After one of the driest and hottest periods in recent memory, water has rarely been higher on the agenda for golf clubs.
For course managers, the immediate challenge is maintaining healthy playing surfaces when rainfall is scarce and irrigation demand increases. But water management extends far beyond the course itself.
From irrigation and clubhouse consumption to leaks, incorrect billing and inefficient infrastructure, water represents a significant operational cost – and one where many clubs may have less visibility than they realise.
Material Matters is working with specialist water retailer ConservAqua to help golf clubs understand where their water is going, what they are paying for and where improvements can be made.
Start With the Bill
One of the simplest places to begin is establishing whether a club is actually being charged correctly.
ConservAqua specialises in detailed water bill validation, examining historic and current charges to identify errors, anomalies and potential overpayments.
The results can be significant.
In one golf-related case study, ConservAqua reviewed historical and current charges while investigating unusually high consumption. The work resulted in an £80,000 leak refund, while corrected and consolidated accounts reduced ongoing charges by 10%, delivering a reported annual saving of £30,000.
Material Matters has also seen golf clubs benefit from refunds worth thousands of pounds following analysis of their historical water data.
You Can’t Manage What You Can’t See
Reducing consumption requires more than checking a water bill every few months.
ConservAqua uses automated meter reading technology and data loggers to give businesses greater visibility of their consumption. Monitoring can highlight unusual patterns and identify potential leaks before excessive usage translates into an unwelcome bill.
For golf clubs, where consumption can fluctuate significantly according to weather, irrigation requirements and clubhouse activity, this information can be particularly valuable.
Looking Beyond Mains Water
Good water management isn’t simply about negotiating a better tariff.
ConservAqua’s services include leak detection and repairs, water-efficiency advice, monitoring technology, water-saving devices, rainwater harvesting and advice around alternative water supplies.
For golf clubs, there may also be opportunities to reduce reliance on potable mains water for irrigation by investigating alternative sources where practical.
This makes water management a longer-term strategic consideration. Reducing unnecessary consumption can lower costs today while helping clubs become better prepared for drought, restrictions and increasing pressure on water resources.
Where Savings and Sustainability Meet
Water is one area where financial and environmental objectives can work particularly well together.
Reducing leakage, improving efficiency and identifying unnecessary consumption can all reduce a club’s environmental impact while lowering expenditure.
And the starting point doesn’t need to involve major investment.
It begins with understanding the current position. How much water is the club using? Is it being billed correctly? Are there unexplained periods of high consumption? Could there be leaks? And are there opportunities to become more efficient?
Material Matters’ relationship with ConservAqua enables golf clubs to start with something as straightforward as reviewing their existing water bills, before considering the wider opportunities around monitoring, consumption and conservation.
After the conditions experienced by golf courses this summer, there may never have been a better time to take a closer look at water.
Material Matters works with ConservAqua to help golf clubs review their water costs, consumption and efficiency. Clubs interested in reviewing their current arrangements can contact Material Matters for an initial conversation.