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Serving the Canadian rental industry for 37 years.
4 EDITORIAL: CHANGE CAN BE GOOD
For better or worse, times are changing. by Laura Aiken
6 INDUSTRY NEWS
29 NEW PRODUCTS
8 DRILLING WITH PAUL CATTON
A Q and A with GeoSmart’s chief driller.
16
NOBODY WINS THE PRICE
WAR
Here’s what to charge to make a profit.
18
A NEW AVENUE
Why MacKinnon Well Drilling expanded into geothermal.
20
TAKING THE GREY OUT OF GREYWATER
A look at greywater recycling systems and their benefits.
ON THE WEB:
Ground water at risk from oilsands: report Alberta government approvals of in situ oilsands projects have outpaced the province’s development of rules to protect ground water, says a new report from a Canmore, Alta.-based water conservation group.
First Nations water crisis video on YouTube A documentary, Crisis on Tap, highlights safe drinking water issues on Canada’s native reserves.
Cover photo credit: Chris Bruer, GeoSmart Energy
Photo credit: Chris Bruer, GeoSmart Energy
Change can be good
What will your future as a water well driller look like?
by Laura Aiken
Change is one of the most powerful words in existence. Just roll it off the tip of your tongue and see how quickly angst and excitement can co-exist. Change is also something we can count on. Whether times are good or bad, things are inevitably going to be different one of these tomorrows.
From my newcomer’s perspective, the ground water industry seems to be experiencing a rather competitive state of change. Municipalities choosing to supply water using pipelines, rising costs, the lagging economic recovery . . . these are just some of the things you’ve probably experienced as a water well driller. But ground water remains an important source of drinking water for many people and this is an industry full of the strength and dedication needed to adapt to change and face its challenges.
Geothermal is an infant relative to the water well profession, but it is a hustler that is poised to boom.
Geothermal installations have come to represent an important opportunity for the water well drilling industry and this is why we dedicate one issue a year to this growing industry. Geothermal is an infant relative to the water well profession, but it is a hustler that appears poised to boom.
Adding geothermal services to your repertoire may or may not be of interest to you, but it could be a viable way to keep yourself and your staff busy should the need arise. The geothermal industry needs people in order to grow. There is likely something to be gained from learning more about it, perhaps even taking some training, and then deciding whether expanding into the field is right for your drilling business.
The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) has a progress meter on the home page of its website (www.geo-exchange.ca) that points to just how excited this industry is in its mandate to grow. The CGC also recently began a national road mapping exercise with the Canadian ground
source heat pump industry to effectively chart the progress of the industry and identify areas for future development.
My general sense is that the uptake of geothermal installations by water well drillers has been relatively small to date. On one hand, there appears to be capital barriers, personal choices and perhaps some resistance to change at play. I have witnessed some friction between different ways of thinking by the two industries. However, I have also seen a great willingness by people in both industries to collaborate, come together and work towards standardizing procedures and systems. The future may very well see more water well drillers expanding into geothermal territory. It is hard to say what the next generation will look like without a crystal ball but we can look to the next generation of people for insight. The youth are highly digital and more expectant of diversions and variations in their chosen profession, as they have been raised in an environment where people change employers and job skills more frequently than they used to. Based on this line of thinking, the next generation of drillers is well positioned to maximize the use of thier skills by applying them across different, but complementary, industries, like ground water and geothermal.
The two industries have one big thing in common: a desire to protect the Earth through a cleaner way of doing things. A natural, economical source of drinking water and a natural, economical source of heating and cooling for the homes and businesses of our country (and beyond, should the calling strike). Seems like good common ground to me.
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will focus on drill rigs. Stay tuned!
“Step Ahead” in your career, business, and profession at the groundwater industry’s must-attend annual event, where you can:
• Gain knowledge during 75-plus hours of educational offerings
• View state-of-the-art equipment and technology from 225-plus exhibitors
• Forge partnerships across all sectors of the industry.
In addition to the workshops, lectures, exhibit hall, keynote session/awards presentations, and meetings, be sure to make time to have some fun at events such as The Gun Store Sharpshooter Competition, Attendee Welcome Party, NGWREF Fundraising Auction, and more!
INDUSTRY NEWS
CEMA FORMS GROUND WATER WORKING GROUP
The Cumulative Environmental Management Association (CEMA) has launched a new Ground Water Working Group (GWWG) in Alberta.
The group’s focus is on improving scientific knowledge of regional ground water systems using effective characterization, monitoring and modelling approaches that support and promote the overall objective of watershed integrity. The GWWG will develop recommendations for regional ground water quality and quantity. It will report annually on the environmental risks, status and trends of the ground water quality and quantity within the surface mining areas, in situ areas and in association with tailings ponds and end pit lakes. The input of traditional environmental knowledge will be a key component in the GWWG work plan, research and recommendations.
“Over the past number of years CEMA has commissioned scientific studies into the ground water around northeastern Alberta. Those findings are available on the CEMA website,” said Glen Semenchuk, CEMA executive director. “However, it was only recently that the CEMA board chose to create a new Ground Water Working Group and further examine this important resource to the local ecosystem.”
In recent years, impacts to ground water resources in the Athabasca Oil Sands region have become an increasing concern for stakeholders and regulatory agencies. The GWWG is being established by CEMA to address management of cumulative effects of industrial development on the functioning of ground water systems in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. CEMA is a multi-stakeholder society and advisor to provincial and federal governments.
