Water saving, the Whitbread way... 

• 46 greywater recycling systems installed, 30 litres average daily saving per room, 30 % average reduction in potable water use
• 657 m3 annual consumption saving per hotel (equivalent of over 8 200 baths)
• 100 % recycled water in toilet flushing

Whitbread is the UK’s largest hotel, restaurant and coffee shop operator with 50 000 employees. It is the first hospitality company in the UK to receive the prestigious Carbon Trust Triple Award for achievements in carbon, water and waste reduction across all hotels and restaurants. Included in their various sustainable business practices they installed a water management system provided by Waterscan, a certified supplier.

Waterscan fully analysed Whitbread's water consumption patterns and associated costs. This enabled savings to be identified and recommendations provided for future water efficiency. An automated system (AMR devices) was introduced at each of Whitbread's properties to monitor water usage, detect leaks and flag unusual consumption patterns. This is all reported using Waterline©, a unique online water management system.

Key benefits

Further water sustainability measures introduced included a greywater recycling programme for all new-build Premier Inn hotels, part of the Whitbread group. At the time of reporting, 46 greywater recycling systems had been installed, saving an average of 30 litres of water daily per room or 657 m3 annual consumption saving per hotel, which is the equivalent of over 8 200 baths! They also introduced a policy of mandatory recycled water use for toilet flushing.

All of these initiatives have been combined into an overarching water strategy and implementation plan which sets targets for reducing overall water consumption, and includes regular tracking and reporting to make sure the targets are met.