Hotels around the world are making more and more efforts to reduce water consumption. Usually, the impetus for this is the fact that water is getting increasingly expensive. However, reducing costs related to delivering and removing water in a hotel is just one of at least three principal benefits hotel owners can enjoy by reducing consumption and becoming more water efficient.
Water efficiency, by the way, refers to long-term reductions in water consumption. This typically is the result of a property making an operational change, such as installing waterless urinals, which can save thousands of gallons of water each year.
Because we touched on it already, let's discuss a bit further the financial benefits of water efficiency. According to one study, a luxury hotel in the Caribbean was paying more than $37,000 annually for water. Some of this water was delivered directly from the local water utility company, and some was supplied by tanker trucks. This water on tanker trucks was primarily used for irrigation of landscaping. By taking a variety of measures, including recycling water so it could be used for landscape irrigation, they were able to reduce their annual water bill to less than $28,000 per year, saving more than $9,000.
Another benefit of reducing water consumption in hotels is environmental. Referring to our Caribbean hotel study once again, thousands of gallons of water were delivered to and removed from the hotel each year. This water had to be treated by the local water utility, requiring the use of chemicals, large amounts of fuel and energy, along with other resources. By reducing consumption, fewer chemicals were needed. Additionally, far less fuel and energy.
Finally, when hotel properties reduce water consumption, there are also social benefits. "The principal social benefits of improving water conservation in the Caribbean hotel industry," according to the study, " includes fewer water shortages for businesses and communities located 'at the end of the water main,' and a reduction in government spending to increase the capacity of water mains, sewers, and water and wastewater treatment plants."
Another point we should make is that many of the hotel properties mentioned in this study found it much easier to reduce water consumption and use water more efficiently than they had anticipated. Many started by first conducting water audits, so they were able to identify - often for the first time - exactly where water was being consumed in the properties, how much was being used, and how much was being wasted. Once this was completed, they started reducing consumption by beginning with the "low hanging fruit." Installing inexpensive aerators in faucets and showers helped minimize water consumption significantly, as an example.
Further, once the properties became aware of this savings, it served as an impetus to look for new ways to reduce consumption. That's why we should always view water efficiency as a journey; there is no end point.
For more information on ways to reduce water consumption and use water more efficiently, contact a Waterless company representative.