VIVA LAS VEGAS!
The 2011 Ground Water Expo and Annual Meeting is heading to Las Vegas for the second consecutive year, following a record-breaking run in 2010.
The show runs Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Centre.
“Our industry defied the odds last year by turning out in large numbers for one of our biggest and best events ever. Our goal this year is to do even better with outstanding exhibiting, networking, and educational opportunities,” said Kevin McCray, National Ground Water Association (NGWA) executive director. “We have an outstanding group of professionals from all walks of life whose resiliency and drive — even in difficult economic times — brings them to the expo. That’s what makes it a premier event in the ground water industry,” he added.
This year’s show features educational programs on all four days, and half-day workshops on Friday morning and will address geothermal operations, bidding and estimating.
To learn more, visit www. groundwaterexpo.com.
GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF CANADA QUOTES ‘ENORMOUS GEOTHERMAL ENERGY RESOURCES’
The Geological Survey of Canada and a team of geothermal scientists released a report in June detailing geothermal energy resource potential in Canada.
The report confirms that “geothermal energy, as a renewable energy source, not only provides a clean and renewable option for electricity generation around the clock, but also efficient and competitive heating options for Canadians all over Canada,” said Alexander Richter, director of the Canadian Geothermal Energy Association, in a news release.
In its key findings, the report highlights “enormous geothermal energy resources that could supply the country with a renewable and clean source of power,” and suggests that the high-capacity factor makes it “particularly attractive as a renewable base load energy supply” for Canada.
Other key highlights of the report:
Geothermal energy potential is broadly distributed across Canada; however, there is only sufficient data to characterize geothermal potential for 40 per cent of Canada’s landmass.
Canada’s in-place geothermal power exceeds one million times Canada’s current electrical consumption, although only a fraction of this can likely be produced.
Remote northern communities could be the first to benefit from
development in Canada.
Canada has significant potential for EGS development, as few as 100 projects could meet a significant fraction of Canada’s base load energy needs.
CanGEA sees this report as a confirmation of its own findings that the expected resource potential of Canada’s, electricity generated by geothermal energy could replace approximately 10 nuclear power plants and provide up to 10 per cent of current total electricity generation.
geothermal
The new formed GWWG will report annually on the environmental risks, status and trends of the ground water quality and quantity within the surface mining areas, in situ areas and in association with tailings ponds and end pit lakes.
DRILLING WITH PAUL CATTON
A chat with GeoSmart’s chief driller.
Although he’s only been with GeoSmart Energy for a short time as drilling manager, Paul Catton accounts for almost a quarter-century of the knowledge and skill that have helped establish the company as a leader in the renewable energy market.
by BRANDI COWEN
Ground Water Canada sat down with Catton at the company’s Cambridge, Ont., headquarters to pick his brain about being a geothermal driller.
How did you get started in the drilling industry?
I graduated from Sir Sandford Fleming in 1987 from the drilling program, and started working in the industry directly out of that. I’ve done environmental drilling, water well drilling, all sorts of different aspects of it throughout Ontario. Then around 2004 or 2005, I started to focus on geothermal. I actually bought a rig and was doing exclusively geothermal. About, four or five months ago, I joined GeoSmart in an effort to try and build its brand.
How do you design a geothermal system?
A lot of it comes from the engineering side. The input that I would have on the drilling side is more about the geology and what we anticipate we’re going to hit – potential challenges like gas pockets, salt water, maybe a little bit more challenging geology, things like that. But the overall design comes from the software and experience over the years. Location will determine whether it’s going to be a horizontal or vertical pond loop. Obviously if space is an issue, vertical could be the only option. At that point, basically what you’re doing is using what you know about the area geographically to size the loop to meet the demand of the unit. A general
rule would be 180 feet per three tonnes of capacity. You may do holes that are 360 feet, they may be 540 feet, depending on what you can do in that area, but generally the deeper the better.
There’s good information available through some of the ministry mapping and things that have been done. After Walkerton, they divided the province up into watersheds and did big hydro-geological studies of all the regions. That information’s available on the Internet. You can get ideas of depth to bedrock, types of overburden, the rock you should encounter and things like that. You can get a pretty good handle on what you’re going to get. Beyond that, it’s experience – knowing that in this area you could run into some problems.
I have the advantage, having been in the industry and worked right across Ontario, of having a pretty good idea of what’s in certain areas, maybe areas to stay away from and things like that.
How does installing a residential system differ from installing a commercial one?
The steps involved are basically the same. You drill a hole to whatever depth you’ve determined is relevant according to ministry guidelines. So that part is really the same. Where commercial varies is in the overall scope and size. A house may only require 720 feet of drilling, where commercial buildings could be 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 [feet]. It really is just overall scope for the most part.
What are some of the challenges facing the geothermal industry right now?
I think a big barrier is access to good, qualified, drilling contractors. That’s hurt the vertical side of the business growing. There’s access to working capital – it’s a big expense to get into the drilling side of the business so that can be a barrier for some. It’s not so much a lack of policing, but there are lots of rules and guidelines in place; lack of education and enforcement of those, I think, does hurt the industry a little bit.
What’s the most memorable installation you’ve been involved in so far?
We did one, a glass house that was built years ago, and the original house was done with geothermal. It was 30 years old, so that would have been some of the first-generation systems. It was in a nice area, all nicely landscaped, and it was done horizontal.
