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The Facts About Golf Course
Water Use and Conservation
Brian Cloud
GCSAA Field Staff
South Central Region
September 10, 2013
Golf Courses 213
Direct Economic Impact: $280.5 Million Total
Economic Impact: $545.6 Million
Total Jobs: 10,600
Total Wage Income $166 Million
Year of Study 2006*
Golf Course Irrigation is a Necessity
• Challenges
•
Extremely Valuable Resource
•
Drought Has Heightened the Visibility
•
Courses, especially in the consumption and
management of water, must fit within the
community’s ecosystem.
Golf courses superintendents
understand that water must be managed
responsibly, efficiently and sustainably.
Public Factors
• Misconception that Rain Cures / Only Factor
Drought
• Government infrastructure – billions in shortfalls
• Water conservation is working with consumers –
awareness, 30% per capita
• Overall water use is up, despite conservation,
primarily due to poor managed irrigation systems.
• Water use also tied to energy, must be available,
water must be treated, pumped, moved and heated
Committed to the Mission
GCSAA
Providing Education
Distributing Information
Working with Industry Partners
USGA
$40 million to research since 1983
New grass varieties
Advanced management techniques
US Open - Golfer Expectations
2012 Water Summit
Turfgrass Associations, Chapters, Local and State
Governments
Course managers should assess their vulnerability to water
resource scarcity and undertake measures to minimize their
risk, whether it be related to water quantity, quality, or
reputation. These measures can help enhance the resiliency
of the business to water shortages caused by drought or
other interruptions in service.
EPA Official at 2012 USGA Water Summit
The Facts
About Golf
Course
Water Use
DATA provided by - Golf Course Environmental Profile
OBJECTIVES
•
•
•
•
Understand the physical
characteristics, inputs and management practices
associated with the maintenance of U.S. golf courses.
Provide base-line data to investigate future changes in
the golf industry.
Help guide future environmental efforts and research
Address inquiries about environmental issues
Land Use And Environmental
Stewardship Characteristics
April 2006
Water Use & Conservation
November 2006
Nutrient Use And Management
Practices
May 2007
Pesticide Use and Management
Practices
May 2008
Energy Use and Conservation
Practices
January 2009
All Reports Available
@ www.GCSAA.org
Water Use and Conservation Practices On
U.S. Golf Courses
Survey conducted in November 2006
16,797 golf facility invitations – 2,548 participants – 15% return rate
Water Use and Conservation Practices on U.S. Golf Courses
– Applied Turgrass Science Journal, January 2009
Sustainability
Golf’s Opportunity
Irrigated Acres on U.S. Golf Courses
- U.S. Average 80 Irrigated Acres per 18 Holes
Estimated 1,504,210 acres of
maintained turf on golf facilities in US
Approximately 1,198,381 are
irrigated 80%
115
100
ABCDFG
ABCG
ABCG
66
103
74
84
ABC
AB
54
A
Northeast
North
Central
Transition
Southeast
Southwest
Upper West/
Mountain
Pacific
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
Changes in Irrigated Acres
2001-2005
U.S. - Average
Increase
U.S. - Average
Decrease
12.3 Acres
Decreased
9%
13.0 Acres
Increased
25%
Stayed the Same
66%
Changes in Irrigated Acres
2001-2005
Annual Water Use
(Millions of Gallons)
• 18-hole Golf Facilities
• Average Use - 2003-2005
149.5
ABCDFG
Sustainability
97.9
ABCDG
78.8
ABCG
51.5
ABC
25.0A
25.7A
Northeast
North
Central
Transition
Southeast
Southwest
Upper West/
Mountain
Pacific
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
256
379
13.8
Golf’s Opportunity
347
788
1,300
950
613
Gallons of Water Used Per Irrigated Acre (Thousands)
0.78
1.17
1.07
2.42
4.00
Acre Feet of Water Used Per Irrigated Acre
2.92
1.88
Water Use on US Golf Courses
Agronomic Region
US
NE
NC
Trans
SE
SW
UW/
Mtn
Pac
13.8
25.0
25.7
78.8
149.5
97.9
51.5
16,797 2,871
4,238
3,116
3,518
1,272
1,100
682
90.0
30.0
Annual Water
Use Per
Facility –
Millions Of
Gallons
Total Number
of Facilities
Estimated
Annual
Total Water
Use
- Billions of
Gallons
Sustainability
Golf’s Opportunity
762
Billion
Per
Year
35.0
92.0
70.0
260.0
185.0
Water Use Nationally
• The Water Use and Conservation
Survey estimates total annual water use
on U.S. golf courses is 762 billion
gallons
• The United States Geologic Survey
(USGS) estimated water use in the U.S.
in 2000 at 408 billion gallons of water
per day = 148 trillion
• The USGS reports that approximately
137 billion gallons of water per day is
used for irrigation = 50 trillion
• Golf course irrigation accounts for 0.5%
of 408 billion gallons of water used per
day in the U.S.
