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Serving the Canadian Ground Water industry for 48 years.
Region’s water was fine in days before wind turbines
Darell Lepper, Ground Water
Canada’s Distinguished Driller Award winner
He’s also a mentor who thinks on his feet By Mike Jiggens
Impact of wildfires in British Columbia puts drinking water at risk in small communities Scorched hillsides apt to lead to ‘debris torrents,’ making silt filtration difficult. CityNews report
E. coli in suburban Montreal water forces boil-water advisory for two boroughs Advisory has been extended into a fourth day. CBC News report
Driller award winner sets benchmark high
He’s also a mentor who thinks on his feet.
by Mike Jiggens
Ground Water Canada’s inaugural Distinguished Driller Award winner has been selected, and his story appears in this issue, on page 14.
On the surface, it might read as more of a doom-and-gloom story than one of celebration. But our selected award winner – Darell Lepper, owner of St. Paul, Alta.-based Lakeland Drilling Ltd. – wasn’t about to sugar-coat the current state of the industry despite having reason to exalt in his award selection.
He tells it like it is, warts and all. He notes the fact that there are fewer younger people entering the drilling profession. He mentions that life on the road at a job site can equate to several days and weeks away from home. He adds that there are fewer companies operating today than there were in years past.
He’s become the ‘go to guy’ for certain jobs. He’s also been a key mentor to new up-and-comers.
However, Lepper offers an upside. He foresees a turnaround in the not-too-distant future when he anticipates individuals will be persuaded to take on drilling jobs to make ends meet in a tightened-up economy. Perhaps what’s most on his mind is the future of his own company. Lepper has reached the stage in his career where he’s looking to retire. Unfortunately, it currently looks like no one is eager to succeed him, including his own offspring.
This is a concern among many in the industry. Drilling company owners are working beyond when they’d ideally like to retire, and the lack of new blood within the industry and younger workers who are hesitant to succeed their employers has owners stretching out their careers without an immediate succession plan.
Nevertheless, we wish to applaud and
congratulate Darell Lepper on his achievement. He’s accomplished much during his long career. He’s developed a solid reputation for himself in the industry and has become the “go to guy” for certain jobs. He’s also been a key mentor to new up-and-comers in the drilling industry and has a knack for thinking on his feet if a crucial part is needed and must be fabricated right away.
Had this Distinguished Driller Award been contested before now, there’s no doubt Lepper would have been a leading candidate years ago. As it is, however, we’re pleased to have him as our inaugural choice. He has set the benchmark high for future recipients.
Lepper’s nominator claims everything she knows about drilling and well installations comes from him, and, in turn, she’s training people the way she was trained.
Lepper isn’t only being lauded in print. We are also including on our website a link to a podcast in which Lepper is our featured guest.
This issue also includes an update on a water issue that has been of major concern to a community in Ontario’s Chatham-Kent region. This was first reported in our publication in 2019 and remains unresolved.
Since the installation of wind turbines in the area, neighbouring residents have been plagued with dirty, undrinkable water that is full of sediments that can’t be filtered out.
See page 8 for the latest on this situation.
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will feature a story about a large geothermal lagoon in Quebec. Watch for it this winter. @GroundWaterMag groundwatercanada company/groundwatercanada
INDUSTRY NEWS
WATERLOO RESEARCH TURNS WATER VAPOUR INTO FRESHWATER SOURCE
Researchers from the University of Waterloo are researching the capturing of water vapour from the air and turning it into liquid as a means of finding alternative water sources amid a growing shortage of freshwater.
University of Waterloo professor Michael Tam and his PhD students Yi Wang and Weinan Zhao have developed sponges or membranes with a large surface area that continually capture moisture from their surrounding environment.
Traditionally, freshwater for consumption is collected from rivers, lakes, groundwater, and oceans (with treatment). The current technologies Dr. Tam is developing are inspired by nature to harvest water from alternative sources as the world is facing a serious challenge with freshwater scarcity.
“A spider’s web is an engineering marvel,” said Tam, a University research chair in the field of functional colloids and sustainable nanomaterials. “Water is efficiently captured by the web. The spider doesn’t need to go to the river to drink, as it traps moisture from the air.”
Similarly, Namib desert beetles have no easy access to water but acquire water from thin air by leaning into the wind to capture droplets of water from the fog with their textured body armour. This allows the moisture to accumulate and drip into their mouths.
Tam and his research group are engaged in biomimetic surface engineering for sustainable water harvesting. One technology Tam is designing is called atmospheric water harvesting. To mimic the beetle’s unique surface structure, Tam’s research group is designing a similar surface structure using a cellulosestabilized wax emulsion to fabricate surfaces that attract tiny water droplets while swiftly releasing larger ones.