We ended up doing a vertical because they didn’t want to ruin the landscaping. We put the system in – it was a six tonne – and we put it in an area 15 x 15 [feet] in the guy’s front yard, right out front of his house. The homeowner was 80 plus
years old. He’d designed the house; he was an architect in his day. He sat for three days and watched us drill out the glass window. On his sofa, eating ice cream, he was having a party — it was hilarious. I felt like we were on TV.
To do a job like that where they’d had a system in and were happy with it under pretty extreme conditions, and then to get another system put in and to do it vertically was a neat thing to do. This was somebody who really believed in the technology.
Editor’s note: This interview was edited and condensed.
Photo credit: Chris Bruer, GeoSmart Energy
Well, what are you going to do?
Opportunity is knocking for ground water specialists in the geothermal market.
larger marketplace, it quickly expanded across Canada to Manitoba, followed by Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia. Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Alberta followed a few years later. Florida, Oklahoma and Indiana were quick to further develop the technology and spread it across the United States.
It wasn’t long before North American ingenuity started having an influence on equipment performance, loop design and installation techniques to address everything from dealing with extreme cold temperatures in the north to stifling heat conditions in the south. Today, Canada boasts some of the most efficient and reliable geothermal systems found anywhere in the world.
As installation techniques became more refined, this had a direct impact on ground water specialists. It became apparent that not all properties supported the installation of water wells. It was then that the concept of closed loop systems emerged. In closed loop systems, a continuous geothermal loop is placed in the ground either horizontally or
vertically, depending on the expanse of the property. The loop is filled with water which then runs in perpetuity through the loop with both ends connected to the heat pump in the building to absorb the natural heating and cooling properties
Today, Canada boasts some of the most efficient and reliable geothermal systems found anywhere in the world.
from the earth.
In a horizontal closed loop, a continuous loop of pipe is buried five to six feet below the ground and requires a significant amount of space. In a vertical closed loop, 900 to 1,200 feet of drilling is required to accommodate twice as much continuously looped HDPE geothermal
pipe. As an example, we have learned that the average home may use two vertical loops 455 feet deep or possibly three holes 300 feet deep to satisfy the geothermal need, with deeper holes being more effective than a series of shallower holes.
Closed loops have increasingly gained popularity over the years, particularly in urban areas with smaller land masses. Although more expensive, vertical closed loop systems have become among the most popular means for installing geothermal systems in urban areas. This type of drilling requires specialized expertise given drillers are drilling much deeper holes than those required for water wells, and are doing so in the most cost-effective manner possible.
With the introduction of closed loop systems, a handful of ground water specialists leveraged the opportunity to expand their businesses by learning more about this particular geothermal installation technique. Today they find themselves among a specialized few who have learned about the intricacies of geothermal drilling and whose services are in high demand given the growing
popularity of geothermal technology.
The demand is so high, in fact, that specialized geothermal drillers and ground water professionals who have mastered the art of geothermal drilling are finding themselves travelling thousands of miles, in some cases, to fulfil contracts in areas where the geothermal drilling expertise isn’t yet readily available.
At a time when the demand for drilling water wells seems to be on the decline, there is a viable option available for ground water specialists to expand into the geothermal marketplace. Make no mistake: Geothermal drilling does require specialized
expertise. However, those willing to take a little bit of geothermal training and invest in some retooling will find a market ready to embrace their talents and expertise.
We are fortunate to have a talented team of ground water specialists across Canada, yet in so many communities across the country, where demand for geothermal installations is on the rise, there is an undeniable shortage of those with the knowledge and expertise to fulfil the drilling requirements for closed loop geothermal installations. As a result, a new industry of geothermal drilling specialists is beginning to burgeon around you, when in fact, you could be fulfilling this need.
Recently, the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in the United States has embraced geothermal drilling proposals as an extension of what it does, and as a result, ground water specialists are finding new and exciting ways to leverage their skills and expertise. As the marketplace becomes increasingly competitive, and the demand for geothermal drilling expertise continues to rise, the time is ripe for you to rethink their business plans and consider an expansion into geothermal drilling as a way to ensure long-term business sustainability.
Stan Marco is a well-respected geothermal knowledge expert and educator. He is an active member of the ground water community, a board member with the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition and a co-founder and CEO of GeoSmart Energy & GeoSmart Drilling Services.
Geothermal is a viable expansion option for ground water specialists.
OLD WELLS AND TWO STANDARDS
Focus on well abandonment and construction standards.
The case for more attention on proper well retirement and higher well construction standards is an ongoing industry concern.
by TREENA HEIN
“Enforcement of proper well abandonments and higher construction standards for all wells would elevate the calibre of our industry, while also obviously better protecting our ground water,” says Brad Meyers, the Alberta director on the Canadian Ground Water Association (CGWA) board and owner of Aaron Drilling in Dewinton, Alta. “It would be hard to find contractors who would argue with this, but many are nervous about the fact that [retiring wells] means higher costs for customers.”
More public education, grant programs, regulations that better designate liability, and better rules enforcement would all go a long way in furthering the protection of ground water and its industry. Many old water wells, especially in central Canada, were developed using a well pit as opposed to pitless adaptor systems. Over the years, some of these well pits have deteriorated a lot and become a risk factor for aquifer pollution, especially old, abandoned well sites. Most provincial regulations prohibit the construction of new wells in pits, but don’t adequately address the upgrading of wells in existing well pits or removal of the pits. There also seems to be a lack of enforcement in ensuring all old unused water wells are retired correctly.
