Bore water to be used on sports grounds

Gosford Council has decided to use bore water on Peninsula sports grounds to overcome problems and costs encountered during water restrictions.

Bore points are already in place at Woy Woy oval and testing is underway at other Peninsula sports grounds.

The council agenda reported: "The revised water restrictions were adequate to support the turf on most sportsgrounds except those constructed on a sand base.

"These sportsgrounds are mostly located on the Peninsula and include Woy Woy Oval, Umina Oval, McEvoy Oval, James Browne Oval, Ettalong Oval and Rogers Park.

"The sand base does not hold sufficient water to support the turf during the drought and the turf quickly deteriorates.

"The recent rain has allowed these grounds to recover for the winter season but had the rains not occurred, the turf could not have withstood the high winter usage resulting in huge turfing costs during next spring."

The council's Recreation Operations section investigated the use of bore water to overcome the water restrictions and completed the first trial at Woy Woy Oval.

"The trial cost $6000 and it is estimated that this outlay will be repaid by water savings in approximately 23 weeks (based on three, 30-minute periods per station per week).

"This equates to a saving of 388 Kilolitres (Kl) or $260 per week."

The use of bore water "ensures a regular water supply to the sportsground thus minimising the costs or replacement turf each spring".

It was "ecologically sustainable and reduces the demand on town water supply".

The use of bore water at selected ovals was recommended to save on town water consumption and as a mechanism to protect the turfed playing surfaces during periods of drought.

The council's Water and Sewer Directorate funded the cost of installing the bore at Woy Woy Oval in partnership with Woy Woy Rugby League Club.

The installation of bore points at priority grounds would be funded "as a customer service obligation/demand management strategy."

A report on the progress of the project will come back to council in October.

Council agenda CS.037, May 27