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Drinking water in peril around world as earth’s major rivers continue to dry up The world’s rivers are disappearing, and everything from shipping routes, agriculture and drinking water are being negatively affected. BNN Bloomberg report
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Celebrating women in groundwater
Every single woman nominated was a winner, in our opinion
by Mike Jiggens
The groundwater industry, like many others among the skilled trades, has been male dominated since the beginning. It’s not that there aren’t women among Canada’s drillers, pump installers, academics, hydrogeologists or other professionals working in this industry. Their fewer numbers simply tend to keep them overshadowed for the most part by their male counterparts.
We hope this issue of Ground Water Canada might help to change things and aim the spotlight on some of the women who are making a difference in this industry. We recently launched a “Women in Groundwater” promotion – a first for this publication – to recognize some of the key women who are playing important roles in this industry. We solicited nominations in the late spring in hopes of bringing these women to the forefront. The response was overwhelming –better than we had anticipated – and our panel of judges selected four individuals to be our 2022 honourees.
The long list of runners-up featured several others who were arguably just as worthy of being honoured this year. Plans are to continue this program in 2023, and the nomination forms of those women will be retained for reassessment.
We wish to congratulate Carol Luttmer, Dani Nau Jantzi, Lisa McLeod and Norma Thompson as our selected honourees. We’ll refrain from using the term “winners” because, frankly, every single woman nominated was a winner, in our opinion.
Their stories can be read starting on page 14 of this issue. What you’ll read doesn’t tell their entire story, however. Space is limited in print, and that’s why we’re putting together a podcast series in which you’ll be able to listen to an expanded version of their thoughts.
The podcasts will be launched this fall on our website.
The women who were nominated this year hold down several varied positions, including the program manager of a groundwater monitoring program, a driller in training, a university professor, a municipal water utility manager, a researcher, a geoscientist, the owner or co-owners of drilling companies, several hydrogeologists, and a groundwater section head for the British Columbia Ministry of Forests.
Nominations were received from British Columbia, the Prairies, Central and Eastern Canada, and Atlantic Canada.
Those who took the time to nominate these women deserve a round of applause as well. The nomination forms were filled out in tremendous detail for the most part, and it was evident each of these women is extremely passionate about her position in the industry.
The panel of judges could not unanimously decide on an honouree they considered to be at the top of the list. That goes to show the strength of the field of candidates.
As a teaser to the story that starts on page 10, we can let you know that Carol is the program manager for Nelson, B.C.-based Living Lakes Canada, Dani is a driller in training with Milton, Ont.-based Geo-Environmental Drilling Inc., Lisa is the co-owner and office manager of Strathroy, Ont.-based McLeod Water Wells, and Norma is the owner of Kensington, P.E.I.-based Thompson Well Drilling and Geothermal.
We hope that word of these women spreads and perhaps encourages others to want to consider a career in this industry. The groundwater industry certainly isn’t a men’s club.
BEYOND RECYCLING: THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Focus on the Environment.
Circular Innovation Council is a notfor-profit environmental organization operating nationally across Canada. For more than 40 years, Circular Innovation Council has been delivering programs and projects that raise awareness and challenges Canadians to take action on waste reduction, resource efficiency, sustainability, and more recently the benefits of the circular economy. In concert with our members and partners, we leverage our experience to deliver on the broad gains inspired by the circular economy through programs, projects, and pilots. Our mandate is to inspire greater sustainability across Canada by putting circular economy concepts into action.
Building on more than 20 years of success in delivering the Waste Reduction Week in Canada program, in partnership with a network of provincial organizations, Circular Innovation Council is now launching Canada’s first Circular Economy Month aimed at utilizing the whole month of October to educate and excite Canadians about the opportunities and benefits of the circular economy.
The circular economy as a concept has increased in global prominence in recent years as the solution to the environmental, social, and economic challenges of our
Five circular models
time. Through fundamental changes to our production and consumption habits and redefining value, we can reduce the current unsustainable extraction, harvest, and consumption of raw natural resources and its negative impacts of biodiversity-loss, energy use, carbon emissions, and waste generation.
The meaning of circular economy is one which reduces material use, redesigns materials to be less resource intensive, and recaptures post-consumer waste as a resource to manufacture new materials and products. There are five circular models that underpin the circular economy that are based on the principles of longevity, reuse, repairability, upgrade, share, and material reduction and recovery.
Circular Innovation Council invites all Canadians from coast to coast to coast to celebrate Canada’s first Circular Economy Month this October! Businesses, organizations, governments, and schools are encouraged to get involved by proclaiming October as Circular Economy Month, planning an
event, lighting a local landmark, learning about the circular economy, and joining the conversation on social media.
• Oct. 1-9 – Introduction to the circular economy
• Oct. 10-16 – Environmental benefits of circular economy: clean oceans and freshwater, ecosystem protection, climate change mitigation, reducing carbon emissions, water conservation and embracing reuse.
• Oct. 17-23 – Waste reduction and recycling of issue-based waste streams (celebrating Waste Reduction Week in Canada).
• Oct. 24-31 – Social and economic benefits: innovation, job & skills creation, economic savings, driving local economy and community engagement.
To learn more about Circular Economy Month and how you can get involved, visit CircularEconomyMonth.ca.
We thank the Circular Innovation Council for the information in this article.
INDUSTRY NEWS
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO LEADS ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’ RESEARCH TEAM
An interdisciplinary team led by researchers from the University of Waterloo are identifying and treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, in Canadian water systems.
PFAS affects more than 2.5 million Canadians and are a new class of more than 4,000 environmental contaminants whose impact on human health is unknown. PFAS are used in a wide range of products such as cosmetics, textiles, firefighting foams and food packaging materials.
“PFAS are even more stable than plastics,” Scott Hopkins, project lead and a professor in Waterloo’s department of chemistry, said. “Their carbon fluorine bond is one of the strongest that you can make in chemistry – very, very thermodynamically stable. Because it’s man-made, there are very few natural
things that can actually impact it. Traditional water treatment methods are ineffective at destroying these chemicals. Many smaller Canadian communities do not have the capacity to test for pollutants like PFAS or the ability to implement new water and wastewater treatment technologies. As a result, pollutants will stay in their ecosystems and biomagnify, or buildup, in the local food web.”
