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HOTEL BUSINESS REVIEW

DECEMBER FOCUS: Hotel Law

 

Ensuring Safe Drinking Water in the Hospitality Industry

By Arnaud Andreolli Product Manager Building Technology, GF Piping Systems | December 2023

Within the hospitality sector, the quality of drinking water assumes paramount importance, especially when it comes to safeguarding the health of vulnerable individuals.

The nexus between contaminated water and health risks is particularly concerning in hospitality settings.

These environments often host at risk individuals, such as the elderly or young families in hotels and restaurants.

Contaminated water can contain a multitude of bacteria which, when inhaled, pose considerable health risks. For the elderly, weakened immune systems or smokers amplify these risks, potentially leading to severe illnesses. In family-oriented establishments, children with developing immune systems are especially susceptible, potentially turning a pleasant vacation into a health ordeal.

Furthermore, immunocompromised guests face even graver consequences, as waterborne infections can be life-threatening. Keeping drinking water clean in a building can be quite a challenge. The cold water that comes from the municipal water network enters the building and travels through a maze of small pipes for a long time, often at warmer temperatures. This setup is like an open invitation for certain bacteria, like Legionella and Pseudomonas, to thrive, and that can pose a threat to human health.

To maintain the quality of drinking water within a building, it's crucial to ensure that hot water from the boiler remains at a temperature of 60°C, with no sustained drop below 55°C in the building's distribution and hot water circulation. In contrast, cold water temperature should not consistently exceed 25°C anywhere in the building. This is because between 25°C and 50°C, various harmful and potentially lethal microorganisms, such as legionella and pseudomonas, can proliferate. Extended water stagnation within this temperature range can also promote their growth, along with the formation of biofilms in the piping system, amplifying long-term hygiene risks. Therefore, water should not remain stagnant in the pipes for more than 72 hours. This is why hotels must act on this issue. In hotel rooms, there can be gaps longer than 72 hours between guests, and that can lead to water quality issues.

Diagnoses of legionellosis, a severe pneumonia induced by legionella bacteria, have seen a significant global increase in recent decades. In Switzerland, for instance, reported cases surged from 277 in 2012 to 678 in 2021 (source: BAG). The mortality rate stands at 5-10% for all cases and 13% for those associated with hospital settings (source: Robert Koch Institute).

Maintaining a strong reputation for cleanliness is of utmost importance in the hospitality sector. Customers entrust these establishments with their well-being, and any lapse in hygiene can shatter this trust. A tarnished reputation, driven by incidents of waterborne illness, can have a far-reaching impact on an establishment's financial health and image. Simultaneously, regulatory compliance is a non-negotiable facet of hospitality operations.

By embracing this obligation, hospitality businesses safeguard the health of their guests, preserve their reputation, and contribute to a sustainable future.

The Financial Benefits of a Water Control System                                                                                                                                 

In the ever-evolving landscape of hospitality, operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness are integral to sustainability and profitability.

Traditionally, hotels and restaurants have heavily relied on optimising the heating system and insulation in order to save costs. However, when those systems are  optimized, the next step is to optimize the warm water production, which is responsible for up to 40% of the energy consumption in buildings.

By implementing a smart hydraulic balancing system on warm water circulations building where able to save up to 24% of energy consumption by warm water production and raising the comfort of the guest at the same time as they have a faster access to warm water. In essence, it's a win-win solution that reinforces cost savings, hygiene, and guest comfort; this also reinforces  a hospitality's environmental responsibility as they can reduce their CO2 footprint.

This is especially pertinent in an era where guest satisfaction and reviews hold significant sway over an establishment's reputation. Positive experiences, marked by safe and fast warm water access, can lead to favorable reviews, repeat business, and increased guest loyalty. As guests recognize and appreciate the commitment to quality and sustainability, establishments reap the rewards in terms of revenue and brand loyalty.

Ensuring Legal Compliance and Reputation Management

Legal compliance is a fundamental pillar of the hospitality industry, especially concerning the quality of drinking water. Stringent regulations and standards are in place to safeguard the health and well-being of guests.

The hospitality sector is subject to a complex web of regulations and standards governing water quality. Hotels must meet specific criteria to ensure the safety of their drinking water. The primary federal legislation in the United States is the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This legislation empowers the EPA to establish and enforce water quality standards for "public water systems," which encompass the water sources serving hotels. Additionally, states may have their own laws that can be even more stringent. For example, New Jersey has specific regulations related to drinking water quality in hotels, seeing as PFCs and other highly toxic synthetic chemicals used in the state's industrial facilities has lingered in its waters for years.

Failure to adhere to these standards can have severe repercussions. Hotels that do not meet water quality requirements may face fines and legal complications of varying costs. Moreover, the damage to a hotel's reputation can be substantial. In an era where information flows freely through online reviews and social media, even a single incident related to water quality can tarnish a hotel's image for years to come.

The maintenance of a pristine reputation for hygiene is the lifeblood of the hospitality sector. In the eyes of guests, a hotel's commitment to safety and cleanliness directly translates to trust and satisfaction. Beyond legal obligations, ensuring safe drinking water is an important responsibility and an integral part of upholding a hotel's integrity.

