Golf has been played over the famous Carnoustie Links since the 1500s, with the present championship course coming into being in the late 1920s. Since then the links have built an almost unrivalled reputation, not just for their demands on players but also for their maintenance standards. So when Links Superintendent John Philp looked to update his equipment wash down procedures it was not surprising that he would eventually turn to the Mi-T-M Bio Series system distributed in the UK by Ringwood based Hydroscape Ltd.
John’s answers to a few simple questions explain why there was a need to upgrade and the conclusions he reached.
- Q. Why was the wastewater treatment system installed and how were you washing down previously?
- A. We required a replacement system to conform to a SEPA request that drain off to The Barry Burn be eliminated. Our previous system involved a silt trap with an overflow pipe to three oil separator tanks with ‘clean’ water running off into The Barry Burn.
- Q. Why was the Mi-T-M Bio series system selected?
- A. The aim was to install a wastewater recycling system that could handle our volume requirement and provide as high a quality of recycled water as possible. It was also important that the system catered for the Health and Safety aspects of using a recycling system by incorporating ozone disinfection to the treated water. We also liked the way that Hydroscape took a very professional approach and worked closely with us to establish our needs.
- Q. Were other options considered to perform the wash down task?
- A. We looked at the other systems on the market and were less than convinced they would fulfil our requirements, particularly in providing enough available water for our operational needs. Mi-T-M was chosen as their system appeared to offer a very well engineered, up-market product that could cope with the water volumes and purity required and was manufactured using the best quality equipment and materials.
- Q. How many pieces of equipment are washed down during any period or day?
- A. We have a large equipment fleet and up to 50 pieces of course equipment are washed down daily, exclusive of workshop servicing and repair requirements.
John Philp acknowledges that a fuller assessment of efficiency will only be possible over a lengthier period of usage but based on his initial findings, he is confident his decision to go with the Mi-T-M system will prove to be vindicated and that a vital role will be played in the lead up to the 2007 Open Championship to be held at Carnoustie.
Mi-T-M biological treatment systems are also now in daily use at a number of well-known locations including The Turnberry Hotel GC, The Gleneagles Hotel GC, Royal Portrush GC, Royal Mid Surrey GC, Machynys Peninsula GC and The Heritage GC.
Hydroscape www.hydroscape.co.uk