Golfdom, December 2010
WaterTight SUPERINTENDENTS NEED TO PREPARE TODAY FOR TOMORROWS WATER RESTRICTIONS WATER WISE PART THREE C OMING TO AMERICA in 2020 increased population increased industry and increased drought Of course these three increases also mean more intense scrutiny of freshwater use and golf courses will be in the hot spotlight If golf course superintendents arent bracing now for increased regulation of irrigation in 10 years they had better start How bad could regulations get Thats difficult to say considering it depends on a number of factors including geography But one thing is certain human consumption will always come 26 Golfdom December 2010 first in any part of the country if the reservoir is really running low When water is scarce people are going to get water into their homes long before the golf industry and other segments of the green industry get water says Grady Miller Ph D turfgrass professor from North Carolina State University But even if fresh water isnt scarce Miller says its inevitable it will be more regulated in the future including for golf courses In North Carolina well have state legislation in the next 10 years that will control the water at some level Miller says What that level will be is hard to say right now Golf courses that use municipal water will be at the mercy of local ordinances Miller says If theres a drought municipalities have the right to shut off the water on golf courses Its a different scenario when compared to courses that draw water from on site ponds or lakes which are under state jurisdiction Miller adds Miller believes any regulation will be state by state not by the federal government With geography playing a major role in water availability golf courses
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