Where is your water coming from?

Unless you have been living in a hole, you have likely heard that California is in the midst of a historical drought. Consequently, golf courses residing in the state have been under the water-usage microscope. While this certainly presents challenges to our water-dependent industry, the situation also provides an opportunity to self-reflect, learn and try to get better in regards to water management.

I'm not here to sound the panic alarm, or shame our industry for using water. After all, in actuality, golf courses only use one half of one percent of all water withdrawn in the United States annually. And only 14 percent of golf courses use water from a municipal water supply. So you may be asking, "who cares then?" Well, a lot of people do, just read the news. I could go on with numerous anecdotal facts that support golf's claims as responsible users of water. And believe me, I buy into all of them. But that still doesn't mean that we can't improve.

Golf course irrigation can actually be mutually beneficial for golf, the environment, and other water consumers. How so? By using recycled water. In this story published by the Napa Valley Register, golf receives some positive PR as we learn about Napa Valley Country Club's conversion to recycled water. Sure, the upfront cost associated with installing the required infrastructure is certainly notable. But given the current state of water access in the state, I believe this is an investment well worth it. And as General Manager Todd Meginness points out, "aesthetically, environmentally, everybody wins. We'll be recharging the water table at the same time." Now that brings the initial point full circle.

Certainly, here in the Mid-Atlantic region, our weather conditions are quite different. We receive more rain, we experience a little season called winter when there is no need to irrigate (most of the time), and I would argue that public pressure for reducing water usage is not quite as high. But we still have a responsibility to do our due diligence and evaluate our current water management plans.

• Do you have the ability to use reclaimed water? If so, what are the costs/benefits long-term and short-term?
• How efficient is your current irrigation system? Have you audited recently?
• Do you have a drought management plan in place?
• Is there opportunity for irrigation reduction by replacing plantings with more drought tolerant plant species? 
• Is your club or association part of a water conservation task force? Should it be? 
• Do you have a relationship with your local water authority? Should you?
• Do you use soil moisture meters to determine irrigation requirements?
• Ever thought about building a retention pond and capturing runoff to use for irrigation?

The list goes on. As an industry we have more work to do with developing drought tolerant grasses, salt tolerant grasses, etc. A project that likely will never end, nor should it. Likewise, we are continually developing our BMPs, and water management is a key section. 

Similarly, water quality is not too different from water usage. Cue the Chesapeake Bay. Have you heard there is a water quality issue there? That is why I really like the idea of using recycled water, if at all possible. Not only does it benefit us, but it benefits everyone, and it is a great PR move for our industry. Maybe there are grants available. Maybe you and a local club could cost-share to get the appropriate infrastructure in place. Maybe the sanitation plant would cost-share. Maybe there would be tax write-offs. 

I don't know your specific situation. But I do believe it is our responsibility as an industry to evaluate our water management practices annually, and ask ourselves the question, "how is my water management, and how can I improve?"