Welsh Golf Club Aims for Zero Mains Water Use With New Recycling System

Old Colwyn Golf Club has opened a water recycling system that it hopes will remove the need for mains water when maintaining their course. The system was officially opened by the Mayor of Old Colwyn, Cllr Greg Wynne, and was paid for with a grant from Sport Wales, with guidance from Golf Wales.

The system is built around a 7m by 6m wash bay, where greenkeeping and maintenance equipment is cleaned. The dirty water is filtered to remove solids, then passes into a below-ground tank where naturally occurring micro-organisms break down contaminants such as oils, fuels, greases and pesticides. A final filter removes remaining particles before the water is stored and pumped back to the wash-down equipment, so the same water is used again. The club estimates this will save around 112,500 litres of mains water a year.

The system also collects rainwater, around 55,000 litres a year, which will be used to treat the greens. Together, the two sources are meant to make the club’s water supply (for course maintenance) entirely self-sufficient.

The timing of the change was not an accident, and club captain Arwel Williams pointed to this summer's drought, one of the worst in decades, as the reason a system like this had become a priority. Williams continued, “We're constantly striving to improve our golf course and find ways to bring about sustainable environmental changes.”

“By eliminating our reliance on the national water grid for maintenance, we are protecting the local environment and securing the future of our beautiful course.” PitchCare, a leading turf maintenance company with specialised sports facility support, says golf clubs use up to 70% more water than other sports facilities, which clearly marks out golf clubs as a key target for sustainability projects like this.

The water recycling system will also help the club comply with a key regulation, and one which many clubs should be made aware of. According to Old Colwyn, many sports facilities are unaware of the rules on disposing of equipment wash water, which can lead to environmental notices under the Ground Water Regulations 2009. Treating and reusing the water on site removes that risk. Cllr Wynne described the system as better for the environment, “much more economical”, and said it represented a significant milestone for the club.

For other clubs, the project shows how a single upgrade can address several pressures at once: lower running costs, resilience in dry summers, and compliance with environmental rules, with grant funding available to cover the capital cost. Sustainability projects of this kind can also give clubs something concrete to show local partners. Old Colwyn says it is open to conversations with local and regional businesses about sponsorship and partnerships.

To find out more about the funding Old Colwyn secured, and to apply for similar funding for your own club, visit Sport Wales’ website.