Partnering with H2O Innovation, Resort unveils new sustainable waste water treatment system and ensuite washrooms that will continue to protect wildlife and the UNESCO World Biosphere, Clayoquot Sound.
January 19, 2011, Victoria, BC – When choosing a vacation destination, washroom facilities are often not at the top of the list unless going somewhere where “flushing” can have a bigger impact. For 2011, guests arriving at British Columbia’s Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, set in the heart of a UNESCO protected biosphere reserve, will find septic solutions to keep the planet a little greener and cleaner, without sacrificing the luxury of having a private ensuite bathroom.
Located in a remote area off the west coast of Vancouver Island, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is forging sustainable practices in solid waste management. Already famous for it’s “glamping” or glamourous camping experiences, this year the resort responded to its guests’ requests to go beyond the existing composting toilets and a walk to a private shower house – originally installed to minimize the impact to the pristine rain forest and estuary that surround the resort.
“Thanks to advances in waste water technology we can now provide within our tents full ensuite bathrooms, including in-floor heating, flush toilets and gorgeous indoor/outdoor showers with double shower heads,” says John Caton, managing director of the resort.
The resort’s new zero impact system will run all plumbing above ground and under the boardwalks into an environmentally friendly waste treatment plant, so it doesn’t disturb the natural flora and fauna. Provided by H2O Innovation, a Canadian company, the state-of-the-art Wastewater Treatment Plant utilizes innovative technology within a custom-built water treatment system that will process all waste water and sewage. This new plant will treat and reclaim water that can then be used in other areas of Resort operation such as irrigating the Resort’s pastures.
With 10 years of experience developing water treatment solutions, H2O Innovation is establishing itself as a key player in sustainable development and clean technologies in North America and abroad. Ideal in eco-sensitive regions, the system takes up very little space, requires no full time operator and, ecologically, does not require chemical products in its treatment solution. It is a passive, compact and low energy consumption system that can tolerate operational interruptions and flow rate change – essential for the daily and seasonal operation of the resort.
Traditionally, tourists produce more solid waste than private households. With the average toilet ranging between 16 and 23L a flush, it doesn’t take long for a resort to seriously impact local water supply. In niche coastal wilderness destinations with rivers entering the ocean, like Vancouver Island’s coastline, the effects of human solid waste can disturb delicate ecosystems, cause serious health hazards and deplete natural resources.
“Ecolodges around the world have to wrestle with the dilemma of environmentally sensitive loos that don’t turn off prospective guests,” says Hitesh Mehta, author of Authentic Ecolodges, and one of the world’s leading authorities, practitioners and researchers on ecotourism physical planning and both the landscape and architectural aspects of eco-lodges. “Tackling this issue head on, as Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is doing, will set a great example for other environmentally friendly lodges to follow.” Mehta points to Cree Village Ecolodge (Ontario), Chumbe Ecolodge (Tanzania), Guludo Beach Lodge (Mozambique), and Concordia Eco-tents (US Virgin Islands) as other eco-loo examples, where using the washroom “guilt free” is part of a more enjoyable experience of a responsible wilderness vacation.
The new Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s ensuite bathrooms are being built within 12 of the available 20 tents that are tucked within the rainforest. These same tents will be expanded to include king size beds, another first for the resort. To learn more about Clayoquot Wilderness Resort’s expanded tents, waste water treatment system and other sustainable practices people may visit http://www.wildretreat.com/ and follow the resort on Facebook.
About Clayoquot Wilderness Resort: 1-888-333-5405, or visit www.wildretreat.com.
Surrounded by glacial mountains and lush rain forest, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is located in the fragile Clayoquot Sound Biosphere reserve, right at the mouth of the Bedwell River. An all-inclusive eco-resort open annually from May to September, it offers three, four and seven night packages including safari-style tent accommodation (many now with ensuite washrooms) gourmet culinary experiences and the Healing Ground spa. Activities include hiking, horseback riding, ocean and fresh water fishing, whale and bear watching, a Wild Side First Nations Interpretive Trail, a natural rock climbing wall, an archery range, a ten-stand sporting clays course, kayaking, canoeing and more.
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