MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, maker of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced that it has expanded its market presence into the Canadian commercial laundry and dry cleaning market with a channel partnership agreement for its polymer bead cleaning systems with Michael St. Clair Fine Cleaners in Vancouver. Under the agreement Michael St. Clair Fine Cleaners will sell and service Xeros’ polymer bead cleaning laundry systems which are proven to dramatically reduce water, energy and detergent usage.Canada’s thousands of lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands represent 20 percent of the world’s fresh water. Nationwide initiatives have accelerated water conservation efforts as demand for...

ST. PAUL, MINN.—The Water Risk Monetizer, a publicly available financial modeling tool that enables businesses to factor current and future water risks into decision making, now provides users with insights into how water scarcity impacts revenue. The tool’s new assessment helps water-dependent businesses better understand the full value of water to their operations and identify revenue at risk based on current and projected water scarcity.  The Water Risk Monetizer, first introduced in November 2014, was developed by Ecolab Inc., a global leader in water technologies and services, and Trucost, a global leader in valuing natural capital. Ecolab and Trucost...

VISTA, CALIF.—California regulators have been speeding up water-efficiency standards for faucets, toilets, and urinals in response to the state’s fourth year of drought. The new regulations which have been signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown go into effect January 2016. According to Klaus Reichardt, Founder and CEO of Waterless No-Flush Urinals, Vista, Calif., it is no wonder the emphasis has been on restrooms, for instance in offices or schools. “Invariably more water is consumed in restrooms than any other part of a facility,” he says.  The following is a review of the new rules: •    Urinals can flush no more...

LONDON—In the Silver Jubilee year of World Water Week (August 23 to 28), multiple global hotel companies are meeting the challenge “to think innovatively—together—about new development pathways” and are developing a methodology and calculation tool to enable hotel companies and individual properties to measure and report on water consumption in a consistent way.Following the success of the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, now used by over 21,500 hotels around the world, the International Tourism Partnership (ITP) is developing the equivalent tool for water consumption. As World Water Week demonstrates, water scarcity is a recognized global problem, with demand for water...

STAMFORD, CONN.—With more than half of its current and future properties in areas facing critical water issues, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. shared its holistic water story detailing the company’s efforts to tackle this important matter. As part of the company’s overall strategy on water issues, including scarcity, flooding, and quality, Starwood has set a system-wide water reduction goal, introduced new technology and dedicated on-property actions, offered conservation-focused guest programs and joined with community partners.“Some say water is the new oil and, as we execute a global growth strategy, water is not only an environmental consideration, but also...

WOODRIDGE, ILL.—Gerber, an industry leader in high performing plumbing fixtures, has expanded its product line servicing back outlet plumbing needs. Available is a 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) gravity toilet option in both wall-hung (MX-21-021) and floor-mounted configurations (MX-21-022).Ideal for various applications including hospitality, multi-family (high-rise condos or apartments), student housing and even single family homes, the gravity back outlet solutions out perform other products in the category and are much more quiet than their pressure-assisted counterparts.“The retro-fit demand in this category is substantial,” says Eric Peterson, Gerber’s Vice President of Sales. “Many properties built around vertical, in-wall plumbing...

NEW YORK—GROHE introduces its Retro-Fit Shower System, which transforms an existing showerhead installation with concealed pressure balance valve into a luxurious shower system without breaking the wall, all in under an hour.The original Retro-Fit Shower System launched in 2012 and was well received by designers, the professional plumbing community and consumers alike. Today, the collection has expanded to include three new models with new showerhead, hand shower and shower arm options for users to choose from when selecting their Retro-Fit Shower System.“By expanding the Retro-Fit collection, we are offering even more ways to customize and transform people’s shower experience,”...

BOISE, IDAHO—Cary Thomas and Ruth Hurt, owners of QuickRinse.net, announced the launch of their first product, Quick Rinse, a new way to rinse showers during the cleaning process that is six times faster and uses up to 83 percent less water than the traditional method of rinsing with a cup. The Quick Rinse vinyl bladder, ideal for hotel housekeeping, is placed over an existing showerhead and is secured in place by a velcro strap. Just seconds after turning on the shower, water flows through the natural rubber tubing for fast, efficient rinsing. Quick Rinse is designed for all types...

MANCHESTER, N.H.—Xeros, the innovator of an ultra-low water laundry system, announced recently that it is helping five California-based businesses reduce water usage by up to 80 percent in their laundry operations. To put this in context, laundry operations in hotels represent 20 percent of their overall water usage. The California Althletic Club, Stanford Park Hotel, Quality Inn Petaluma, Fairfield Inn Sebastopol, and Hilton Universal are all using the Xeros polymer bead laundry systems. Xeros has also signed eight pioneering commercial laundry equipment distributors in California. These flagship partners are now selling, installing and servicing Xeros’ near-waterless laundry systems.In addition...

DENVER—Showcasing more than a decade of leadership while taking on the challenge of climate change, global hospitality company Xanterra Parks & Resorts has released its 2014 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, defining and measuring its innovative sustainability improvements. The report also announces ambitious stretch targets for the next decade.The report presents details of improvements measured against goals announced in 2004. The company tracks its environmental performance across all aspects of its operations using an ISO 14001 audited program launched in 2002.Xanterra entities include lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in national and state parks, as well as resorts, a cruise line,...