It has always been an offence to cause pollution and a surge in our business was experienced with the introduction of the Groundwater (England and Wales) Regulations 2009. Highspeed Group Ltd, others in the industry, the Environment Agency, other government bodies and the media have been bringing the requirements of legislation to the attention of as many as possible over the last ten or more years yet, surprisingly, there still remain a number of golf courses and others who continue washing off machinery to ground.


Clearwater installation at Hanau-Wilhelmsbad Golf Club, Germany

However, fresh impetus has been created recently by the growing awareness that the EU Water Framework Directive is due for full implementation in 2015 and the realisation that there is very little time left to bring wash-off facilities up to legal requirements. If you are inspected and found to be non-compliant by causing pollution, pleading ignorance of the law is no defence! Believing “They won’t check on us” could be folly! It is fact that the Environment Agency (EA) is enforcing the demands of legislation in many areas. One sale of a ClearWater system to a golf club recently was as a direct result of a visit from the EA! Pollution was traced back to the club via a stream. The club responded quickly and now has a very effective ClearWater wash-off system.

Ever aware of the growing demands of legislation Highspeed Group knew that customers would be seeking not only a very effective wash–off and recycling system but one that was approved and could bring added benefits. TOur wash-off system ClearWater was submitted to the WTL (Water Technology List) in March 2008 and gained approval. Customers could now write off 100 per cent of the cost of installing ClearWater against taxable profits under the ECA (Enhanced Capital Allowance) scheme. A growing number have reaped the benefits of this.

Price is certainly a factor in contributing to ClearWater’s appeal and success, as is that the system can be bought for “self-installation”, making it very competitive. As far as we know, no other genuine recycling system is offered with this option. Other unique selling points include: It is safely below ground. This means that you don’t see it (apart from discreet turret tops set in the ground); our picture exemplifies this point. It is silent in operation and there are no large shiny metal boxes that are affected by vast temperature fluctuations and it is pleasing on the eye. One other advantage of below ground is the stable and low temperature of the water inside the system. Being well below the 20° C temperature threshold for the formation of Legionella bacteria, it is considered safer by Highspeed. The system capacity of the system is 5000 litres allowing ample time for effective treatment. ClearWater also appeals because it is simple and easy to operate and maintain with very few moving parts.

Buoyed by export success in Ireland, Highspeed has more recently supplied ClearWater systems in the US, France and Germany. Budgets may still be tight but investing in ClearWater now will not only provide an effective and attractive recycling system with tax advantages but also save valuable water and ensure you are legal!"