• Golf course irrigation accounts for 1.5%
of the 137 billion gallons of water used
per day in the U.S.
Total Water Use 0.5%
Golf
Courses
Total USA
Total Irrigation Use 1.5%
Golf
USA
Irrigation Water Expenditures
(Thousands of Dollars)
$107.8
ABCDFG
• Average 18-Hole Golf Facility (2004-5)
• Excludes Pumping Costs
Sustainability
$6.9
$42.4
ABCDF
$20.8
$15.0
ABC
ABC
$6.3
$4.7
B
Northeast
North
Central
Transition
Southeast
A
B
C
D
E
F
57%
62%
64%
58%
18%
37%
Golf’s Opportunity
Southwest Upper West/
Mountain
Pacific
G
50%
Percentage of 18-hole golf facilities that have no expenditures for water
Irrigation Water Sources
*Many with Multiple Sources
On a national basis, approximately 85 percent
of irrigation water is used from May through
October. Nearly half (41 percent) of the water use
during that period is used during July and August
(Figure 8, Appendix Table 7).
Figure 8 – Average 18-hole golf facility water
use in the U.S. (percentage of total irrigation by
month) (Appendix Table 7).
Use of Reclaimed Water By Agronomic Region
M onthly water-use patterns vary by agronomic
region, with water use concentrated in M ay
to October in the Northeast, North Central,
US
NC
Transition, Upper West/ M
ountain aNE
nd Pacific
agronomic regions.
In the Southeast and Southwest regions, water use
%
Golf
is spre
adof
more
evenly throughout the year because
of Facilities
year-roundUsing
evaporative demand, turf growth
and golf course use.
12
Reclaimed
Water
3
3
Figure 8
January–February – 2%
March–April – 9%
Trans
SE
May–June – 26%
SW
UW/
Mtn
Pac
17
17
July–August – 41%
September–October – 18%
4
24
37
November–December – 4%
0
10
20
30
40
50
Reasons For Not Using Recycled Water
IRRIGATION SCHEDULING TECHNIQUES
97%
Observations of turf
82%
Soil moisture observations
49%
Short-term weather forecasts
Evapotranspiration (ET) from a weather service
18%
Evapotranspiration from onsite weather station
17%
Long-term weather records
6%
Soil moisture sensors
Other
None
3%
6%
1%
Other mentions include… experience, personal observations/ scouting, playing
conditions, humidity, soil probes, water availability, event schedule, etc.
Top Water Conservation Methods - 2006
Wetting Agents (92%)
Hand Watering (78%)
Keeping Turfgrass Drier (69%)
ranging from surface water (ponds, lakes, streams)
and ground water sources to water provided by a
local municipality (Appendix Table 10).
average 18-hole golf facilities in the U.S.
(Appendix Table 10).
The Value of Water
Figure 12
Many golf facilities have more than one source of
water to use for irrigation. Most of the water for
18-hole golf facilities comes from surface waters
such as ponds or lakes, or on-site irrigation wells.
Open water
(lakes, ponds, etc.) – 52%
On-site wells – 46%
Approximately 14 percent of irrigation water is
supplied by municipal drinking water sources, and
12 percent of golf facilities nationally use recycled
water as an irrigation source.
Golf Courses in California as Modern Agricultural Enterprises
Rivers, streams, creeks – 17%
Scott R. Templeton,
David Zilberman, Mark Henry
Municipal water system
(drinking water supply) – 14%
Reclaimed/ effluent/ recycled
water – 12%
• Compared the value of agricultural crops per unit of water
compared to golf courses
Canals – 4%
Why we are doing this?
Other – 3%
Brackish water – <1%
• Golf courses utilize 1.4% of land associated with agriculture
On-site desalinization
plant – <1%
• Golf courses utilize 1.1% of the water used for irrigation
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Table of Contents
Golf Courses in California as
Modern Agricultural Enterprises
Written Drought Management Plans
Written drought management plans provide
superintendents with a documented pr ocedure to
reduce irrigation water use during dr ought.
ese
plans can be developed on a voluntary basis and
also can be required by a government entity.
Approximately 15 percent of 18-hole golf facilities
in the U.S. have a written drought management
plan (Figure 21, Appendix Table 14). Sixty-three
percent of 18-hole golf facilities that have developed a plan were required to do so by a state or
local governing authority. Private golf facilities and
those with an annual maintenance budget gr eater
than $500,000 are more likely to have a written
drought management plan.
