Minchinhampton Golf Club in Gloucestershire, England, has three golf courses, all of which are known for year-round immaculate presentation and excellent drainage.

Keeping each layout in such condition involves a dedicated team of greenkeepers and an expanding fleet of machinery and kit. Course manager Adam Matthews can be justifiably proud of his team’s achievements. But he and the club were keenly aware that the process of washing-off their machines would have an impact on the environment, so in 2023 they turned their attention to addressing the issue.

The club wanted to conserve water and preventing pollution of the groundwater, both for their own sustainability goals and to ensure compliance with regulations. Matthews believed that a new wash-off facility with water recycling was the way forward and began to research options.

A ClearWater washpad recycling system from Acumen Waste Services looked to be the ideal solution. Following a visit, specifications were drawn up and a quotation provided.

With a relatively sizeable fleet to maintain, it was agreed that a dedicated washpad offering greater storage than a standard 5,000-litre system was required. ClearWater’s 10,000-litre capacity recycling system with a four-hose wash-off facility was chosen.

With multiple machines to be washed-off at the same time, ClearWater’s 10,000-litre capacity is more than adequate and allows greater dwell-time for the biological treatment. Minchinhampton chose a turnkey package, and all work was carried out within one week.

So, what made ClearWater the choice for the club? The club takes their environmental responsibilities seriously, so achieving significant water savings with a compliant washpad was a must. Matthews says the ClearWater wash-off system fitted the bill perfectly, especially in terms of sustainability.

The system is located unobtrusively, below ground adjacent to one of the fairways – only the turret tops are visible at ground level. Noise is minimal, with the only sound being the washwater jet leaving the water guns. The system recycles treated water with very little loss, as the dedicated washpad, with its low curb surround, is constructed in such a way that the wastewater is discharged through grass traps and into the underground tank by gravity for treatment. Naturally, some water loss occurs through evaporation, particularly in hot weather. However, the system is topped up by rainwater falling on the washpad – sustainability at its best and at no cost!

The process of machinery wash-off can incur huge water consumption and wastage over many years, leading to ever-increasing costs, both financially and environmentally. With water an increasingly valuable resource, washpad water recycling is the way forward for those in the turf maintenance sector and other businesses. With potential water savings in excess of 90 per cent, sustainability gains are meaningful results, rather than just words.

Matthew Mears is a key account director at Acumen Waste Services and the director of ClearWater