Tam is working with net zero carbon materials, such as natural and plantbased materials, to develop sustainable technologies. His research group is developing technologies that capture and repel water droplets by harnessing the power of interfacial science and nanotechnology. He has successfully developed superhydrophobic and waterproof paper. He is also engineering a smart and tunable surface that captures water from the air and dehumidifies it with minimal energy consumption.
The next step is to develop a scalable process to engineer such surfaces.
Solar evaporation systems directly harvest solar energy, absorbing water and generating fresh collectible vapour through evaporation. Unique mushroom structures inspired the smart biomimetic structural designs for solar evaporation.
The proposed freshwater generation systems are inexpensive, energyefficient, and environmentally friendly.
In a recent publication in Nature Water, Tam and his team discussed several promising new water collection and purification technologies.
WATER DATA FREELY AVAILABLE FROM GEOHUB PORTAL
Moose Jaw, Sask. – Data used by the Water Security Agency of Saskatchewan (WSA) to monitor and manage the province’s water resources is freely available to the public through the launch of the agency’s GeoHub portal.
“WSA is responsible for the majority of the government’s core water management responsibilities, including protecting water quality, ensuring safe drinking water, reducing flood and drought damage, and managing water supply channels and 72 dams,” Jeremy Cockrill, minister responsible for the WSA, said. “In order to perform all these vital functions and more, WSA relies on a wide range of data gathered from monitoring stations across the province, and today we are launching the WSA GeoHub to make this information readily available to the public.”
The new WSA GeoHub brings together 17 Geographic Information System (GIS) layers and four web maps in one place. This open-data portal will enable users to search and download valuable GIS-based water data on demand quickly and conveniently.
“Last year, WSA announced that the near-real time data from a dozen weather and soil monitoring stations was being made available to the public, and now we are building on our open-data platform with the new GeoHub,” added Cockrill.
By enabling users to gather this data on demand, users will be able to access data on water in the province more quickly enabling them to make critical decisions.
The new WSA GeoHub can be accessed at https://geohub-wsask. hub.arcgis.com/.
Dr. Michael Tam
PHOTO
UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
STILL MUCH TO KNOW ABOUT PFAS DANGERS
Focus on the Environment
It’s estimated there are about 12,000 different types of “forever chemicals” in existence. Also known as PFAS, or Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances, only about a dozen of them include reliable toxicity data. However, it’s well known that PFAS can cause a wide variety of health setbacks, including decreased fertility, developmental delays among children, accelerated puberty and reduced immune functionality. Additionally, exposure to PFAS has been related to such illnesses as thyroid, prostate and testicular cancers.
Miriam Diamond, a professor at the University of Toronto’s department of earth sciences and its school of the environment, recently appeared on CBC’s podcast series Front Burner to answer questions about PFAS concerns and how they’re affecting the human population.
She said the substances are referred to as forever chemicals because they last for decades if not hundreds of years, especially in water. Other types of harmful chemicals tend to be buried deep in sediment or in soils, but PFAS moves along in water, including lakes and oceans. They’re mostly found in water sources near urban areas, with the worst contamination reported in both private and public water supplies in the Great Plains, Great Lakes, eastern seaboard, and central and south California regions.
New studies have found that nearly half of all tap water in the United States is contaminated to some degree with PFAS.
Diamond said about 99 per cent of
Canadians have some form of PFAS in their bodies. The man-made chemicals enter the body through the air we breathe and the water we drink. PFAS has been found in human blood and breast milk samples.
It’s believed that PFAS has been around since about the 1940s. The chemicals are found in such everyday products as nonstick pans, takeout food containers, cosmetics, fire-retardant products, dental floss, rain jackets, microwave popcorn bags, artificial turf and menstrual panties. They are efficient at repelling water and grease stains and are effective as a surfactant in addition to having good thermal stability.
Diamond said not enough information is currently available for people to know exactly how much PFAS has infiltrated water in Canada, and the reason Canadians are only now learning about forever chemicals is because testing is both difficult and expensive and because alarm bells have been raised more recently due to adverse health effects. More and more incidents of people exposed to PFAS at high levels have been reported in recent times.
Exposure has also become more widespread among workers at facilities where products containing PFAS are manufactured. Such large corporation as DuPont and 3M have become involved in billiondollar settlements associated with PFAS, and Diamond said litigation related to forever chemicals is poised to eclipse that of lawsuits against large tobacco companies.
