La Manga cuts water use

16 November 2011

The La Manga Club resort in Spain has seen significant reductions to both its energy consumption and water usage after implementing an environmental management plan.

Solar power now provides 30-40 per cent of the energy required for hot water and the heated pool in the five-star Hotel La Manga Club Principe Felipe, as well as supplying power for the golf clubhouse. With more than 300 days of sun a year in the region, there are plans to extend the use of solar energy across the resort.

The club’s environmental plan includes the introduction of aerators, flow control and timer mechanisms on taps, leading to a 60 per cent reduction in water consumption in the hotel and Las Lomas village self-catering accommodation. In addition, 70 per cent of the water used to maintain La Manga Club’s three golf courses, eight sports pitches and numerous garden areas is recycled from a wastewater treatment plant. Meteorological monitoring is also used in combination with the high-tech irrigation system to optimise water consumption based on environmental conditions.

“At La Manga Club we are aware how important it is to respect and protect our natural environment and to optimise precious resources for our own benefit and enjoyment and that of generations to come,” said Madeline Adam, La Manga Club’s environment manager. “It is amazing how effective simple measures can be if they are implemented properly and by bringing these in across the resort we've had a huge impact. To have reduced water consumption by 60 per cent already in the hotel and Las Lomas is fantastic and hopefully this is just the beginning.”

La Manga Club, situated an hour from Alicante, has three 18-hole championship golf courses. The resort has hosted the Spanish Open and is currently the official overseas resort partner of the English Women’s Golf Association and is in the second year of a three-year agreement to host the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School.