Were you aware that by simply cutting 30 seconds off your daily shower, you have the potential to conserve an entire gallon of water? This Friday, March 22, marks World Water Day, and I’m throwing down a challenge for you: trim your shower time by either using a timer or investing in a Hydrao SmartShower, just like the ones being installed in hostels across the nation by Hostelling International USA (HI USA).
HI USA has always prioritized water conservation in their sustainability initiatives, and given that more than half of the United States grapples with water scarcity, the introduction of this ingenious shower head technology is an inventive strategy to inspire hostel guests to participate in the Million Gallon Challenge.
Commencing on World Water Day this Friday, March 22, HI USA will start tallying the gallons of water saved through the Hydrao SmartShower, which employs a color-changing mechanism based on shower duration. HI USA’s team of experts conducted thorough analyses of the average shower durations at their hostels, and the SmartShower is now programmed to transition to a red hue 30 seconds before reaching that average duration.
The showerhead’s LED light will initially appear blue, shift to green, proceed to orange, and ultimately turn red, signifying that it’s time to conclude the shower. It’s worth noting that just half a minute spent in the shower consumes a full gallon of water. Therefore, when hostel guests heed these color cues and exit the shower promptly, they are actively contributing to the objective of conserving one million gallons of water. This campaign underscores the idea that every individual and every shower plays a vital role in water conservation efforts.
The Million Gallon Challenge commences with three HI USA hostels: HI New Orleans Hostel, HI San Francisco City Center, and HI Santa Monica Hostel. By mid-summer 2019, the entire HI USA network will have integrated SmartShower technology.
If you’re keen on contributing to the conservation of one million gallons of water, here’s how you can participate:
- Book a stay and experience one of the new SmartShowers.
- Even if you’re not traveling at the moment, share your water-saving tips with the HI USA community of travelers on your social media platforms using the hashtag #milliongallonchallenge.
- Implement the practice of taking shorter showers, no matter where you are.
Stay informed about HI USA’s progress toward saving one million gallons of water, 30 seconds at a time, by regularly visiting the HI USA Million Gallon Challenge page. Additionally, be on the lookout for updates on HI USA’s Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.
