Water Quality
As large areas of semi-natural land, comprising mosaics of natural vegetation and undulating topography, all golf courses can actually enhance water quality by supporting the function of watershed processes.
Naturalised attenuation areas biologically treat and purify surface runoff. Independent studies show that the water leaving golf courses that utilize such design features is often cleaner than when it arrived.
With carefully targeted investment in people and infrastructure, golf management activities that could potentially degrade water quality can be carried out safely, supported by systems for treatment and disposal that meet statutory requirements. Given the direct links between land management inputs, drainage, biological diversity and safe drinking water, golf's role in the protection and enhancement of water quality should be a top priority for all facility managers and course designers.
Making a positive difference
Golf courses can act as watersheds themselves, and should also function within larger natural watersheds. A comprehensive and integrated approach is required to ensure all aspects of water protection and enhancement are covered, including:
- Do all you can to minimise fertiliser and pesticide inputs to land management.
- Design sustainable drainage systems that treat water naturally via swales, ditches, streams, ponds and wetlands - all of which help to strip out nutrients, oils and pesticide residues.
- Store, handle, apply and dispose of all hazardous substances with care and in legal compliance.
- Train staff and invest in appropriate technologies for treating waste water.
Learn how GEO Certified™ golf clubs are taking action to protect and enhance water quality:
Belas Clube de Campo
The design of Belas Clube de Campo ensures that all course runoff is collected into lakes before being re-used for irrigation, rendering any negative impacts on water quality virtually impossible. Further actions such as collecting roof runoff for use in the wash pad system safeguards environmental quality while minimizing consumption.
Read the GEO Certified™ Report for Belas
Broken Sound Club
To alleviate the quantity of treated waste water being dumped onto the reefs off the coast of Boca Raton, Broken Sound Club made a deal to take reclaimed water from the city (via a new 13.2 million dollar line) and filter it through the golf courses, thus helping to reduce the 6 million gallons a day being dumped into Atlantic Ocean – a "win win".
