4. Water Conservation

Water conservation also can save significant dollars in less water use, less water treatment costs, less labor costs, and less energy use.  Using less water also strengthens the local economy as more economic resources are available for the local area.

Water conservation also helps protect ecosystems that include tourist attractions that may be related to fishing, hiking, sailing, etc.

Water conservation can also be a tool for disaster reduction.  Landscaping along can help reduce storm runoff in the water ways as much as 50%.  This not only lessons the impacts of storm surge from hurricanes or floods but also speeds the recovery as only half the impact occurs.

Finally, good water conservation also reduces the pollution in the water ways as the less  storm and sewer runoff into the streams translates into less pollution in the water ways.

The potential is enormous.  Walt Disney World for example has been able to:

• keep the same aquifer levels for 22 years despite the tremendous growth of properties including hotels, hospitals, shopping areas, and parks.

• develop programs that use approximately 30% or the resorts overall water needs and 80% of its irrigation needs from reclaimed water.

• been able to reduce its daily water consumption from 34 million gallons a day in 1994 to 22 million gallons a day despite significant parks and resort expansion.

There are many best practices that communities can adopt to promote water sustainability. Some examples include:

1. Implementing water conservation measures, such as installing low-flow toilet and shower heads, using drought-resistant landscaping, and fixing leaks.

2. Promoting the use of greywater (i.e., water from sinks, showers, and washing machines that has been treated and can be reused for irrigation and other non-potable purposes) to reduce demand on fresh water resources.

3. Protecting natural water sources, such as rivers, streams, and wetlands, by preserving green space and adopting development practices that minimize pollution and erosion.

4. Developing water reuse and recycling systems to reduce the amount of water that needs to be treated and transported.

5. Promoting the use of rainwater harvesting systems, which capture and store rainwater for later use.

6. Encouraging the use of native plants and trees, which have deep root systems and are adapted to local weather and soil conditions, as they can help to reduce water usage and improve water quality.

7. Educating the community about the importance of water conservation and the ways that individuals can reduce their water use.

Here are 4 questions that could be asked to any tourism related business or organization in any destination community that can be answered in a way that is both measurable and trackable over time, related to water conservation:

1. What is the average daily water consumption per guest in your establishment, and how does this compare to industry benchmarks or local regulations?

2. Do you have a system in place to detect and repair water leaks promptly? If so, can you provide data on the number and severity of leaks detected and repaired over the past year?

3. What measures have you implemented to reduce water usage in your landscaping and irrigation systems, and how have these measures impacted your overall water usage?

4. What training or educational programs have you provided for your staff to promote water conservation practices, and how have you measured the effectiveness of these programs?

Two methods for obtaining the specific information being asked in the questions could be through regular monitoring of water usage and analysis of bills, and through implementing water-saving technologies and practices such as low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets. For example, a hotel could track water usage on a daily basis, comparing it to previous periods or industry benchmarks, and provide invoices or water bills as proof of their conservation efforts. Another example would be the installation of a rainwater harvesting system, which could significantly reduce the amount of potable water needed for irrigation.

Examples of goals a business could establish to further lower environmental impact over time:

1. Reduce overall water usage by 20% within the next 2 years by implementing water-saving technologies and practices such as low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse systems.

2. Conduct regular water audits and implement recommendations to further reduce water consumption by 10% within the next year.

3. Provide training and education to all employees on water conservation practices and encourage them to share their knowledge with guests, with the goal of reducing overall water consumption by 5% within the next year.

4. Establish partnerships with local organizations and suppliers to promote sustainable water management practices, such as watershed protection and conservation efforts, and implement programs to support these initiatives.