Bryozoans grow naturally in lakes, rivers, ponds and in channels carrying reclaimed water. They enter golf course irrigation systems as microscopic statoblasts (“eggs”), only twice the width of a human hair and passing easily through most Amiad® and other filters. Without treatment bryozoans can spread throughout the irrigation system cementing statoblasts to the pipe walls. The statoblasts resist most chemicals and can lie dormant for many months before becoming active again.
Usually the first indication of bryozoans at a golf course is in the debris screens of sprinkler heads. Fragments of bryozoan colonies accumulate there after breaking off from larger masses growing inside the pipelines. Clogged sprinkler heads can be a major maintenance issue. Toro® and Rain Bird® models seem especially susceptible.
Common golf course fouling micro-organisms:
