Briefly in business

The efforts of the Orange County Water District and Orange County

hotels to promote water conservation have begun to pay off, the water

district said this week.

Orange County’s hotel industry has passed the 50% mark in water

conservation, said Kathryn Barr, director of the water district. The

savings comes as part of a program started in October 1999 by the water

district and local hotels.

Many of the hotels that participate in the program are in the

Newport-Mesa area, including Costa Mesa’s Wyndham Hotel and the Sheraton

Newport Beach.

To reduce their water use, the hotel’s ask guests to consider reusing

bed linens, towels and other items if they are staying for several

nights.