Hopkins has partnered with professor Franco Berruti from Western University, along with USP Technologies, Brown and Caldwell, the Ontario Clean Water Agency, Ontario Water Consortium, Canadian Water and Wastewater Association,
and seven regional water supply systems in Ontario.
“To tackle large, complex issues like this, you need to engage many experts who bring unique and valuable skills to the table,” Hopkins said. “Our team has leading experts in chemistry, chemical engineering, artificial intelligence, water treatment, policy and regulation.”
Samples will be taken from input and along various points throughout the treatment process. Researchers will focus on catchment areas of Union Water Supply System, Lake Huron Primary Water Supply System, Elgin Area Primary Water Supply System, Lambton Area Water Supply System, Peel Region, the City of Cornwall Water System, and the cities of Durham and London.
Hopkins’ will focus on predicting physicochemical properties of PFAS.
SASKATOON PLANNING SECOND WATER PLANT TO MEET GROWTH
Saskatoon is in the planning stages for a second water treatment plant to be able to accommodate the needs of a population that could reach 500,000 in the coming years.
The city’s first treatment plant was established in 1906 and has since expanded its capacity to 250 million litres per day.
“We will continue to utilize and upgrade our current water treatment plant and infrastructure for years to come, but we need to begin planning the development of a second plant to increase treatment capacity,” Pamela Hamoline, interim director of Saskatoon Water, said. “A second plant would eventually bring our total treatment capacity to 450 million litres per day, which is necessary for an expected population of 500,000 in the coming years.”
Recently, the water treatment long term capital strategy went before the city’s standing policy committee on environment, utilities and corporate services. Its report highlights the current and future steps needed to increase treatment capacity.
“Despite many successful water conservation efforts, as well as maintenance and upgrades over the years, it is unrealistic to depend on our 116-year-old water treatment plant to keep up with future demand,” Hamoline said.
She said an internal decision quality team is committed to ensuring the alignment of the city’s strategic goals in determining a treatment plant expansion strategy, including the goal of environmental leadership to reduce
the city’s environmental footprint and promoting responsible use of resources.
“The team still has a lot of work to do and is currently exploring funding strategies so it can report the findings to city council. That work will include looking into
opportunities and partnerships with federal and provincial funding programs.”
The city has a draft engagement plan in the works as well, focusing on identifying major stakeholders and opportunities for proactive public communication.
INFRASTRUCTURE DEPENDENCY
How outdated infrastructure impacts drinking water
Municipal water infrastructure is often out of sight and out of mind for most people…until there’s a problem, that is.
While Canada has a global reputation as a water-rich region, a report by KPMG shows the clock is ticking on municipal infrastructure. Thirteen per cent of the country’s core municipal infrastructure assets, including water treatment plants, are in significant decay and are either unreliable or entirely unfit to meet current needs. This poses risks such as drinking water contamination, sewage backups, and an increase in flooding.
The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified this issue. Financial strain on municipalities have slowed down spending on critical infrastructure maintenance and renewal. But operating with aging infrastructure has its own consequences, which could make municipal services less reliable, less effective, and more costly to deliver.
Mounting pressures such as climate change, increased demands for access to clean drinking water, and rapid population growth are stark reminders of how dependent we are on these critical water infrastructure systems. To continuously provide quality services to Canadians, municipalities must realize investing in maintaining and repairing equipment, buildings and systems aren’t items on nice-to-have, but on must-do lists.
One example of a municipality leading the way to transform its water infrastructure systems is the City of Prince George, B.C. With products that were not serviceable or replaceable, the city’s water infrastructure was at risk of operating
system obsolescence and security vulnerabilities like cyberattacks. If components failed or a cyberattack were to breach the system’s defences, the failures could cause system downtime, and reduce the quality of service the city was able to provide its residents.
Prince George recognized the need to upgrade its supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) telecommunication system to service its existing water and wastewater lift stations. It partnered with True North Solutions, an industrial engineering company, and Schneider Electric to provide front-end engineering design services to identify upgrades and replacements required for the SCADA, RTU, and SCADA radio systems to ensure reliability and ease of maintenance and monitoring of these systems.
True North Solutions implemented practices by taking advantage of Schneider Electric’s SCADA/telemetry integrated ecosystem. By equipping staff with visibility into reservoir water
by SHARMILA MAHASIVAM
levels and notifying them in real-time of potential equipment failure, the city can prevent instances of downtime. The result is better operational oversight, increased reliability, and improved data for analytics, which provides opportunities for cost and service optimizations. Additionally, using digital tools allowed the city to improve visibility into its water systems so that it can keep tabs on how the facility is operating, stay ahead of any potential issues, and spot opportunities to better manage its energy.
While most Canadians are fortunate to have access to clean and safe water at their fingertips, factors such as outdated infrastructure and rapid population growth are putting tremendous stress on Canadian water systems. Canada’s urgent infrastructure needs presents a major opportunity, which the City of Prince George recognized by upgrading its facilities, including the ability to make smarter decisions, manage energy usage more effectively and stay prepared for potential disruption.
As Canada’s population continues to grow, and smaller municipalities like Prince George attract new residents, the need to evolve critical infrastructure to be more responsive, connected, and adaptive to industrial and technological trends is at an all-high time.
Sharmila Mahasivam is business developer for Schneider Electric Canada’s alliance program sales.
Prince George’s water treatment plant.
PHOTO CREDIT: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC
CARING ABOUT GROUNDWATER
It matters to people when they connect
Groundwater is
vital
to the survival of the human race.
Yet most people don’t even know what the term means, let alone grasp the importance of groundwater to their existence and the ecological health of the world around them.
There’s a new breed of groundwater scientists who want to address this ignorance by raising the “social consciousness” of people with respect to groundwater. Their strategy is to highlight and emphasize the personal links people have to groundwater – the role it plays in their daily lives and vice versa – in order to motivate them to care more.
