About This Project

EBMUD wanted an engaging video to teach the Bay Area community about the water cycle and how EBMUD ensures clean, reliable water delivery.

The Solution

We produced a funny, memorable animated explainer that follows water's journey from source to tap. The lighthearted approach makes learning about water infrastructure entertaining for all ages.

Impact

  • Viral success on social media platforms
  • Widely used in schools and educational programs
  • Increased community understanding of water operations
  • Enhanced public support for infrastructure investments

This 2D animated explainer for the East Bay Municipal Utility District uses a friendly fire-hydrant host to trace the region’s water, from the Sierra Nevada through treatment, disinfection, distribution, and conservation at home. An approachable public-education video for students and residents alike.

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About This Utility 2D Animation

The Challenge: Public water systems are invisible to most people, and utilities need an engaging way to teach where water comes from and why conservation matters, without lecturing.

The Solution: We built a character-hosted 2D animation that maps East Bay’s real water geography, walks through the treatment process, and ends with practical conservation and what-not-to-flush guidance.

The Result: A fun, informative explainer that makes local water infrastructure understandable for K-12 students and the general public, and turns civic responsibility into clear action.

For more on EBMUD’s public water education programs, see their education resources page.

Key Features That Make This Utility 2D Animation Work

  • Character host: an anthropomorphic fire hydrant balances scientific facts with humor
  • Localized cartography: the animation traces water from the Sierra Nevada into the East Bay
  • Full-cycle coverage: treatment, disinfection, distribution, and wastewater are each shown simply
  • Behavioral call to action: it details the “3 Ps” and urges conservation at home

Technical Details

Format: 2D character animation

Style: Friendly, educational, humorous

Purpose: Public water education and conservation

Runtime: 2 minutes, 38 seconds

Target Audience: K-12 students and East Bay residents

Deliverables: Website, YouTube, and education outreach

Why 2D Animation Works for Public Utilities

Utilities have to educate a broad public that rarely thinks about where water comes from until there is a problem.

A character-hosted 2D animation makes an invisible system engaging and easy to follow, which a brochure never manages.

That accessibility matters most for civic education, where the goal is to change everyday behavior, not just share facts.

Related Utility Work

See how we’ve created video work for other utilities and public agencies:

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