HITEC Rewind: Susan Springsteen on Revolutionizing Water Management with H2O Connected

At HITEC 2024, Simone Puorto had the opportunity to interview Susan Springsteen, Co-founder and President of H2O Connected. H2O Connected, which participated in the E20X competition, is a pioneering company focusing on water management in the hospitality industry. Here are the key takeaways from their conversation.

Introduction and Role at H2O Connected

Susan Springsteen introduces herself as the Co-founder and President of H2O Connected, the only company that can detect, alert, diagnose, and quantify water waste in tank toilets. She highlights the significant impact of leaking toilets on water and sewer bills, noting that 20-30% of the 300 million tank toilets in the U.S. are leaking at any given time, often unnoticed in hotels.

Purpose at HITEC and Winning the E20X People's Choice Award

Susan explains that H2O Connected attended HITEC to participate in the E20X competition, where they won the People's Choice Award. She expresses her excitement and gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of their solution in the hotel industry.

Addressing Sustainability in Hospitality

Susan discusses the growing focus on sustainability within the hotel industry. While many hotels initially focus on smart temperature and lighting solutions, they are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing water costs and waste. H2O Connected provides a unique solution to this problem, offering a way to significantly reduce water waste and associated costs.

Global Impact and Reporting Capabilities

Susan notes that only 1% of the world's water supply is available for potable use, underscoring the importance of water conservation. Although H2O Connected is currently focusing on the U.S. market, they are preparing for international expansion due to the interest from global hoteliers at the conference. Their technology helps with regulatory reporting on water usage, which is becoming increasingly important in Europe and the U.S.

Environmental Benefits

An interesting point Susan highlights is the connection between water and electricity. Saving water through reducing leaks and running toilets indirectly reduces the burden on the electrical grid, as it takes one kilowatt-hour to transport and treat 100 gallons of water. This quantifiable reduction in water usage helps hotels meet sustainability goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Conclusion

Susan concludes by expressing her excitement about the future of H2O Connected and the impact they are making in the hospitality industry. She looks forward to returning to HITEC next year to share further developments and successes.

This interview is part of Hospitality Net's HITEC 2024 series, where industry innovators share their insights and advancements in hospitality technology.

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