A screenshot of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel General Manager Mr Andrew Tan explaining the benefits of its in-room water filtration system, including enhanced water taste and quality, and convenience to guests.
Grand Copthorne
Waterfront
Ups The Amp
On Water
And Energy
Efficiency
Since the completion of its renovation in August 2023, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel has been making waves with its sustainability-focused features especially for its water filtration system in guestrooms that offer purified drinking water. This helps to reduce single-use plastic wastage generated from traditional bottled consumption by 20%.
Below was what General Manager Andrew Tan said in an interview for Mediacorp Channel 8 Morning Express TV programme about the benefits of the in-room water filtration system.
Can you provide the specific date when the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore began replacing plastic bottled mineral water with a water filtration system?
The Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel in Singapore initiated the replacement of plastic bottled mineral water with a water filtration system in July 2023, coinciding with the completion of the hotel's renovation.
Are other hotels within the Millennium Hotels group also transitioning to water filtration systems? If yes, could you share the timeline and the expected number of hotels adopting this change?
Yes, other hotels in the Millennium Hotels group are transitioning to water filtration systems as part of a pilot initiative. The implementation at these hotels is scheduled to commence in April of this year, with a phased rollout expected over the following months.
Screenshots from the televised Morning Express programme of Mr Tan taking Channel 8 news correspondent Ms Seet Sok Hwee on a tour in the hotel’s Premier room and demonstrating how the in-room water filtration system works.
Can you give an explanation of how the water filtration system operates?
The water filtration system operates by passing tap water through a dual-filter process. Initially, water is filtered through a micropore membrane filter, which has very fine holes to trap particles. Subsequently, it passes through an activated carbon filter, which adsorbs contaminants to purify the water before it is dispensed.
What are the benefits of installing this system? How many plastic bottles saved?
Installing this water filtration system offers several benefits, including enhanced water taste and quality, ensuring health and safety, providing convenience to guests, and contributing to environmental sustainability by reducing costs.
This initiative is projected to save approximately 358,000 plastic bottles annually, resulting in an estimated cost saving of $53,000 per year. Kettles are still retained in hotel rooms to boil water for coffee and tea, indicating their continued necessity despite the new system.
Mr Tan was filmed drinking the freshly filtered water, and in a photo with Ms Seet at the end of the entire filming process.
In terms of energy efficiency, how does using the water filtration system compare to boiling water with kettles in electricity consumption?
Water filtration systems is designed to prioritise energy conservation as the water no longer needs to be boiled before it is clean for drinking. It is an uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water. On the other hand, it takes more energy to bring a full kettle of water to boiling point with electric kettles.
For service and maintenance, how frequently is it performed, and does it justify the cost and effort compared to using kettles?
The service and maintenance of the water filtration system involve changing the filters every three to six months. This maintenance schedule is considered less costly and more efficient than the alternative of purchasing bottled water for the same period, justifying the cost and effort involved.
