Coonabarabran Bowling Club

Stormwater harvesting and irrigation system

With the assistance of a federal government grant, in June 2008 we installed a fully automatic irrigation system for 3 bowling greens and all surrounding areas.

Above pictured at the official opening of the Coonabarabran Bowling Club’s new recycled watering system (l-r): Warrumbungle Shire general manager, Mr Bob Geraghty; representatives of Darling Irrigation, Jerrod Shields and Lee Simpson; Ted Spackman, Jakki Brady; greenkeeper, Barry Wilkinson; John Franklin; club president, Des White; Peter Sweeney; John Lowrie.

 The system is driven by a Grundfos multistage pump and uses Toro sprinklers for the irrigation. Stormwater is collected in a large underground pit and pumped into 2 x 10,000 gallon tanks. Whenever rainwater isn't available, a submersible bore pump re-fills the tanks. Hence, the main objective is to utilise rainwater whenever possible, resulting in water and labour savings.

Above: The original method of irrigation on the Coonabarabran Bowling Greens and the Greens prior to installation of the new irrigation system.

Above: The Concrete stormwater pit for collection of all water for re-use, a sump pump will take water from pit and deliver to a 10,000 gal storage tank for future use by the irrigation system.

Above: Setting out of pipe work on top of ground ready for installation underground in trench.

Above: Location of electric solenoid control valve, cable and pipe work, and the 10,000 gal tank used as a storage tank for all the stormwater collected on site.

Above: location of Toro 855 Sprinkler and cable and small trencher used to get into small areas.

Above: Commissioning of the small Toro sprinklers watering the Bowling Green surrounds.

Above: Commissioning of the Toro 855 Sprinklers on the Bowling Greens.