“There’s so little inspection and enforcement of the rules that as long as no one knows about the well in question, it’s pretty easy for a developer or anyone else to ‘make it disappear’ without anyone knowing it was there in the first place,” says Kevin Constable, CGWA first vice-president and Ontario director. “Many of these wells are old with no records, so they are impossible to trace.” Constable notes that
there are still some grants for the retirement of abandoned wells in Ontario (generally administered by conservation authorities), but that they’re running out and being cut back.
Meyers says there’s also a fair amount of apathy among Canadians with regards to looking after abandoned wells and ground water protection.
“All ground water issues need attention, but it’s hard to get the public motivated about something they get with so little effort,” he says. “As industry contractors, we understand the importance of protecting ground water, but it’s convincing the public that seems more difficult – especially when homeowners and business owners are facing rising costs of living and doing business.”
In Alberta (and elsewhere), it’s the landowner’s responsibility to properly decommission any unused, abandoned wells. Alberta’s provincial regulations provide the standard for the appropriate material to use and the procedure, says Jennifer Macpherson, a ground water policy advisor at the Groundwater Policy Branch of Alberta Environment (AENV).
“At the moment, decommission can be done by the landowner, although we are always debating whether to change the regulation so that decommissioning must be done by a certified journeyman water well driller,” she says. “That would certainly raise the cost, but ensure that wells get properly plugged. However, a higher cost might also reduce the number of wells that actually get plugged. So the debate goes on.”
www.flemingcollege.ca
www.welltechtraining.org
DRILLING
NOBODY WINS THE PRICE WAR
Cutting prices in a time of rising costs.
Some water well drillers are charging less than others, creating a conundrum for the industry. Here’s a look at the pricing problem and where your numbers should be to make a profit.
by TREENA HEIN
Water well drillers are under a lot of pressure. Contractors are struggling to pay bills in the face of higher fuel, electricity and equipment costs, not to mention more regulatory issues than ever. Work is scarcer. It’s also a challenge to provide the full-time, high-paying positions needed to keep employees, particularly in areas of Canada where labour competition with the oil or mining industries is fierce.
But there’s another source of pressure as well. Instead of there being a movement across the industry to account for the increased costs of doing business, some drillers are cutting their fees. Is this occurring because priceslashers have a poor idea of what they need to charge to keep themselves in business over the long term? Is it simply the pressure of needing to land the job? Perhaps it’s a matter of others planning only to be in the business for a relatively short period of time, and therefore not setting aside funds for the replacement of equipment and vehicles? Are there good reasons for offering significantly lower rates than competitors?
One reason a company in any sector may undercut another is because work is dwindling. There certainly is less water drilling business available now than there used to be, observes Canadian Ground Water Association (CGWA) first vice-president and Ontario director Kevin Constable. This is partly due to more municipalities choosing to go with water pipelines.
“Almost all of southwestern Ontario is pipeline-fed and more and more pipelines are being installed all over the region,” Constable
notes. “This is happening in other areas of Canada as well.”
He adds, that based on some studies done in poorly constructed subdivisions with shallow wells and inadequate septic systems, “It’s virtually impossible now to create new subdivisions with wells. They must be located next to a community and be served by municipal water and sewer services.” The economic downturn has also meant fewer housing starts.
CUTTING PRICES
George McAllister, a director with the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association, points out that there are two main types of water well drilling companies out there – industrial versus the family-owned smaller type of business that does mostly residential water well drilling.
“The industrial guys have bigger overhead, and have to have more safety certifications, for confined spaces etc.,” says McAllister.
“Since they do a lot of work, they know they have to have funds set aside to replace their equipment, and what they charge has to reflect that. They can’t just avoid doing residential work because there isn’t much money in it, they have to keep employees busy year-round.” He says smaller companies are often “just a guy and his dad and they don’t have to do a lot of wells to sustain themselves, or they have other jobs during the winter. Their equipment is not wearing out fast. Some don’t care if they replace it. They might only be in the business for 10 years and don’t care to put money aside to replace equipment.”
Constable thinks that while the lower prices
these businesses offer might in the short term give them a competitive advantage in the residential arena, they are on a fast track of running their businesses into the ground.
“They’re also making those who charge what-needs-to-be-charged to sustain a business look like they’re gouging customers,” he says. He notes that some well drilling companies in southern Ontario are charging $31 per foot instead of what he says should be quite a bit higher.
“We seem to need to offer $43 a foot to even get a chance at a domestic job,” Constable says. “That’s down from $45 from early last year, and still below the high $40s to low $50s where the price needs to be.”
He stresses that these prices reflect realities in southern Ontario, where almost all of the drilling is overburden cased wells. He says in areas of Ontario where most wells are bedrock wells with limited casing, the prices are different – usually a lower footage rate with casing being extra.
Constable thinks one of the big problems throughout the industry is
people relying strictly on footage prices.
“There are still the required extras that must be factored in, like well screens for overburden wells, and an environmental package as required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. Good pricing is also about
In order to price properly, Constable says drillers need to figure in all costs, then
add a simple profit margin of around 40 per cent.
including insurance, wages, emergency money for breakdowns, replacement funds for equipment, as well as rising fuel and employee costs.”
He says some drillers don’t understand the costs associated with some of these
issues. “A simple 20 per cent mark-up on material costs is a money-losing proposition,” Constable notes, “because that doesn’t even cover your overhead on materials, let alone the cost in time for installation.”