As the legal system currently exists, a
chemical is considered safe until it’s proven otherwise, Diamond said, adding PFAS manufacturers have been taking a page from tobacco companies by arguing the evidence is insufficient and not enough is known about PFAS.
Meanwhile, firefighters who work with extinguishing foams containing PFAS, workers in the textile industry and commercial painters are among those most exposed to the chemicals.
The federal government announced plans in May to address PFAS with Health Canada and Environment Canada to list the chemicals as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The announcement allows the government to impose restrictions on an entire class of PFAS.
Diamond said products containing PFAS continue to be used because they are effective and because insufficient legislation has been introduced to ban them.
by CAROLYN CAMILLERI
TURBINES AND WATER
Region’s water was fine in days before wind turbines
For Christine Burke, the laundry was the first clue she had a problem. “I kept getting black sludge-like markings on my clothes, and we ended up throwing a lot of clothes away,” she says. “My dishwasher broke down. My washing machine broke down.
We changed all plumbing in the house. We changed the holding tank and the hot water tank. We changed the line from the well to the house. This is over a course of a couple years, trying to figure out what was going on.”
Burke has lived in Dover, a community in Chatham-Kent, for 40 years. Her husband was born and raised in the same house. His father, who passed away in November 2019 at age 99, raised all his kids here and ran a farm. The entire time, the property has functioned on well water.
Then, about a decade ago, everything changed. Burke had no idea why, until she attended a meeting held by Water Wells First, a citizens group
formed to address concerns about wind turbines.
“We found out that we weren’t alone,” she says. “There were a lot of people impacted by the construction, the pile driving – 100-foot H beams, 25 per turbine and for five turbines. A lot of people lost their water.”
One neighbour had just installed a brand-new, state-of-the-art, stainless steel, four-inch casing well. It ran perfectly until the turbines started operating.
“He is lucky if he can fill a five-gallon pail in five, 10 minutes,” says Burke.
Like many other property owners in the area, Burke installed a type of water treatment
The quality of the groundwater in a Chatham-Kent, Ont. community has diminished significantly since the installation of wind turbines.
• Lengths to 1500 m (5000 ft); Power Reels available
GROUNDWATER
operation in her home.
“We’ve got 10 filters, and we have four sediment traps and six cartridge filters on our system,” she says. “But the black shale is so fine that you can’t filter it out. It’s impossible to filter out. I’ve even spoken with the company that provided the filtration systems for the wind industry to give people during the construction when their wells were going down, and they flat out said, ‘We’re sorry. We can’t even filter this stuff out.’”
Instead, they bring home five-gallon jugs of drinking and cooking water.
The effects on groundwater are just one of the problems attributed to these massive structures. Ruby Mekker, who describes herself as an advocate for the protection of people’s health, lists fatigue, tinnitus, heart palpitations, and nausea, plus the many toxic materials used to construct and run the turbines as health issues.
“They’re useless, unreliable, costly, and harmful, but more than that, Ontario has the Health Protection and Promotion Act, and it clearly defines what a health hazard is that has or is likely to have an adverse health effect on the people,” she says. “Why are Ontario laws not being followed? The other one is the Environmental Protection Act. People have a right to live safely in their own homes. And, of course, the nuisance. Why are these other landowners allowed to put something up on their property that impacts people up to 15 kilometres
away?”
What makes it all so much worse is the struggle to get people with the power to do something to listen to them and act.
LOOKING BACK
This is not a new story. In fact, the contentious situation has been covered in Ground Water Canada several times, including in the summer 2019 issue: “Turbidity and Turbines? Citizens and Scientists seek solutions to water-well issues in Chatham-Kent, Ont.” (https:// mydigitalpublication.com/publication/? m=3977&i=595616&p=10&ver=html5)
“Excessive sediment, problematic gases, and off-putting, potentially infectioncausing biofilm” were found in the well water. It had worsened to the point that well water was unsuitable for bathing, let alone drinking. Farmers were worried about using it on crops for fear it would poison the food. These wells, drawing from a fragile contact aquifer, had been providing the largely rural community of about 100,000 residents with clean, drinkable water for decades.
“Imagine being on one of these rural properties, and you’ve lived there for 20 or 30 years, or in some cases, you’re third generation, and you’ve been using the same water well for three generations and never had a problem,” says Keith Benn, a professional geologist originally from Wallaceburg and residing in Lambton. He is a former University of Ottawa professor and is currently an independent
consultant in the minerals industry.
