Water-saving hardware: sometimes relatively elegant, sometimes the ugliest thing you’ve ever seen. Finally, though, comes a device that can safely be designated “cute.” The Waterpebble seeks to reduce water usage through behavioral modification rather than hardware. When first installed, it records how much water you use on your first shower. On subsequent uses, it glows in a series of changing colors, advising you how much water you’ve used relative to your last shower. It begins green; when you’ve used half as much as last time, it glows yellow; when it flashes a gentle-yet-firm red, you’ve gone over your previous usage.

Over time, and if you’re paying attention to it, the pebble is supposed to help users reduce their overall shower time. Will it actually help you use less water? Presumably if you’re installing it you’re already dedicated to reducing your shower time, so this seems like a nice tool to you help you do so. It also seems plausible that if you have a multiple-person household, the shower pebble could encourage friendly, water-reducing competition. The WaterPebble itself is recyclable and costs only $12; more info here. (via Inhabitat)