Having the right wastewater service is vital because it’s something visitors don’t notice until there’s a problem
Hotels do their best to provide visitors with a relaxing and luxurious holiday and are invested in the overall guest experience. Yet, while amenities such as swimming pools, golf courses, and fine dining options may draw visitors, basic services such as hotel water treatment and wastewater management are equally important because when they are lacking, guests will notice.
In regions such as the Caribbean, where tourism is a major contributor to the economy — providing more than 2.5 million jobs — it is important to protect the pristine environment that serves as a main attraction to vacationing tourists. With more than 32 million international tourists visiting the region annually, hotels in the region must be able to adequately deal with the sewage generated by the influx of visitors to prevent environmental degradation and potential loss of biodiversity.
In the Caribbean, 70-80% of wastewater is discharged into the environment partially treated or untreated, leading to pollution of groundwater, freshwater systems, and ultimately the surrounding ocean, which can have significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts.
Lack of infrastructure is a contributing factor, but it doesn’t have to be.
Hotels in underserved or remote locations, such as the Caribbean, are turning to decentralized wastewater treatment solutions for on-site sewage treatment, eliminating the need to connect to a centrally located wastewater treatment plant, which may not always be available.
Challenges for Hotels: Fluctuating Demand & High Volume
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Erik Arfalk is the Senior Vice President of Business Development at Seven Seas, specializing in innovative and sustainable water and wastewater solutions in the US and the Caribbean. Previously, he was the Chief Commercial Officer at Fluence Corporation, where he launched MABR. Erik has held leadership roles at Atlas Copco and GE in Europe and the US, starting his career in strategy consulting. He holds a Master's in Business Administration and Economics from Lund University, Sweden. Erik's passion for water solutions and his talent for building strategic partnerships have established him as a respected industry leader.