In celebration of World Water Day here are our top tips for hoteliers looking to reduce their water consumption and address water issues responsibly
An international day to celebrate freshwater was recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), and since then World Water Day has been held annually on 22ndMarch. The day aims to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
Each year, World Water Day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater. In 2013, in reflection of theInternational Year of Water Cooperation, World Water Day is dedicated to the theme of cooperation around water, which is very in keeping with what the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) has been doing on the topic of water since establishing a Water Working Group in 2012.
ITP is currently working with its 16 global hotel company members to address how the industry should address water challenges. This collaboration is being conducted through a working group on water, with its first objective: To produce a risk analysis of key water issues - present and forecast - of water availability and quality, along with an assessment of any cost and regulatory implications, in selected geographic regions, in order to increase awareness and understanding of how and where water issues present a significant risk to the industry’s future.
As part of this working group, ITP has engaged the help of SIWI, the Stockholm International Water Institute, to conduct a research piece on the above. More details of this research will be publicly available in early summer. However, for now, we’ve updated our practical Know How Guide to Water Management in the hotel industry...
Why the need to conserve water?
Water scarcity is a recognised global problem, with demand for water projected to exceed supply by 40% by 2030. By the same year, half the world’s population will be living in areas of high water stress.
Most water (97%) is in the oceans, which cover 71% of the Earth’s surface. 3% is freshwater, two-thirds of which is tied up as ice in glaciers and at the poles. This leaves approximately 1% as freshwater in rivers, lakes, the atmosphere and in groundwater.
However, with demand rising rapidly due to a growing global population with expectations of higher living standards and resource-intensive farming, that 1% is under threat. Climate change is adding to the problem because our weather patterns have become less predictable and more pronounced. While a number of areas are experiencing periods of prolonged drought, the rain that falls in some other areas is heavier. This leads to flooding without sufficiently replenishing groundwater stocks.
Hotel companies have both a strong commercial and moral imperative for addressing water use. Cost is a clear factor: water accounts for 10% of utility bills in many hotels. Most hotels pay for the water they consume twice – first by purchasing fresh water and then by disposing of it as waste water. According to the UK’s Environment Agency, depending on their water efficiency, hotels can reduce the amount of water consumed per guest per night by up to 50% compared with establishments with poor performance in water consumption. The moral reasons are equally compelling: water is a scare resource in many resorts around the world so hotels have a responsibility not to use more than necessary; in rural or remote areas it ensures that local residents are not deprived of their essential supply; and by reducing the amount of waste-water that needs to be treated, this lessens the risk of water pollution.
According to the latest research conducted by SIWI, almost 20 % of the world’s population live in areas of physical water scarcity. A water scarce region is one where water resources development is “approaching or has exceeded sustainable limits” and “more than 75% of river flows are withdrawn for agriculture, industry, and domestic purposes”. By 2030, the world might face a 40% global demand/supply gap of accessible, reliable water supply for economic development. The private sector is a major water user and often completely dependent on water for production and service delivery. The Hospitality industry is one of these where water plays a determining part in everyday operations and potential growth.