In a portion of the parched South, one forward-thinking country club has found an environmentally sound way to literally stay afloat.
St. Andrews Country Club, in Boca Raton, Fla., recently completed an extensive, $1.2M reclaimed water project with the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBC Water), to provide reusable, sustainable irrigation for maintaining the club’s two championship 18-hole courses, 15 Har-Tru® tennis courts and extensive landscaping throughout the property.
“St. Andrews CC is committed to conserving water by using reclaimed water wherever possible, as part of our continued efforts to ensure and maintain platinum-level standards while protecting the value of the club and members’ property,” says Craig D. Martin, Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “This is just another example of how we are working towards green operations throughout our facilities as much as possible.”
Water shortages in South Florida are chronic and worsening, and the South Florida Water Management District has imposed restrictions that limit the amount of water used for irrigation. Residences and business are only permitted to water general landscaping twice a week during specified hours while the threat of additional restrictions remains constant, especially in the sun-drenched summer months.
“Implementation of reclaimed water throughout St. Andrews ensures the availability of irrigation water, especially facing the prospect of even harsher use restrictions being imposed in the future,” affirmed Roy Schwedelson, President of the club’s Board of Governors. “Reclaimed water, which is freely useable regardless of other watering restrictions, also enables us to help our community and our neighbors by conserving water.”
Adds Al Prince, Greens Committee Chairman and Governor at St. Andrews Country Club, who spearheaded the Reclaimed Water Project: “Our golf courses will benefit since the turf can absorb relatively large amounts of nitrogen and other nutrients often found in recycled water, while maintaining a consistent lake level throughout the property.”
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