A Study of Water Consumption in Two Malaysian Resorts

Authors: Fu E. Tang

Abstract:

In the effort to reduce water consumption for resorts, more water conservation practices need to be implemented. Hence water audits need to be performed to obtain a baseline of water consumption, before planning water conservation practices. In this study, a water audit framework specifically for resorts was created, and the audit was performed on two resorts: Resort A in Langkawi, Malaysia; and Resort B in Miri, Malaysia. From the audit, the total daily water consumption for Resorts A and B were estimated to be 180m3 and 330 m3 respectively, while the actual water consumption (based on water meter readings) were 175 m3 and 325 m3. This suggests that the audit framework is reasonably accurate and may be used to account for most of the water consumption sources in a resort. The daily water consumption per guest is about 500 litres. The water consumption of both resorts is poorly rated compared with established benchmarks. Water conservation measures were suggested for both resorts.

Keywords: water consumption patterns, water conservation practices, water audit, water audit framework.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1081059

References:

[1] The Ecotourism Society, "Ecotourism Statistical Fact Sheet". 2000. http://www.activetourism.com/factsEcotourism1.pdf.
[2] Green Hotel Initiative, "Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economies". 2006. www.ceres.org/our_work/ghi.htm.
[3] Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, "A Third of the World Population Faces Water Scarcity Today". 2006. http://www.cgiar.org/newsroom/releases/news.asp?idnews=450.
[4] Seneviratne. M. A Practical Approach to Water Conservation for Commercial and Industrial Facilities. 2007. Great Britain: Elsevier Ltd.
[5] Yong, J. W. K. Water Consumption and Water Conservation for Resorts. 2011. Final Year Project Thesis
[6] Singh, J., and Clouden, F., "A Review of Water Conservation Practices and Potential for Tourist Facilities in Barbabos and St. Lucia", 1999. pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNACG407.pdf
[7] Holmes, M. Water Use Auditing: A Guide to Accurately Measaure Water Use and Water Loss. 2007. www.nmrwa.org/resources/water_auditing_manual.pdf.
[8] De Stefano, L. Freshwater and Tourism in the Mediterranean. 2004. assets.panda.org/downloads/medpotourismreportfinal_ofnc.pdf.
[9] Meade, B., and Gonzalez-Morel, P., Improving Water Use Efficiency in Jamaican Hotels and Resorts through the Implementation of Environmental Management Systems. 2011. www.linkbc.ca/torc/downs1/jaimaca%20water.pdf.
[10] Unknown author, Water. International Tourism Partnership, 2011.http://www.tourismpartnership.org/media-centre/key-issues/water
[11] Sydney Water. Water Conservation Best Practice Guidelines for Hotels. Sydney. December 2001.