Here is a quick demonstration of how costs have changed.
“A half-decent half-ton pickup truck used to cost around $2,000 during the early ’70s and today that same truck is over $40,000,” Constable says. “That’s a 500 per cent increase and we sure aren’t seeing those same numbers in what our industry is getting paid.”
In order to price properly, Constable says drillers need to figure in all costs, then add a simple profit margin of around 40 per cent. “You’ll then be in the area where profit can happen if all goes well,” he notes. “If things go wrong, or too slowly, due to unforeseen problems or equipment breakdowns, then that profit margin can shrink very quickly. Keep that in mind, as well.”
Continued on page 27
A NEW AVENUE
by LAURA AIKEN
Geothermal installations are a way to keep MacKinnon
Well
Drilling’s staff busy.
Sometimes opportunity knocks in the form of fixing someone else’s mistake. For brothers Rob and Jamie MacKinnon of MacKinnon Well Drilling, house calls to repair geothermal units installed by others led them to enter the market themselves.
“We found that we were getting a lot of calls for geothermal units; it would be simple little things. We figured if we were going to be getting calls about fixing them, might as well be putting them in,” says Rob MacKinnon.
Jamie and Rob’s parents, Bill and Ann, started the well drilling company in 1970 in Pembroke, Ont. Pembroke, established in 1858, is about two hours north of Ottawa and a short jaunt from the Quebec border. This northern location sees them regularly boring into the rocky Canadian shield of their picturesque area. The city has a population of about 23,000 but that figure reaches 72,000 when the surrounding 40 kilometres are taken into account, states the city of Pembroke’s community profile for economic development.
The MacKinnon family has built a wellrespected reputation through word of mouth. MacKinnon Well Drilling has five employees besides Bill, Jamie, Rob and their wives Erica and Leah, who handle office duties.
In 2002, Rob says they began to dabble on
their own in geothermal, formally entering the market in 2005.
“We could foresee the drilling slowing down and this was another avenue too keep the guys working,” says Rob.
The kind of system, be it vertical loop or horizontal loop, depends on the area and the city. For the MacKinnons in Pembroke, they do horizontal loop, as they mostly encounter spacious one-acre lots. Their geothermal customers are residential, generally mid- to highend homeowners, and installation jobs come by word of mouth, says Rob.
“Being a family firm, if we’re looking at a job and it’s not going to work properly, we’ll turn it down because it’s going to be our name and reputation.”
Rob says they size their geothermal jobs to do 100 per cent of the heating and cooling and that word is getting around now that it works. He says it’s of great importance to size the installation to the particular house. Successful geothermal work takes investment and
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Jamie MacKinnon with Nadia MacKinnon, Terry Hein, Justin Montgomery, Darren Ashick, Rob MacKinnon, Phil Daber and Wade Warren.
education but there is an opportunity to make some money in a growing industry.
“It takes some time and it takes some money but it’s well worth it,” Rob says of entering the geothermal market. He emphasized the importance of training.
Rob and Jamie did their training at GeoSmart Energy, and they send key staff there as well. Jamie also did the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition’s installation and design course. Rob also recommends researching the area you’re going to be drilling in and ensuring you’re a licensed driller.
Sometimes repairs are a really simple matter and sometimes they require a little more head scratching. Rob recalls being called in to remove a geothermal unit from a home after one year of operation and it turned out it was only an $11 relay to repair. They bought the unit for parts as the homeowner opted to put in a wood/oil system. There are certainly sizing challenges that can happen too. With open loop systems, if the pump is too small the unit will lock out. It’s not the unit that’s the problem but rather the pump size, says Rob.
Economic conditions in Ontario for geothermal drillers recently turned more favourable with the return of the federal government’s popular ecoENERGY Retrofit-Homes program. From June 6 to March 31, 2012, homeowners can receive grants of up to $5,000 to make their homes more energy efficient. If homeowners want to install a geothermal system that conforms to the CAN/ CSA-C448 Standard from the Canadian Standards Association, and a company qualified by the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC) installs the new system or a complete replacement of an existing system (new heat pump unit and new loop), the homeowner gets $4,375. The CGC must also certify the system after installation.
Rob says a lot of his potential customers have been on the fence, and the near $4,400 rebate should push some of them to the yes side. One of the challenges in selling a geothermal system is the perceived expense by the homeowner, but Rob says there is a computer program that shows the payback very quickly. While geothermal has slowed down in the recent economic downturn, the upswing and the grant bode well for future work.
WATER
GREYWATER STRATEGIES
A primer on greywater recycling systems.
In the water well world, drillers are faced with the challenge of supplying the quantity and quality of water to a home or business every day. Sometimes the well just does not produce enough. What if the well could produce 40 to 60 per cent less and still meet the needs of the homeowner? Herein lie some of the benefits of a water recycling system using greywater.
Greywater is any household waste water with the exception of waste water from the toilet or kitchen sink, which is known as black water. Typically, 50 to 80 per cent of household waste water is greywater from dishwashers, bathroom sinks, tubs and showers.
Freshly generated greywater is inherently not as much of a concern for treatment as black water, but if it’s not handled properly it can soon become a problem. Greywater decomposes at a much faster rate than black water. If stored even for as little as 24 hours, the bacteria in it uses up all the oxygen and the greywater becomes anaerobic and turns septic. After this point it is more like black water (a health hazard).
