Water conservation strategies according to green seal requirements - Case Study Example

Water conservation strategies according to Green Seal requirements This paper deals with the concept of water recycling and waste water management according to the principles enshrined in Green Seal recommended practices. Water recycling processes can adopt many strategies that strives to conserve water as well as reuse them after separating harmful pollutants and organic matter from it. The strategies also involve practices that encourage the effective use of water and reduction of waste water. Waste water management is not a discipline that merely consists of scientific jargon. It is attainable and sustainable provided one takes the pains to implement it aptly. Introduction With the increasing destruction of environmental resources, the need for conservation has significantly increased in the modern world. This is specifically so in the case of resources such as water. Statistics available indicate that sources of potable water will not remain as such if the level of exploitation is to continue at the current rate in the world. In addition to the pressures of population increase and pollution, industrial pressures on potable water are also decreasing the availability of fresh water and there is an urgent need to control water wastage. It is in this context that the need to control water wastage through water recycling gains importance. Wastewater management is an emerging field of science that helps to tackle issues related to water pollution and contamination in the industrial world. The need for waste water management The need for waste water management has many ramifications, which is both social as well as economical. As far as the society is concerned waste water management helps to recycle the much needed elixir of life back into the water sources as potable water. Otherwise, water that is recycled can be used to sustain green cover over an area thereby providing for the optimum use of this precious natural resource. On the economic front it may be said that conserving water amounts to saving money in many ways and the initial costs that may be involved can soon be recouped in terms of both tangible and intangible benefits for the company. World wide statistics indicate that water, which is a fundamental need for the existence of life on earth, is limited in terms of its availability. Humans have access to less than 0.08% of all the water that is available in earth. To add to the woes it is believed the need for water will increase by about 40% in the next two decades. This perhaps indicates to the immense responsibility that humans have towards conserving water. In the year 1999, the United Nations Environment Programme identified water shortage as one of the two most worrying problems for the millennium. The fact that the other problem, global warming, is also related to water shortage adds gravity to the situation. It is believed that one person in five across the world has no access to safe drinking water. Similarly, one in two lacks safe sanitation [United Nations Industrial Development Organization. 1996] In terms of social ramifications, a reliable supply of water is the basic need for any form of development. The availability and quality of water is essential factor in the nation's ability to protect public health, preserve ecological integrity, ensure sufficient agricultural production, and meet commercial needs. Therefore issues affecting the nation's atmospheric water, surface water and groundwater need to be addressed with priority. Certain facts that point towards the gravity of a water crisis are: About 1.1 billion people, or 18 percent of the world's population, lack access to safe drinking water. In addition, 2.5 billion are without proper sanitation. Even though the freshwater supplies are sufficient for the world's population, water scarcity exists due to poor management and distribution of water resources. Unsafe drinking water is the cause of death of more than five million people each year. Improper use of water for agriculture accounts for more than 90 percent of global water consumption. This often causes depletion of groundwater resources in many of the world's most important agricultural regions. Lack of proper water and waste water management is the primary source of groundwater pollution in parts of Europe, the United States, and Asia. [United Nations Industrial Development Organization. 1996] It may be seen that the issues listed above is significant while considering the pressures that the service industry such as hotels poses on the environment. In this particular case, it may be seen that the hotel which has more than 350 full service rooms and other facilities can certainly benefit from a waste water management plan that can increase the resources that are available and also help to perform the social responsibilities that are expected out of it. A proper auditing of the hotel may indicate that there are many situations in which the hotel may waste water. It may also be seen that the hotel is often constrained to waste water in situations that are beyond its control. However, the hotel can suggest measures in which it can ensure that the water that it uses can be effectively managed in order to conserve water. A cursory look at the list mentioned above would indicate that the improper treatment of