journalism
Circle of Blue
Follow water stories that connect places, people, and the choices they face.
Read Circle of BlueStart with what interests you. There is always more to learn.
Explore Water SavvyA few helpful answers.
What is Water Savvy?
Water Savvy helps you get to know the waters in your life. It brings you water information and explanations backed by True Elements. The app is one way to use Water Savvy and learn more about the places you care about.
What does a water score tell me?
The score sums up an assessment of a particular kind of water. Read the condition and the details with it. Check the dates, too. A score helps you begin to understand the information. It does not guarantee that water is safe.
Can I find information for every place?
Some places have more information than others. What you can find also depends on the kind of water. Check the sources and dates, and follow notices from local officials.
Your waters are already part of your life. Now make knowing them part of it, too.
Begin with a place you care about. Water Savvy can help you learn more about its waters and what to look for next.
Check the weather. Check the traffic. Check Your Waters.