To learn more about what this “socially focused” approach to groundwater preservation is all about, Ground Water Canada spoke with three scientists – Dr. Tom Gleeson, professor of civil engineering at the University of Victoria; Dr. Crystal Ng, associate professor in the department of earth and environmental sciences at the University of MinnesotaTwin Cities; and Dr. Viviana Re, professor of earth science at the Università di Pisa.
WHY PEOPLE DON’T CARE ENOUGH
It seems a logical question: Why don’t people care enough about the state of their groundwater?
Ng faults the groundwater industry’s well-intentioned approach to groundwater management, which emphasizes science to the point of forgetting about the human side.
“When we’re thinking about groundwater management, we do all the technical stuff first,” she says. “We assume that, as scientists and engineers, we probably know best about how ground-
by JAMES CARELESS
water moves and behaves, and so we will then make expert decisions about how that research can be done in a way that’s useful for people. And we really aren’t checking in as to what people actually need and what they can add to the equation.”
“Every hydrogeologist I know wants to improve groundwater conditions for people and the planet,” Gleeson adds. “But there’s no real groundwater interest groups run by the public that are involved in this advocacy role that there are in other areas. In British Columbia, there are community groups that care
about salmon, rivers or forests, but there’s no community groups around groundwater. I think this is the case partially because groundwater is invisible underneath our feet, but also because –as technical people – we’ve done a poor job of making it obvious and clear why groundwater is important and why it should be valued and cared for.”
Sadly, the groundwater shortages that are being driven by climate change are making it easier for people to realize the importance of groundwater in their lives. Still, this connection is more evident to some people than others.
PHOTO CREDIT: UNIVERSITÀ DI PISA
Dr. Viviana Re from the Università di Pisa.
EDUCATION
“In rural areas, the relationship with groundwater has a direct and obvious relationship with people, such as households and communities that rely on wells,” Re says. “This makes it easier for people to see their connections with groundwater and take actions to protect it. In urban environments this is more difficult, but in recent years I believe that sensitivity has significantly increased due to the intensification of drought periods. For example, in Italy we are currently witnessing rivers ‘disap pearing’ and the debate about groundwa ter and climate change has significantly increased in the media and daily life conversations.”
MAKING THE CONNECTIONS
According to these experts, appealing to the general personal importance of groundwater to people’s personal lives isn’t enough. To make these connections in tangible and strong ways, groundwater advocates have to explain how groundwater is directly linked to the things people care about, and how it affects their quality of life and very existence.
in other countries globally. It has an impact on us all.”
This brings the discussion around to climate change and society’s attempts to cope with it. “There’s a lot of conversation in Canada around nature-based climate change solutions, and many of these are actually highly dependent on groundwater being used to provide soil moisture for plants,” he notes. “So, groundwater is connected to these big societal questions such as global food security and climate change. But these connections aren’t obvious and clear to most people – and aren’t talked about enough.”
A RETHINK IS NECESSARY
Clearly, there is a real need for groundwater experts to involve the public in their work, to establish the connections that can raise social awareness of groundwater issues and make these into causes as passionately promoted as saving the whales or protecting old growth forests.
This is no easy task, since “groundwater is invisibly connected to everything from natural ecosystems to the food we eat and the clothes we wear; not to mention the water we drink,” Re says. “Groundwater not only sustains our basic needs, but also has a great impact on our well-being and spirituality; consider, for example, holy sites linked to groundwater around the world.”
“Ground water is also tied to soil moisture,” Ng says. “I’m not sure how much people realize how important soil moisture measurements are for accurate weather predictions. I think we often want to know whether or not to bring an umbrella out.”
“There’s also what we refer to as ‘virtual water,’” Gleeson says. “This is the groundwater that is used to grow food. In many places around the world, food is grown with groundwater. It is then shipped around the world, and we eat it. So, there is this tenuous but real connection between the food that I’m eating here in Canada and the depletion and loss of groundwater and all that means
‘Groundwater is connected to these big societal questions such as global food security.’
But that’s not all. Groundwater scientists need to rethink their approach to technical studies to actively involve people in the areas being studied, rather than ignore or even alienate them.
“Traditionally, technical groundwater studies have solely focused on people as the main cause of groundwater pollution and/or depletion,” Re explains. “This is a reductionist way of thinking that takes into account only one side of the problem – and often is carried out involving one discipline at a time – that neglects the connections that people have with groundwater. Therefore, it is important to start considering people not only as a driver for the problem, but also as key actors for identifying and putting into action the solutions.“
Ng also points to the traditional division in academia between “physical scientists” and “social scientists” as contributing to this problem.
“Speaking for myself, I’m an awkward introvert,” she says. “So, I stick to the technical parts. And there’s definitely a culture within research and academia that this is the way you do it. You compartmentalize. And so, if I’m specializing in the technical aspects, that’s the way I should do it.”
engineering at the University of Victoria, says groundwater preservation should be a global public passion. Photo credit: University of Victoria.
Dr. Crystal Ng.
DR. CRYSTAL NG
TRYING NEW APPROACHES
Whatever the reasons, groundwater scientists must “rethink” their approaches if they are to promote public involvement (aka community-based research) in preserving and protecting this precious resource. And they must be prepared for the fact that making this change will add to their workloads.
“Moving into community-based research can be dirty, messy, and timeconsuming,” Gleeson says. “It takes a lot of effort to understand the nuances and complexities of a place and all the social/ political/economic/historical dynamics that are at play and are relevant and are important. And very little of that is easily amenable to the types of research outcomes that hydrogeologists often produce like groundwater models or groundwater analysis. Fortunately, there is a new, evolving breed of academics and researchers who can more fluidly move across these lines and are doing that.”
Cross-disciplinary approaches to groundwater management such as “socio-hydrogeology” is another way to tackle this challenge.
“Socio-hydrogeology focuses on the reciprocity between people and groundwater to understand not only how human activities affect water quality and quantity, but also how scarce and polluted groundwater affect human livelihood, and how traditional approaches can be integrated into management practices,” Re says. “Overall, such an integrated approach can ensure that the results of scientific investigations are adequately taking into account the real needs (and knowledge) of the communities relying on the groundwater resources we are studying.”
A third option lies in seeking insights from Indigenous populations who have been living in sustainable harmony with their groundwater resources for centuries. This process starts by respecting their culture, authority and territory, rather than just trespassing on Indigenous lands to do research and then leaving without comment.