waste water in the hotel can cause immense pressures on the local ecology and population. The wastes that are pushed out from the hotel can have serious repercussions on the environment surrounding it. In addition, a callous attitude by the hotel in terms of water management possibilities can cause it to draw more from the environment than what it rightfully deserves [David B. Brooks and Mark Winfield, 2003] The wastage of water and the non-adoption of proper waste water management practices also can have serious economic issues as far as the hotel is concerned. For example, hotels and industrial houses throughout the world often rely on ground water resources that are often considered precious by the local communities. It may be often seen that the service industry is often able to getaway with blatant exploitation of natural resources because of sheer money power. Often it may be seen that the service industry also resorts to unethical practices in order to derive profit by exploiting natural resources. It is high time that the service industry commits itself to a self-introspection and adopts means of conservation while meeting its business and social needs. For example, rather than spending money to garner a permit to extract fresh water from the surrounding areas, hotels can resort to recycling water that would in the long run minimise the need to derive more freshwater from the environment. Studies have shown that new age scientific know how is very useful in tackling modern day problems associated with water scarcity and water non-availability. Wastewater recycling has been accredited as a novel way to make water potable. Degradation of water sources by industries Studies in water pollution shows that the increase in water pollution loads is high in high-growth areas [UNIDO, 1996]. The impact of this is that dilution of the wastes will need more exploitation of fresh water. Prevention of pollution and treatment of wastewater In a general perspective, water treatment and prevention of water pollution is an essential need in the society. With the effective use of technology, a sustainable outlook to development and a better utilisation of the resource can effectively mitigate the problems and threats facing environmental water resources. Some of the strategies that may be used to control water wastage are: Pollution Prevention Water reuse and conservation: This can be achieved by carefully allocating the resource according to its quality and intended use. Uncontaminated water should be reserved for meeting the potable water needs while water conservation practices based on reasonable beneficial use needs to be adopted for less sensitive uses. Eliminate wet weather flows Control contaminated runoff: This is needed because both point and non-point sources contribute to water quality impairment Protect the quality of groundwater resources and recharge Laws and Regulations for Water Resource Management Service industries must consult the relevant laws that require institutions to control water wastage and encourage waste water management. Many national laws have been enacted that address water resource quality and management needs and objectives. Some of the laws that are specifically made in regard to water policy are: Federal Water Pollution Control Act or the Clean Water Act Safe Drinking Water Act, which is a law that protects the quality of the nation's drinking water and provides limited protection of groundwater resources. Water Resources Development Act, which has been promulgated for ensuring the navigability of the nation's rivers and harbours, ensuring flood protection, providing funding for various water resources development projects including coastal erosion and levee construction projects. Mandatory guidelines that need to be followed The government has promulgated some mandatory guidelines that need to be followed in order to go ahead with a waste water treatment facility especially in hotels. The directive set by the EPA says that recycled water cannot be used for watering stock or irrigation of edible agricultural crops. Similarly, it cannot be used to fill ponds, lagoons, or swimming pools, and it cannot be used in areas where it may run off into creeks, lakes or dams. At the same time, waste water can be used for nursery and landscape gardening, irrigation and dust suppression spraying [Monroe, 1991] Environmental Benefits of water recycling The hotel has a commitment to the environment because it uses the resources of nature to develop its own business. Hence, the hotel has an environmental commitment to the society. A critical advantage of water reuse is that it will bring back the water lost into the environment. In addition to providing a dependable, locally controlled water supply, water recycling provides tremendous environmental benefits. Water recycling can decrease diversion of freshwater from sensitive ecosystems. Since such ecosystems are often the basis for tourist flows and which in turn support the hotel, the hotel has a moral commitment to protect the environment. Recycled water may be used to create or enhance wetlands and riparian (stream) habitats. Water recycling can reduce and prevent pollution. [Soper 2000, Monroe 1991] Waste water management activities in the hotel The main strategies for controlling waste water in the hotel are to control the sources of waster water and also to effectively