Cape Town’s reputation as a world class destination has remained despite the water crisis in recent months. Thanks to many Cape Town hotels, travellers have taken steps to conserve water. Here is how five hotels in the city are dealing with the water crisis.
Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
The five-star hotel has reduced it water consumption by 42% year-on-year. Michael Nel, general manager of The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, said their water conservation initiatives include: clear signage in and around the hotel to inform guests of water restrictions; restrictors on showers and basins to reduce water flow;, encouragement of 2-minute showers; ands the collection of rainwater that is reused in and around the hotel.
In addition, their laundry company has reduced its water consumption from 12 litre per kilogram to 1 litre per kilogram of clothes being washed through innovative technologies.
“We no longer change linen and towels on a daily basis,” said Nel.
The Silo Hotel
Located in the heart of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, The Silo Hotel has reduced its monthly consumption through extensive water-saving processes and systems, which have been in effect since March last year. Among their initiatives is the use of succulent plants and astroturf, the removal of bath plugs and the reuse of ice bucket water.
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve
The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia
Sanbona Wildlife Reserve gets its water supplied through boreholes on the property.
Generalmanager, Paul Vorster, said water-saving initiatives have been implemented at all their lodges.
“When guests arrive, our team advises them of the current situation and how they can conserve water during the stay. Some of the techniques include taking shorter showers instead of baths, only flushing toilets when needed and reusing towels more than once,” said Vorster.
The reserve uses grey water to maintain gardens at their lodges and staff were trained on how to manage water usage while performing their daily duties.
The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia
Business Development manager of Liz McGrath Collection, Nicky Heinrich, said guests were encouraged to save water.
Heinrich said they recommended showers instead of baths and the reuse of towels. Aside from the borehole supply at The Cellars-Hohenort, the Marine in Hermanus and The Plettenberg Hotels remain operational with the existing water-wise procedures.
The President Hotel
The President Hotel has reduced water pressure by 30%. They use waterless hand sanitisers and have put water restrictors on restroom taps. They have also switched to waterless chemicals for sanitising and cleaning floors. With them installing a borehole to supply water for shower and restroom facilities, usage has been reduced by an additional 40%.