“When we are going onto land or going into water systems and doing research without permission, that’s
a violation,” Ng says. “So, we have to make sure that our work is supporting indigenous sovereignty, recognizing their knowledge and different understandings about the groundwater system, and acknowledging that we’re not the experts in the room.”
THE TAKEAWAY
Moving to a socially-focused model of
groundwater research, policy, and management is a big stretch for traditional groundwater researchers, particularly when it comes to seeking public involvement. But if groundwater preservation is going to become a global public passion, these connections have to be made. That’s the goal that these three experts, and others in the field, are working towards.
THE PRO’S PARTNER FOR WATER SOLUTIONS
WOMEN IN GROUNDWATER
GENDER NO ISSUE FOR THESE PEOPLE
Recognizing some of the top women in groundwater
The spotlight has been cast on four deserving individuals selected as Ground Water Canada ’s inaugural “Women in Groundwater” honourees.
The program was launched as a means of recognizing key women in the industry who are leaving their mark in a maledominated field.
The call for nominations exceeded Ground Water Canada’s expectations, and the panel of judges were challenged to find four individuals to best represent the industry’s female presence.
It is Ground Water Canada’s hope that this program will encourage more women to give this industry a more serious look as they ponder their future.
The women chosen among our long list of nominations include Carol Luttmer, program manager for Nelson, B.C.-based Living Lakes Canada; Dani Nau Jantzi, a driller in training with Milton, Ont.-based Geo-Environmental Drilling Inc.; Lisa McLeod, the co-owner and office manager of Strathroy, Ont.based McLeod Water Wells; and Norma Thompson, the owner of Kensington, P.E.I.-based Thompson Well Drilling and Geothermal.
Here are their stories.
CAROL LUTTMER
Luttmer has been in the industry for four years and has a background in engineering and geography. The University of Guelph graduate says joining Living Lakes Canada “was an opportuni-
ty to shift away from cleaning up some of the messes we had created, like contaminated sites, and working on protecting our natural resources.”
She says it was her goal to connect science with communities and people.
Dealing mostly with men in the industry has not been an issue for Luttmer and has, in fact, been a positive experience.
“Working with the well drillers and pump installers, I’ve had nothing but positive interactions,” she says. “The B.C. Ground Water Association has done a fantastic job of being inclusive to diversify in the workplace.”
In her role as program manager for Living Lakes Canada, Luttmer is involved in all aspects of the program, including assisting with funding applications, developing budgets, and contacting and visiting well owners.
“Given the importance of groundwater and given climate change, we think that water supplies are going to become less reliable and there will be more of a reliance on groundwater.”
Her advice to women who might be contemplating a career in the groundwater industry?
“It’s an amazingly interesting field,” she says. “There are tons of opportunity, whether you want to be working as a driller, pump installer, a water supply system operator… There are a lot of different types of jobs within the industry. I think we’ll see this industry continue
to grow.”
DANI NAU JANTZI
by GROUND WATER CANADA STAFF
Jantzi has been a driller in training at GeoEnvironmental Drilling for only a year but has accomplished more in that short time than most of her peers. She has completed her training period and has begun operating larger drills under supervision – well before other new hires. More recently, she has undergone training to drive larger trucks and will be classified as a driller for the company upon her successful completion.
Her employer notes that Jantzi has exceeded all expectations of new employees, including her attention to detail regarding safety and quality of workmanship for which she has received numerous accolades from clients.
She is committed to improving systems and procedures for the betterment of the company by contributing new ideas for drill programs and safety measures.
“I was looking for something challenging and try to push myself to trying something new like a physically demanding job,” she says. “I’ve always liked being outside, so it was a good fit.”
Jantzi says there has always been something new associated with her training and is a constant learning process.
“The people are fantastic and super helpful,” she says. “Everyone is down to earth. In this industry, you have to be a fairly relaxed person, so you can’t be high strung or anything.”
Her male colleagues have been supportive and eager to assist with matters that have been challenging, she says, adding the need for help has been decreasing with the escalation of her training.
Becoming a full-fledged driller is her ultimate goal.
“They told me if I can stick it out for a couple more years as a helper, that eventually they’ll train me to be a driller, and that would be a really fun experience. It’s a job I would recommend to anybody. It’s a fulfilling job.”
LISA McLEOD
McLeod’s background in agriculture proved to be an asset upon moving into the groundwater industry, she says, noting there are similarities in both fields. She had previously worked in animal health at a veterinary clinic and threw her support behind her husband, Jason, when he first considered founding his own drilling business.
“Everything resolves around water, so I felt it was a very natural direction for me to go,” she says, adding water plays a direct role in veterinary medicine and all fields of agriculture.
The co-owner and office manager of family-run McLeod Water Wells was born and raised on a cattle farm, which provided her with the understanding of how critical water is to feeding livestock.
McLeod Water Wells was founded in 2006. As the company evolved, the need to provide service grew.
“We evolved into providing pump service and sales, and it kind of took off,” she says. “We pride ourselves on being fair, honest and doing good work.”
In recent years, McLeod Water Wells acquired another company and expanded its territory with a second location in Ingersoll.
WOMEN IN GROUNDWATER
The longevity of water supplies is a concern of McLeod’s, she says, noting in particular the impact of climate and environment change. She adds well contractors are becoming fewer in number which forces the customer to wait longer for service.
There is plenty of room in the industry for women, McLeod says.
“There is a lot of room to grow individually and professionally in this industry for women as well as men. Women are capable of anything that men can do.”
Her endorsement of women in groundwater included asking an industry supplier why promotional clothing he was offering was available only in men’s sizes and design. It led to the supplier reconsidering his non-inclusive approach.
McLeod is a member of the Women in Ag focus group and has spoken about her role as a groundwater professional.
NORMA THOMPSON
Thompson was thrown into a difficult and challenging position when her husband, Carl, passed away in February after losing a bout with cancer. He had owned and operated
Thompson Well Drilling and Geothermal on Prince Edward Island for decades. Instead of shuttering the business, she assumed control
and is continuing to grow the company.
