Hotels and motels in Manatee and Sarasota counties now have the opportunity to participate in a successful water conservation program known as Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water C.H.A.M.P.)
As part of the program, the Southwest Florida Water Management District invites hotel and motel owners, operators and management to participate in a “linens and towels reuse program.” The District supplies printed materials for guest rooms and educational materials for employees. By implementing the program, the hotel or motel management agrees to launder linens every third day of a guest’s stay unless requested otherwise by the guest. This practice has become highly popular in the hotel industry because it can save a significant amount of water. By participating in this program, hotels can also benefit by saving up to $1 per occupied room per day.
The District will provide the hotels and motels with educational workshops on additional ways to save water.
The program was expanded into Manatee and Sarasota counties because of a partnership between the District and the City of Bradenton, City of North Port, City of Sarasota, City of Venice, Manatee County, Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Sarasota County and Town of Longboat Key. The water conservation program is expected to cost $30,000. The funding will be divided among the District and its partners. The program is funded through 2006.
Steve Dadson, general manager of the Holiday Inn Lakewood Ranch, is excited that his property is the first to join the program.
“We are pleased to be able to participate in this vital program. Our community benefits from this directly and it helps us meet our environmental and fiscal goals.”
The Water C.H.A.M.P. began in September 2002 as a pilot project in the Pinellas-Anclote River Basin, which includes Pinellas County and part of Pasco County. The program expanded to include Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough and the rest of Pasco counties, and now is entering Manatee and Sarasota counties.
For more information on Water C.H.A.M.P. please contact Melissa Roe in the Communications Department of the Southwest Florida Water Management District at 1-800-423-1476, ext. 4776.