This California muni saved millions in irrigation — and others are following suit – GOLF.com

Report on Water Conservation Initiatives in Golf Course Management and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Case Study in Sustainable Water Management

This report details a water conservation project undertaken by the United States Golf Association (USGA) at the Los Serranos Golf Club in Chino Hills, California. Led by Matteo Serena, the USGA’s Senior Manager of Irrigation Research and Services, the initiative serves as a practical model for achieving significant water-use efficiency. The project’s outcomes directly support several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Project Framework and Contribution to SDG 12

The USGA Water Conservation Initiative

The project is an application of the USGA’s broader strategy to promote sustainable practices within the golf industry. This strategy is underpinned by key programs designed to foster the efficient use of natural resources, a core tenet of SDG 12.

• 15/30/45 Initiative: A $30 million investment aimed at helping golf courses reduce water usage by up to 45% over a 15-year period.
• Water Conservation Playbook: A comprehensive guide providing courses with modern tools and techniques for effective water management.

The selection of Los Serranos, a high-traffic public facility, was strategic. It aimed to demonstrate that resource-efficient improvements are attainable for facilities with limited budgets, proving that sustainable practices can be both economically viable and scalable.

Methodology: Achieving SDG 6 through Data-Driven Auditing

Implementation of the “Catch Can Test”

The core methodology involved a systematic audit of the existing irrigation system’s performance. This process directly addresses SDG 6, Target 6.4, which calls for substantially increasing water-use efficiency across all sectors. The “Catch Can Test” was implemented as follows:

1. Data Collection: A grid of 30-60 measuring cups (“catch cans”) was placed across a target area (e.g., a green or fairway).
2. System Operation: The irrigation system was run for a standard cycle.
3. Measurement: The volume of water collected in each cup was measured to assess the distribution uniformity.
4. Analysis: Data was analyzed to calculate a uniformity score, with a score of 0.8 (80%) or higher considered efficient.

Initial Findings and Corrective Actions

The initial tests at Los Serranos revealed significant inefficiencies, directly contributing to water waste.

• Initial Uniformity Score: The system performed at approximately 0.6 or less, classified as “poor.”
• Identified Issues: Audits revealed numerous leaking, broken, or improperly rotating sprinkler heads.
• Intervention: Following a comprehensive maintenance audit, the USGA provided 30 new sprinkler heads. The club invested approximately $25,000 in targeted hardware upgrades and repairs, avoiding a multi-million dollar system replacement.

Results: Measurable Progress Towards Sustainability Goals

Enhanced Efficiency and Resource Management

The targeted maintenance and upgrades produced remarkable improvements in water-use efficiency and resource management, demonstrating a successful model for SDG 12.

• Improved Uniformity: Post-intervention tests showed the system’s uniformity rose to over 0.80, meeting the standard for high efficiency.
• Economic Sustainability: The club achieved significant operational improvements with a minimal investment of $25,000, showcasing a cost-effective pathway to sustainability.
• Water Conservation: Enhanced uniformity ensures water is applied only where needed, reducing overall consumption and runoff, a direct contribution to SDG 6.
• Scalability: The success at Los Serranos has prompted the facility’s management company, JC Golf, to replicate this data-driven maintenance program at its other properties.

Broader Implications for SDG 11 and SDG 13

Community Resilience and Climate Adaptation

The project’s impact extends beyond the golf course, contributing to the resilience of the wider community and addressing challenges related to climate change.

Contribution to Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

In a region facing unprecedented aridity, as documented by University of California research, the responsible management of water by large consumers like golf courses is critical. By conserving potable or reclaimed water, the facility ensures more of this vital resource remains available for other essential community uses, such as parks and aquifer recharge. This aligns with SDG 11’s goal of creating sustainable and resilient human settlements.

Climate Action through Adaptation (SDG 13)

Water scarcity in the American West is a direct consequence of climate change. This initiative represents a tangible form of climate adaptation, as outlined in SDG 13. By implementing water-saving technologies and practices, the golf industry can reduce its environmental footprint and adapt to a future with diminished water availability.

Conclusion: A Model for Partnership and Sustainable Development

The collaboration between the USGA and Los Serranos Golf Club exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It demonstrates that through expert guidance, data-driven analysis, and targeted investment, significant progress can be made in sustainable resource management. The project proves that simple, practical, and affordable interventions can yield substantial environmental and economic benefits. This model provides a clear, replicable blueprint for other golf facilities and industries seeking to align their operations with the global Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The entire article is centered on water conservation efforts at a golf course in Southern California, a water-scarce region. It details specific methods and initiatives, such as the USGA’s 15/30/45 initiative, aimed at reducing water usage, which directly relates to the sustainable management of water resources.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article frames the golf course as a community asset (“This is community”). The water conservation efforts are presented not just as a benefit to the golf course but to the wider community. Matteo Serena states, “when a golf course can conserve water, that same water can be used for something else in the community.” This connects the sustainable management of a recreational space to the overall resource availability and resilience of the local community.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The project described focuses on achieving sustainability through efficiency and maintenance rather than a complete, resource-intensive overhaul. By investing approximately $25,000 in targeted repairs and upgrades instead of a “multimillion-dollar total irrigation revamp,” the golf course is practicing responsible consumption of financial and material resources. This approach promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (water) and infrastructure.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

  The article directly addresses this target. The work of Matteo Serena and the USGA is explicitly aimed at increasing the efficiency of water use in the golf sector. The USGA’s initiative is designed to “help courses decrease water usage by up to 45 percent,” and the project at Los Serranos Golf Club serves as a case study in achieving this through improved irrigation uniformity.

• Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.

  While not focused on waste or air quality, the target’s principle of reducing the environmental impact of urban/community areas is relevant. By significantly reducing the water consumption of a large, 300-acre irrigated property within the community of Chino Hills, the project helps lower the overall environmental footprint of the area, making more water available for other community needs and reducing the strain on regional water resources.

• Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

  The article highlights a shift from inefficient water use to a sustainable management model. The process of auditing the irrigation system, identifying leaks, replacing faulty sprinkler heads, and measuring the results is a clear example of implementing practices for the sustainable management and efficient use of water, a critical natural resource.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 6.4: Irrigation Uniformity Score

  The article explicitly mentions the “Catch Can Test” used to measure irrigation uniformity on a scale of 0 to 1.0. The initial tests at Los Serranos showed a “poor” uniformity of “0.6 or less.” After maintenance and upgrades, the uniformity rose to “over .80,” which is classified as performing well. This quantifiable metric is a direct indicator of the change in water-use efficiency.

• Indicator for Target 6.4: Percentage Reduction in Water Usage

  The USGA’s “15/30/45 initiative” is mentioned, which has a stated goal to “decrease water usage by up to 45 percent across a 15-year window.” This percentage serves as a clear, long-term indicator for measuring progress in water conservation across multiple facilities.

• Indicator for Target 12.2: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Maintenance vs. Replacement

  The article implies an indicator related to resource efficiency by contrasting the cost of the implemented solution with a full replacement. The club “invested around $25,000 in new hardware” instead of a “multimillion-dollar total irrigation revamp.” This demonstrates a more sustainable production/consumption pattern by maximizing the life and efficiency of existing infrastructure, thus avoiding the massive resource consumption of a total overhaul.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: golf.com