Successful Implementation of Water Control Systems

In the world of hospitality, Hotel Sonne in Sissach, Switzerland, stands as a shining example of commitment to water quality and guest safety. This renovation project was a testament to meticulous planning, encompassing restaurants, a hotel, a retirement home, and a medical center, all designed with the utmost care.

Notably, the cornerstone of this commitment to water quality was the installation of intelligent valves for optimal hydraulic balancing and flushing. The system makes it easier to maintain drinking water hygiene and optimize energy consumption. It ensures hydraulic balancing and constant water temperatures, flushes the pipes, logs all data, and is easy to install and commission. Valves and sensors connect via a central control unit, allowing monitoring for any abnormalities and controlling the system. It can also be operated from any location using remote access via a Platform and be integrated into the building control system.

With the installation of 15 circulation valves and 1 flush valve, all seamlessly controlled via its automation system master, Hotel Sonne not only guaranteed the highest level of water hygiene but also showcased its unwavering dedication to providing a safe and pleasant environment for all its guests, from the hotel's residents to its medical center patients. The efficient hydraulic balancing can also help to reduce the cost for warm water production and increase guests' comfort.

In a different setting, the Holiday Inn Express in Troisdorf, Germany, faced its unique water-related challenge. The staff room's hot water supply was unreliable, causing inconvenience and disruption. However, this year's modernization efforts presented an opportunity for a solution.

The implementation of the same system for the drinking water supply swiftly resolved the water temperature issue. With intelligent valves and sensors in place, the system efficiently monitored the warm water circulation. It didn't take long for the system to send a crucial notification: "Error - temperature of valve 6 too low." This alert pointed to a sink faucet in the staff room as the source of the problem, leading to the prevention of cold-water entry in the warm water circulation. The Holiday Inn Express in Troisdorf now boasts a reliable and efficient drinking water supply that enhances guest comfort while aligning with stringent safety and hygiene standards.

These case studies illustrate how innovative water surveillance and control systems have been instrumental in addressing water quality and safety challenges faced by hotels and hospitality establishments. These systems not only ensure guest satisfaction and uphold hygiene standards but also showcase a commitment to providing safe and pleasant environments for diverse clientele.

In the dynamic world of hospitality, the significance of reliable water is paramount. the pivotal role it plays in the industry, affecting everything from guest well-being to a hotel's bottom line.

Investing in water control systems is not just an expense; it's a savvy financial move for hotels. Beyond immediate cost savings by reducing warm water production costs, these systems offer long-term comfort gains. Clean tap water not only saves money but also enhances the guest experience, leading to positive reviews and loyal customers.

Yet, the value of safe drinking water extends far beyond the balance sheet. Legal compliance is crucial, as failing to meet water quality standards can result in fines and reputational damage. Upholding these standards is not just a matter of legality; it is integral to a hotel's integrity and reputation.

By embracing advanced control water systems, hotels align their commitment to guest satisfaction with responsible environmental stewardship and adherence to regulations. This approach not only ensures compliance but also positions the hotel as a responsible and sustainable establishment, appealing to conscientious travellers.

Reliable water is the cornerstone of hospitality. It is a moral obligation and a strategic imperative. To all businesses in the industry, the message is clear: prioritize water quality, for it is the conduit through which you deliver not just service but an exceptional experience to your valued guests.

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The following is the Privacy Policy for HotelExecutive

We can be reached via telephone, email, or online at our contact page. When you visit our site we do not log any information regarding your domain or email address. Information Sharing: We do not share user information with any third parties other than via press release distribution as described below.

Hotel Newswire is a newswire service that distributes press releases on behalf of our users. If you decide to submit a press release for distribution through our system we will transmit your entire press release including any personal information therein contained to our media contacts and online distribution points including search engines. This is the only redistribution of your information that we engage in. Your submission of press releases through our system indicates consent with this policy. The information we collect during your registration process is used to notify users about updates to our service and inform users of any special events hosted by Hotel Newswire. This information is not shared with other organizations for commercial or non-commercial purposes.

Cookies: Our system requires the use of cookies to enable the user to log back into our website to access information from the newswire, without having to log in each time using the required username and password.

If you do not want to receive email from us in the future, please let us know by following instructions included in our communication with you. Users who supply us with telephone numbers online may receive telephone contact from us regarding their account, or informing them of new products and services available on the HotelExecutive website. If you do not wish to receive such telephone calls, please edit your account and remove your phone number from your account profile. This can be done from your user account menu.

Ad Servers: We do not partner with or have any relationship with any ad server companies. From time to time, we may use customer information for new uses not previously disclosed in our privacy notice. If our information practices change at any time, we will post the policy changes to our website to notify you of these changes and provide you with the ability to opt out of these new uses. If you are concerned about how your information is used, you should check back at our website periodically.

Upon request we provide site visitors with access to all information (including proprietary information) that we maintain about them. Users can access this information by logging in to their account.

Security: We always use industry-standard encryption technologies while transferring and receiving user data exchanged with our site. We have appropriate security measures in place in our physical facilities to protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of information that we have collected from you on our site. We do not store credit card information in our systems.

If you feel that this site is not following its stated information policy, you may contact us.

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