Figure 21 – Percentage of 18-hole golf facilities
that have a written drought management plan
in the U.S. by agronomic region (Appendix
Table 15).
Figure 21
• Golf course revenue –
- $ 14,431 per acre of land
- $ 5,126 per acre foot of water
Upper West/Mountain –
20% (b)
Southeast – 19% (b)
Southwest – 19% (bc)
U.S. Average – 15%
Why
we
are
doing
this?
Agricultural commodities revenue –
ere are differences among the agronomic regions
for 18-hole golf facilities that have written drought
management plans. Twenty-eight percent of
18-hole golf facilities in the N ortheast agronomic
region have written drought management plans
and are more likely to have them than any other
agronomic region (Figure 21, Appendix Table 15).
•
Northeast – 28% (a)
Pacific – 12% (c)
Transition – 11% (c)
North Central – 3% (d)
- $ 2,2264 per acre of land
- $ 645 per acre foot of water
Letters denote significance at 90% confidence level.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
32
Summary – 2006 Study
• Golf course water use and cost vary significantly across
regions
• Irrigated acreage is likely to increase over time *
• Reclaimed water use would increase if made available to
more golf courses
• Water efficiency, conservation and scheduling techniques are
reasonable, but can improve
• Regulatory pressure for the use of water will continue to
fluctuate with time and geography
The Facts About Water Conservation on Golf Courses
Water Conservation Strategies
• Improved Grasses That Require Less Water
•
Renovations
•
Construction
•
Research
• New Irrigation System Technologies
•
Methods
•
Equipment
• Best Management Practices For Golf Course Irrigation
• Alternative Water Sources
• Recycled
• Golf Course Design Concepts That Save Water
• Turf Reduction
•
Maintenance Conditions
• Educational Opportunities Concerning Water Use And Conservation
The Facts About Water Conservation
on Golf Courses
Strategies
• “Maintenance up the Middle
• USGA Initiative – Chris Hartwinger
• Overall reduction in Inputs
• Water, Labor, Fertilizer, Pesticides, Equipment
and Fuel
• Approx. 58% of a course is outside of the “Middle”
• Golfer and Owner Expectation Challenges
• Turf Reduction
• Pasatiempo Golf Club – 95 Irrigated Acres in 2007
• 28% Mandatory reduction in 2009
• 5 Acres Immediately Eliminated
• Architect – Additional 20 Acres
• Irrigation System Modification Necessary
• 70 Acres – Up to a $300,000 Savings in 2011
• Several prominent courses have filed suit in state
The Facts About Water Conservation on Golf
Courses
Strategies (cont)
• Deficit Irrigation
• Friendly Hills Country Club – Whittier, CA
• Steadily Increasing Water Costs vs economic survival
• Three Step Plan
• Establishment of Kikuyugrass in fairways and roughs
(reduced irrigation)
• Communication with golfers
• Careful monitoring of the data
• Weather station – ET
• Target of less than established 75% of ET Standard
• Determined 60% of ET was acceptable
• Water Savings
• 2010 and 2011 – Summer water reduced 35%
• 2012 – Summer water reduced by 26% - 34.9 acft
• Success Factors
• Fine Tuning of Grassisng Scheme
• “Buy in” of club members and green committee
Las Vegas – Southern Nevada Water Authority
Water Efficiency in the LV Golf Industry
• Crippling 12 Year Drought – Colorado River, 90% LV Use
• Crisis due to drought and growth
• Target – Consumptive Water Use “One-time Uses of Water”
60% of all water used – landscape irrigation
Recognized – treated water more expensive than potable
consumption higher due to salts
• 6.8% Of Water in LV Used by Golf Courses
• Developed Water Demand Management Tools
• Education
• Pricing
• Incentives
• Regulation
• 50 Acres of turf for new courses
• Golf Course Water Budgets and Penalties
• Golf Course Given Choice of
• Following Community Scheduling Regulations
• Water Budgets – overwhelming majority
Las Vegas – Southern Nevada Water Authority
Water Efficiency in the LV Golf Industry
• Industry and SNWA worked together to develop budget
• 6.5 Acre Feet per Acre per Year
• Only 30% courses were affected – most already under
• Incentives and Pricing Penalties
• 30 Courses – 324 Projects, 836 Acres
• Paid $1 per sqft - $37.7 million
• Penalties for going over budget
• 1 – 20% over budget – 2X Top Tier Water Rate
• 21 – 40% over – 5X Top Tier Water Rate
• +40% - 9X Top Tier Water Rate
• 1st Year – 10% Reduction in Water use
• Following Golf’s Lead, Las Vegas has realized savings
• 1990 – 350 gal per day per capita
• 2003 – 324 gal per day per capita
• 2012 – 221 gal per day per capita
• 2035 goal – 199 per day per capita
• Overall Golf’s Demand has declined 2.7 Billions Gallons
• 21%, Through Water Efficiency and Loss of Courses
Georgia GCSA
Working with Regulators and Legislators
• Droughts in 1980s and 90s resulted in water wars,
regulation, permitting, and restriction
• Perception of Golf Hurt – Not a Level Playing Field
“Do you want water for food or fun?”
