DAYSPA is the magazine of spa management. Spa owners and spa managers turn to DAYSPA for spa management trends, spa management tips and more.
Issue link: https://dayspamagazine.epubxp.com/i/99723
GREEN SCENE Study after study indicates that those companies focused on environmental stewardship— especially through energy and water conservation efforts—are rewarded with increased customer loyalty. Whenever anyone on staff offers a helpful suggestion (for example, incorporating waterless manis into the service menu) or takes steps to help reduce water consumption (say, by reusing soak water to irrigate your facility's plants), that person should be honored publicly, and the details of their actions put on display. You may also want to consider an incentive system for staffers to boost your efforts. Consider offering individuals comped treatments or product in exchange for workable ideas, or treating your entire staff to a special dinner once monthly water bills dip below your goal point. And of course, remember to publicize your waterconserving culture in your marketing materials! Study after study indicates that those companies focused on Plumbing leaks at your spa should be addressed immediately. environmental stewardship—especially through energy and water conservation efforts—are rewarded with increased customer loyalty. "Our clients are thrilled about our environmental efforts," Stusser reports. "According to guest surveys, it makes them feel really good about coming to our spa." PRACTICAL STEPS In addition to creating and building your spa's culture of water conservation (a more long-term undertaking) there are certain pragmatic water-saving measures to conserve water that you can instate right away. One of the first should include ensuring that spa pools, hot tubs and showers are properly maintained. Set up an ongoing maintenance program, which typically requires less than an hour's worth of labor per day, to ensure pools' proper chemical balance, acceptable pH levels and compliance with health code regulations. Assign a regular staffer to this task and invest in some aqua test strips. What does doing so have to do with water conservation? Proper maintenance greatly reduces those instances in which pools and tubs need to be emptied and refilled!* Other simple steps include the following: • Selecting sensor-controlled faucets. Studies indicate that these fixtures can reduce water consumption by as much as 30%, as water is turned on only when needed, and shuts off as soon as the user walks away. Considering that the standard faucet uses about 2.2 gallons of water per minute, cutting even seconds' worth of running time use can result in significant savings. • Installing low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators wherever possible. Don't believe any of the bad hype—while many early systems reduced water flow so significantly that clients were unhappy *How often water must be changed in a spa pool can vary significantly based on a variety of factors. In addition, local health codes may require pools to be emptied and refilled on a set schedule. Consult with your manufacturers and installers for specifics. 90 DAYSPA | JANUARY 2013 THINKSTOCK executive decision that your facility is going to use water more carefully and sparingly wherever possible. Once this decision is made, implementing the program requires a key leader, as well as the active assistance of all those working in the facility. After all, spa practitioners and attendants are often most aware of where water is being used, and best equipped to discern where it can be better managed. Conservation initiatives work well when one person, a designated "water monitor" (think: a dedicated manager, full-time front desk staffer and/or knowledgeable concierge) guides the program. He or she should spearhead initiatives and remain diligently responsible for keeping track of how water is being used (and misused) via comprehensive logs and/or graphs, and collect suggestions as to where and how it can be saved. The water monitor should hold monthly or quarterly meetings with staffers to provide updates regarding all conservation initiatives. In addition, water monitors should prominently post information regarding water costs and expenditures— in the form of graphs and imagery—in staff common areas. These visual aids serve as powerful, constant reminders for employees to use water wisely and to stay on the lookout for improvement measures. They'll also make the water program a focal point at your spa.