2024 USGBC-CA Green Building Awards
Merit in Water
The iconic Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, the Forbes 5-Star Los Angeles hotel renowned for its luxury accommodations and commitment to environmental sustainability, partnered with a San Francisco-based water reuse technology provider to implement a groundbreaking onsite water reuse system. This partnership aligns with the hotel’s ongoing efforts to conserve water and reduce its environmental footprint.
Commissioned in 2024, the onsite greywater reuse system will recycle 438,000 gallons of water annually from the hotel for reuse in landscape irrigation, helping to beautify the greenery at the hotel’s garden-styled restaurant, The Rooftop. This advanced solution not only addresses the region’s water scarcity challenges but also sets a new standard for sustainable luxury hospitality. The onsite reuse system captures and treats greywater from showers and laundry, purifying it to exceptionally high standards for reuse.
After facing challenges with their previous water reuse approach, the hotel ownership group sought out the expertise of a leading provider of onsite water reuse technology to reinvent the approach. With full responsibility over the design, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of the new system, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel now enjoys a first-of-its-kind water reuse experience, thanks to the cutting-edge technology, deep industry experience, and unwavering attention to detail.
The project owners were committed to creating one of the most sustainable hotels in Los Angeles, with a major focus on reducing water consumption through onsite reuse. The project aligns with California’s strict water conservation measures, especially critical in drought-prone areas like Los Angeles. By integrating water recycling into its operations, the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills not only minimizes its environmental impact but also serves as a new standard for luxury properties embracing green practices without compromising guest experience. The innovative onsite water reuse system significantly lowers the hotel's water footprint, contributing to long-term sustainability goals in the hospitality industry.
The partnership between the hotel owners and the water reuse providers to implement technology for efficient water treatment and reuse has created a closed-loop system, reducing the hotel’s reliance on strained municipal water sources. This collaboration serves as a key example of how luxury establishments can seamlessly adopt environmentally friendly innovations while maintaining world-class service.
The project has generated considerable industry buzz, drawing the attention of regulators and policymakers who view it as a pioneering model for sustainable water management in the built environment. Its success has sparked interest in using the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills as a blueprint for similar projects across Los Angeles and nationwide, as officials look to promote water conservation measures in real estate. This innovative approach is now being explored as a scalable solution for broader adoption in drought-affected regions.