“All of a sudden, they construct these wind turbines a few hundred metres away, and suddenly your domestic water supply is gone,” he says. “You can’t just tap into a municipal water supply. People are paying to have water trucked to their homes. They’ve installed cisterns. It’s a nightmare.”
The heart of the issue for water well owners is the vibration from constructing and operating the wind turbines. Benn says the turbidity of the water is constant for some people, and for others, it tends to wax and wane depending on wind direction and intensity.
“These wind turbines are built on top of pilings that are driven right through the aquifer and into the bedrock. When those wind turbines are operating, they’re necessarily going to send maybe long wavelength vibrations, something like micro-seismic vibrations, into the aquifer,” he says. “And I think those vibrations may well be causing liquefaction of the aquifers, such that the solid part of the aquifer, the gravel, silt, and clay that normally would behave as a solid and just let the water flow through, become liquified, such that those particles then flow with the water and come up the water wells. For some people, like Christine Burke, this seems to happen all the time, every day.”
Over the past decade, the question of whether the turbines are the source of all the problems has been battled back
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and forth between people and turbine corporations and various government levels. It’s a story rife with plot twists and bureaucracy.
But the most recent developments in Chatham Kent may be slightly hopeful signs that someone will finally pay attention.
THEY ONLY TESTED THE WATER!
In 2019, the Ontario Ministry of Health enlisted an expert panel to conduct an all-hazard investigation of water wells in North Kent. Benn was one of the experts invited to be on the panel.
The Ministry of Health then put out an RFP for an independent third-party vendor to collect and test water and sediment samples from private water wells. Both the liquid (water) fraction and the solid (sediment) fraction were officially listed in the RFP as part of the objectives of the investigation.
“This is what was required, and I can assure you that the expert panel was expecting the contractor would capture both the liquid fraction and sediment fraction and analyze them separately for potentially toxic components,” says Benn.
But not one sample of sediment was collected.
“We, on the expert panel, didn’t even become aware that the contractor was not collecting solid fraction or sediment until phase one of the study had been completed, which turned out to be the majority of the sampling,” he says. “By the time we were made aware, it was too late.”
Benn adds that standard techniques used by Ministry of Health for sampling water are not, as a rule, trying to capture the solid fraction. But in this case, the solid fraction was specified in the original RFP.
“I think the ministry should have asked the contractor to correct for that and sample properly, but the ministry didn’t,” he says. “And I should point out something that needs to be stated explicitly: the expert panel that was brought in to advise the all-hazard investigation did not manage any part of the all-hazard investigation. We were brought in as advisers. The Ministry of
This is an example of the water quality neighbours of wind turbines are experiencing.
Health chose the region where the study would be carried out and were the direct managers of the whole thing from start to finish.”
And that is how such investigations should be managed.
Sediment analysis followed by bioavailability testing if metals were found were listed among the expert panel recommendations, which were included with the final investigation results submitted to the Ministry of Health in December 2021.
However, in April 2022, despite the oversight and based only on the analysis of the liquid fraction, the Ministry of Health sent a letter to Chatham-Kent residents indicating that no wide-spread health risks were identified but that testing would continue.
In November 2022, Benn released a review of the all-hazard investigation that further highlighted the sediment-analysis oversight. Because it was, and continues to be, the sediment that people are concerned about – specifically, sediment from the Kettle Point Black Shale geological formation, which represents the bedrock immediately underlying the aquifer, and which is also known to be present as fine grain particles within the aquifer itself.
RESIDENTS TAKE ACTION
Disappointed with the outcome of the all-hazard investigation, Burke and other affected well owners banded together to have the sediment tested under the direction of Benn. They fundraised to cover costs and, by the end of January 2023, had about $12,000 – enough to test eight more wells in addition to Burke’s well, which had already been tested. On Feb. 8, the sediment samples were sent to RTI Laboratories in Livonia, Mich. –the same U.S. lab that tested the water in Flint, Mich. Results were returned on April 19, 2023.
“Each and every sample has metals in the sediment that, if they’re bioavailable, could be toxic – arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, and a couple of them had mercury as well,” says Benn. They got the verifiable proof they needed – and they got support from the municipality.
On May 15, 2023, Coun. Rhonda Jubenville, Municipality of ChathamKent, put forth a motion to request and strongly encourage the Ontario Ministry of Health to do the sediment testing that should have been done during the allhazard investigation and to follow that with complete studies of bioavailability of potentially toxic substances in the sediment in all water wells in North
Kent. Deputations to Chatham-Kent council were made by Benn, Burke, and four others on May 29, 2023. The motion was unanimously approved.
