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Sustainability And Pollution Prevention

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Sustainability And Pollution Prevention: Much has been said over recent years about the merits of water recycling wash systems to prevent pollution and conserve water. Here Bill Whittingham reports on recent developments.

Having visited many golf and sports facilities I’ve learned and seen how machinery wash-off is handled. I’ve also heard the thoughts of those responsible for wash-off. It is quite clear that virtually all know of the legislation relating to pollution prevention and the fines that can be imposed; much of which is regularly regurgitated in the trade press. All those I met are also aware of the growing need for water conservation and many have taken action to address both matters. What is apparent, and somewhat surprising however, is that despite this knowledge and concern, there are many establishments still with wash-off facilities that are, quite frankly illegal, causing pollution and wasting vast quantities of water.

Sustainability And Pollution Prevention

The Groundwater (England and Wales) Regulations 2009 and The Water Environment (Groundwater and Priority Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2009 were enshrined in law in 2009 (10 years ago!) and, more recently the EU Water Framework Directive has been implemented. (Incidentally, whether or not Brexit is achieved matters not, as the requirements have been made law in the UK). So why the complacency and inaction? The ideal way to achieve legislative compliance and save water is to install an approved water recycling system. (i.e. WTL certified). Despite the best endeavours of the leading manufacturers, such a system is not considered cheap and, apart from the water savings, does not contribute to “the bottom line”! So, some take the attitude that they’ll take their chances and hope they are not inspected. To my mind this is not sensible thinking. Articles have appeared in the golf / turf maintenance press reporting just that; a golf club being visited by the EA and told they suspected pollution from the club’s washpad. The club in question responded rapidly, recognising its environmental responsibilities, and installed a below ground washpad water recycling system, satisfying all requirements.

If cost is an issue, there are options offered by the main suppliers of recycling wash systems to help; Spreading payments, retro-fitting or, in the case of ClearWater, carrying out a self-install with each and every UK made system delivered new, direct to site from the factory. One company, not offering self-install, does offer above ground refurbished units however.

So, which way do you go; above ground or below ground? The choice is yours but there are distinct differences between, what most consider to be, the two leading contenders. Both do the same job: treat contaminated water by biological treatment producing clean recycled water. One system offers simple, effective engineering with few moving parts (less to go wrong!) and gravity feed to the system. The other system relies on more elaborate engineering and the pumping of washwater into the system.

Press coverage of late appears to have focused on an above ground system, so it seems only reasonable, to redress the balance and look at the merits of a below ground one. One point that is raised frequently and that some, including myself, have difficulty understanding is the statement regarding a certain above ground system: “…..you can see what’s going on” The inference supposedly being that below ground is not to be preferred. Now, unless I’ve been missing something for many years, I understood that, in the main, waste water treatment is carried out below ground and is in surely the safest location? How many separators, septic tanks and sewage plants do you see above ground? However, if you really want to see “what’s going on” you can in a ClearWater system; simply open the turret covers and take a look. You can actually witness exactly what’s going on; effective treatment!

So what advantages does this particular system have? Being below ground means that it is unobtrusive; away from prying eyes and vandalism. It is also safe being encased in concrete (no worries about leaks!) and operating at a temperature of 14.5 – 16.5 °C. This is important as a stable operating environment means that the unique micro-organisms perform better and also allays fears of Legionella and other harmful bacteria forming. (The threshold for Legionella to form and survive is stated as 20°C. Above ground systems can endure much higher internal temperatures than this in the sun!). Below ground means water flows into the system by gravity via a simple grass trap, so no complicated sumps, pumps and chutes. Valuable washpad space is not required either to site a ClearWater system and a key decision maker seems to be that it’s not unsightly but looks good; with just four modest green turret tops sited at ground level, that’s all anyone sees; impressive!

Self-install certainly does seem to be popular (over 70% of ClearWater’s customers take this cost-effective route). Full and detailed installation instructions are issued and I’ve seen some splendid installations that installers are justifiably proud of. Take a recent installation of a ClearWater system at Brookmans Park Golf Club for example. Asset & Equipment Manager Nick Billington, not happy with the above ground system and repeated maintenance issues, removed that system and used the concrete plinth to good effect; he installed his diesel tank on it and created a pollution prevention area! Installing the ClearWater system was easy and straightforward he says and further cost savings were made by modifications to the existing washpad. Nick is pleased with the team’s work and the ClearWater system.

