The press release I received on April 20 immediately caught my eye. A certain resort announced its first Chief Water Officer (CWO)—a title I have never come across in my many years of publishing Green Lodging News. I was quite intrigued as visions of aerators, low-flow showerheads and toilets, leak detector monitors and other water-saving products and technologies danced through my head.
Not a full-time position at the resort—a much larger property or company with multiple properties could only financially justify a full-time position—it was designed to advance responsible water stewardship and sustainable hospitality practices, the press release said, adding, “The new role highlights the resort’s commitment to protecting…limited freshwater resources while enhancing the guest experience through thoughtful environmental initiatives.”
The property’s General Manager was named to serve as the resort’s inaugural CWO, overseeing the property’s water management strategy and sustainability efforts.
I looked forward to chatting with the new CWO—an opportunity for straight talk about water conservation, what to do about our planet’s declining availability of fresh, clean water, and the potential for CWO type positions throughout our industry.
Have You Heard About the Drought?
There is definitely a need for CWOs. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, much of the United States is currently experiencing drought conditions, with one of the worst areas being southern Georgia/northern Florida. (Click here for global data.)
“Water is fundamental to hospitality, especially on an island like…where freshwater resources are limited,” the CWO/G.M. said. “Our goal is to ensure that every drop is managed responsibly. By investing in desalination technology and eliminating plastic water bottles, we’re protecting…freshwater resources while providing our guests with the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability.”
Earth Day came and went as I imagined the property’s PR person’s phone ringing constantly from all of the global interest in the new Chief Water Officer position.
It Only Took a Week
It was a week later, on April 27, that I received a follow-up e-mail. It said, “I’m so sorry for the last-minute change, but we wanted to let you know that the property has decided to temporarily suspend the Chief Water Officer program.”
My stomach sank like a bowling ball as my hopes of an interview with the CWO disappeared faster than the water in a pressure assist toilet.
All Kidding Aside
Water is a precious commodity. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2 billion people worldwide (1 in 4) lack access to safely managed drinking water. A significant 2024 study suggests this number could be as high as 4.4 billion when accounting for contamination and household access in low-and-middle-income countries. Additionally, over 700 million people lack access to basic water services.
Green Lodging News dedicates an entire section of its website to water conservation—more than a thousand articles reference it. Our industry has been taking water conservation seriously for a very long time. One example: As part of its 2030 Serve 360 goals, Marriott International achieved an approximately 12 percent reduction in water intensity from 2016 to 2024. By implementing high-performing, efficient water solutions, hotels can reduce water usage, cut costs and conserve resources. PM Hotel Group, which just released its eighth annual sustainability report, says the Home2 Suites by Hilton Silver Spring has achieved a 42.6 percent reduction in water consumption compared to a typical hotel of its size. As part of its LEED Platinum certification, the hotel integrates rainwater capture technology with an 8,000-gallon storage tank beneath the patio.
Whether you operate a B&B or a megahotel in Las Vegas, there are many things you can do to conserve our planet’s water. A global problem is more taking than giving back. According to The New York Times, the world’s lowest and most rapidly declining water tables are concentrated in heavily farmed, arid regions, particularly in northwestern India, parts of Pakistan, and the Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region (e.g., Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE). Significant depletion is also occurring in the U.S. (especially California/Arizona), Mexico, and Northern China.
The Hat of CWO
Many of you reading this wear the hat of CWO every day. Thank you for all your efforts to conserve water. It is smart business and helps in many other ways. Just as you are asked to make every day Earth Day, so too should you make everyday World Water Day.
Got some great water conservation stories to tell? I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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