Wet well leak

Ironically, the week after discussing the upcoming new irrigation system, we began the recharge of our current system with a major leak. The metal pipe that drains the cistern at the pump house rusted through the bottom side. Luckily, we made a temporary repair and will get the system up and running this week.

The pump house sits near #17 tee. Water is pulled in from the nearby pond into a well inside the building. From there, pumps send the water to the rest of the property. In the winter, we drain the well as a precaution against freeze damage, which could have been especially possible this winter with the prolonged cold. At the start of the season, we then close the drain valve from the cistern and refill the tank.

The wet well drain pipe and valve

Once we started filling the well this year, the head pressure blew a hole in the bottom of the drainpipe. This pipe is older than the current irrigation system, likely 25+ years. Although we have never encountered this problem, after more inspection we weren’t shocked that it happened. First, the age of the pipe is significant. But more importantly, the interior, bottom side of the pipe virtually always has water in it. Since the pipe does not sit at the very bottom level of the cistern, we can’t drain it 100%, so there is always some water in the drainpipe, either with water up to the valve when the well is full, or a small trickle of water draining out during the winter. Because of this constant water, the metal pipe had been rusting for quite some time, becoming thin and brittle. It finally broke last week.

Water is visible spraying out of the bottom
of the pipe

Unfortunately, a full-scale repair would be very difficult at this time. Lining up contractors on short notice, getting materials, but most crucially, we would be without irrigation until it was fixed. That is not an option at this time of year. After discussion with several of our pump and irrigation maintenance contractors, we decided the best solution would be an epoxy pipe repair wrap. Essentially, a fiber mesh that is coated in resin that is activated by water and hardens to the strength of steel after a short time. We first sealed the hole as best we could with putty, then applied this repair wrap around the pipe being sure to cover several inches past where the hole and cracks appeared to end. We let the epoxy set for the weekend and will recharge the system this week.

Fortunately, we are not desperate for water immediately. Having this problem just as we were getting the system primed for the year was disconcerting. But we are confident in the repair and should be back to normal soon.

 

 

 

Etiquette Reminder of the Month

When parking your cart at a tee or green, please keep all 4 tires on the path.

 

Also, as part of a Golf Committee initiative to improve course etiquette, we have included links to videos teaching proper on course etiquette. Please take a moment to watch:

Ball Marks - How to properly repair

Golf Cart tips

 

 

 

See you on the course!

Joe

jvillegas@bwrc.org