THE SEQUEL
As for what’s next, we wait. At the time of writing, the province hadn’t responded yet to the Municipality of ChathamKent, but Coun. Jubenville says she is determined to ensure the Ministry of Health is held accountable for sediment testing. Burke wants to feel positive.
“I’m trying to stay optimistic, but I feel like we’re nobodies,” she says. “They don’t care. I just feel like we’re going to get swept under the rug again.”
Benn says it is important to “keep the heat up” and push the Ministry of Health to act.
“I feel fairly confident in saying that the data suggests strongly that the quality of the domestic private water wells in that part of Chatham-Kent has been interfered with – made worse by the construction of that industrial wind
complex,” he says. “We know there’s more black shale in the water than there used to be in many cases. Of course, it’s going to vary from well to well. This is part of a complex geological system. And we know there are metals in that sediment that if they’re accessible to the human body, they’re toxic. This has got to be followed up on. This has got to be dealt with.”
‘The damage is done here, and that’s why I’m out there warning people’
For Burke, who has replaced her washing machine and dishwasher yet again, it can’t be dealt with soon enough. She wants safe water and her life back.
“If they were to shut the turbines down, maybe there’s a possibility that the aquifer could repair itself, but I don’t
think we’ll ever see that in our lifetime,” she says. “Up the road from us, their water’s pitch black when it comes out of their well. It seriously looks like oil coming out of their well.”
Meanwhile, residents from the 13 homes on Burke’s road signed a petition to get a municipal waterline – and it’s possible, but they are expected to pay for it themselves.
“They took our [well] water away and now they want $47,000 from each household,” says Burke. “And that’s only going by the road. I have a long driveway. It’s probably a thousand feet. Can you imagine how much it would cost me just to get it piped into the house?”
Meanwhile, other wind turbines are being constructed and planned in other places.
“The damage is done here, and that’s why I’m out there warning people,” says Burke, adding that she also communicates with people in the U.S. where wind turbines are going up. “I can’t warn enough people.”
OUR TOP DRILLER
Darell Lepper, Ground Water Canada’s Distinguished Driller Award winner
It’s no secret that the enthusiasm level for drilling has been on the decline the past several years. The average age among water well drillers is higher than that of most other industries, and the influx of new drillers entering the profession isn’t keeping up with those contemplating their exit.
by MIKE JIGGENS
Darell Lepper, owner of Lakeland Drilling Ltd. in St. Paul, Alta., understands the situation all too well. He’s reached the twilight stage of his career in drilling, which began 40 years ago, and figures he’ll put off retirement for another year, hoping that – maybe – a satisfactory succession plan might present itself.
Despite what might currently be perceived as a dark cloud looming over the industry, Lepper is optimistic a turnaround could be on the horizon. He foresees new blood entering the industry as the economy tightens up.
“As the economy gets tighter, people have to look at ways to make money, and guys will have to go back to work and do this kind of work,” he says.
Lepper reflects on his own career in a positive light, deeming it rewarding. As a further reward, he was recently selected as Ground Water Canada’s inaugural “Distinguished Driller” award winner. The award recognizes the Canadian driller who was judged to have best met the attributes of excellence in leadership, innovation and business acumen. Ground Water Canada began accepting nominations in June and made its selection in mid-July.
Lepper, who has owned Lakeland Drilling since 1996, was judged to have “moved the needle” through innovative practices, professional business practices and future-focused perspectives.
“It’s a good industry,” he says. “I’ve made a good living at it. I’ve enjoyed what I did and met a lot of good people. I see it coming back, but I don’t see it right now because there’s so many other opportunities for these younger kids to go and do.”
Before acquiring Lakeland Drilling, Lepper had worked for his former brother-in-law and sister. Two sons currently work for him but have
indicated they have no desire at present to take over the company. One of his sons enjoys the work, he says, but doesn’t relish the challenge of retaining workers.
“I don’t think he wants the stress. He has a young family.”
An employee not related to the family has expressed an interest in taking over the business but seems “stalled” by the manpower situation, Lepper says.
When Lepper first acquired Lakeland Drilling, the company employed about six people. That
Darell Lepper, owner of Lakeland Drilling Ltd. In St. Paul, Alta., is the inaugural winner of Ground Water Canada’s Distinguished Driller Award.
PHOTO CREDIT: DARELL LEPPER
number has since dwindled to three. Established in 1976, the company was one of five drilling businesses operating northeast of Edmonton. Two remain today.
“All the older guys retired, and nobody wants to take over. Their kids didn’t want to take over. They’re in the same position. The younger generation just doesn’t want to do it.”
