From: Shenzhen Daily | Updated:2024-12-03
Shenzhen’s first water conservation contract for the hotel industry was recently signed by the Intercontinental Shenzhen Dameisha Resort, with guidance from the Water Authority of Yantian. The groundbreaking project is expected to save over 65,000 cubic meters of water annually, setting a benchmark for sustainable water management in the region.
The hotel, located in the scenic Dameisha coastal area of Yantian, benefits from abundant seasonal rainfall and ample potential for utilizing non-conventional water resources. However, due to the lack of specialized water-saving technologies and systematic guidance, much of this potential remained untapped. Currently, the hotel consumes approximately 300,000 cubic meters of water annually, costing around 1.7 million yuan.
To address this, the district’s water authority launched an initiative involving training sessions, on-site investigations, and collaborative discussions over six months. These efforts culminated in the adoption of a water conservation management contract under the “Guaranteed Savings” model.
What Is Contractual Water Conservation?
According to officials, this innovative mechanism involves a partnership between water-saving service providers and water users. The service provider implements advanced conservation technologies and offers tailored management solutions. The cost is recouped through shared savings, making it a win-win model.
Three primary models dominate the approach:
1.Guaranteed Savings: The user invests, while the service provider guarantees specific water savings. If the target is unmet, compensation is provided.
2.Shared Savings: Both parties agree on a savings goal and profit-sharing ratio, splitting the benefits of water savings.
3.Managed Services: The service provider oversees the water system’s operations and upgrades for a fixed fee.
The hotel adopted the Guaranteed Savings model. Under this arrangement, experts will monitor and address water leaks in real time, ensuring early detection and repair. This approach tackles common water inefficiencies like undetected leaks and poor maintenance.
Cutting-Edge Solutions
The project will also introduce a smart water management system, modernizing the hotel’s water monitoring processes. The system enables real-time data analysis, anomaly alerts, and issue tracking through mobile devices, significantly enhancing response times and minimizing waste.
To ensure precise water use tracking, 26 smart water meters have already been installed in key areas of the hotel, with plans to extend coverage to 38 meters across all zones. These meters will integrate with the smart system, offering continuous monitoring and insights.
Another key component is the rainwater harvesting system, designed to reduce reliance on freshwater sources. A 90-cubic-meter reservoir will be constructed to collect and purify rainwater for reuse, enhancing water efficiency and sustainability.
Results and Broader Impact
The project’s comprehensive approach—spanning system upgrades, management enhancements, and educational outreach—is expected to boost water efficiency by over 20%, saving more than 340,000 yuan annually.
This initiative not only addresses water challenges in high-consumption facilities like hotels with swimming pools but also paves the way for schools, businesses, and other organizations to adopt similar practices.
Looking ahead, Yantian District plans to expand the use of contractual water conservation models across industries, advancing Shenzhen’s goal of becoming a national leader in water resource management and sustainability.