Thompson Well Drilling and Geothermal has been serving the entire province for almost 30 years and recently added geothermal heating to its array of services.
“There seems to be a lot more interest now in geothermal heating,” Thompson says, adding it now accounts for up to 40 per cent of the business. “We’re getting busier and getting more calls.”
Still, the industry faces a labour challenge, she says.
“It’s tough in the entire industry to find the appropriate people to run the equipment,” Thompson says.
But it’s an industry that’s open to women if they have the drive, she adds.
“You’ve got to be strong willed and know what you’re doing. This is quite a learning experience for me.”
Thompson has been in the industry for more than 20 years and continues to manage the staff and books and control other aspects of the business. Her son, Edward, who lives in Guelph, helps when he’s on the island, and her son-in-law runs the company’s day-to-day operations.
“It’s very important to have good staff,” she says. “Treat them well and pay them well.”
Thompson, who says she’s “north of 70 yet south of 80,” has no immediate plans to retire. “It’s full speed ahead for the present.”
INTRODUCING THUNDER BAY’S
THOUGHTS FROM OGWA’S NEW PRESIDENT
Greetings and salutations, fellow well contractors! Wow – where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday I was new to the industry and fresh out of school, and now the newly voted president of OGWA. Where does the time go?
I would like to take a moment to thank past president Matt Wilson for his efforts while serving as president. I believe Matt held the president’s seat the longest of any president at OGWA. Congratulations, Matt! (sorry, there is no special award or prize). Thanks for your conviction and volunteering your time to our industry. Also, many thanks to the others that have recently retired from the board, such as Bill Beaton, Paul Conrad, Don Hsu, and Troy Hughson.
At of our June annual general meeting, we also welcomed some new faces to the board of directors: Rob Byers, Shawn Hopper, Boyd Pendleton, and Mike Steffen. We look forward to a fresh infusion of ideas with their assistance. You can view the new executive officers and board of directors list on the OGWA website under the About Us section.
We have been busy at OGWA despite the lack of direct in-person interaction that many of us have had with members over the past while. COVID has played a part in keeping us somewhat isolated. Our board has organized, cancelled, and reorganized several AGM events as well as regional meetings. I think it is safe to say that COVID has worn all of us down and we are all looking at getting back to normal – whatever that looks like. With some luck, I hope we are on the right track.
I am pleased and amazed at the volume of work available over the past year or so. We are fortunate in our industry to be involved in a business that, in the truest sense of the words, does not stop. During the past two years, I’ve been grateful to be in our business over many
others, including travel and hospitality. We really are fortunate. Hopefully, everyone is enjoying some profitable times at work and that pricing for you and your competitors are allowing for business success. Moreover, I hope that the good pricing remains long after this whirlwind of activity slows down. I have heard many contractors have a significant backlog of work. Personally, I feel sorry for those people who need service that we have little availability or capacity to help due to existing workload, but there are only so many hours in a week.
For those who were not aware, the OGWA is fortunate to have Anne Gammage back on a part-time basis at the office, helping out behind the scenes. I’ve missed Anne and her attention to detail over the past few years and am very pleased she is helping us out. Don’t be surprised if you see Anne at some of the upcoming events, and feel free to give her a warm hello.
There are several items on my mind that I’d like the association to pursue over the next while. I believe any person, group, or association should have goals to not only succeed but improve upon our current standing and situation. To that end, some of the ideas we have explored at OGWA are as follows:
• Improving the continuing education mandate for our members.
Raising the profile of our industry to gain proper recognition. To that end, we are exploring becoming an accredited trade. Working with members to report unlicensed contractors to the authorities.
Bringing an increased level of safety to the industry.
Maintaining an industry that is profitable.
With thanks to Paul Conrad, we have developed the OGWA golf tournament, allowing a sustainable awards program for students. I
think there is more we can do to be more impactful. This program has been a huge success.
As always, for any of you who have ideas, feel free to reach out to me or any board member or the office. We need to hear your ideas or concerns – after all it’s your association.
While we are all busy with our own businesses and careers, it is important for all of us to participate in the industry – beyond your immediate involvement with your own business. Finding time can be difficult, but it is a worthwhile cause. I will endeavour to leave it a better place.
DWAYNE GRAFF, President
INSIDE THE ISSUE
OGWA’s New Board
Introducing OGWA’s new board of directors WSIB Information Important safety information for members OGWA Membership Application Time to Apply or Renew OGWA Member Benefits
Be sure to review the many benefits and resources membership provides you
DWAYNE GRAFF President
PUBLISHED FOR THE
ONTARIO GROUND
WATER ASSOCIATION
Fax: 519-245-7196
Email: ogwa@ogwa.ca
ANNE GAMMAGE
Administration
Phone: 519-245-7194, ext.103
Email: anne@ogwa.ca
DEBBIE STOJKOVIC
Accounts
Phone: 519-245-7194, ext.102
Email: accounts@ogwa.ca
EXECUTIVE
DWAYNE GRAFF President
KYLE SMITH 1st Vice-President
ROBERT MARTINI 2nd VicePresident
STEPHEN BLEIZEFFER Treasurer/ Secretary
MATT WILSON Past President
DIRECTORS
STEPHEN BLEIZEFFER BrokerLink
519-579-3330 Fax: 519-579-1151
ROB BYERS EnVision Consultants Ltd.
647-618-7880
ELLALINE DAVIES
Safety Works Consulting Inc. 905-741-5001
DWAYNE GRAFF
Well Initiatives Ltd. 519-846-8289 Fax: 519-846-8281
BRUCE HIETKAMP GeoKamp Limited
905-825-8007 Fax: 905-825-9006
SHAWN HOPPER
SD Hopper Drilling. 519-271-7860
ROBERT MARTINI
Canadian Pipe & Pump Supply Ltd. 416-244-6476 Fax: 416- 241-2022
JEFFERY MCCRACKEN Franklin Electric 647-641-2178
BOYD PENDLETON Lotowater Technical Services Inc. 519-442-2086
KYLE SMITH
Aardvark Drilling Inc. 613-296-8779 Fax: 613-317-1194
MIKE STEFFEN Steffen Well Drilling 519-531-0355
MATTHEW D. WILSON
J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling Ltd. 519-269-3364 Fax: 519-269-3552
BRYAN WATSON
G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. 705-887-3331 Fax 705-887-4788
MEET THE NEW BOARD
The Ontario Ground Water Association recently elected its new board of directors at the association’s annual general meeting in London. In the front are, from left, Ellaline Davies, past president Matt Wilson, new president
and Bruce Hietkamp. In the rear are, from left, Shawn Hopper, Steve Bleizeffer, Bryan Watson, Kyle Smith, Robert Martini, Jeff McCracken and Rob Byers. Not present were Boyd Pendleton and Mike Steffen.
