Environment, Climate Change and Water

Index:

golf

Stormwater management for golf courses

	About golf courses
	Nine areas to manage:
	1 Storing bulk materials
	2 Mixing and storing chemicals
	3 Earthworks
	4 Applying pesticides
	5 Applying fertilisers
	6 Irrigation
	7 Mowing
	8 Selecting species
	9 Washing vehicles and equipment
	General provisions
	Case studies
	Legislation
	Case studies
	Further reading

About golf courses

A golf course is a largely artificial environment and, as such, requires intensive management. The typical golf course is mowed, watered, fertilised, cored, sprayed and otherwise treated to reach a state where large numbers of people can walk and ride across it and still expect a smooth, green, true playing surface.

Golf courses have had a strong reliance on chemicals since the 1950s, when the use of modern pesticides became common. In recent years, however, best practice in golf course management has moved away from the chemical-based strategies of the past, due mainly to government regulation and concern for the environment.

The following 10 areas cover many aspects of stormwater management for golf courses. Some of the suggested techniques are for everyday use and some relate more to the need for council planning.

1 Storing bulk materials

Stockpiles of materials used in golf course maintenance, such as sand and gravel, have the potential to contribute to stormwater pollution as a result of rainfall and runoff. To minimise this impact:

locate stockpiles away from waterways, roads, slopes steeper than 10%, and areas of concentrated water flow
cover temporary stockpiles with a weighted-down plastic sheet; the sides of temporary stockpiles should be protected with hay bales, sand bags or other similar sediment controls as necessary
for long-term stockpiles where regular access is required, the area should be bunded (see below) on three sides by concrete, brick or timber walls.

2 Mixing and storing chemicals

The chemicals needed for golf course maintenance are usually stored on-site. There is potential for stormwater pollution if they are not stored properly and mixed carefully. To deal with these problems:

store and mix chemicals in a covered, bunded area (see below), ensuring that all stormwater is directed away from the bunded area
mix chemicals according to the manufacturer's specifications
inspect bulk storage containers regularly, and replace them if rusted or damaged
if storing products classified under the NSW Dangerous Goods Act 1975, store them in a manner which complies with the requirements of this Act; depending upon the quantity stored, licensing by the WorkCover Authority may be required
store empty drums and containers undercover, and have them removed as soon as possible
make sure there is a spill plan and that staff are trained to deal with spills; a spill kit containing dry absorbent spill material should be clearly identified and easily accessible.

Building an effective bund

Effective bunding is extemely important when dealing with chemicals. For effective bunding remember:

construction of bunds should comply with the Australian Standard 1940-1993 The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids
if you are storing liquids classified under the NSW Dangerous Goods Act 1975 they must be stored to comply with the Act
the walls and floors of the bund should be constructed of impervious material
bunds must be large enough to hold the contents of the largest container plus 10%
if fire protection is provided the bund capacity must be sufficient to retain the firewater as well as the spilled substance
a collection sump should be provided in the bund floor for removal of liquids
drain valves should be leakproof and outside the bunded area
reinforced concrete walls should be used; mortared brick walls are not considered adequate for bund walls around above-ground storage tanks
if possible, provide a roof to stop rainwater getting in; always check with WorkCover NSW regarding safety considerations before installing a roof over bunded chemicals.

Disposing of containers

Chemical containers must be disposed of properly. A program called drumMUSTER, developed by industry in conjunction with the Australian Local Government Association and the National Farmers Federation, collects and recycles eligible empty, cleaned, non-returnable crop protection and animal health chemical containers. For details of how councils can join the program contact drumMUSTER on (02) 6230 6712 or access their website at www.drummuster.com.au

Cleaned pesticide, biocide, herbicide or fungicide containers are classified as solid waste under the EPA's Environmental Guidelines: Assessment, Classification and Management of Liquid and Non-Liquid Wastes. The cleaning method used should be as good or better than the triple rinsing method described at Technical Appendix 3 of the Guidelines.

