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| Myths and Facts of Water Conservation 2 In part one last month, we explored some general facts and myths of water conservation on the bigger picture scale. Admittedly, most of us are more concerned about the water-conservation issues that are, literally, right in front of our faces. So in part two, let's look at some of the myths and facts embedded within the golf industry. Myth:The golf course industry uses a generally acceptable amount of water for irrigation.  Fact: Not really. The simple and confirmed fact is that we use 2.08 billion gallons of water per day for golf course irrigation in the United States. Despite the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's spin doctors' attempt to diffuse this alarming water-use rate as "one half of 1 percent of all daily water used," this number is still too large for the general public to blindly accept. Like it or not, golf's public perception is that of a "recreational activity" rather than a "business industry" that supplies $76 billion a year to the economy. Our critics can do simple math and want us to reduce this number. Myth: I'll switch to an alternative water source when I need to. Fact: Really? Where's that magic switch located? Switching to an alternative water source is much harder than you realize. The good news is less than 15 percent of golf courses utilize municipal water supplies. The bad news is only about 12 percent use recycled water for irrigation. The main reason more golf courses don't use recycled water is there's no existing infrastructure to deliver recycled water from the treatment facilities. Installing this type of infrastructure is costly and time consuming, often requiring several years to complete. Myth: Areas that don't have a water shortage have little reason to be concerned. Fact: Short term, yes. Long term, no way. Areas like the Midwest, where various water issues are substantially less than in the West and Southeast, have far less pressure to conserve water. That said, there is a definite domino effect that occurs within the environmental movement. Once legislation or regulations have been successfully implemented in one part of the country, it's only a matter of time before they spread to other parts. And if there's a monetary element attached to the legislation, it moves even faster, as state and local governments discover a new revenue stream in a sluggish economy. Editor's note: This is part two of two parts. Part one ran in September. The author is general manager and superintendent of the Marvel Golf Club in Benton, Ky. |  |
