Excess water on golf courses can ruin playability and turf quality. Traditional drainage systems often fall short, leaving courses prone to flooding or drought-like conditions. Exlterra's Groundwater Energy Passive System (GEPS) is changing this. Installed at the Rougemont-le-Château Golf Course in France, GEPS demonstrated its capacity to transform fairways, greens, and overall water management while reducing maintenance costs.
How GEPS improves golf course drainage
1. Efficient water infiltration
Exlterra GEPS increases soil infiltration rates, ensuring fairways and greens remain playable even after heavy rainfall. At Rougemont, 30mm of rain in 25 minutes left no lasting water stagnation—play resumed within an hour.
2. Drought Resistance
During the 2022 drought, fairway 5 maintained a lush, green appearance without irrigation. Soil moisture levels remained stable between 35-45%, proving GEPS's ability to retain and regulate water effectively.
3. Minimal Installation Impact
Unlike traditional drainage, GEPS is installed with minimal disruption. At Rougemont, no surface deformation occurred, and work was completed in under a week.
Environmental and economic benefits
Reduced Water Usage: GEPS cut water consumption by 50% on fairway 12.
Fertilizer Savings: Fertilizer use dropped by 40%, while root systems deepened and strengthened.
The future of golf course maintenance
The results at Rougemont highlight the transformative potential of GEPS for golf courses worldwide. Beyond drainage, GEPS promotes sustainability, reduces costs, and improves turf quality year-round.
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