3 Earthworks

The need to disturb the ground surface of golf courses, and bring new materials to a site, can lead to wind and water erosion and problems with sediments. Ongoing maintenance or repairs may mean a work area is left open to the elements for extended periods.

To deal with this it is essential to develop a comprehensive plan that can be adapted to work on any site. Councils should develop a plan using the best-practice guidelines in the NSW Department of Housing booklet Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction (1998).

As part of this plan:

limit the area of land disturbance and avoid disturbance near watercourses, drains or sensitive areas
finish earthworks on a site as quickly as possible
protect exposed areas, and stabilise them as soon as possible after work has been finished
control runoff by preventing flows from going off site, limiting flows within the site, and keeping sediment within the site.

4 Applying pesticides

Councils have a responsibility to maintain the appearance and usefulness of golf courses, and doing this involves preventing and eradicating pests. The pesticides used to do this often find their way into the stormwater system.

Pesticides in waterways can result in dramatic changes within ecosystems through direct destruction of organisms and habitats, and more subtly through small doses which may impair reproduction, cause greater susceptibility to disease and inhibit growth. Aquatic animals are particularly susceptible to pesticides because they can absorb them from the water and sediments in which they live.

The chemicals used by councils can enter the aquatic environment through a variety of routes, including direct application, drifting through the air, migration of contaminated organisms, infiltration through the soil into groundwater, spills during transport and application, poor disposal of empty containers, and runoff from treated land.

The major opportunity for minimising the risk of contamination of stormwater with pesticides is by reducing overall use. To achieve this you can:

use non-chemical pest control methods
choose the least toxic, least persistent pesticide
limit the number of applications and/or the amount used in each application
develop an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy (see below).

A systematic approach - integrated pest management

Using the integrated pest management (IPM) approach leads to the best results. IPM uses a variety of controls in a systematic way. Examples include:

biological control - using beneficial organisms (e.g. predators, parasites) to suppress pests
cultural control - using such techniques as plant rotation and cultivation
physical control - using barriers, traps, adjusting planting location or timing
chemical control - using pesticides when needed, not regularly, and using them only where needed, not all over
plant choice - choosing varieties that are resistant to diseases known to be prevalent in that area, and matching species to a site.

The key to IPM is good planning:

identify pests or diseases before undertaking a pest control regime, and adopt the most environmentally benign method for that problem
mow and prune correctly to maintain healthy grass and plants that are resistant to pests and disease
carry minimum amounts of chemicals on work vehicles and ensure they are safely secured and contained
don't using chemicals during unsuitable weather conditions, e.g. windy periods, when soil is very wet, during rain or when rain is forecast.
don't apply chemicals near drains or gutters
wash chemical containers at the depot, where wastewater can go to the sewer
purchase chemicals from a supplier who recycles empty chemical containers, and follow label directions for disposal
monitor sites to ensure that chemicals are having desired effect, and adjust accordingly
ensure that Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) - which list the details of each chemical used by an organisation - are obtained and staff are trained in applying chemicals and managing spills.

5 Applying fertilisers

Councils apply fertilisers to golf courses to maintain the appearance and amenity of these areas. Bad application practices or poor choice of product for given conditions can lead to these fertilisers going directly into stormwater, or indirectly by leaching into groundwater. Excessive nutrient levels in waterways contributes to algal blooms and aquatic weeds.

To minimise the impact of fertilisers:

try to limit spray drift by selecting the correct nozzle, operating pressure and droplet size
on sandy soils, which are unlikely to retain nutrients, apply small quantities of fertiliser more often (rather than larger amounts less often)
consider using soil conditioning products, which can improve fertiliser efficiency and the health of turf species
limit fertilisers to key heavy duty areas such as greens, tees and selected fairway areas
do not apply fertiliser directly to any natural or artificial body of water, or the adjacent riparian zones (at the water's edge)
do not apply fertilisers during times of high wind or high temperature, when rainfall is imminent, or when soil is very wet
use fertilisers and pesticides which have low heavy metal content; if such information is not included on the label it can be obtained from the supplier.

