As a result of an aggressive conservation program, millions of gallons of water are repurposed each year at the Tom Fazio-designed club in Irvine.
WATER CONSERVATION FACTS
We built and operate Oak Creek Golf Club in a sustainable, environmentally sensitive manner. We use 100% recycled water to irrigate our landscaping and golf course. Unlike potable (drinking) water, there are no drought-related restrictions on the amount of recycled water that may be used.
In our landscaping, we use state-of-the-art, high-efficiency irrigation systems that reduces water consumption through the use of:
- Smart irrigation controllers: This high-tech system controls how much water is used to irrigate our landscapes based on plant/soil type and weather conditions. The system uses real-time weather satellite data that, for instance, shuts off the irrigation system during rainy or cold conditions.
- Drip and low-flow Irrigation: This practice allows water to be slowly dripped into the soil, drastically reducing water usage and the overspray onto non-landscaped areas caused by traditional sprinklers.
- Master valves with flow sensors: This allows us to automatically shut off the water when the flow sensor detects a leak.
Long before the current drought, Oak Creek Golf Club developed a sophisticated water conservation system.
- It uses only recycled water.
- Weather satellites, computers, smartphone apps and 6,000 sprinkler heads—3,500 of which are individually controlled—pinpoint irrigation only to needed areas.
- Over the last eight years, more than 20 acres of the golf course rough areas have been converted to warm season Bermuda grass, which requires less watering. This initiative to convert the turf is ongoing.
- A computerized device measures the moisture level of the greens each day, ensuring that only the exact amount of water needed will be used.
- Each year, Oak Creek uses 40% less recycled water than its allocation from the Irvine Ranch Water District.