Six things hotels should do to reduce their water usage

Across Southern Europe, record-breaking heatwaves have not only made headlines, they’ve cast a spotlight on the growing issue of water scarcity. In August, almost a third of Europe was affected by drought, leaving communities and critical industries, like agriculture, grappling with water shortages. 

Demand for one of our planet’s most precious resources has never been higher – but neither has our consumption. Humans today are using eight times more water than a century ago, and demand is outpacing supply in many regions of the world. Water scarcity already affects more than 40% of the global population, and this figure is projected to rise. The ramifications of this trend will have impacts across every sector, but especially travel and tourism, where unsustainable consumer and business practices will simply become untenable.

When we look at our industry’s collective impact, it becomes clear that travel companies, tour operators and accommodation providers have a responsibility to safeguard water as a natural resource, and implement long-term strategies to be more conscious enterprises, and good neighbours. A single hotel can use 1,500 litres per room per day, and in areas with high tourist traffic, water consumption by tourists can be up to eight times greater than that of residents, leading to increased wastage.

According to the Destination Water Risk Index (DWRI), 90% of destinations in the Middle East and Africa, and 33% in Asia Pacific, face serious water shortage risks. Given that these are also the fastest-growing regions for international tourism, an urgent question emerges: How can hotels and other accommodation providers innovate, in partnership with resident communities, to better manage this vital resource?

There are several ways in which you can improve your business’ relationship with water extraction, consumption and conservation. Measuring your impact is vital: using innovative technologies and tools to do this will help keep your organisation accountable. Insights drawn from real-time data can help to reveal patterns and tell you where the business is inefficiently using water in a way that is unsustainable. Insights drawn from real-time data can help to reveal patterns and tell you where the business is inefficiently using water — or alert you to urgent problems that need to be addressed. 

Another key step hotels can take is maintaining and improving infrastructure. A good example of the former is ensuring that plumbing systems and waste pipes are in good working order. Blocked or malfunctioning pipes can lead to seepage of wastewater into the surrounding soil. Not only does this result in water not being recycled or reused appropriately, but it also poses significant environmental and health risks. Contaminated water can compromise the quality of local groundwater sources and contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases. What’s important to remember is that sustainability isn’t just about managing consumption – it also involves properties recognising, supporting and protecting the ecosystems and communities that surround them.

In addition to good maintenance practices, consider how infrastructure improvements can help your property better manage its water usage. Consider how even simple infrastructure additions and the use of new technologies to your property, like water butts, can be used to collect and reuse grey water. Water reuse is one of the single biggest ways of reducing water consumption, and some new technologies – like closed circuit showers – are reducing consumption rates by as much as 90% and energy usage by almost 80%. By adopting these and other systems, not only are we tackling the crux of our water problem, cost-saving benefits to properties through being more conscious of our water usage can be passed onto guests.

Next, be a champion of behavioural change. Sustainability is a shared responsibility, and hotel staff and guests alike have a role to play. For instance, promoting habits like taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while brushing teeth, and preventing unnecessary water run while rinsing fruits and vegetables are small changes that anyone can make that can add up over time. To help embed these practices, try engaging guests and staff through gamification. This could involve setting up interactive challenges or offering rewards that recognise water-saving behaviour. Displaying signs around the hotel premises with water-saving tips can serve as both educational tools and gentle reminders.

Remember that water usage extends beyond direct consumption – there are numerous “unseen” or indirect ways that water consumption factors into your hotel’s operations, from the fabrics you select to the food you serve. Being more conscious means taking a holistic view of your business – and undertaking due diligence measures to examine and vet your supply chains. By doing so, you can identify and reduce reliance on water-intensive suppliers and opt instead to work with those whose practices are more sustainable, or who possess specific eco-certifications. For example, ensuring textiles for staff uniforms are sourced from providers that use sustainable production methods, or choosing to support local providers that cultivate seasonal produce, are all ways that you can minimise your property’s impact.

Design for when it pours. Extreme weather events, including huge rainstorms, are a consequence of climate change. Hotels need to design in a way that allows water to be captured rather than causing floods. By designing outdoor spaces with porous surfaces and rain gardens that allow rain to reach the water table rather than building up on hard paved areas, hotels can prevent flooding, which risks ruined interiors and lost revenues.

Finally, leveraging water conservation as part of your hotel’s brand ethos can forge a deeper connection with environmentally conscious guests. After all, purpose-driven brands not only resonate more with consumers but can also command a premium price, reflecting shared values and a commitment to responsible travel and tourism.