IN MEMORIAM
Karen Elizabeth Turner (Leighton) (Feb. 10, 1954-Aug. 15, 2022)
Karen Elizabeth Turner (Leighton) died at Groves Memorial Hospital in Fergus on Monday, Aug. 15, in her 69th year. She was predeceased by her husband Rob, stepson Ashley, father Alvin, mother Helen, brother John and sister Jean. Karen was the mother of Jennifer, Jessica and Shawn, and nana to Khari. She will be remembered by her best friends Rita and Lynne, as well as several other friends and family members.
Karen was known as the
Neighbourhood Watch, was a loving and kind-hearted person, and always looked out for everyone.
Following her retirement from Interpump in Fergus, she enjoyed playing dice and watching crime TV. Most of all, she loved Bear Lake – a place that was near and dear to her.
The directors and staff of the Ontario Ground Water Association offer their deepest sympathies to Karen’s family and friends. She will be fondly remembered by industry members who dealt with Interpump.
Dwayne Graff
IN MEMORIAM
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WSIB AND COVID-19
Hello OGWA members!
COVID-19 continues to present challenges for employers in the Province of Ontario.
1. The WSIB has determined, as of July 1, 2022, that ANY work-related COVID-19 claims will be calculated into employer rates. Prior to June 30, 2022, work-related COVID-19 claims were taken care of by being allocated on a schedule-wide basis. So, what does this mean to companies? First off, the WSIB has a special claim form that employees would need to complete IF they are going to say they contracted COVID-19 at work. For employers, you would complete a Form 7, per usual.
2. Don’t forget that IF you have a work-related claim, you still must report to the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. And yes, you are correct and are not seeing things! The former MOL now has Immigration as part of its portfolio. As an employer, you might want to re-consider masking and the use of hand sanitizer (hand washing) as the waves ebb and flow. I already had one work-related claim accepted when I felt that the origin of contraction was dubious. WSIB allowed it.
3. On a happier note, the Government of Ontario has decided to extend the Worker Income Protection Benefit (also known as the paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (or IDEL) consisting of three paid days at a maximum of $200 per day) until March 31, 2023. Of course, this benefit is for non-work-related COVID-19 items (vaccinations, being sick with COVID-19, going for a test, providing support for certain relatives - see https://www.ontario.ca/page/ covid-19-worker-income-protection-benefit for more information). Employers can then get this money back by filing with the WSIB through a specific channel. There are time limits, though. I am sure you are all fed up hearing about COVID-19, but it is still here.
4. The WSIB is also offering an incentive to small businesses (fewer than 99 employees) to join the WSIB Health & Safety Excellence program. This incentive may stop at the end of August 2022 or it may continue. WSIB has not yet decided ($1,000 for signing up).
If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call or email me. Thank you for your time. Stay safe and cool.
Ellaline (Ella) Davies, president, Safety Works Consulting Inc. 1-905-526-9897 (bus); 1-905-741-5001 (cell); 1-866-582-8939 (toll) Visit us at www.safetyworksconsulting.com
Yvon Joseph Paul Allard (May 1, 1942-July 29, 2022)
Yvon Joseph Paul Allard died peacefully, with his family at his side, on Friday, July 29, 2022, at the age of 80.
A resident of Deep River and formerly of North Bay, he was the husband of Rita Allard (nee Pelletier) and father of Denis Allard and his wife Kathy of Dorchester and Michele Carlin and her partner Mike Lepinski of Deep River. Yvon was the grandfather of Devin Meechan, Rene Allard, TJ, Sierra and Aaron Carlin, and the late Jesse Carlin. He was the brother of Mike Allard and his wife Annette; sisters Pat
Chapman-Lein, both of North Bay; Mariette Snelson of St. Thomas; and the late Jocelyne Smirle. Yvon is also survived by a brother-in-law, Steve Smirle. He will also be missed by his other brother, sisters in law and many nieces and nephews.
The directors and staff of the Ontario Ground Water Association have offered their deepest condolences to Yvon’s family and friends. He was inducted as an honourary member of the OGWA several years ago with thanks for his lengthy career and contributions to Ontario’s groundwater industry.
Ontario Ground Water Association past president Matt Wilson is “physically removed” from office following OGWA’s recent annual general meeting in London, Ont.
Photo credit: OWGA
WELL WISE WATER
TESTING PROGRAM
Administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association
In Ontario, well owners should test their water quality regularly until it can be considered stable. Bacteriological testing is provided by the Ministry of Health at no charge to property owners and Well Wise does not offer those tests.
To be sure of what your water contains be it natural or man-made contaminants we recommend your water be tested at minimum for Metals, Minerals & Salts. Drilled wells are generally stable, however shallow wells, surface water sources or wells influenced by surface water should be checked more frequently.
The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested.
Test Packages offered include: Metals/Minerals/Salts, Solvents, Fuels, Mercury, Fluoride, Sulphide, Tannin/Lignin, Glyphosates & OP Pesticides/Herbicides. This test will provide a general chemistry of your water. The minimum recommended testing is the Metals, Minerals & Salts package.
1,2-Dichloropropane Xylenes, total cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene
Fuels
Volatiles Hydrocarbons
Benzene
Ethylbenzene
Toluene
m/p-Xylene
o-Xylene
Xylenes, total
F1 PHCs (C6-C10)
F2 PHCs (C10-C16)
F3 PHCs (C16-C34)
F4 PHCs (C34-C50)
Fluoride
Anions
Fluoride
Mercury
Metals
Mercury
Sulphide
General Inorganics
Sulphide
Tannin/Lignin
General Inorganics
Tannin & Lignin
Glyphosates (Roundup)
Glyphosates
For more information or to order a test visit: http://www.ogwa.ca/ resources/wellwise
Send your order form to: wellwise@ogwa.ca
Difficulties or to order by phone call: (519) 245-7194 extension 101 Return shipping is included with your order.
