The Vineyard Hotel

Reducing water demand to maintain services during drought

Image

Climate and nature-related risk: Drought, water scarcity, and restrictions affecting water-dependent hotel services
Solution pathway: Water efficiency and reuse; consumption monitoring; staff and guest participation

Business type: Hotel business
Sector: Hospitality
Geography: Cape Town, South Africa

In Practice

Cape Town’s 2015–2018 water crisis exposed the dependence of hotel services on reliable water supplies. In its 2025 account of the response, the Vineyard describes combining infrastructure measures with changes to everyday operating practices. These included water-conscious landscaping, reuse systems, shower timers and a guest conservation campaign. Its Water Warriors initiative encouraged employees to conserve water at work and at home. 

During a 2022 visit, Xinhua documented measures that remained in operation after the immediate crisis. Water collected from showers and basins was reused for toilet flushing, alongside low-flow showerheads, restricted tap flows, and treated borehole water. Staff monitored consumption to identify significant leaks. 

Together, these measures reduce demand on constrained supplies while supporting essential services. The hotel’s later account also recognises that maintaining this resilience requires continuing attention to leaks, irrigation, and staff engagement once the immediate pressure of a drought has passed. 

Latest News
Caption Text

Why this example was selected

The case is supported by on-site reporting from Xinhua and the hotel’s own subsequent review, providing evidence beyond an initial sustainability announcement. It shows a hospitality business combining equipment, water reuse, and operating practices to address a specific service-continuity risk. The continued use of these measures after the drought makes it particularly useful as an example of embedding adaptation into routine management. 

Key Lesson

Combine suitable water reuse and efficient equipment with regular consumption checks and staff responsibility. Maintaining these practices between droughts helps essential services place less demand on constrained water supplies. 

Explore more business solutions