People in Chippenham can have text conversations with lampposts, fences, bridges, and even public toilets as new signs with phone numbers and QR codes have been put up across the town.
The service is free to use and there is no need to register or download an app, simply text the number or scan the QR code to start a conversation.
The initiative forms part of Wessex Water’s Community Connectors project in Chippenham, which is trialling new ways of working alongside the local community to achieve shared goals such as improving the local environment.
Kirsty Scarlett, head of community engagement at Wessex Water, said:
“After speaking to local people and groups in Chippenham when we launched the Community Connectors project, two key priorities Wessex Water agreed to focus on together with the community are ways to help the town save water and improvements to river water quality.
The Hello Lamp Post signs are a quick and simple way for our customers to find out what we’re doing to address these issues, while also discovering what they can do to help by saving water, energy and money at home, and not flushing items like wet wipes down the toilet to protect the environment.
“The chats also provide links for customers to claim our free water saving and waste products for their home and take advantage of our in-person Home Check service.”
The signs will be in place for 12 months and the conversation topics will change with the seasons, encouraging residents to use them more than once.
Councillor Declan Baseley, Mayor of Chippenham, said:
“This fantastic initiative from Wessex Water is a great way for Chippenham residents to learn about their local water supply and how to keep their bills down.
“The artificial intelligence service will have real time conversations with residents to provide tips on saving water and being more environmentally friendly.”
Tiernan Mines, CEO and co-founder of Hello Lamp Post, said:
“We’re thrilled to be supporting Wessex Water on their Community Connectors project. Using our on-site digital engagement tool, consumers will be able to have interactive two-way conversations to learn more about the work Wessex Water is doing to create a more sustainable future, and how they can play a part.”
All text conversations with Hello Lamp Post are anonymous and no personal information is recorded or held.