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Membership Benefits
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, BrokerLink makes available a unique and tailor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992, they continue to service the industry’s changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your company’s assets are your investment and BrokerLink will provide you the protection you need. Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment, and Commercial Liability.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
BrokerLink Canada, through Definity/ Economical Insurance, offers members of OGWA an additional discount of 15% on their home and auto insurance for qualifying clients. This offer extends to members as owners, their employees, retired owners and children of owners and employees. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over 149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
Choice Hotels is Canadaʼs largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Choice Hotels is Canada’s largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Choice Hotels is Canadaʼs largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Choice Hotels is Canadaʼs largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Choice Hotels is Canadaʼs largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Parkway Ford offers OGWA Members 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
OGWA Members' Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
OGWA Members' Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
OGWA Members' Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
OGWA Members' Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
Discover the value CFIB has to offer its members. Get resources from business experts, access webinars and templates for common HR issues. Get exclusive discounts on payment processing, banking, payroll, shipping and more. Have your say with policies that affect your business, as CFIB is your strong voice for Canadian Businesses and included in your OGWA Membership.
Perkopolis is Canada’s leading provider of fully managed perk programs, continually sourcing exclusive, high-value offers, rewards, and benefits. Get savings on entertainment, travel, shopping, dining and more! Included in your OGWA membership.
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION
NEW MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL *RETURNING MEMBER
* NOTE: If your Membership has lapsed in the last 3 years and you are re-applying there is a $100 re-instatement fee
New, renewing or returning members of the OGWA are required to log-in to the Members Only section and create/update their profile There are many benefits to the “members only portal” including a robust search engine for the public You can effectively advertise the services your business has to offer and the preferred geographical area in which you work Your OGWA membership entitles you to automatically become a member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) Information on your profile will be listed in those memberships Please keep you profile current accurate.
COMPANY INFORMATION:
COMPANY NAME:
MAIN CONTACT NAME:
ADDRESS: CITY:
PROVINCE:
CONTACT EMAIL:
POSTAL CODE
BILLING EMAIL:
BUS PHONE: CELL: FAX:
CONTRACTORS MECP LICENCE NUMBER: EXPIRY DATE : MANDITORY: MECP CONTRACTOR LICENCE NUMBER REQUIRED FOR ALL QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS
CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY/DIVISION CONTRACTORS
Groundwater Contractor with 1 Licenced Technician $395 00
Groundwater Contractor with 2 Licenced Technicians $490 00
Groundwater Contractor with 3 Licenced Technicians $585 00
Groundwater Contractor with 4 Licenced Technicians $680 00
Groundwater Contractor with 5 Licenced Technicians
Groundwater Contractor with 6 Licenced Technicians
$775 00
$870 00
Groundwater Contractor with 7 Licenced Technicians $965 00
SCIENTISTS/ENGINEERS
Scientist/Engineers <10 Ground Water Professionals
Scientist/Engineers 10-20 Ground Water Professionals
Scientist/Engineers >20 Ground Water Professionals
$550 00
$875 00
$1350 00 GOVERNMENT AND ASSOCIATES
An individual or organization interested in the welfare and success of the Ground Water Industry but unable to be classified in any other of our membership categories may apply to this division/category. Please note, this division/category receives no voting power.
Supplier with 2 Salesperson/Associate
Supplier with 3 Salesperson/Associate
Supplier with 4 Salesperson/Associate
Supplier with 5 Salesperson/Associate
Supplier with 6 Salesperson/Associate
More than 6? See checkout on next page
MANUFACTURERS
Manufacturers with 1 Associate
Manufacturers with 2 Associate
Manufacturers with 3 Associate
Manufacturers with 4 Associate
Manufacturers with 5 Associate
Manufacturers with 6 Associate
$130.00
ONLY COMPANY NAMES, BUNDLE MANAGERS, ENROLLED SALESPERSONS AND ASSOCIATES WILL APPEAR IN OUR PRINTED MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS’ ONLY PORTAL AND WILL BE SEARCHABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. ALL UN PAID STAFF LISTED IN YOUR PROFILE WILL NOT RECEIVE MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS WHEN REGISTERING FOR EVENTS AND WILL BE BILLED AT THE NON-MEMBERS RATES.
GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION 2022 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (CONTINUED)
REQUIRED: All Licensed Technicians, Ground Water Professional and Association Members: Names, contact details and MOE License numbers of Licenced Well Technicians or Ground Water Professionals employed by Company (including owner or manager if applicable). Complete additional pages if necessary. The OGWA will send updates to the addresses and emails indicated.
Congratulations to Ground Water Canada’s four honourees selected as a top choice in our inaugural Women in Ground Water program. Read their stories in the Fall 2022 issue of Ground Water Canada and be sure to listen to the upcoming Women in Ground Water podcast series where we shine the spotlight on these deserving leaders in our industry.
Carol Luttmer
Dani Nau Jantzi
Lisa McLeod
Norma Thompson
TECHNOLOGY
KILLING ALGAE ULTRASONICALLY
Strategy requires no chemical inputs
Algae blooms in Canadian lakes, ponds and other smaller water bodies have reached almost epidemic proportions in recent years.
by MIKE JIGGENS
When excess nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizers are allowed to run off into water bodies, the heat of the season helps to form harmful algae blooms.
Nutrient pollution has become more of an issue over the past decade or so.
Unlike green algae, blue-green algae release a toxin that is harmful to humans. Traditionally, it is eradicated by chemical use – copper sulfate –but the algicide often goes beyond its intended target and kills beneficial bacteria in the water, creating a long-term detrimental effect.
“Algae blooms are becoming more of an issue for drinking water utilities for wastewater treatment plants, but also on golf courses, HOAs (homeowners associations) and agriculture settings where they’re using an irrigation pond filled with algae that hurts their crops,” Lawrence Field, CEO of Wyoming-based WaterIQ, says.
