Portarlington GC using stormwater

The Geelong Advisor wrote a perfect article, so I'm just going to re-post it here and give them credit, enjoy!

A pipeline now connects the Portarlington water reclamation plant with the town's golf course.

The 3.5km pipeline will supply up to 50 million litres of class C recycled water a year _ more than half the club's needs to irrigate the course, gardens and clubhouse surrounds.

It replaces a temporary above-ground pipeline constructed in 2006 to provide water during the drought.
Barwon Water managing director Michael Malouf said the permanent connection would save about 30 million litres of drinking water a year and provide the golf course with a secure supply.

``The Portarlington Golf Club has been a real leader in finding alternative sources to irrigate the course, using rainwater and stormwater in past years,'' Mr Malouf said.

``While these methods provide about half the club's needs, drinking water was required to make up the shortfall.''
The existing stormwater and rainwater collection, combined with the recycled water, means the club can maintain the course without using valuable drinking water.

Mr Malouf said four other customers used water from the Portarlington plant.
``With the golf course now connected, 100 per cent of the recycled water produced at the plant is being used, mainly for viticulture,'' he said.

The golf club used a $100,000 federal community water grant to help pay for the $220,000 pipeline. It funded the balance.

Barwon Water upgraded infrastructure at the plant to improve the access to recycled water.
Golf club manager Kerry Bond said the club had developed a water-wise usage plan in 2002.
``Several years ago, the club identified long-term water supply as an issue and set about making the golf course self-sufficient in water,'' Ms Bond said.

``We are committed to environment sustainable water use, and the connection of the recycled water pipeline is the culmination of many years' work.''

The Growling Frog Golf Course - Australia

The Growling Frog Golf Course has won a number of international and national environmental awards. The course is watered with recycled water, including the use of reclaimed water from the Whittlesea Treatment Plant and recycled sewer effluent from the clubhouse.

The clubhouse contains water saving plumbing devices as well as a range of other environmentally friendly features, such as high performance solar control glass and thermal and acoustic insulation in the walls and ceiling.

After the recent exciting discovery that confirmed the presence of the nationally threatened Growling Grass Frog at the Growling Frog Golf Course, Council is hoping to secure funding to secure the habitat of this species.

As part of the Living Rivers Program, a concept plan has been developed that looks at options of catching and treating stormwater runoff from the carpark and the roof of clubhouse at the golf course.

This water will be used to create new wetland areas. It is hoped this initiative will further enhance the site as a potential breeding ground and ensure that the Growling Grass Frog has a secure future at the golf course that bears its name.

Learn more here

Organic Golf Course - Kabi

Check out a great article about Kabi here.

Some Highlights on Kabi's Organic Golf Course Maintenance

The Kabi golf course and orchard are BFA {Biological Farmers Association} certified. Kabi is the only golf course in Australia that is currently certified by the BFA. Research has shown us that Kabi is potentially the only golf course in the southern hemisphere if not the world that is certified organic by a government body.

KEEPING THE GREENS: The main grasses used are warm-season Couch and cool-season Poa, which have been chosen for their lower water requirement. Inputs include good quality composts as well as beneficial microbiology in combination with minerals.

WEED CONTROL: Seasonal weeds are controlled mainly by hand weeding and some biodynamic practices.

PEST AND DISEASE CONTROL: Mole crickets, black beetles and ants are controlled with biodynamic practices and various botanical oils.The main disease encountered is dollar spot, which is controlled with beneficial biology.