Almost 80% of Spanish golf courses of less than 18 holes, and more than 60% in the case of courses of 18 holes or more, use regenerated or desalinated water for irrigation, which is not suitable for human consumption.
This is one of the main conclusions of the ‘Study of water use in Spanish golf courses’ prepared by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation in collaboration with the main Golf Associations -Spanish Association of Greenkeepers, Spanish Association of Golf Managers, Spanish Association of Golf Courses and PGA of Spain-, which has been presented coinciding with the celebration of the International Tourism Fair in Madrid.
In order to carry out the study, a form was prepared with different questions related to the sources of water extraction, type of water, percentage of use of that water with respect to the total irrigation used, water quality and work proposals addressed to the RFEG and the AEdG regarding the regulation of phytosanitary products.
The form was shared with all the Associations and sent to all the golf courses, obtaining a response from 237 of them out of a total of 408 (58%), a figure that is considered representative.
Among courses with less than 18 holes, the percentage of those using recycled water unfit for human consumption is 76.2%, while 1.2% use desalinated water and 22.6% use other sources.
These percentages are 57.3% (recycled water), 3.6% (desalinated water) and 38.5% (other sources) in the case of golf courses with 18 holes or more.
The quality of the water used to irrigate the playgrounds was also evaluated, with an average score of 7 out of 10 for desalinated water and 5.6 for reclaimed water.
Golf course managers consider that a national regulation is needed in relation to water management and use to improve water quality and increase sustainability, stressing the need to raise awareness of the need to reduce playing areas, promote efficiency and training, and carry out more studies and tests on the results of the application of biological products.
On courses with less than 18 holes (rustic courses, Pitch & Putt and 9 holes), the average volume of water consumed for irrigation is less than 100,000 m3 and between 100,000 – 200,000 m3.
On the other hand, the average volume of water consumed for irrigation in courses with 18 holes or more -the greater the number of holes, the greater the consumption- ranges from less than 100,000 m3 to more than 300,000 m3.
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Awareness of Public Administrations
Gonzaga Escauriaza, President of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, considers that “this study, carried out with the collaboration of a very significant number of golf courses in Spain, shows that this sector is the first interested not only in preserving, but also in improving the environment. The high number of courses that use reclaimed water that is not suitable for human consumption contributes to generating wealth, since this water is paid for by the golf courses”.
“The established dynamics -continues the President of the RFEG- is also unstoppable, since the number of courses that add to the use of this type of water is increasing, as long as they have access to it. From here we strongly request that the Administrations look favorably on the golf industry, which is very conscious of the environment and also contributes more than 2,000 million euros to the Spanish society as a whole”.
For his part, Francisco Carvajal, President of the Spanish Association of Greenkeepers, says that “we must thank both Acosol and the Royal Spanish Golf Federation for this important study, which surely attests to the awareness that exists in this industry, the golf industry, to optimize resources without harming the environment, also using the most advanced technologies in irrigation in the case of Greenkeepers to not waste a drop. It would be of great help if the Administrations, Councils, Town Halls and others would try to collaborate with those golf courses that, due to their situation, cannot yet use this type of water. It is not only important for the public opinion, but also to respect the environment that surrounds us”.
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Active participation of the Association of Municipalities of the Costa del Sol – Acosol
The event was attended by representatives of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol – Acosol, which has been involved for many years in the growing use of recycled water in the golf courses of the Costa del Sol.
Margarita del Cid, President of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol and Acosol, said that “we are very sensitive to this issue because we have the obligation to ensure such an important resource as water and, for this, we create synergies with other agencies and institutions to collaborate and create avenues for research and projects such as the one presented now on the economic, environmental and savings benefits of irrigation with reclaimed water on golf courses”.
“In addition, -he added- this study is presented hand in hand with the golf sector, represented by the directors of the courses of the Costa del Sol and other institutions to put in value the conclusions obtained from it, as we did previously with the report conducted by the Golf Observatory in 2017.”
For his part, Manuel Cardeña, CEO of Acosol, recalled that “at Acosol we continue to work on strategies aimed at responsible water consumption and reuse. These measures contribute to environmental conservation, sustainability and care for the environment, and also represent a saving for the water reserves of the La Concepción reservoir and aquifers. Studies such as this one support Acosol’s actions to implement the irrigation of golf courses with recycled water”.
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Reclaimed water service by Acosol
The irrigation service with reclaimed water to the golf courses by Acosol was almost 5 million cubic meters during 2018. The company’s annual water supply is around 300,000 cubic meters for each of the golf courses, an amount that represents about 2,000 cubic meters per day in the case of the 18-hole courses.
However, these data suffer certain alterations depending on the weather conditions and the time of the year, since from October to March, depending on how the rainfall responds, they are more likely to be supplied by rain or with their own resources.
Acosol’s participation and collaboration in this type of studies and research is another example of its commitment to caring for our environment and a commitment to sustainability, making this type of promotional activities complete in every way.
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BENEFITS OF USING RECLAIMED WATER ON GOLF COURSES
. Respeto medioambiental
. Recarga y conservación de acuíferos naturales
. Generación de riqueza (el agua regenerada es pagada por los campos de golf)
. Mejor utilización del agua por hectárea que otros sectores
. Creación de empleo: número de empleados por hectárea regada muy superior a otros sectores intensivos en uso de agua
. Conservación y creación de espacios que favorecen la biodiversidad
. Mantenimiento del caudal ecológico de los ríos
. Restauración de humedales y mantenimiento de ecosistemas
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