DEALING WITH LABOUR SHORTAGES
Most drilling companies are facing the same challenges, and the labour shortage is the common denominator.
“I think the biggest thing is manpower right now. It’s so hard to find good people that actually care. That’s the biggest challenge we’ve had for probably the last four or five years.”
Lepper says he wonders if the reason younger people have little desire to enter the profession is because they’re afraid of hard work and being away from home for extended periods of time.
“You get paid decent money, but you’re never home. Especially if you’re doing industrial work, you’re never home. You live out of suitcase for probably the whole year.”
Lepper says he was rarely home during his younger years, acknowledging sacrifices must be made in the drilling industry.
“If you want to succeed in life, you have to make sacrifices. Sometimes, maybe, you push the envelope too far.”
This is especially true for drillers working in the oil industry, he says, adding it’s not uncommon to be working 12-hour days and being away from home for 14 days at a time.
Lakeland Drilling has been breaking away from industrial work of late to concentrate more on domestic jobs. Lepper says now that he’s approaching his 60th birthday he no longer wishes to do any more oil work.
Industrial work, however, provided much of his education in the field of drilling. Environmental drilling, for example, was “a big thing” until the 1990s.
“When I started working with some of the oil companies and some of the
DRILLING
consultants, that’s where I learned a lot of it.”
Lepper says he was taught mainly by consultants in the environmental aspect of drilling, noting Lakeland was among the leaders in environmental drilling in that part of the province.
“We did a lot of environmental drilling – lots of stuff that other people probably didn’t do, and we just moved forward from that. We had a lot of wrecks at the beginning and then we figured it out, made changes and got better at it.”
In his heyday working industrial jobs, oil companies waited upwards of a year until he was available because they weren’t interested in hiring anyone else.
“I’m very proud of that. What we did, we did very well.”
‘The biggest progression was everything switching over from steel
to
PVC casing’
DIFFICULTY OF INDUSTRIAL WORK
The current labour shortage and the challenge of recruiting new workers makes industrial work that much more difficult, Lepper says.
“When you’re committed to go into oil field jobs and then you get guys not showing up or phoning in in the morning and not coming to work, you can’t go to work. It’s really sad, actually, and unfortunate. But that’s just the way it is nowadays.”
There are still plenty of challenges facing the domestic end of well drilling, Lepper says, noting new housing construction has slowed down, impacting the need for residential drilling.
“People are just moving from one house to another.”
He adds there are also fewer farm homesteads, recalling there was once a farmer situated every half-mile.
“Now, guys are buying up all the land and it’s just getting bigger and bigger farms.”
The drilling industry has had its upside, though, he adds. Using different equipment and different procedures, including deeper presometers and better means of installing them, have helped make things more efficient, Lepper says.
Several advancements in drilling have come about since he began in the industry at the age of 18.
“The biggest progression was everything switching over from steel to PVC casing,” Lepper says, adding it led to wells lasting longer. Filling techniques also improved over the years along with the quality of equipment.
He began in the industry with old cable rigs with pulldown chains, but today it’s all hydraulics.
“The equipment is 100 times better.”
Over the course of his career, Lepper has figured many things out on his own, whether it’s fabricating needed parts or
NOMINATOR HEAPS PRAISE ON LEPPER
Charla Philippon, a hydrogeologist at Matrix Solutions Inc. in Calgary, nominated Darell Lepper for Ground Water Canada’s Distinguished Driller Award.
“Anytime they (Lakeland Drilling Ltd.) were involved in a job, we knew the job would go smoothly. I’ve never been on a job with them that hasn’t gone extremely smooth. Their record is phenomenal.
“He never cut corners, was always safe, and made sure anyone new to drilling was told of all the hazards and taught the ropes.
“I learned mostly everything I know about drilling and well installations because of him, and when I train people, I teach them everything he’s taught me.
“When I work with Darell, he makes mud rotary drilling look easy, and when I work with other water well drillers I cannot say the same thing.”
coming up with ways to simplify the job.
With the assistance of a local machine shop, he has built coilers and other necessities to complete jobs.
Looking ahead, he says he’ll delay his pending retirement for another year in case his sons change their minds about taking over the business, but he adds he’s not optimistic.
“If they don’t, I’ll put it up for sale
or I’m just going to retire. It’s too bad because this business has been established since 1976. You can’t make your kids do what they don’t want to do. If they’re not happy doing it, then why make them do it?”
Be sure to visit our website (www. groundwatercanada.com) to listen to our podcast interview with Lepper.
July was the hottest month ever recorded on Earth and set the stage for rampant and worsening drought impacts across Western Canada.
Dry creek beds, stranded fish, parched crops, scarce feed for livestock, severe wildfires…the list goes on.
As of Aug. 17, British Columbia is reporting that more than 80 per cent of water basins across the province remain at a Drought Level 4 or 5. Alarmingly, the latest update reveals a significant jump in the number of watersheds at Drought Level 5 from 32 per cent to 56 per cent. This means more than half of B.C. watersheds face “almost certain” negative impacts.
This growing crisis points to the need for more comprehensive water monitoring to help support and direct proactive water management.
Living Lakes Canada’s Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program is collecting long-term data on groundwater levels to track annual and seasonal changes. Many municipalities and rural property owners rely on groundwater, yet little is known about how climate and other impacts like land use are affecting the water underground.
The program now has some wells with up to six years of data, providing us with information on how aquifers are responding to surface events.
This spring, water levels in some wells were the lowest recorded to date.
In one of the wells, we’ve seen a decreasing trend over the last six years.
A well being monitored in the summer, located near a cow pasture.
In other wells, peak water levels occurred earlier this year than in previous years. This corresponds with this year’s smaller winter snowpack and unseasonably early snowmelt.
In June, one of the wells located in Windermere had the lowest water level recorded in the last five years, following a decreasing trend since 2018 (see graph). While the data shows that the lowest water levels typically occur in June, groundwater levels reach their highest point around October/November.
by LIVING LAKES CANADA
This shows the seasonal variability of this 160-foot-deep well in an aquifer composed of clay and gravel.
MOUNTAINOUS WATER LEVELS
Notably, the program’s data is showing that water levels in aquifers higher up in the mountains peak at different times than valley bottom aquifers. This means that conditions at one select well aren’t necessarily representative of groundwater conditions across an entire region.
For example, in contrast to the Windermere well, another well located near Silverton, which is approximately 300 feet deep in bedrock material, has highest water levels occurring in the spring around April/May, and the lowest levels in fall around October/November.
Site-specific information is essential to inform decision-making for water security.
“A good analogy for this is to think of a bank account where you monitor both cash flow and a monthly total,” described Remi Allard, a consulting hydrogeologist with McElhanney in Cranbrook and an advisor to the Living Lakes Canada groundwater program. “The water level in an aquifer is similar to the net balance in the account, and recharge to and outflow from the aquifer is equivalent to cash flow.”
Recharge to aquifers in the Kootenays occurs mainly during freshet but is also derived from infiltration of precipitation.
B.C. DROUGHT
“If recharge is less than normal as a result of low snowpack and/or less than normal precipitation, but groundwater use remains constant, then the water balance in an aquifer can be negatively impacted,” he said. “In short, you have to measure things in order to manage them.”
To better manage groundwater use, the Government of B.C. introduced a new licensing system in 2016, requiring commercial users of groundwater to apply for a licence by March 2022. Now with this summer’s unprecedented drought, the province has started to cut groundwater access to unlicensed water users and the results are proving precarious for farmers and other commercial operators.
As Mike Wei, the former provincial program lead for groundwater and deputy comptroller of water rights, and current consultant, recently told The Tyee, “I did not expect this summer’s drought to so quickly shine the spotlight on the water rights issues.” Wei also advises the Living Lakes Canada groundwater program.
PARTNERING WITH WELL OWNERS
The program partners with well owners to establish a cost-effective network of volunteer observation wells across the Canadian Columbia Basin region. This work complements the monitoring done by the Provincial Groundwater Observation Well Network. Although there are more than 230 active observation wells in the provincial network, there are only six wells in the Columbia Basin. The Living Lakes Canada program has established and is currently monitoring 32 volunteer observation wells across the region.
This year, some of the provincial monitoring wells within the basin have also shown their lowest ever water level measurement to date, including wells in Wasa and Jaffray. This data can be seen on the recently released groundwater conditions tab on the B.C. Drought Portal. The map is a valuable resource and shows the unmonitored terrain in the provincial network.
Across Canada, aquifers vary in size and complexity. In the mountainous Columbia Basin, many aquifers are small and fragmented. Each responds differently to climate conditions and water usage demands. The Living Lakes Canada program is addressing the gaps in groundwater monitoring across this complex landscape by continuing to collaborate with water supply operators, First Nations, municipalities, ranchers, land trusts, post-secondary institutions, and private landowners to collect and share groundwater level data.
Roberta Schnider, Area G director with the Regional District of East Kootenay, is an advocate for expanded groundwater monitoring as climate and other impacts intensify.
