The Costa del Sol is not only the premier destination in Europe and the Mediterranean for golf tourists. It is also the leader in an important environmental aspect: the irrigation of golf courses using recycled water.
The Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol Occidental (Western Costa del Sol Association of Municipalities), through its public utility company Acosol, supplies more recycled water to golf courses than any other area in continental Europe. The association comprises 11 municipalities extending along a coastline of nearly 100 kilometres, including Torremolinos, Benalmádena, Mijas, Fuengirola, Ojén, Istán, Marbella, Benahavís, Estepona, Casares and Manilva. Acosol currently supplies recycled water to 35 golf courses (representing a total of more than 500 holes), of the 42 coming under the auspices of the Mancomunidad – an annual total of seven cubic hectometres.
The association is also investing millions of euros in expanding its network of recycled water in order – in the near future – to be able to supply 100 per cent of the 50 or so courses located within the area covered by the Mancomunidad.
Other regions or European countries with major golf amenities (the UK, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France, etc.) have the good fortune that, thanks to the climate, their golf courses receive abundant water throughout the year, which means they don’t usually need additional supplies of water, be it drinkable or recycled, and have sufficient reserves (rivers, wells, reservoirs…) replenished by rainfall.
Spain, due to its predominantly dry climate, especially in the main golfing areas (on the Mediterranean coast), does not have the luxury of being able to use vast quantities of water from the public supply to irrigate golf courses. With this in mind, the regional authorities are promoting the use of recycled water to irrigate golf courses.
In Andalucía, recycled water is used to irrigate a greater surface of golf course land than in any other region in Spain. One complex, Alcaidesa Resort in Campo de Gibraltar, has even invested huge amounts in developing its own waste water treatment plant to irrigate its two 18-hole courses.
The Andalucian region now has nearly 120 golf courses, of which almost 70 are located on the Costa del Sol (between Nerja and Gibraltar).
GOLF COURSES USING IRRIGATED WATER FROM ACOSOL\'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS
1.- La Duquesa Golf & Country Club
2.- Doña Julia Golf Club
3.- Casares Costa Golf
4.- Club de Golf Finca Cortesín
5.- La Resina Golf & Country Club
6.- Flamingos Golf Club
7.- Alferini Golf Club
8.- Tramores Golf Club
9.- El Campanario Golf
10.- El Paraíso Golf Club
11.- Atalaya Golf Country Club - Old Course
12.- Atalaya Golf Country Club - New Course
13.- Monte Mayor Golf Club
14.- Marbella Club Golf Resort
15.- Los Arqueros Golf & Country Club
16.- Club de Campo La Zagaleta
17.- Club de Campo La Zagaleta - Los Barrancos
18.- La Quinta Golf & Country Club
19.- Guadalmina Golf Norte
20.- Guadalmina Golf Sur
21.- Magna Marbella Golf
22.- Los Naranjos Golf Club
23.- Real Club de Golf Las Brisas
24.- Aloha Golf Club
25.- Golf La Dama de Noche
26.- Santa María Golf Club Marbella
27.- Cabopino Golf Marbella
28.- La Noria Golf Resort
29.- Calanova Golf Club
30.- Mifaflores Golf
31.- La Cala Resort - Campo Asia
32.- La Cala Resort - Campo América
33.- La Cala Resort - Campo Europa
34.- El Chaparral Golf Club
35.- Cerrado del Águila Golf & Resort
36.- Golf Torrequebrada