Town Saves Green, Golf Course IS Green

The partnership between the town's wastewater treatment plant and the Pine Hollow Golf Club to provide the golf course with a virtually never-ending supply of irrigation water is working out very well for both of them.

The golf course is using about 100,000 gallons of treated wastewater a day, saving the town the expense of discharging it into the nutrient-sensitive Neuse River.

“It's been nice having all the water we need this summer,” said Andy Plesant of the golf course's pro shop. “The course is in great shape. It's worked out very well for us.”

Wastewater Operations Superintendent James Warren said the project has operated smoothly.

“It's a success story for both of us,” said Mayor Jody McLeod.

The golf course gets a dependable source of irrigation water, he said, and the town gets to pump it there instead of discharging it into the river.

“The savings in the future cost of treatment facilities, coupled with the amount the course will pay us, the town will make out quite well financially and help out the environment in a big way, too. Now, that's an innovative use of resources!”

The Public Works Department began sending water from the Little Creek Water Reclamation Facility on Durham Street to the golf course in April. The water, which is high in nitrogen, is clean and safe and perfect for irrigation. Superintendent Warren says the water has been treated to the 98 or 99 percent of drinking water level and “ultra filtered.”

Sending it to the golf course instead of the river will save the town between $2 million and $3 million over the next 30 years. Building the pipeline and making necessary adjustments at the plant cost $1.28 million, but most of that was paid through a grant from the Clear Water Revolving Fund.

The town is considering similar projects at local parks, schools and even residential areas.