The company uses ultrasonic technology that targets algae’s gas vacuoles, making them dormant. Algae subsequently sinks to the bottom of a water feature where beneficial bacteria decomposes the organism within a day or two.
While playing a round of golf one day in Wyoming, Field witnessed first-hand the technology at work on a pond that was plagued with a serious algae problem. The golf course superintendent explained he couldn’t use chemicals to solve the problem due to the area’s environmental sensitivity.
Semi-retired at the time, Field purchased the company that distributed the product, already having had some familiarity with ultrasonic technology. He previously used the science to
The WaterIQ technology at work on a pond, keeping it algae-free.
detect anomalies in oil and gas pipelines during his earlier career as the operator of a large pipeline inspection business.
After having acquired the distribution company, he oversaw an upgrade of the product and its technology with the assistance of acoustical engineers, electrical engineers, chemical engineers and customer feedback. A prototype of the improved product was introduced last year during a conference for the wastewater treatment industry and was officially launched in February. The environmentally friendlier alternative to algicides is an appliance that is placed in water
TECHNOLOGY
and emits 2,056 ultrasonic frequencies every 36 minutes over a 360-degree radius. It sends power through a circuit board on the appliance’s piezo – its primary material – and the frequency acts in a scientific process called critical structural resonance.
Field compared the effect to that of an opera singer who, delivering the right pitch at the right decibel level, can cause crystal glass to vibrate and shatter.
The sound waves target only the algae but doesn’t result in an explosion of the organism.
For algae to thrive, it requires photosynthesis and must rise up and down in water every 24 hours. As algae sinks to the bottom, it decomposes, “and that’s the essence of what our technology does,” Field says. “It destroys these gas vacuoles inside the algae, and it sinks, and we’re seeing great success killing the blue-green and green algae without the use of chemicals.”
About 80 per cent of WaterIQ’s customers are drinking water utilities and wastewater treatment plants. Drinking water utilities often source water from lakes which frequently have algae issues.
BIOFILM ISSUES
The ultrasonic technology addresses biofilm issues in addition to killing algae. Biofilm tends to accumulate around the edges of clarifiers in treatment plants. Emitted ultrasonic frequencies go in pulses. The pulsing action causes an almost artificial turbulence which “fakes” the biofilm into feeling it won’t colonize because it emulates running water. Once wastewater treatment plants or utilities are cleaned out – with clarifiers cleaned monthly or every second month – the appliance is installed. It eliminates growth of the biofilm which often attracts algae.
Treatment plants and utilities are embracing the technology, Field says.
Algae blooms have been increasing steadily around the world every year because of climate change, he says, and it’s becoming an epidemic.
“It seems to be growing faster each year, and we’re seeing it occur earlier every year. The warmer the weather, the more we’re seeing outbreaks of algae.”
Field says California is seeing algae growth in February and March rather than April or May when it traditionally begins. Climate change hasn’t only resulted in warmer temperatures, it has led to extremes in weather. He says drought has triggered algae growth increases because recycled water is being used for irrigation and is applied to areas that already have algae in the water. Changes in salinity have also occurred because of climate change, and is contributing to the growth of algae, he adds.
As sea levels rise, ocean water is dumping algae into estuaries and subsequently reservoirs, which are impacted by runoff nitrogen and phosphorus in fertilizer.
Field says ultrasonic technology used to eradicate algae in ponds requires comparatively less labour. Once installed, it is simply activated.
Technology and millennial workers
How to embrace it to attract, retain and engage
by Dave Mercer
I
hear it from every company I work with: how can we attract and retain employees?
There are currently five generations in the workforce, but millennials increasingly make up the largest portion. More recently, that question has become how can we attract and retain millennials?
There has been an exhaustive amount of research and effort put into answering that question, and there’s no way I can address it all in this column. But there is one trick that I’ve learned that may be able to help you address the issue in your organization.
My approach is to look at how millennials are different from previous generations, then figure out how to change the workplace to adapt to those differences. For me, it all starts with technology. Millennials are technology lovers. Technology (primarily smartphones, but also tablets and laptops) has transformed the way millennials interact with one another and the rest of the world. According to Gallup, 85 per cent of millennials access the Internet from their phones and they spend a LOT of their free time on their phones.
I know what you’re thinking – tell me something I don’t already know. Well, did you also know that 41 per cent of millennials say they prefer to communicate electronically at work over face to face (or the telephone), and they expect to have access to their work-related tasks from their mobile devices as well?
Find a way to allow millennials to access and carry out work from their phones and you’re well on your way to getting their attention and keeping them engaged.It doesn’t stop there. How does online communication, especially social media, differ from communication in previous generations? Online communication is all about the power of “like.” Social media not only provides instant gratification, it’s all but required for any platform that millennials use, from Tik Tok and Instagram to music streaming and gaming.
This means that for today’s businesses constant communication and feedback is required. I hear a lot of employers complain about how millennials are needy, and to someone who grew up without social media it may appear that way. But what they are looking for is what keeps them engaged in their day-to-day lives. Figure out the best way to build more feedback and “likes” into your business’ culture and you’re well on your way to keeping your millennial employees engaged.
It’s not a one-way street, either, with companies just having to go out of their way to assuage “needy” millennials. Far from it. millennials are extremely active on social media, with many using it at work (whether you like it or not). An employer that engages an employee to advocate online on the employer’s behalf has found a very powerful advocate.
Using social media, millennials in the workplace can help you to strengthen your brand while at the same time help you attract new talent and possibly even generate more highquality leads.
I see this with several drilling companies in British Columbia. They have empowered their drillers and drillers’ helpers to post about their work on social media. The employees, most of whom are millennials, are proud of their work and where they’re working, and it shows in their posts.
These posts don’t just show up in the company social media feeds, but just as importantly in the employee’s feed as well. And, since millennials spend so much time communicating on their phones, word gets out about the drilling company faster than by any other means possible. Millennials and technology – it really is a winwin situation.
Dave Mercer, P.Geo, is a geologist and general manager of the BCGWA. Dave@undergroundcommunications.ca
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View system status, drive settings and receive notifications when Pentair Home App is utilized
