One in 12 golf clubs in England broke water extraction rules in past five years
An analysis by The Guardian reveals that over 140 golf clubs in England have breached water extraction licenses in the last five years. Despite many clubs illegally taking water during drought conditions, no fines or prosecutions have been issued by the Environment Agency.
Why it matters
This highlights a significant gap in environmental regulation and enforcement during periods of extreme climate stress and water scarcity.
Clubs use water to maintain and irrigate their courses and grounds. There are 1,735 golf clubs in England, according to England Golf. Photograph: Getty Images/Tetra images RF Clubs use water to maintain and irrigate their courses and grounds. There are 1,735 golf clubs in England, according to England Golf. Photograph: Getty Images/Tetra images RF Water One in 12 golf clubs in England broke water extraction rules in past five years More than 140 clubs breached licences, with a third caught taking water illegally, analysis shows – but no fines issued
Prefer the Guardian on Google More than 140 golf clubs in England have breached their water extraction licences in the past five years, according to data analysis by the Guardian.
More than a third of these clubs were caught taking water illegally from the environment, either by taking more than permitted or by removing it outside of the permitted period.
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