Groundskeeping Journal Issue 38 2026 | Page 33

SPORTS PITCHES community with high-quality synthetic turf surfaces to play on, which was always the primary aim. What the water management solution adds is a secondary benefit alongside that. We have avoided discharging into the local authority drainage system because the run-off is successfully attenuated on site, and that stored water is a genuine resource for us.”
Synthetic turf pitches have a lifecycle measured in decades, typically 10- 12 years, and the water management system designed into the build will function across that entire period. Over the extended timescale, the financial
return on this approach can be significant.
Stefan Diderich, Director General / CEO at EMEA Synthetic Turf Council( ESTC), said:“ What makes this project stand out is how much a single piece of infrastructure is able to deliver. The synthetic turf pitches provide the playing capacity a growing university needs, while at the same time helping the campus manage its water sustainably.
“ It is a great example of synthetic and natural surfaces working together rather than in isolation, with water captured beneath one supporting the other. As regulation around surface water tightens across Europe, we expect more estates managers to look at what their facilities can contribute beyond sport.”
Find out more about water management with synthetic turf at https:// estc. info / synthetic-turf-benefits / watermanagement /
GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | November / December 2026 33