Traditionally, many jurisdictions have strict regulations about disposal of grey water. Some even require it to be treated as black water. Both are introduced to the sewer system for municipal disposal (or into the onsite septic system).
THE BENEFITS OF REUSING WATER
Reduce freshwater demand: When the weather is warm, about half of the water consumed by the average household in North America is for outdoor use. Capturing the indoor greywater for use
outdoors can cut water usage in half.
Non-potable applications of fresh water include toilet flushing. Reused water can be used for this, thus decreasing the freshwater demand of the home or facility.
Recharge ground water: Greywater recycling for irrigation replenishes ground water, helping the natural hydrologic cycle to keep functioning. Reduce strain on septic system or treatment plant: Greywater makes up the majority of the household wastewater stream, so diverting it from the septic system extends the life and capacity of the system. As a note of concern, “super” concentrating the black water into the septic system may call for future design changes and adjustments to the codes. For municipal systems, decreased input means more effective treatment coupled with cost savings. For onsite septic systems, this may mean lowered hydraulic loading on septic systems that are trending towards oversizing and managing the total discharges from the home.
Develop otherwise unsuitable real estate: A greywater recycling system can enable the development of land that is unsuitable for a properly sized septic
by KEVIN WONG
system. In areas with shallow topsoil layers or not enough space for a properly sized area bed, the use of a greywater system could allow for the option by cutting down on the total wastewater discharge from the facility.
Support plant growth: Greywater can support plant growth in areas that might not otherwise have enough water.
Maintain soil fertility: The nutrients in the greywater are broken down by bacteria in the soil and made available to plants. This helps to maintain soil fertility.
Enhance water quality: The quality of ground water and surface waters is much better preserved by the natural purification processes the greywater undergoes in the top layers of the soil than by any engineered water treatment.
GREYWATER APPLICATIONS
Currently Health Canada’s guidelines for Domestic Reclaimed Water for Use in Toilet and Urinal Flushing and the National Plumbing Code reference to CSA B128 detail the acceptable uses and application of reclaimed greywater to toilet and urinal flushing and subsurface irrigation.
Kevin Wong is the executive director of the Canadian Water Quality Association.
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Drilling down into federal priorities for ground water.
Water is a hot-button issue these days. Pick up a newspaper, turn on the television or tune into the radio, and it won’t be long before you encounter a water topic.
by BRANDI COWEN
A series of floods this past spring, followed by an unusually hot, dry summer in many parts of the country, have some Canadians questioning the sustainability and management of our water supplies. Oil sands development and hydro-fracking for oil and gas are contributing to growing concerns about the quality of water available to Canadians, now and in the future.
The federal government has dived right in, setting priorities to tackle the complex water challenges facing Canadians.
“Efforts to ensure we understand and improve our ground water range from [applying] leading-edge science, cleaning up federal contaminated sites, conducting specific research into the impacts of industry on ground water and working with
Although the provinces have primary jurisdiction over many aspects of water management, responsibility for healthrelated water issues, sustainability, and some national issues deemed significant by both levels of government are shared between the provinces and the federal government. With greater financial and human resources than most provinces have at their disposal, Ottawa can be a powerful force in shaping the national agenda on water issues, driving research and action.
the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment,” Mark Johnson, a spokesperson for Environment Canada, told Ground Water Canada in an e-mail exchange.
BRIDGING BOUNDARIES
Addressing the country’s water issues can be a challenging task. Authority is divided among federal, provincial and territorial governments. A seemingly simple question posed to one level of government can launch a back and forth between provincial ministries and federal departments that will make your head spin.
CCME survey respondents identified sustainability and water quality as two of the most significant knowledge gaps when it comes to ground water..
At the federal level, Environment Canada shares jurisdiction with Natural Resources Canada. Both federal departments also share jurisdiction over many water issues with the provincial and territorial environment ministries. It takes a lot of teamwork to make the country’s various regulatory and monitoring systems work together. Fortunately, there’s a forum designed to help improve communication and build bridges across jurisdictions. The task of developing national strategies for ground water management and protection, and establishing guidelines for use by the individual provinces and territories, falls to the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). The CCME typically meets once per year, bringing together the federal environment minister with 13 provincial and territorial counterparts in a forum designed to address Canada’s national environmental priorities.
At its last meeting, held this past June in Yellowknife, the CCME reaffirmed its commitment to work together to manage, monitor, protect and remediate watersheds and bodies of water using “scientific, traditional and local knowledge.”
In 2010, the CCME published a report titled Review and Assessment of Canadian Groundwater Resources, Management, Current Research Mechanisms and Priorities. The report presented the results of a survey of federal, provincial and territorial government agencies; municipal governments, conservation authority and water purveyors; academics; and ground water associations and private consultants. Survey respondents identified sustainability and water quality as two of the most significant knowledge gaps when it comes to ground water. Other frequently mentioned gaps included ground water mapping and characterization and monitoring data, including information about water levels and quality.
The Groundwater Information Network (GIN), launched last year, is one tool helping to address some of these knowledge gaps. This joint federal-provincial project, led by Natural Resources Canada’s Groundwater Geoscience Program, offers a one-stop online shop for access to eight provincial and territorial water well databases nationwide. A visit to www.gw-info.net connects users with databases from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and the Yukon.
“Users can find wells in an area, examine water well records, including a link to the original provincial data or website, view them hanging from the landscape in 3D and download data of interest. This can help drillers select a well site and cost it appropriately,” Line Prud’homme, a spokesperson for Natural Resources Canada, told Ground Water Canada in an e-mail.
