Smarter ways with water.

Water harvesting is the buzz word at Hawthorn Tennis Club. The innovative solution to reduce the mains water consumption on its seven red porous courts could assist in the development of sustainable solutions for Victoria's abundant porous courts. It's also a model of community co-operation.

Water will be harvested not only from the roof of the clubhouse (1,525 sq metres), but also from an adjoining library meeting room roof (565 sq metres) and from the actual drainage system of three of the club's courts!

Three tanks, with a total capacity of 90,000 litres, are supplied through an extensive network of pipes, pits, drains and pumps collecting water from the two roof areas and three red porous courts.

Harvested water is supplied back to the courts and also the club toilets. Since the system's completion in late April 2008, initial results are very promising. The 20mm rainfall in mid-May resulted in an influx of 30,000 litres into the tanks. The club is hopeful that heavy rain, typical of summer storms that 'flood' courts, will surge into the underground drainage network. The overall effectiveness of the system will be better quantified post summer.

The total cost of the project was $59,000. The club received a $37,000 grant through the Australian Government's Community Water Grant scheme, while the remaining $22,000 was met from the club's own resources. The Club appreciated the assistance of the Community Water Grant's officers as well as the cooperation and support extended by Boroondara Council's mayor and officers; all were vital to the project's success.

The courts have also been treated with Magnesium Chloride. The treatment appears to have generated a 50 per cent water saving compared with 2007. The club accessed Tennis Australia's Court Treatment Subsidy and SRV Drought Relief Funding programs to contribute to the funding mix, showing the benefit of affiliation to Tennis Victoria.

Importantly, the club's water sub-committee provided expertise in engineering, grounds maintenance, finance and administration. This expertise complemented the construction work carried out by Aquaworks. This project demonstrates what can be achieved when an energetic multidisciplinary team consults widely to take advantage of site specific plans and factors.

Source: Victorian Tennis News, Issue 69, August 2008