purify the water off its impurities. The strategy for waste water management in the hotel can be divided into two steps: Techniques to reduce water use and polluted water management techniques. Waste water management techniques One of the first steps in ensuring the recycling of waste water is to use techniques that are aimed at procuring potable or at least a reasonably good quality water from used water. For example the hotel in question uses a lot of water because of its stature as a leading hotel and also because it has about 350 full service rooms. In addition to cultural differences in the consumers of the service, the sheer number of consumers can exaggerate the need for potable water in the hotel. The first step in such a situation is to demarcate water needs. For example water needed for drinking and consumption purposes can be made from fresh sources. However water that is used for recreational purposes can be derived from recycled sources. For example, the water that is used in the kitchen can be derived from fresh sources and can be provided after proper purification for irrigation of lawns. Water recycling and management Water recycling often refers to activities that use technology to speed up natural processes that would cleanse water off its impurities. This implies that water that is to be recycled should be free from pollutants that cannot be cleaned by natural processes. Water recycling may be classified as 'unplanned' or 'planned'. In unplanned recycling projects, water from rivers or other sources are reused, treated, and piped into the water supply. This can be used for general purposes and is usually not planned for a particular activity. Planned project, on the other hand, are developed for beneficially reusing a recycled water supply for specific purposes. In this scenario, most of the water recycling processes will be planned activities. Waster water management depends a lot on water recycling strategies and hence it would be worthwhile to understand the basic types of water recycling techniques that could be used in this scenario. Some of the strategies of water conservation are: Use minimum quantity of water This is the first and basic step in the concept of water conservation as well as waste water management. The hotel must adopt a practice of auditing the use of water in its premises and plans the use of water accordingly. A careful water audit will help the organisation to identify issues that could cause the wastage of water. For example, the hotel could declare a day off in its swimming pools in order to conserve water. The day off can be used to clean the tank as well as use the stored water for irrigation purposes. Similarly, the water that is periodically changed in the pools can be reused through chemical process or used in the gardens rather than releasing it into the nearby stream. Process modification Process modification is important to help the hotel conserve water for its immediate needs. The hotel must identify processes that use water conservation techniques. For example, it would be a good practice to identify and plan activities that use water and then modify it to suit the conservation needs of the hotel. Since the hotel usually uses abundant quantity of water during every process cycle, even a small saving in a process can multiply the amount of eater saved. For example, the hotel can redirect used water in the kitchen to a disinfectant tank that can strip the water off impurities. This filtered water can be used in the garages or in the laundry. Whatever the strategy, it must modify the process so that use of water is minimized [Monroe, 1991] Recycle and reuse The hotel must find innovative uses of water recycling plans. A simple example would be to use water through multiple stages in the production cycle. For example, fresh eater that is used for cooking may be used for washing after adequately cleaning it. Finally after the cleaning process the same water cleaned off its impurities can be used for flushing the toilets. While it may sound extreme in some cases and more often it may be impractical, a simple redesigning of processes will enable the efficient use of waste water. [Manual on water supply, 1997] The use of a septic tank A septic tank or a bigger more diversified processing unit can be used effectively for waste water management. A septic tank digests all the waste in a natural manner and hence does not pollute the environment while trying to clean it. Toilets, baths, kitchen and laundry produce liquid effluents, which pass through a septic tank to be treated at an effluent plant before being discharged to a disposal field. A septic tank ensures that some of the water can reused and that toxic wastes are disposed off naturally. The chemical processes that happen inside the septic tanks is essentially that which would happen in the natural environment. Hence, the role of the bacteria and other microbes is very important in the successful operation of the septic tanks [Noah, 2001] [Kaplan, 1987]. Green Seal requirements In addition to the water conservation techniques mentioned above, the requirements of Green Seal in the conservation of water is also important. Some of the recommendations of Green Seal that can be practically followed by hotels include: Using appropriate fittings and accessories to prevent water wastage The Green seal requirements stipulate that