Buying a washpad water recycling system is a worthwhile investment and will ensure that the costly kit you have invested in will be washed so much more effectively. (A ClearWater system would cost less than 20% of the price of a typical fairway mower by the way!) However, to ensure you spend wisely, do research the systems thoroughly, see them in action and talk to users. To help you to make comparisons and reach an informed decision, here are a few questions to ask prospective suppliers:

  1. Is what is being offered a WTL approved full biological system as not all washpad solutions actually recycle and/or have biological treatment? (Incidentally, a WTL approved system means tax savings on the ECA scheme!)
  2. What is the cost of the system and installation? (Is the system brand new or refurbished?)
  3. What is the water capacity? (The larger the capacity, the greater the time for treatment)
  4. How much is a year’s supply of micro-organisms and are they general purpose or designed to treat turf machinery wash water and capable of handling small grass clippings? (ClearWater’s micro-organisms are bespoke; designed specifically for the job)
  5. What time do I need to spend on daily / weekly maintenance and what are maintenance costs?
  6. Does the system have an oil warning alarm and an auto shut-off valve to prevent an oil spill contaminating already treated water?
  7. Are there separate pumps for each hose and is a proper trigger wash gun provided with each?
  8. What pressure do the water hose pumps produce?
  9. What moving parts are fitted that may need replacing? Is this something I can do or is an engineer’s visit necessary? (Swapping the small compressor and water pumps of a ClearWater system can be carried out by users in minutes, saving costly call out fees and down time!)
  10. Would the system be exposed to the elements and, if so, not be affected by high temperatures and UV rays?

So, below ground or above? The choice is yours; make it an informed one!

We all need to take our environmental responsibilities seriously and ensure sustainability. Preserving valuable water by recycling on the washpad and preventing groundwater pollution is one definite way we can contribute.

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Rid Slugs From Your Plot and Pots

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Rid Slugs From Your Plot and Pots: Slugs can be active throughout the year, but they cause the most damage when the weather is humid and wet.

The slimy gastropods will make a meal of a huge variety of vegetables, even when you think that your plants are large enough to have escaped the threat. They will munch through peas, beans, lettuce leaves and tomatoes, and are partial to underground potato tubers; so even plants that you think are safely buried underground are at risk from the hungry pests. This is because, at any one time, 95 percent of the slug population lives underground, feeding on plant roots and potatoes.

Rid Slugs From Your Plot and Pots

The answer to stopping further damage is easy as watering on a simple, environmentally sound, pest control product – Nemaslug. Not only are nematodes extremely effective when they come into contact with slugs, but they can also reach the places that other slug control methods simply can’t.

When nematodes are watered on, they don’t simply lay on the surface of the soil like pellets and other pest control options do, they travel down through the soil to the pest and attack them before they get a chance to damage your plants. Also, nematodes are naturally occurring worms already present in the soil, so using Nemaslug helps top them up!

Gavin Wood, business development and key account manager for nematodes, said: “Unlike pellets, Nemaslug can be used as a preventative pest control, so even if you are lucky enough to have not seen any damage caused by slugs, treating the garden to a dose of Nemaslug will keep the critters at bay before they become a real problem. All of our nematode products are organic, pet and child friendly and easy-to-use.”

The best time to target slugs is when they are newly hatched, so the period between March – October is ideal. A regular regime of using Nemaslug every six weeks is the most effective way to protect plants throughout the growing season and will help to ensure that your vegetables survive long enough for you to eat them!

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Emergency Chafer Grub and Leatherjacket Summit

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Emergency Chafer Grub and Leatherjacket Summit: An emergency summit is to be held with the aim of finding industry-led solutions to the threat of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets in the turf industry.

The Summit will take place on 9th May 2019 at Burton Albion Football, Staffordshire.

Emergency Chafer Grub and Leatherjacket Summit

Attendance at this industry summit is vital to those in the industry that want to develop a long-term preventative strategy for Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets.

Now that many of the chemicals which were routinely used to keep golf courses and sports pitches free of pests have been withdrawn, we need to find alternatives. This Summit will explore the current challenges in sustaining turf quality in a chemical-free environment.

Without proper preparation and action prior to May this year, there is a high risk of increased attack by Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets. Many grounds personnel are unaware of a problem until they see evidence – such as birds picking insect larvae by uprooting the dead grass.  However, prevention is better than a cure and scientifically-developed natural pest control solutions when applied in advance will help control the problem.

This event is supported by Bionema, Rigby Taylor, Maxstim, EcoSpray and E. Marker A/S and is held in association with the editors of BIGGA, IOG and Horticultural Week, leading industry magazines.

Dr Minshad A Ansari, Founder and CEO of Bionema, said:

“This summit is the first step in working together as an industry – pooling our knowledge and using all the tools we have in an integrated way to achieve control of these devastating pests”

This emergency Summit will include:

Welcome and Introduction Dr Minshad Ansari, CEO Bionema

Jim Croxton, CEO, BIGGA

Karen Maxwell, The Institute of Groundsmanship Sally Drury, Horticulture Week
Current pest and disease management in the UK: The push towards integrated approaches Professor John Moverley, Amenity Forum, UK
Major turf pests and diseases Dr Kate Entwistle, The Turf Disease Centre, UK
Rising threats of plant parasitic nematodes in turf Colin Fleming, Agri Food and Biosciences Institute
Biology of Chafers and Leatherjackets Dr Minshad Ansari, Bionema
The role of Biostimulants in turf management and root development Richard Salvage, Maxstim
The natural solution for pest and disease control Philip Charlton Smith, CEO, EcoSpray
Current products and their application: Do they interfere? Peter Corbett, Rigby Taylor
Natural solutions to control of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets: How do they work? Dr Minshad Ansari, Bionema
Chafer traps: A natural device to monitor Chafer Beetle populations Peter Corbett, Rigby Taylor
Synergy between Chemical & Biological solutions Carsten Marker, E. Marker, Denmark
Case study 1: Chafer Grub control at the Grove

