When the first issue of Water Watch landed in inboxes in 2018, it marked the beginning of a simple but important idea: deliver timely, useful, and engaging water-related information to Coachella Valley residents. More than eight years later, that idea has grown into a trusted monthly e-newsletter with a loyal and steadily expanding readership.
Over time, Water Watch has evolved to offer a robust mix of practical guidance and local insight. Regular features include a Conservation Tip of the Month, Landscaping Tip of the Month, Plant of the Month, and a Monthly Irrigation Guide that helps readers understand exactly how long to water their landscapes throughout the year. Each issue also highlights the Help2Others program—a collaborative effort supporting residents who may need assistance with their water bills—and spotlights one of the Coachella Valley’s six water agencies, helping readers better understand the people and systems behind their water service.
Beyond these recurring sections, Water Watch shares timely articles on water, conservation, and the water industry, many of which are also featured on the CV Water Counts News page. Together, these stories reinforce a consistent message: informed communities are empowered communities.
Water Watch is produced by CV Water Counts, a nonprofit collaborative dedicated to promoting water conservation through education and awareness across the Coachella Valley. The group brings together the region’s six water agencies to provide unified, valley-wide outreach. Readers can explore more about the agencies, their service areas, and conservation programs at CVWaterCounts.com, including an interactive map showing where each agency serves the community.
The e-newsletter is written and produced collaboratively by the Hunter Johnsen team and a rotating partner water agency each month. Today, Water Watch reaches more than 810 opt-in subscribers and consistently achieves an open rate often exceeding 61.5%—a remarkable level of engagement compared to the industry average of 17.36%.
Sign up for the Water Watch e-newsletter here.
If you’d like to learn more about our work or explore how we help organizations connect with their audiences through clear, meaningful communication, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with us here.