Aqualate Golf Centre is an 80-acre, year-round facility near Newport, Shropshire, featuring a 9-hole, par-69 course with 18 tee positions and a floodlit driving range. The centre runs a "Green Tea" strategy focused on reducing chemical inputs and managing natural resources efficiently. To support this, Aqualate became the first golf centre in the region to install SDS's Intellistorm® system, giving staff real-time monitoring and predictive control over on-site water storage.

The Challenge

Increasingly unpredictable weather left the centre balancing two competing pressures: maintaining reliable irrigation through dry spells while preventing heavy rainfall from overwhelming drainage and affecting the surrounding landscape. Rising mains-water costs added further strain. The club needed a system that could capture rainwater from its clubhouse, driving range and maintenance buildings, feed its irrigation pond, and supply water for compost-tea production, a chemical-free method of improving soil and turf health. The solution also had to support Shropshire Council's wider RSPAWIR objective of reducing the volume of rainwater entering the River Strine catchment during storm events.

The Solution

SDS installed six 5,000-litre Intellistorm® smart tanks: four feeding the irrigation pond that supports greens and fairways, and two dedicated to compost-tea production. Each tank combines wireless monitoring, automated level control and forecast-led release, allowing the system to actively manage water rather than simply store it. Ahead of forecast storms, tanks automatically release water to create extra capacity, while during dry periods they retain supply for irrigation. Because the system operates wirelessly, it was straightforward to install across the rural site without additional infrastructure, and it requires minimal maintenance from the grounds team.

Results

Since installation, Aqualate has reduced its reliance on borehole abstraction and mains water, lowering operating costs and improving security of supply during dry periods. Consistent irrigation and enhanced soil treatment have strengthened course resilience and turf quality. The predictive release function has also delivered a meaningful flood-mitigation benefit, preventing tanks from sitting full during peak rainfall and easing pressure on site drainage and downstream watercourses.

The project demonstrates how smart, wireless water management can support sustainability and operational efficiency across managed recreational landscapes, and has positioned Aqualate as a forward-thinking example for other sites in the region.

In Their Words

“Managing water across an 80-acre golf course has always been a careful balancing act. We need reliable supplies to keep greens and fairways in top condition during dry spells, while also managing heavy rainfall in a way that protects the course and surrounding environment. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, that challenge has only intensified. The Intellistorm® system supplied by SDS has fundamentally changed how we approach it. By giving us greater visibility and control over water capture, storage and reuse, it allows us to respond proactively rather than reactively. We’re now better equipped to maintain course quality during drought conditions while managing stormwater responsibly and sustainably.”

  • Dan Groome, Centre Manager, Aqualate Golf Centre