Drainage Update

In the last few days we have completed some remedial work on the drainage pipe-work on the left-hand side of the 16^th fairway. 

The drainage in this area, which is linked into the open ditch outlet, was installed in the mid 80’s. 

Like many parkland golf courses at this time, when plastic perforated drainage pipe and gravel was installed it was wrapped in a geotextile membrane.

This was done to prevent the ingression of tree roots into the plastic pipe-work, which can cause blockages and damage pipe-work.

Unfortunately, after a number of years the very fine pore spaces in the membrane become blocked and clogged up with fine soil particles. 

When this happens, water is prevented from entering the drainage pipe.

In the picture below the soil and blocked membrane is preventing the surface water from reaching the drain below.

The drain line (marked with yellow flags) is only is 300mm/12" below the surface

When we are refurbishing any of the existing pipe-work lines, we always remove the offending membrane and soil.

This is replaced with additional gravel and grit before topping off the surface with a sandy root-zone.

See picture below

Installed Pipe-Work Spec

Additional drainage being installed on the left-hand side of the 16th fairway

Although the newly installed drainage pipe-work on the left-hand side of the 16^th fairway will not solve all the problems in this area.

It will help speed up the water removal process and ultimately, improve playing conditions in this area.