Aruba has long been recognized for its efforts to preserve the environment. Last year, officials estimate that the island's industry efforts combined with visitors' participation helped save millions of gallons of water. In one program, visitors can save up to three gallons of water a day by not sending their sheets and towels for washing daily. This program alone saves over two million gallons of water annually.(a)
Many of Aruba's resorts have additional water initiatives in place such as water saving aerators in the showers, kitchens and bathroom sinks. Some hotels also measure water on a daily basis, setting targets to minimize consumption. Some of the resorts also incorporate wastewater management, which involves recycling the water from bathtubs and basins to irrigate the landscape and buying recycled water for gardens during low-occupancy periods.
"In Aruba, we are committed to preserving the island's precious resources. We want to keep Aruba beautiful for generations to come. Saving water is just one way to maintain Aruba's environment," said Edison Briesen, Aruba's minister of tourism and transportation.
(a) Methodology: If you take three gallons of water and multiply that by the number of rooms on the island (approx. 6,700) at 70% occupancy and assuming half of the visitors participate (50%) times 365 days in a year, it adds up to two and a half million gallons of water.
Source: Everett Clay Associates