at a minimum, properties should use water conserving fixtures or retrofits such as 2.2 gpm faucets and aerators; 1.6 gpf toilets and 2.5 gpm showerheads. These flow rates will ensure that water will not be wasted while customers are using the accessories. If any fitting exceed these flow rates, they have to be replaced in a time frame of two years. Toilets have to be replaced along with major room renovations. Use climate tolerant trees and plantings The recommendations stipulate that pants and trees that are planted externally must be climate resistant and resistant to natural water availability. This will prevent the hotel from spending extra water and care on the plants. In addition, the landscape of the gardens has to be watered in the early morning or night to minimise evaporation. Similarly, watering techniques that retain water in the soil has to be adopted. Plants that need more irrigation are to be limited to areas where guest activities take place. Such practices will ensure that the hotel will be able to maintain aesthetic beauty while incorporating efficient water management practices. Minimise water usage The hotel must ensure that spaces such as sidewalks, drives and parking lots are swept instead of washed with potable water. This will restrict the use of potable water for non-drinking purposes. Similarly, guests must be given the option to reuse their towels so as to minimise wastage of water used to clean them. In addition, machines that use water must be run at the optimal levels and use the recommended levels of water. Use recommended chemicals With a view to reuse waste water, Green seal requires that hotels must use chemicals that are not harmful to the body. For example, the use of chlorinated chemicals is to be minimised and use dishwashing detergents that are biodegradable. It must not also contain NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) and chlorine bleach. Similarly, non-phosphate, non-toxic and biodegradable chemicals must be used as detergents. [Green Seal, Inc, 2002] Efficacy of waste water management systems Since the hotel industry in unique in terms of the services that it offers to customers, all the waste eater management principles that applies to industrial units cannot be implemented in a hotel. This is because the hotel has to keep in mind different tastes of the guests and also cultural differences of the guests that may perceive water treatment methodologies sceptically. In addition, the hotel industry also needs to keep in mind the regulations of the government that prevents the industry from indulging from undertaking waster water management programmes in an extensive manner compared to other industries. However, the industry can adopt measures that can control water loss and expedite management of waste water in the best possible manner. The green seal requirements are however a set of practices that can be easily followed by hotels because it has been specifically designed for hotels and other similar institutions. Following the principles recommended by Green Seal will ensure that the hotel will be following a tried and tested method in its effort for effectively conserving water and treating waste water. Conclusion In an era of scarcity, the use of water is increasingly controversial. Freshwater is essential for human survival, for agriculture and for the survival of our planet's plants and animals. But pollution, climate change, water-related disease, and the destruction of natural systems all threaten the purity and availability of our most precious resource. In addition, the use of water by industrial systems has been increasing the pressure on water systems worldwide. This has necessitated the need for a waste water management policy that can effectively and safely lay down guidelines to process wastewater and encourage the use of processed water for other constructive uses. This in turn, will reduce the pressure on fresh sources of water. Water management experts need to develop ideas that can help in the creative use of wastewater despite the challenges. A radical rethink on the use of waste water can help develop programmes that can use waste water in the most creative method possible. The efforts of Green Seal are commendable in this respect because it has helped to standardise the processes that used to ensure that service organisations are adopting the standard water conservation techniques. Bibliography 1. Green Seal, Inc, 2002, Third Edition, Retrieved from http://www.greenseal.org/certification/standards/lodgingproperties.cfm 2. Manual on water supply and treatment, 1997, WHO, Geneva 3. P.Soper and G.W.Taylor, 2000, Environmental sciences, fourth edition, India: Cambridge editions 4. Monroe. T., Morgan, 1991, Environmental health, second edition, India: Braun and Benchmark. 5. Noah, M. (2001), Matching the System to the Site, Small Flows Quarterly. Vol. 2 No. 11. 6. Kaplan, B. O.(1987) . Septic Systems Handbook. Lewis Publisher's, Inc. MI. 7. United Nations Industrial Development Organization. 1996. Global Assessment of the Use of Freshwater Resources for Industrial and Commercial Purposes. Industry, Sustainable Development, and Water Programme Formulation, Technical Report. New York: UN. 8. David B. Brooks and Mark Winfield, Viewpoint: A Lesson in Water Management from the Developing World, IDRC Reports, Science from the Developing World, 2003 Read More