Golf Course Maintenance Best Management Practices

There has been increased focus on identified waste streams generated from Golf Course Maintenance Facilities over the years. Maintenance Equipment from fairway mowers to utility carts need to be washed after coming off the course to remove grass clippings, oil, grease and chemical residue such as phosphorous.

Golf Course Maintenance Best Management Practices

Best Management Practices recommend the following:

I. Identify and isolate potential contaminant from soil and water

II. Only clean storm water should be discharged into surface body of water –
Wash Water should be discharged to the Sanitary Sewer (POTW) or be recycled

III. Minimize irrigation, fertilizer and pesticide use requirements through use of Integrated Best Management and native vegetation wherever possible

Let’s explore Practices I. and II. in further detail.

Practice I: Identify and Isolate.

Identifying a generated waste stream is relatively easy to define. A waste stream assessment is the process of understanding the mix of material in the local waste stream. A waste stream assessment can be as simple as evaluating existing data that a local government already keeps or it may include an extensive waste sort to estimate quantities of various materials in the waste stream. In a Golf Maintenance Facility, the waste stream generated from:

• Washing Equipment Area – includes clipping (organic) separation, wash water generation from equipment cleaning
• Fueling Area – Requirements: secondary containment (always consult local authorities for rules and regulations)
• Chemical mix / load Area – Requirements: proper storage ventilation with air exchange, Emergency Eye-wash & Shower and secondary containment

Creating a Course Maintenance Waste Stream Assessment should include an overall review of process and procedures to maximize facility efficiency. An efficient Option is to create an Environmental Center. This design concept houses the (3) identified waste stream generators in one centralized area. The Process Flow has Maintenance Operators return to the Maintenance Facility where fueling and equipment washing can occur prior to storage saving time from moving from one side of the yard to another. It also limits liability exposure restricting all potentially harmful activities to a contained area.

Practice II: Discharge or Recycle.

Environmental regulations prohibit the direct discharge of industrial
process water directly to the environment without permits. For many
types of non-exempt small volume discharges, the permitting process involves enough expense and difficulty that it effectively prohibits such discharges.
As equipment is washed grease, oil or a wide variety of soils are generated that require some type of waste water treatment system to comply with environmental regulations. Although there may not be problems with environmental regulators today, the Course may in the future come across serious problems and may even be liable for heavy fines. Treatment equipment is often necessary to guarantee that pollutants are not passed into the environment along with wash water.

Federal, state and local environmental regulations require that the waste stream from turf maintenance operations be properly managed. The combined impact of environmental regulations and the increase in public awareness of environmental issues that threaten the environment are only two good reasons that it makes less and less economic sense for un-managed waste streams. Golf courses or any other facility with a major turf maintenance operation represents a substantial investment in real estate. Today, preservation of the value of real property means not only protection of the property from contamination, but documentation of positive efforts and programs to protect the property from pollution, especially if any hazardous materials are handled on the property.

If Sanitary Sewer access is available and the locally owned treatment works allows industrial wash water influent, then pre-treatment of the Wash Area waste stream generated can be easily achieved. It begins with designing a proper pit system and above ground grass clipping separation prior to discharge. Getting the grass clippings (organics) and solids above ground makes it easier for the operators to handle and dispose of properly. In the meantime, the wash water can be treated in order to meet local regulations either through an oil/water separator or other means recommended by the local authorities.

If Sanitary Sewer is not accessible or water conservation is a goal, a Closed Loop Recycle System is recommended to treat the wash water prior to being returned to a hose outlet. Contaminants can be removed and disposed of as solids, and the treated water reused for washing.

A few items to consider when reviewing a Closed Loop Recycle System:

• Ease of Operation
• Water Conservation
• Consumable costs
• Recycled Water Quality
• Number of Operators that will be using the system per day
• Equipment Footprint Size
• Utility Requirements
• Permanent Concrete Slab Design or Above Ground Wash Pad
• Expected Equipment Life Cycle

In closing, to avoid the environmental liability of a spill or one source discharge identifying the source is the first crucial piece of the puzzle. Educating and planning for the future will ensure a safe and compliant Maintenance Facility.