Members of the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) offered their input on GIN at their 2010 Annual Convention. Prud’homme says that although no similar consultations are currently on their calendar, additional
feedback on GIN is always welcome. Users can go online and submit comments via the GIN website.
This kind of co-operation between and across different levels of government plays a key role in preserving and protecting the country’s ground water supplies in the long run.
COMBATING CONTAMINATION
Like water itself, contamination can cross jurisdictional boundaries with ease. This is one of the factors driving Environment Canada’s push to expand study of the country’s ground water.
Johnson cites water quality as “a major component” of Environment Canada’s ground water science program. This includes “assessment of priority contaminants in ground water at the national scale, and investigations of the fate of contaminants in ground water at the watershed or regional scale in various settings (e.g., urban, rural, forest).”
One area Environment Canada is particularly focused on at the moment is addressing knowledge gaps in how contaminants in ground water impact surface water and aquatic ecosystems. The department’s National Water Research Institute is currently involved in research into the sources of nutrients in ground water, the ecological effects of contaminated ground water discharging into surface water, and the natural processes that attenuate the effects of ground water contamination in the Canada’s diverse ecosystems.
Environment Canada scientists are also involved in research on the impact specific sectors, such as agriculture and the oil and gas industry, have on ground water.
One major initiative, aimed at better understanding the environmental impact of Alberta’s oil sands, launched last year. In June 2010, the federal government announced a $1.6 million science program to study how the oil sands are affecting several aspects of the environment, around and near the province’s oil sands operations.
“Ground water sampling is being expanded almost four-fold to 100 sites, primarily along the Athabasca River in the vicinity of the oil sands tailing facilities,” Johnson wrote. “The oil sands monitoring program includes an investment in state-of-theart analytical equipment and research support that will allow scientists to identify unique chemical compounds produced during oil sands processing that can be used as ‘fingerprints’ that distinguish it from naturally-occurring bitumen found in the eco-system.”
Tackling the country’s water issues is no easy feat. Authority over water crosses jurisdictions just like rivers and streams do. With intergovernmental co-operation on initiatives like GIN and open lines of communication across departments and ministries before, during and after CCME meetings, Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial authorities are on the right track to improve and expand understanding and appreciation of our the country’s ground water resources.
Monitoring water quality is a top priority for the federal government.
PRICING IN EASTERN ONTARIO AND QUEBEC
Like other well drillers, brothers Jamie and Rob, and their parents Bill and Ann MacKinnon at MacKinnon Well Drilling Ltd. in Pembroke, Ont., are feeling the fuel price pinch (for full profile on MacKinnon Well Drilling, see page 18).
“We have used temporary fuel surcharges before, when fuel prices have shot up, but we’re holding off for now [in June] and we’ll wait and see what happens the rest of this summer,” says Jamie. MacKinnon Well Drilling was started four decades ago and has five employees besides Bill, Jamie, Rob and their wives Erica and Leah, who share office management responsibilities. They offer geothermal installations as well as water well drilling and servicing. Most of their jobs are within an hour’s drive and involve drilling into the bedrock of the Canadian Shield.
The MacKinnons charge $23 a foot for drilling and $15 a foot for casing. A minimum of 22 feet of casing is required by law and not needed in bedrock, says Rob (how much bedrock is encountered can vary widely, even between sites as little as 600 metres apart).
“We also charge $1,100 for the environmental package, which includes a 10¾ inch hole, grouting, a driveshoe on the bottom of the casing, chlorination, a vermin-proof well cap and a pumping and recovery test,” he explains. Their prices have held steady for about the last five years. “We find that we’re pretty much always the first in the area to increase prices and others then follow,” notes Jamie.
Drillers from nearby Quebec just across the scenic Ottawa River do some work in the Pembroke area, and the MacKinnons find that these companies generally charge less per foot. “I think that if our rates were similar, we would not have the capacity to return and deal with any problems at no extra charge, which is a very important assurance we provide for our customers,” Jamie says. “Companies that are charging rates that low, it also makes you wonder how
Treena Hein is a science writer based in Ontario. Continued from page 17
they’re not taking shortcuts.” A common example of this that the MacKinnons sometimes see is the skipping of pressure grouting. “Some companies are just throwing a bag of holeplug in at the top instead of pressure grouting, which of course is against Ontario regulations and a threat to well water quality,” says Jamie.
However, Rob adds that some companies that charge lower drilling and casing fees also add “hidden” charges on to the bill later, for things like grouting and test pumping. “This means the total price of the job can end up being more than what we charge,” he says. “These things aren’t discussed with customers up front, and so initially, they only get this low drilling rate quoted to them. It sounds great, but the total bill later is a shock.”
Some Quebec water well drillers have not been charging as much as they need to in order to deal with future equipment replacement, retaining quality employees and other things like rising fuel costs, observes Simon Massé, the Quebec representative on the CGWA board, and a co-owner of Groupe Puitbec Inc. in Victoriaville, Que. That’s why the Association Puits Pompes Québec (APPC, of which Massé is also a board member) just finished a study of water well drilling costs across the province. “We found that increases in the price of fuel mean that it costs a driller about 50 cents more a foot this spring to drill a water well in comparison to last spring,” says Massé. “In general, we found that it costs a driller about $17.50 per foot for water well drilling. Sealing with bentonite costs a driller $900. Profits must be added on to these figures.”
