U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) WaterSense program is rolling out the WaterSense H2Otel Challenge! I encourage you to help recruit your lodging industry clients to encourage their participation in this excellent program.
I'm excited about WaterSense – it's poised to become a brand as well recognized as Energy Star. Our region isn't as pervasively sensitive to water conservation as some more parched areas of the country, but our drought episodes of recent years have created a greater awareness of the importance of becoming more parsimonious (there's your word for the day) in our water use.
Your program is one that has worked to promote resource conservation for many; this sector is trying to meet an increased demand for green lodging. As you know, hotel facility managers often don't have the resources or information they need to reduce their impact on the environment. EPA is launching the H2Otel Challenge to help lodging facilities save water, energy, and money—and I believe that your program benefits from helping to promote this effort.
WaterSense is encouraging lodging facilities to take the "guest work" out of saving water by challenging them to "ACT" (assess, change, and track):
- Assess their water use and savings opportunities.
- Change products or processes to incorporate more water-efficient models and methods.
- Track their water use and savings.
EPA is offering a series of webinars and tools to help participating hotels learn how to assess water use in their facilities; identify savings opportunities; calculate the simple payback period for their investments; and track their results.
Your first "ask" of your lodging industry customers is a simple first step for promoting change: Interested hotels only need to take a pledge on the WaterSense website.
Join WaterSense Today
You may not yet know your organization is eligible to become a WaterSense promotional partner. Joining WaterSense is free and easy! WaterSense partnership connects you to a network of utilities, local governments, manufacturers, retailers and distributors, builders, and other organizations working to promote the WaterSense label and water efficiency. You will gain exclusive access to outreach and marketing resources to help you promote the H2Otel Challenge, WaterSense labeled products, and water efficiency. We encourage you to submit apartnership agreement to start benefiting from these resources today.
Informational Webinar
To learn more about WaterSense, the H2Otel Challenge, and how WaterSense can assist you in bringing the Challenge to your members, please register for our informational webinar on Thursday, January 16, 2014, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Central. For more information about saving water in hotels and other buildings, visit WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities.
If you have any questions, please contact the WaterSense Helpline at watersense@epa.gov or 866-WTR-SENS (987-7367). I know they look forward to partnering with you!
