Nov/Dec 2018 edition - The Western Cape Green Again

from SA Golf Trader - November/December 2018

SA Golf Trader conducted a road trip to the Western Cape in October to have a look at the golf courses in the region and to see how they had coped during a prolonged period with very little water. It was a most interesting trip as we were delighted to see that not only were the courses looking wonderful but it was informative to hear how each and every golf club has implemented water saving measures.

Ingenious methods and thinking out of the box have ensured that the courses have survived and after good winter rains they are back to their former glory.

A brief back ground to the drought illustrates just how bad it was and how the staff at the various golf clubs had their work cut out for them. The drought began in 2015 resulting in a severe water shortage in the region, most particularly affecting the city of Cape Town and commercial agriculture. In early 2018, with dam levels predicted to decline to critically low levels by April, the city announced plans for “Day Zero”, when if a particular lower limit of water storage was reached, the municipal water supply would largely be shut off, potentially making Cape Town the first major city to run out of water.

By March 2018 through water saving measures and water supply augmentation, the City had reduced its daily water usage by more than half to around 500 million litres per day. Combined with good winter rains, dam levels increased to 43% of capacity by June, which enabled the city to announce that “Day Zero” was unlikely for 2019.

In September, with dam levels close to 70%, the city began easing water restrictions.

Better understanding the use of effluent water on golf courses

One of the greatest challenges facing greenkeepers is the declining availability of potable municipal water for irrigation. Exploring alternative water supplies is essential for the survival of golf courses in dry countries. Conventional sources are groundwater from wells and boreholes, and surface water from streams and storm water runoff. However, water shortages across the globe have initiated research projects that are investigating more unconventional water sources, including reclaimed waste water (effluent) and ‘grey’ water, and desalinated sea water.

Effluent is partially treated waste water from community sewage or industry. It includes industrial waste water, treated municipal sewerage water and domestic grey water. It usually is cleansed of major pollutants, but is still undrinkable as it contains trace amounts of saline (salt), heavy metals (such as zinc and cadmium) and bacteria.

Effluent cannot be used to irrigate food crops because there is a chance of contamination.

The returning of effluent back into rivers and lakes by adjacent towns is standard practice, provided the minimum standard set by the Department of Water Affairs is met. In the USA, irrigating golf courses with effluent is being viewed as a more environmentally sound way of disposing of effluent.

In the late 90’s the city of Prineville in Oregon, USA, was under threat from the Environmental Protection Agency for dumping inadequately treated waste water in the local stream. Prineville constructed a municipal golf course specifically to purify this waste water. This was less costly than other options. The resulting Meadowlakes Golf Course has 10 dams and is a lush oasis in arid

The dense turf grass found on golf courses provides one of the best filtration systems available for polluted water. Particulate pollutants in the water are trapped and held in the layer of thatch, where they are allowed to degrade naturally. In this way, effluent that is used on the course is cleaned and returned to dams, streams and groundwater supplies. The Audubon International Institute recognises this method of water purification.

Where it is economically feasible, environmentally and agronomically acceptable, and complies with the by-laws of the local municipality, treated effluent can be used for golf course irrigation. An attractive benefit is that using effluent can cost less than using potable water. This reclaimed source of water must, of course, meet applicable health and environmental standards.

More particularly, special consideration must be given to water quality issues and adequate buffer zones. On sites that drain into high quality wetlands or sensitive surface water, it may not be feasible to use effluent. Other relevant factors are soil type, climatic conditions, groundwater hydrology, vegetative cover, and providing sufficient storage for treated effluent.

A positive aspect of effluent use for irrigation is that there is usually a consistent supply. In addition, waste water may be available at a good price, or even without cost.

However, use of effluent has a negative public image. Educating the public on the benefits of using effluent for irrigation, and the role that a golf course can play in cleaning this water, is necessary. Irrigation can also be turned off when players are on the course to reduce fears of inhaling airborne particles.