• GGCSA - Started with Allied Golf Association
Club Managers, PGA, Georgia Golf Association and
Georgia Golf Course Superintendents Association
• Task Force to provide education for regulators and
legislators - $3B impact - .5% of water used
• Hired Lobby Firm
• Placed Superintendents on Regulatory Committees
• Final effort was:
• Memorandum of Agreement
• Georgia Environmental Protection Division
• Department of Natural Resources
• Georgia GCSA
• Stated that 75% of GGCSA courses would be
operating under BMPs for Water Conservaton
by May of 2007
Georgia GCSA
Working with Regulators and Legislators
• No Guarantees
• By May of 2007, 93% of GGCSA courses were
working with BMPs, exceeding 75% goal, number
higher today
• Results
• In 2007, Stage 4 Water Restrictions hit the state
which meant a “Greens Only” restriction for courses
• An Executive Order was made by the Environmental
Protection Division – Director easing restrictions to a
35% reduction as opposed to a “Greens Only”
• Golf Industry received a commendation from the
Governor for Water Conservation – only industry
• Subsequent Legislation – golf has been exempt or
has experience low impact
• BMPs have been a model and template for further
regulation and legislation – and golf industry
Tarrant (County) Regional Water District and
North Texas Superintendents
• TRWD Stage 1 Water Restrictions
• Golf courses – Reduce water consumption by 5%.
• Residential and Commercial customers are limited to only two watering events per
week.
• The primary purpose of the meeting was to establish a reasonable baseline to be
used to measure the 5% required reduction.
• The program manager was extremely cooperative and gave the superintendents
the ability to each choose their own methodology for reaching the 5% level.
• This negotiated method demonstrated a very beneficial compromise that will work
well for the superintendents in the county. In addition to the Stage 1 restrictions,
the group discussed the seemingly imminent Stage 2 restrictions if the drought
continues. The group pledged to work closely to be prepared for more strict
restrictions and will reconvene later in the summer.
Water Conservation
Resources
http://wateruseitwisely.com/
http://www.waterconserve.org/
ON DEMAND WEBCASTS
Irrigation: Science, Art and Measuring for Success
This GCSAA On Demand webcast covers basic soil science concepts, including field capacity,
saturation, plant available water, soil moisture content, histosols and subsidence, and relates
them to real-world techniques used to determine proper irrigation replacement.
Practical Aspects of Water Use on the Golf Course
We all know water is an important resource for facility success. In this 90-minute On Demand
webcast, Tod Blankenship, CGCS, provides the practical side of water use and gives you some
tips you can use now and in the future
What About Wetting Agents?
Most superintendents use wetting agents for one purpose or another. Join Doug Karcher,
Ph.D., in this webcast to get tips for effective and efficient use that will help make the most of
your dollars spent.
Water Management - Source, Spray and Soil (presented by Precision Laboratories)
In this free webcast, you'll learn best practices to maintain a viable source of irrigation water;
how water quality, drift, leaf retention, and plant absorption influence the efficacy of plant
protectants; and how the selection of cultural practices and soil surfactants can improve the
turf's ability to utilize water and survive hot, dry conditions.
Preparing for and Managing Turf through Water Shortages and Drought
Analyze the impacts of soil preparation and water quality on long-term drought resistance and
survival.
Advanced Turfgrass Irrigation Water Quality: Assessment and Management
Learn more about water quality reports and treatment needs.
Developing and Implementing Best Management Practices for Golf Course Water Conservation
The importance of water conservation is highlighted in the discussions of best management
practices.
Irrigation: Components, Concepts and Controllers
Delve into detailed aspects of installing, running, repairing, and maintaining an irrigation system.
Golf Water Management
Make every drop of water count and save dollars in the process.
Starting A Water Conservation Plan on Your Course
• Make It Your Idea, “It’s Coming”, Communicate, Communicate, Communicate
• Know Your History
• Research
•
Opportunities
•
Successes
•
Challenges
• Set Smart Goals
• Depends on Many Factors
•
Condition Expectations – Spirit of Golfers
•
Soil Type
•
Climate
•
Current Turf Species
•
Budget – Labor, Fertilizer, Chemical, Capital
•
Irrigation System Condition
• Implement and Monitor
• Take Credit and Share
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Realistic
Time Frame
Thank You!
Brian Cloud
[email protected]
817-296-9117