6 Irrigation

Because golf course users expect the course to look a particular way all the time, council staff can tend to over-irrigate. This can lead to surface water flow, which increases the leaching of fertilisers and other chemicals into nearby waterways.

To avoid this:

develop an irrigation plan which considers the relative costs of different types of irrigation equipment
choose turf species that require less water
time irrigation so that plants make the best use of irrigation water
check equipment regularly to ensure accurate, efficient and reliable metering and dispersal
install soil moisture monitoring equipment to improve irrigation efficiency; the planning of irrigation should consider the level of stored water in the soil, the water storage capacity of the soil, and impending climatic conditions.

7 Mowing

Grass clippings from mowing and edging are generally not collected by councils, because of the cost and because they are seen as a natural fertiliser. Many grassed areas are next to stormwater drains, gutters and paved areas, so grass may enter stormwater directly or due to wind or runoff.

Mowing can lead to the removal of vegetation on riparian zones (at the sides of waterways). This vegetation is important for maintaining aquatic habitats and acts as a buffer to protect waterways from neighbouring land uses.

With mowing and edging there is the potential for spills of petroleum products when decanting fuels and operating machinery.

To deal with these problems you can:

ensure mowers and edgers project grass clippings away from waterways, drains and gutters
use a grass catcher in sensitive areas and, if possible, send collected grass clippings to a composting facility or worm farm (to be recycled for use in gardens)
use mowers which mulch clippings into smaller particles to help break them down, or mow high and often as this creates small volumes of grass clippings which will break down more easily
remove clippings from paved areas such as footpaths, driveways, roads and gutters; this may be easier if mowing is coordinated with street-cleaning operations
remove all litter and debris before mowing and edging
avoid mowing if the ground is very wet, as this can lead to erosion, and tyre tracks can make paths for water to flow down
wash plant and equipment where waste water will not flow into waterways
remove clods of soil off mowers before going to the next site
when planning golf courses, make sure the design includes buffer areas between water and land; Sydney Coastal Councils guidelines recommend an unmown buffer strip of 10 metres should be provided around natural watercourses, and 4 metres around artificial watercourses
reduce or stop mowing near buffer zones between water and land
recolonise buffer zones with native grasses and shrubs.

8 Selecting species

The species of grass used on a golf course will influence the frequency of mowing and watering. High maintenance grass and other vegetation will require more work and result in high costs to council and increased potential for stormwater pollution.

To deal with these problems:

choose turf grasses that are suitable for the local climate; species grown outside their optimum climate range usually require more maintenance
Turf grasses with a healthy root mass in healthy soil are less likely to develop disease or come under attack from pests.

9 Washing vehicles and equipment

Leaks from vehicles and equipment, such as oil and spills from refuelling, can be significant contributors to stormwater pollution. In addition, water from washing vehicles contains sediments, oil and grease and any detergents used in washing.

To deal with these problems:

ensure the wash-down area is 'zero-release', i.e. lets no water escape
use recycled water for washing
where these are not feasible, wash on well-turfed parts of the course.

10 General provisions

Here are some general approaches that councils can follow to help protect stormwater systems:

develop a documented stormwater management plan (as part of an overall environment management plan)
develop a spill prevention and clean-up plan for liquids, powders and solids; give staff training on this at least every two years
start a program to monitor samples of water entering and leaving the course; water should be tested for nutrients, suspended solids, BOD, pesticides, pH, electrical conductivity and some heavy metals; this will require expert advice
educate golf players about environmental issues; experience has found that most players respond positively to improved environmental management, despite some changes to the golf course
turf the sides of open stormwater drains to prevent soil erosion
stencil signs on stormwater drains to indicate that they are not to receive solid or liquid waste
reduce nutrient requirements by optimising other turf health requirements, such as soil aeration, mowing timing and frequency, mowing height, sub-soil drainage and pest control.