An accepted practice in the USA is to refer to effluent as ‘reclaimed water’ or ‘recycled water’.

Costs for transporting partially treated waste water onto the golf course property may be considerable, and other problems, such as poor water quality and local operational restrictions, may have to be dealt with. These problems are manageable, if careful consideration is given to them during the construction process.

Golf courses may also have to accept a minimum daily volume, regardless of need, and will therefore require a place to store the effluent. This can be a constructed dam and wetland where the effluent is cleaned. It can then be used to recharge the groundwater table and therefore mitigate down-gradient withdrawals.

The term ‘grey water’ is commonly used to refer to waste water from kitchens, showers and baths, laundry facilities and other cleaning and rinsing operations, while the term ‘black water’ is used to refer to waste water from toilets. It is essential that ‘black water’ is treated before use. The term ‘effluent’ includes both of these forms of waste water. Both types of waste water from a golf course estate can be collected and treated at an onsite water treatment plant, once permission has been granted by the local municipality.

The amount of effluent available from a golf course clubhouse is relatively small when compared with the irrigation needs of the course. Nevertheless it can be used as a supplementary source for small landscaped areas around the clubhouse. With the increase in golf course estates containing private residences, using effluent becomes more viable. During construction, drainage from houses can be built so that effluent is collected for treatment in an on-site water treatment plant. This water can then be used for irrigation purposes.

The water situation in SA

South Africa is a water scarce country, and faces several challenges that will see water having to be managed ever more carefully:

• Increasing demand on water supplies by an ever-growing and highly urbanised population.

• Climate change, with general predictions being for a hotter and drier climate with rainfall events becoming more erratic and severe.

Even if climate change was not a factor, humanity is already living beyond the earth’s capacity to support us.

It is vital to use resources such as water sustainably, which includes reducing waste, re-using and recycling. Many golf courses are already capturing storm water and re-using effluent and wastewater, and the others need to follow their lead.

• Pollution of rivers and dams, affecting raw water quality.

SUSTAINABILTY AND THE WESTERN PROVINCE TURFGRASS ASSOCIATION (WPTA)

by John Collier

The WPTA, established in 1978, is an association which works in collaboration with Golf Course Greenkeepers,

Golf and Turf industry Trade members (Machinery, Irrigation, Fertilisers and Chemicals, etc.), turf managers

(Sports fields, schools and stadiums) and some landscaping members as well as Nurseries’ managers. The Association meets monthly where experts in the field of turfgrass management, irrigation, turfgrass cultural practices, biodiversity and other related topics are invited to share their knowledge.

When discussing sustainable golf at WPTA meetings the issue of managing the biodiversity of courses invariably encourages a bright debate. Within the Western Cape region there are 24 registered golf courses which are found within the Cape Mountains and Forelands (CMF) Renosterveld and Fynbos ecozones.

A complicating factor for greenkeepers is these two ecozones tend to intermingle and the CMF contains five different major vegetation types not the least being, the area is recognised as one of the six World Floral Kingdoms, namely the Cape Floral Kingdom.

Recent research into environmental compliance and good governance, as reported in the 11th edition of the John Collier Annual Survey indicated, at a national level, 26% of clubs had a formal biodiversity policy and programme in place, whilst 38% of clubs had formally designated environmental areas within the course. What is interesting to note is that the compliance levels for the Western Cape clubs, many of whom are members of the WPTA is well above the national norms.

The abovementioned positive statistics can be ascribed to the WPTA being blessed with a strong and enthusiastic committee focusing on, for example building the knowledge, expertise and professionalism of greenkeepers. The Committee comprises of Chairman, Andrew Small greenkeeper at Strand Golf Club, Vice Chairman, Steven Webber greenkeeper at Clovelly Golf Club, Treasurer & Founder Member, Graham Johnson, Administrator Clare Bromley, Christopher Steyn of Controlled Irrigation, Greg Leckie greenkeeper at Erinvale Golf Club, Francois Gelderblom greenkeeper at Metropolitan Golf Club, Malcolm Bromley greenkeeper at Hermanus Golf Club and Charl Fouche greenkeeper at Kuilsriver Golf Club.

