Palm Meadows Golf Course on Queensland’s Gold Coast is already an industry leader in biologically sustainable management. Now, however the club has taken its environmentally friendly system to new levels – through a close working arrangement with Grander Water Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd.

By using Grander Technology to treat effluent from the Gold Coast’s Merrimac Sewage Plant, Jensen Horticultural Services golf course consultant, Tony Brown, has achieved near-potable quality in water used for irrigation on Palm Meadows. An independent water analysis and assessment of Grander Systems results on Palm Meadows said: “Brilliant water quality – microbiologically speaking”.

Both scientific reports and visual inspection confirm that the pond water is clear, odourless and virtually of drinkable quality.

How the Water Rates

Independent water analysis of the Grander Treated Water on Palm Meadows has shown a total bacteria plate count of 550 (compared with a previous seven-year range of 3300 to 30,000). It also showed very low total coliforms and E.coli levels, and very low faecal coliforms, a count of just five, against an allowable health authority primary contact count of 150 for swimming, and 1000 for boating and fishing. Mr. Brown says the testing authority suggests that even these low counts come from abundant birdlife on the pond. “Since the Grander System was installed, this water is used to irrigate landscaped grounds around the clubhouse itself,” Mr. Brown said. “We now receive no complaints from neighboring communities about odours, and the environment has benefited from "reduced run-off pollution.”

Another benefit can be seen in the aftermath of heavy rains. Palm Meadows is on a floodplain and periodically the course and irrigation pond are inundated by dirty brown water.“Fourteen days after the last flood level dropped, the treated pond was clear again,” Mr. Brown said.

Course Superintendent, Jason Batterham, said there were other, less obvious benefits to the System.“When we cut pipes, we find no slime or build-up, filters are much cleaner and water quality is just incredible. Grass is getting the full benefit from both the water and our management, which involves leaving the clippings. After 12 hard frosts this year, we are still mowing whereas normally grass would be dormant.”