SFWMD Piloting Water CHAMP in the Florida Keys

Discover Why Hotels and Motels
Embrace Water CHAMP

Since 2002, the Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program (Water CHAMP) has provided free materials to hotels and motels in Southwest Florida to foster water conservation. More than 430 Florida hotels and motels currently enjoy the financial and environmental benefits of the free program. The South Florida Water Management District is now introducing this program to hotels and motels within the southern part of the state in partnership with the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

14 Florida Keys Hotels and Motels Become Water CHAMPs - 634 hotel & motel rooms to save water and money through SFWMD pilot program. (Oct. 23)

Participating properties receive professional, attractive and easy-to-read informational materials free of charge to educate guests and encourage water conservation. The materials, which are placed in the guest rooms, invite guests to use their towels more than once and have their bed linens laundered every third day of their stay. In South Florida, Water CHAMP properties also receive high-efficiency bathroom aerators for all guest rooms. With the installation of these aerators, the water savings is immediate.

Water CHAMP benefits include:

• Increasing your bottom line
• Protecting precious natural resources
• Escalating media exposure
• Tapping into traveler demands
• Meeting guest expectations

The Many Benefits of Water CHAMP

Increasing Your Bottom Line
Joining your fellow hotels and motels in conserving Florida's water is easy and costs you nothing. Become a Water CHAMP and you can:

• Reduce the amount of detergent your property purchases
• Save money on your water utility bill
• Decrease the amount of your electric bill through energy savings

Protecting the Environment

Tourists flock to Florida to enjoy sandy beaches, scenic lakes and meandering rivers. Water CHAMP properties help conserve these valuable resources for future generations by saving water and reducing wastewater.

The 430 properties participating in Water CHAMP in Southwest Florida are reducing their water consumption by more than 181 million gallons each year. Based on a 2008 water use audit of more than 100 of the participating hotels and motels, Water CHAMP participants can expect to save approximately 21 to 23 gallons of water per occupied room per night.

Launched in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Green Lodging program established environmental guidelines for hotels and motels to conserve natural resources and prevent pollution. Participation in South Florida's Water CHAMP supports the water conservation component of the statewide Green Lodging designation process.

Tapping Into Traveler Demand
Research shows that more than 75 percent of U.S. travelers feel it is important that their visits not impact the environment. Also, more than two-thirds of Australian travelers and 90 percent of British tourists consider active protection of the environment to be part of a hotel's responsibility.

Meeting Guest Expectations
Surveys show a 98 percent guest approval rating for Water CHAMP. According to Project Planet, which produces the program's materials, 68 to 72 percent of guests participate in the program.

It’s FREE and Easy!
Water CHAMP is part of a larger effort to promote water conservation and help protect the water resources of South Florida.

Become a Water CHAMP Today!
Sign up today to join the Florida hotels and motels that are already saving money and protecting the environment by becoming Water CHAMPs!

Upon verification that your property has successfully begun implementing the program, you will receive a certificate to display in your lobby announcing your status/designation as a Water CHAMP property.

Full participation in South Florida Water Management District's Water CHAMP means that your property may meet the water conservation criteria for Florida Green Lodging designation, pending verification by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Visit www.dep.state.fl.us/greenlodging for more information.

For more information or
to sign up for Water CHAMP, contact:

"Water CHAMP was very easy to implement. We had an initial meeting with house staff to let them know what we were looking for and then we just put the materials in the rooms. There was nothing to it." – Harry Black, CHA
General Manager, Island Inn Beach Resort

"Thank you for your responsible treatment of Florida's liquid gold. – Water CHAMP Hotel Guest

Quick Facts on Water CHAMP - Water Conservation Hotel and Motel Program

More Hotel/Motel Best Management Practices

Conservation Publications