Underpinning the principle of sustainability is embracing the importance of transparency and third-party review. So why not participate in the John Collier Survey? Contact us via email at ajcollier@telkomsa.net.

Educating the golfing community

Golf courses are now being developed, designed and managed more responsibly than ever before. However, golfers also have a responsibility to help ensure that golf courses are well managed and in harmony with the environment.

Management needs to keep members informed of all conservational policies that are implemented so that golfers fully understand these policies and their wider ramifications.

Golfers need to:

• Support golf course management decisions that protect or enhance the environment, and encourage the development of environmental and water conservation plans.

• Recognise that golf courses are managed land areas that should work in harmony with the natural environment.

• Respect designated environmentally sensitive areas within the course.

• Accept the natural limitations and variations of turf grass growing under conditions that protect environmental resources and conserve water, such as brown patches, thinning, and loss of colour.

• Support maintenance practices that protect wildlife and natural habitats and that reduce water contamination, for example, the reduced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

• Encourage maintenance practices that promote the long-range health of the turf while also conserving water. Such practices include aerification, limited play on sensitive turf areas, and reduced watering during turf dormancy.

• Commit to long-range conservation efforts, such as more efficient water use (for example, using reclaimed water), and Integrated Plant Management, on the golf course and at home.

• Educate others about the benefits of environmentally responsible golf course management.

• Support research and education programmes that expand our understanding of the relationship between golf and the environment.

• Support recycling programmes organised by golf course management.

Recycling on golf courses

Recycling is a process that leads to the re-use of waste. The total process of recycling consists of collecting, transporting, sorting/grading, storing and processing. With landfill sites under extreme pressure, manufacturing materials becoming scarcer and/or more costly (for example, timber for paper), and manufacturing energy costs increasing, recycling makes economic and environmental sense. (For example, 40% less energy is required to manufacture paper from recycled paper.) Investigate the type of recycled paper purchased as some types use a lot of water in production.

Simply dumping waste increases global warming and its attendant negative impacts. Recycling (including composting) diverts organic wastes from landfills, reducing methane emissions from landfill sites. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas 21 times more powerful than carbon dioxide. New technologies have enabled many former waste products to be re-utilised, and governmental environmental departments around the world are placing a strong emphasis on voluntary recycling. In time, this may even become mandatory in South Africa.

Golf course waste that can be recycled includes used motor oil, tyres, batteries, cardboard and paper, glass, cans, grass and tree clippings, solvents, run-off water and, sometimes, pesticide rinsate, pesticide containers. Sun City Resort near Rustenburg utilises The ROSE Foundation for its lubricating oil waste.

• Grass clippings. Grass clippings can be recycled by spreading them along the rough and around trees. Composting the clippings is also an option. Compost is an excellent growing medium that promotes fast germination and can reduce fertiliser use.

Compost provides valuable nutrients that improve the soil and retains water.

• Used tyres and motor oil from maintenance vehicles and golf carts. Tyre and oil distributors and local recycling companies should have information regarding recognised tyre and motor oil recycling centres.

• Glass bottles, cans, paper waste and cleaned food tins and jars from the clubhouse. The energy saved from recycling one glass bottle can power a 100-watt light bulb for almost an hour. For each ton of paper recycled, 3m3 of landfill space is saved, 17 pine trees are saved and there is a reduction in electricity-based emissions of 1,8 tons of carbon dioxide.

Community involvement

Golf course managers, with their large properties and parking facilities, are in a unique position to offer a community recycling centre. Such an operation may well be an excellent method of establishing a good relationship with the local community, who so often perceive golf courses as a waste of valuable city space and as water guzzlers.