Massé says that most drillers charge customers about $21 now per foot in total, and when analysis of the report is complete, the APPC will provide a customer pricing recommendation for Quebec drillers.
In tough times it’s hard not to abide by “every man for himself”, but the overall industry will benefit and grow stronger from a commitment to pricing itself for the long haul.
Continued from page 22
by regulation not to mix aquifers of different chemistries and hydrostatic heads but that is largely left up to the contractor,” says Meyers. “Also, no grouting is required.” Macpherson says although grouting is not mandatory, there still needs to be an annular seal in non-licensed wells.
Macpherson notes that the requirement for the higher construction standard on a licensed well is based on the premise that the impact on an aquifer of a non-household, high-volume well is likely to be higher than that on a smallvolume household well.
“The difficulty we are experiencing with this regulation is that in some locations in the province (particularly in the central part), the nature of the geology makes it difficult for the well driller to establish with certainty when the interbedded sandstone and shale sequences they encounter are hydraulically connected – to be considered one aquifer or distinctly different and thus many different aquifers,” she notes. “As well, the problem with having these differing construction standards between household and non-household wells really comes to light when a well owner decides to change the purpose of his or her well to non-household and applies for a diversion permit. They are then faced with bringing the well up to the higher construction standard before being given approval to divert the larger amount of water desired. For all these reasons, we are very seriously assessing the merits of having only one well construction standard in Alberta.”
Meyers believes that most industry and government personnel are in favour of consistent standards, and he would like to see this happen as soon as possible.
“The process seems to fall apart at the point of trying to agree on a field method to confirm different aquifers and establish the maximum gallons-per-minute rate that could be taken from multiple aquifers in order to create a functioning well for a customer,” he says. Meyers believes a consensus is going to be hard to reach. AENV is addressing the issue in their Multi Aquifer Completion study, which involves stakeholders such as government, consultants and contractors.
Meyers says “I think it’s hard to argue that grouting the casing from the top of the aquifer to surface with something positive like bentonite grout, chips or cement wouldn’t be a good thing. It goes a long way to eliminating the possibility of contamination and or mixing aquifers.” He adds, “The problem seems to be determining when it is important to do this and how to properly accomplish it. In any meetings I’ve attended from coast to coast, drillers are concerned when the requirements are too specific. Most think they need some latitude to get the job done regardless of the type of situation or equipment they have. I think as long as you get an engineer’s approval of your plan and execution, that should suffice.”
While there may be many sides to the debate on how best to get old wells properly closed and eliminate double standards for new construction, one thing is agreed upon by all. Ground water protection is critical and we have a public that needs to be better informed and more proactive.
Treena Hein is a science writer based in Ontario.
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DISTRIBUTORS
Spreading Well Awareness
Educated homeowners make a driller’s job easier.
by Heather Kirby
How many times have you, as a well contractor, come up against a frustrated homeowner who wants his or her “water fixed” but is shocked at your estimate?
Part of the problem is that many well owners don’t really understand what it takes to get good, clean water into their homes.
That’s where Well Aware comes in. Over time, Well Aware wants to change the culture of Ontario well owners, from one of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” to one that respects the challenges of providing safe, good, clean water.
Well Aware is an Ontario-wide program delivered by members of Green Communities Canada for 10 years. It’s financially supported by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and endorsed by the Ontario Ground Water Association, Association of Professional Geoscientists, Conservation Ontario, Association of Supervisors of Public Health Inspectors of Ontario and many more. The program provides the Well Aware booklet, kits of localized information, and expert presentations to organizations working with rural well owners such as health units, conservation authorities and building officials. Program officials also deliver the very popular Guided Self Assessments (home visits). The home visit engages them in a discussion about how water works on their property so they understand why taking care of their water is important.
“It was sort of like being back in Grade 7 learning about the water cycle,” said one well owner. “Except it was how the water cycle applied to my own property. I learned and understood so much. It was excellent.”
Everyone feels slightly defensive, and maybe even embarrassed, when someone else is assessing his or her property. To ease the defences, Well Aware validates the good intentions while gently pointing out the notso-good intentions. Most people genuinely
feel that what they have done to their property is acceptable; this is the “if it ain’t broke” part. Supporting homeowners’ intentions by providing a better method encourages them to step up their efforts, change some practices and take appropriate actions.
During Well Aware’s two-hour home visit, homeowners are debunked of rural water myths and handed-down knowledge; appreciates technological and knowledge advancements that support upgrades and changes; and defines the necessary steps to provide clean, clear and safe drinking water to family and friends.
Well Aware provides a description of the recommended work and strongly advises the homeowner to use a licensed well contractor instead of doing the work themselves or hiring a handyman. Describing the equipment necessary for the work provides a visual image that supports the extent of the work that the well contractor can do. Well Aware highlights that training and experience are essential for decision-making when all you see is two feet of pipe and a 100-foot well. Expressing that all of these things do count helps prepare the homeowner for when they call a well contractor.
The peer-to-peer communication provides a level of comfort and allows the homeowner to open up to ask questions, and more importantly, listen to the responses. When the homeowner is armed with accurate information and the reasons behind it, they are able to make rational decisions in times of stress. This fosters a positive well maintained relationship with you, the contractor, while protecting the ground water.
Heather Kirby is the program manager of Well Aware for Green Communities Canada. For more information, booklets and resources, contact Heather at 705-745-7479, ext. 114, hckirby@greencommunitiescanada.org or visit www.wellaware.ca.
