 |
|
Keeping golf courses green when fresh water is limited
March 23, 2009LAS VEGAS-Explosive population growth in southern Nevada has placed increasing demands on available water resources. In 2007, 80% of the state's residents lived in southern Nevada, where the population approached two million people. The dual concerns of this population boom and a climate that features frequent severe drought conditions has created an urgent demand for officials to investigate alternative water resources to meet resident and visitor demand.
Las Vegas operates on a "Return Flow Credit" program for reuse water returned to Lake Mead after being treated. The cities of Henderson and Las Vegas, along with the Clark County Sanitation District, release a portion of the treated wastewater to be utilized for irrigation. The remainder of the treated wastewater is returned to the Colorado River system through the Las Vegas Wash. Utilizing "treated sewage effluent", or "reuse water", for landscape irrigation is an environmentally acceptable alternative to the current system of discharging waste water into rivers and lakes.
The use of reuse water in the Las Vegas Valley is expanding through the use of satellite treatment plants into areas in the north and southwest parts of the valley, reducing the need to expand both the water delivery and sewage discharge systems. Clearly, as the practice of using lower-quality water for irrigation expands, there is an increased emphasis on the use of valid, science-based management practices.
Successful development of a program for reuse water use in southern Nevada has evolved in close collaboration with the area's golf course industry. Southern Nevada is home to 53 golf courses, many of them high-end, premiere courses. The area is one of the United States' fastest growing golf destinations, with revenue from the golf industry representing a significant part of Las Vegas' tourism-driven economy.
Naturally, the use of reuse water has limitations due to the quality of the water. Golf course superintendents have expressed concerns over the use of reuse water because of hidden costs associated with the practice. These hidden costs include: foliar damage to ornamental plants, decline in water quality and aesthetic value of irrigation ponds and water features, related damage to equipment, long-term salt buildup in soil, and increased levels of turfgrass stress.
To address these and other concerns, Anne M. Lockett and Dale Devitt of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Robert L. Morris of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, designed and carried out a long-term monitoring study that was subsequently published in a 2008 issue of the American Society for Horticultural Science's journal HortScience.
The researchers conducted a monitoring program on nine golf courses in the Las Vegas valley for 4.5 years to assess the impact of reuse water on soil-turfgrass systems, including bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, and bentgrass. The nine courses selected included three long-term reuse courses, three fresh water courses, and three courses expected to transition to reuse water during the monitoring period.
The researchers reported on the salt buildup in soil samples and plant response associated with the irrigation of golf courses with different sources of water. Monthly questionnaires were sent to all participating golf course superintendents requesting information on irrigation amounts and times, fertilizer uses, and fairway/green mowing heights. In the spring of each year, 25 soil samples taken from fairways and greens were analyzed for "gravimetric water content" and "saturation extract soil salinity".
The scientists concluded that proper irrigation management, based on a multi-tiered feedback system (soil-plant-atmospheric monitoring), should be able to maintain favorable salt balances and plant response as long as irrigation volumes are not restricted. "Based on the results of this study, we believe reuse water should be embraced by the golf course industry", stated Devitt.
American Society for Horticultural Science
Successful development of a program for reuse water use in southern Nevada has evolved in close collaboration with the area's golf course industry. Southern Nevada is home to 53 golf courses, many of them high-end, premiere courses. The area is one of the United States' fastest growing golf destinations, with revenue from the golf industry representing a significant part of Las Vegas' tourism-driven economy.
Naturally, the use of reuse water has limitations due to the quality of the water. Golf course superintendents have expressed concerns over the use of reuse water because of hidden costs associated with the practice. These hidden costs include: foliar damage to ornamental plants, decline in water quality and aesthetic value of irrigation ponds and water features, related damage to equipment, long-term salt buildup in soil, and increased levels of turfgrass stress.
To address these and other concerns, Anne M. Lockett and Dale Devitt of the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Robert L. Morris of the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Service, designed and carried out a long-term monitoring study that was subsequently published in a 2008 issue of the American Society for Horticultural Science's journal HortScience.
The researchers conducted a monitoring program on nine golf courses in the Las Vegas valley for 4.5 years to assess the impact of reuse water on soil-turfgrass systems, including bermudagrass, perennial ryegrass, and bentgrass. The nine courses selected included three long-term reuse courses, three fresh water courses, and three courses expected to transition to reuse water during the monitoring period.
The researchers reported on the salt buildup in soil samples and plant response associated with the irrigation of golf courses with different sources of water. Monthly questionnaires were sent to all participating golf course superintendents requesting information on irrigation amounts and times, fertilizer uses, and fairway/green mowing heights. In the spring of each year, 25 soil samples taken from fairways and greens were analyzed for "gravimetric water content" and "saturation extract soil salinity".