Case studies

The Australian Golf Course, Sydney

The Australian Golf Course, located on sandy soils in Sydney's eastern suburbs, drains towards the Botany wetlands. As a result of concerns within the club that water from their equipment wash-bay may have been causing water pollution, the club installed a state-of-the-art water recycling system in 1991.

The system consists of a sump for grease and oils and a catcher for clippings and soil. The resulting water is reused to wash down equipment. The system required a considerable investment for the club, but successfully eliminated the risk of environmental pollution due to their wash-bay.

(Sources: Australian Golf Union, 1998, Environmental Strategy for Australian Golf Courses; Wyndham S, 1997, Waste Management for Turf.)

Sefton Golf Course

Sefton Golf Course, Bankstown, is a relatively small municipal course in Sydney's south-west that takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Greenkeeping staff follow a number of environmentally friendly management practices:

pesticides are rotated to minimise the potential for pests to develop resistance
organic fertilisers are being trialled and if successful, should reduce the total amount of chemicals applied to the course
wherever possible, controlled release fertilisers (CRFs) are used; CRFs provide nutrients that are less likely to be washed away in stormwater runoff, or leached out in groundwater
as the club cannot afford expensive water recycling facilities, vehicles and equipment are washed on turfed areas; thorough some washing is done on a paved area that drains through a series of four in-ground separators to a grassed swale.

Legislation

Local government has responsibility for managing urban stormwater as a result of the Local Government Act 1993 and related legislation, and the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. In addition to these Acts, other pieces of natural resource legislation that have relevance to stormwater management in council operations include the Fisheries Management Act 1994 and Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 (as amended). In the management of golf courses the following legislation is relevant:

NSW Local Government Act

Section 7E of the Local Government Act 1993 requires that councils have due regard for the protection of the environment in carrying out their responsibilities.

Section 8(1) of the Council's Charter states that a council has 'to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development'.

Councils therefore have an obligation under NSW law to ensure that environmental considerations are taken into account throughout all their 'activities'.

Protection of the Environment Operations Act

Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) the EPA is the Appropriate Regulatory Authority (ARA) for public authorities, including councils.

Section 120 of the Act states:

(1) Prohibition on polluting
A person must not pollute any waters

(2) Prohibition on causing pollution
A person must not cause any waters to be polluted

(3) Prohibition on permitting pollution
A person must not permit any waters to be polluted.

Waters are defined as:

(i) any dry bed of any water, or into any drain, channel or gutter used, or is designed to receive or pass rainwater, floodwater or

(ii) any other water that is not polluted.

Water pollution is defined as the placing of any matter (whether solid, liquid, or gaseous) in a position where it

(i) falls, descends, is washed, is blown or percolates, or

(ii) is likely to do the same into any waters.

Severe penalties exist under the POEO Act for pollution of waters. Councils and their employees could be liable depending on the circumstances of the case.

Penalties range from on-the-spot fines of $750 for individuals and $1,500 for corporations through to penalties imposed by the courts of up to $250,000. In addition there are a number of notices which can be issued to councils requiring them to take action to clean up or prevent pollution, each of which involves a cost to the council.

Pesticides Act

The Pesticides Act 1999 (operational from 1 July 2000) creates new offences and penalties. It is an offence to use a pesticide in a way that causes:

injury or likely injury to another person
damage or likely damage to another person's property or
harm to a non-target plant or animal.

The maximum penalties for those offences are $60,000 for an individual and $120,000 for a corporation. The due diligence defence applies.

There are higher penalties for people who wilfully or negligently misuse pesticides causing injury, damage or harm - a maximum of $120,000 for an individual and $250,000 for a corporation.

The EPA enforces the proper use of all pesticides in NSW after the point of sale. This includes the use of pesticides on public lands.

The major requirement of pesticide users is to follow the label (or permit) instructions and that, for each use, reasonable actions are taken to ensure that non-target impacts are avoided.

For more detail on the new law see the Pesticides Act 1999.

New South Wales Government

Department of