Water Efficiency - A Key Element of Swissôtel’s Green Hotel Initiative

According to a survey performed by the Travel Industry Association, 85% of travelers would prefer to stay at green properties if given the choice. Swissôtel Atlanta, a luxury hotel located in Buckhead, has demonstrated that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort to be green; guests perceive conservation efforts as smart and responsible, not cheap.

Swissôtel collaborated with the Georgia Environmental Partnership (GEP) in 2000, with the goal of becoming a more environmentally friendly property. GEP is a coalition composed of P²AD, Georgia Tech’s Economic Development Institute and the University of Georgia’s Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

Water efficiency is a key element of Swissôtel’s environmental efforts, as well as energy efficiency and solid waste reduction. Below are a few examples of Swissôtel’s water efficiency measures:

1. Linen reuse program - Guests have the option to reuse towels and bedding linens. In addition to reducing water costs, a linen reuse program saves energy, chemicals, and labor costs.
2. Plumbing retrofits - Swissôtel installed 1.5 gpm aerators on bathroom faucets, 2.5 gpm showerheads, and toilet fill cycle diverters in guest rooms.
3. Heating and cooling systems - Cooling tower blowdown is minimized through automated conductivity controls, programmed to maintain a high cycle of concentration. Furthermore, boiler condensate is recycled and all once-through cooling systems were eliminated.
4. Leak detection - Housekeeping and engineering departments are required to use the Espresso Rapid Response System to report leaks immediately upon discovery.
5. Ice machines - Water-cooled commercial ice machines were converted to air-cooled machines.