The scientists concluded that proper irrigation management, based on a multi-tiered feedback system (soil-plant-atmospheric monitoring), should be able to maintain favorable salt balances and plant response as long as irrigation volumes are not restricted. "Based on the results of this study, we believe reuse water should be embraced by the golf course industry", stated Devitt.
American Society for Horticultural Science
More Reuse Water Current Events and Reuse Water News Articles
 |
Water Reuse: Issues, Technologies, and Applications by Metcalf & Eddy, Inc. an AECOM Company (Author), Takashi Asano (Author), Franklin Burton (Author), Harold Leverenz (Author), Ryujiro Tsuchihashi (Author), George Tchobanoglous (Author) An Integrated Approach to Managing the World's Water Resources Water Reuse: Issues, Technologies, and Applications equips water/wastewater students, engineers, scientists, and professionals with a definitive account of the latest water reclamation, recycling, and reuse theory and practice. This landmark textbook presents an integrated approach to all aspects of water reuse _ from public health protection to water quality criteria and regulations to advanced technology to implementation issues. Filled with over 500 detailed illustrations and photographs, Water Reuse: Issues, Technology, and Applications features: In-depth coverage of cutting-edge water reclamation and reuse applications Current issues and developments in public health and environmental... |
 |
Sigg Simply Eco Loop Top Water Bottle (1.0-Liters, Reduce Reuse Recycle) by Sigg The SIGG REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE 1. liter size reusable water bottle! This bottle is BRIGHT BLUE with yellow, orange and green designs. As with all Sigg Aluminum bottles, this 1 liter reusable water bottle will hold 33 ounces and is made with love in Switzerland and features SIGGs exclusive liner that will not leach any harmful metals or chemicals into your beverage. You drink pure when you drink from SIGG. |
 |
Water Reuse for a Sustainable Future |
 |
Design for Water: Rainwater Harvesting, Stormwater Catchment, and Alternate Water Reuse by Heather Kinkade-Levario (Author) In an era of dwindling resources, water is poised to become the new oil. The entire world now faces the reality of a decreasing supply of clean water. To avert a devastating shortage, we must not only look at alternate water sources for existing structures but must plan our new developments differently. Design for Water is an accessible and clearly written guide to alternate water collection, with a focus on rainwater harvesting in the urban environment. The book: • Outlines the process of water collection from multiple sources—landscape, residential, commercial, industrial, school, park, and municipal systems |
 |
55 GALLON RAIN BARREL GREEN by Get Organized Rain barrel collects pure, natural, chlorine-free water directly from your downspout to be used for watering your garden and hanging plants. Rain water isthe purist for growing plants and it's free! Save money on your water bill AND go green! Simply insert gutter directly into pliable water tank and let nature do therest. Features removable, washable filter to prevent clogs, metal shelf for flower planters and built-in hose attachment. 55 gallon capacity, 100% recyclable PEHD, 23 x 9 x 7". |
 |
Save Water! Shower with a Friend Sugared Grapefruit and Aloe 9-oz Bar Soap by Kala Corporation |
|
International Desalination & Water Reuse Quarterly by Faversham House Group Ltd Journal presents technical information, case studies, equipment and product development. The journal reviews research advances to promote a greater understanding of the potential of desalination in meeting increased urban pressures and the demand for water for a multitude of critical uses. | |
 |
Magic Grow Super Size Creatures Assorted Colors by JA-RU This set of Magic Grow Creatures contains one each of the following: Lizard, Caterpillar, Fish, and Butterfly. Drop in a pan of cool water and watch them slowly grow up to 600 times original size (process takes a few days). Toys are reusable, just let them dry out and repeat the process. |
 |
Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse by George Tchobanoglous (Author), H. David Stensel (Author), Franklin L. Burton (Editor) Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Reuse, 4/e is a thorough update of McGraw-Hill's authoritative book on wastewater treatment. No environmental engineering professional or civil or and environmental engineering major should be without a copy of this book- tt describes the technological and regulatory changes that have occurred over the last ten years in this discipline, including: improved techniques for the characterization of wastewaters; improved fundamental understanding of many of the existing unit operations and processes used for wastewater treatment, especially those processes used for the biological removal of nutrients; greater implementation of several newer treatment technologies (e.g., UV disinfection, membrane filtration, and heat drying); greater concern for the long... |
 |
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Water by Alexandra Fix (Author) Read 'Water' to learn about the importance of water in our lives. Discover how water gets from lakes and rivers to our homes, and where water goes once it is poured down the drain. Learn what happens when water is wasted, and ways to reduce your own water waste. |
| © 2010 BrightSurf.com |