The Drain Brain!
Sustainable drainage for golf courses and sports grounds - an environmental approach.
By Jonathan Tucker, STRI Golf Course Architect and Head of Golf Development Services
Q
uite simply, sustainable drainage systems aim to mimic, as closely as possible, the natural drainage
of a site, in order to manage the impact of development in terms of flood risk and water pollution.
Why do we need it?
‘Sustainability’ is the latest buzzword, enthused by environmentalists. But, to many, its meaning is somewhat fuzzy. What relevance has sustainability to the drainage of a waterlogged pitch or golf course, where the primary aim is to remove water as rapidly as possible with minimum cost and disturbance? First, we need to consider the background to the development of sustainable drainage and the ‘drivers’ for change. There is increasing evidence that the earth’s climate is changing, with wetter and milder winters (associated with more intensive rainfall events), and hotter, drier summers. The impact of these changes include:
• Increased run-off and risk of flooding
• Greater erosion and entrapment of sediment in surface run-off which, potentially, can cause harm to aquatic species
• Increase in pollutants from contaminated floodwater
• Reduced availability of water for irrigation
• Reduced groundwater recharge - which has a knock-on effect on water supplies and aquatic eco-systems, which are dependent on groundwater
The government has also set out
priorities for sustainable management of water in the future which include:
• Prudent use of water resources in keeping water use within the limits of its replenishment
• Tackling diffuse pollution of water
• Minimising the creation of new flood risks and effectively managing existing flood risks
Drainage of a new or, indeed, existing site may include a number of stakeholders, including Local Authorities, environmental regulators (notably the Environment Agency), Highways Authorities, private landowners/land managers and, possibly, internal drainage boards. Therefore, compliance with the relevant environmental legislation and observance of planning policy guidance are vital considerations when planning new drainage systems as, potentially, they could have a significant impact on the environment.
Effective drainage solutions for sports
grounds and golf courses are essential to both utilisation and playing surface quality. Rapid removal of surface water is fundamental to the success of these systems. But, on the flip side, this leads to a sharper spike in the rate of discharge and, if there is reduced infiltration, there may also be an increase in the volume of water reaching the final outfall.
Changes to legislation and the
regulatory framework will make a sustainable drainage approach essential into surrounding ground. This effect is
more pronounced where hard surfaces (roads/buildings) replace naturally free draining ground, but sports ground drainage can still have a significant effect when pre and post development conditions are compared (refer to Diagram 1). In order to restore the status quo, a
‘brake’ may need to be placed on flow rates. This process is known as attenuation and can be achieved through the temporary storage of water in, for example, hollows or ponds, from which water can be discharged at a controlled rate. To restore groundwater to pre- development levels, some form of infiltration may also be needed, for example soakaways, depending on existing ground conditions. Finally, drainage water can, potentially, be a carrier of pollutants such as pesticides and fertiliser. Therefore, to maintain good water quality, some method of mopping up potential contaminates is a sensible approach, and this could involve well- designed reed beds. However, prevention is always better than cure!
The Management Train
The concept of the Management Train (no
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