Phillip Chiverton, Golf Course & Estate Manager at the Grove, UK
Case study 2: Leatherjacket control at Neath golf club

Mark Tucker, Head Greenkeeper, Neath Golf Club, UK

The event will establish the true extent of the problem faced by the turf and amenity sector, offer a better understanding of the pests and the current controls available. It will culminate in an interactive debate, chaired by BIGGA, IOG, Horticultural Week editors to help plan the next steps for the industry to take to combat the pest threat. The Summit will conclude with an insight into research and development into the control of Chafer Grubs and Leatherjackets in turf and amenity sector by Dr Minshad Ansari from Bionema.

Attendance is FREE, but spaces are limited so please book early
to avoid disappointment contact. Please contact Matt Rogers m.rogers@bionema.com – +44 (0) 7786991146

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Tackle Spring Pests With Nemaslug and Nemasys

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Tackle Spring Pests With Nemaslug And Nemasys: As spring edges closer, now is the time of year dedicated to patrolling your garden to make sure no pests take over. If steps are not taken to tackle your pests now, they can become damaging to plants and vegetables as we move into the warmer months. Taking action now will ensure your time and hard effort is not lost.

But as the weather starts to warm up, which pests do I need to tackle first? Over the autumn and winter months, vine weevil larvae stay beneath the soil and feed on roots, causing plants to wilt and die, and if they survive, the grown adult weevils then eat plant leaves during spring and summer, resulting in irregular-shaped notches on the leaves. Also, slugs begin to make an appearance from March as the British climate makes the perfect breeding ground for them.

Tackle Spring Pests With Nemaslug and Nemasys

Nemasys and Nemaslug offer the perfect solutions to pest control, and the various species grown by BASF, in the only specialist nematode production facility in Britain, can protect your plants from a variety of pests.  BASF grow six different nematodes, all of which are simply mixed with water and either applied from a watering can with a coarse rose or sprayed onto the foliage and soil, depending on the variety. There is no need to keep children or pets away from treated areas and the whole programme is entirely biological so that all the Nemasys products can be used by organic gardeners.

Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer: apply from March to October

Vine weevils are beetles with a long, thin snout. It is actually the larvae of the weevil that causes the main damage to plants, as they remain in the soil and eat the roots. Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer targets the larvae while they are still in the soil and kills them before they have a chance to cause damage.

A regular regime of using Nemasys Vine Weevil Killer every four weeks throughout the growing season is the best way to control the pets.

Nemaslug: apply from March to October

With each slug laying up to 300 eggs, in up to 50 separate batches during a season – that’s a lot of slugs! It is estimated that each cubic metre of soil can contain around 200 grown slugs. The best time to target slugs is when they are newly hatched, so the period between March – October is ideal. As nematodes are able to travel through the soil, to where the newly hatched and young slugs’ dwell, they are able to attack them before they are even in sight, unlike slug pellets.

A regular regime of using Nemaslug every six weeks throughout this period, from March to October, is the most effective way to keep slugs controlled throughout the growing season which will help keep your plants safe.

The New Shelton 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper

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The New Shelton 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper: “Back-fill drainage trenches with both sand and gravel at the flick of switch!”

“One machine multiple capabilities”

The New Shelton 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper

Lincolnshire sportsturf drainage experts Shelton are launching their latest machine at the BTME: The 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper has been designed to fulfil a combination of different tasks associated with backfilling and sand spreading on sportsturf after drainage has been carried out. Its unique design means that customers can choose from a number of different combinations: The Universal base unit is available as standalone unit or is available with the addition of any or all of the following options:

  • Gravel Cart (Side Discharge Unit)
  • Sand Spreader
  • 6 Tonne Fast Flow (Centre Fill Unit)

The Universal differs from other hoppers in that it contains a moving floor in the main hopper in the form of a conveyor, which can feed a centre fill to place gravel or sand into the trench after drainage pipes have been installed. The hopper is longer and lower for easier loading and the conveyor can move material forwards or backwards depending on the job required; it will move forward for either a Side Discharge Unit (Gravel Cart) or in reverse to fill a Sand Spreader. The Universal comes complete with electro hydraulic controls including hydraulic motor speed control giving the option to speed up or slow down, depending on the material which is being used.  This can all be operated from the tractor cab and the addition of a hydraulic block, rather than valves means that one operation will not affect another, giving optimum control and performance. The ability to backfill both gravel and sand at the flick of a switch gives the added advantage that the backfilling operation is much quicker and can keep up with the trencher, reducing downtime.

The New Shelton 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper

Shelton Sportsturtf Drainage will be on stand 281 in the Red Zone at the BTME and The 6 Tonne Universal Sand and Gravel Hopper will be on display at the entrance to the show.

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