Vera Water & Power

Overview

A Legacy of Service Meets a Modern Refresh

Vera Water and Power has proudly served the Spokane Valley community for over 100 years. As a publicly-owned, not-for-profit utility, Vera delivers safe, reliable electricity and water—always with an eye toward responsible resource management and affordability. When it came time to refresh their website, Vera returned to Powerful, the same trusted team behind their previous site. This time, the focus was on modernizing the design and ensuring an intuitive visitor experience that reflects Vera’s forward-thinking approach to utility services.

A First Look at the Alder Blueprint

Vera became the first utility to launch with Powerful’s new Alder blueprint—a homepage layout developed specifically to help organizations showcase timely messages in a clear, engaging format. Rather than relying on a static homepage, Vera wanted the ability to shift content based on what mattered most to their community at any given time. The Alder blueprint offered just that: a flexible structure that feels modern, promotional, and purpose-driven.

Each promotional section section features a large, attention-grabbing image paired with a brief headline, short supporting text, and a clear button that links to a relevant internal page. These sections are designed to be easily edited, giving Vera the tools to promote multiple topics without overwhelming the visitor. Right now, they’re using this space to spotlight their water service line survey. The section’s visual—a crisp image of a glass being filled—quickly communicates the subject matter, while the short text and “Take Survey” button make it easy to understand the ask and take action.

The simplicity of the layout makes a big difference. Visitors don’t have to dig through menus or interpret vague messages. The information is direct, well-placed, and easy to respond to. For Vera’s team, the blueprint offers a way to stay up-to-date. Whether they’re updating seasonal messages or shifting focus to new priorities, the Alder blueprint makes it easy to keep the homepage current and aligned with what their community needs to know right now.

Keeping Content Current

Beyond the promotional sections, Vera’s homepage includes dynamic News and Events areas that help the site stay timely and informative. These sections are powered by Powerful’s News Releases and Calendar & Events apps and are designed to update automatically. When Vera staff adds a new news release or event on the backend, it appears on the homepage without extra steps. Right now, visitors can quickly spot updates like board meeting notices and office closures.

The placement of these sections fits naturally within the Alder layout, guiding visitors through what’s happening now and what’s coming up next. It’s an intuitive experience that feels seamless from top to bottom. For Vera’s team, this setup reduces the need for constant homepage adjustments while still keeping the site aligned with real-time priorities. It’s an effective way to stay connected with their community and keep key information front and center.

This approach also supports long-term transparency and trust. By making meeting details and service updates easily visible, Vera reinforces its commitment to open communication. The consistent presence of new content—presented in a format that’s easy to read and easy to find—shows visitors that the site is actively maintained and worth returning to. It’s not just about staying current; it’s about showing the community that Vera is engaged, responsive, and always looking ahead.

The redesigned site gives Vera a platform that’s both polished and practical—rooted in their identity and built for everyday communication. With a layout that adapts to their priorities and tools that simplify updates, Vera can stay connected to their community in real time. It’s a modern utility website that feels distinctly theirs.