“I have climate concerns, primarily around how surface water is being impacted and the pressure this puts on communities’ water supply,” Schnider said. “For example, the intake for the Edgewater community’s water system is Baptiste Lake, which is also seeing more development. I want a secondary water source, and aquifer water is much cleaner, requiring less treatment and maintenance. There’s a real need for improved groundwater monitoring as communities start turning to groundwater.”.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: OGWA AS INFORMATION HUB
As President of OGWA, I’m often called by our staff and OGWA members to sort out issues caused by others that can, without immediate intervention, become costly mistakes for the landowners if not jumped on right away.
Ontario is a vast territory with cities, large swaths of agricultural land, and northern areas with a widely scattered population. The tasks for organizations like ours become more complicated because of this large geography. OGWA members are held to strict regulatory requirements, and we take it seriously when we find out something is not right.
That’s why the use of OGWA, as an information hub for OGWA members, is so important.
OGWA’s members have regular contacts with a wide variety of the Ontario public. Municipalities, conservation authorities, various ministries, landowners, etc. These contacts can be positive, negative, or just for information.
One recent example shows the harm that can come when Information or laws are read wrong. One misreading of the Act could raise costs for a landowner or hinder our work in providing clean water to landowners, farmers, and industries.
Recently, a building official misinterpreted a section of the Building Code Act, and if not fixed, would have cost the landowner more money. When our OGWA member became aware of this mistake, they phoned the head office of OGWA and described what happened. OGWA staff contacted me, and I was able to phone our member back and talk about what the Act actually says. The issue was fixed in a day.
Regardless of the outcome, this information needs to be shared with our members. If one meeting results in a negative or positive outcome, our members should know. And if a member learns new information that helps OGWA members, this should also be shared.
Our members are doing great work, but the press, and sometimes members of the public, aren’t always informed about this. Bad news seems to take precedence.
OGWA is an important information hub. Members sending a short text/email/phone call to OGWA allows staff to summarize the issue and keep all of our members up to date. Quick action, and sharing of knowledge is one of the great benefits of OGWA. Details are important in our business, and with 600-plus members working together, it improves everyone’s technical abilities, reduces downtime for owners, and allows new approaches and science to be adapted quickly. Information is an asset, whether we use email, phone, or meet in person. It is an asset our membership uses wisely.
DWAYNE GRAFF, President
OPEN HOUSE FOR JOHN WILSON’S 80TH
An open house was held Aug. 19 at the home of John R. Wilson in Springfield, Ont. to help him celebrate his 80th birthday. Wilson served 25 years on the board of the Ontario Ground Water Association, including a term as president.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
Health & Safety Report
Changes coming to Ontario
OGWA AGM
A photo retrospective of 2023 event.
Scholastic Award Winner
Fleming student wins Archie Watt Award
Groundwater News
What’s happening in the world of groundwater
DWAYNE GRAFF President
PUBLISHED FOR THE ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION
BOYD PENDLETON Lotowater Technical Services Inc. 519-442-2086
RICK PETTIT Rideau Supply 800-463-7648
KYLE SMITH Aardvark Drilling Inc. 613-296-8779
MIKE STEFFEN Steffen Well Drilling 519-357-1960 / 519-531-0355
BRYAN WATSON
G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. 705-887-3331
TECIA WHITE
My Water Quality 705-888-7064
MATTHEW D. WILSON
J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling ltd. 519-269-3364
HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
Hello, OGWA members!
More changes and potential changes are coming to Ontario.
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Skills and Development (MLITSD):
1. Is holding two consultations: 1 – Heat Stress and 1 – Air Quality. I have submitted responses on behalf of my WSIB Excellence members. It should come as no surprise that these topics are being considered for legislation.
2. Naloxone reminder:
a: Occupational Health and Safety Act change – see S.25.2
b: NEW Regulation for Naloxone: O. Reg. 559/22: Naloxone Kits i. For small businesses, if you need it, the MLITSD will cover a kit and training for two people until 2024
3. Changes July 1, 2023:
a: Women-only toilets on job sites and other changes to what toilets must include (Regulations for Construction Projects: S.29.(2)(4), S.29.(2)(11.1), S.29.1((1),S.29.2(1) and (1.0.1) and (3))
b: Requirement for employers to ensure that their workers have PPE that fits properly and that suits different body types (Regulations for Construction Projects: S.21(4))
4. The WSIB is offering the incentive of DOUBLE Rebates and $1,000 to sign up to the WSIB H & S Excellence program for businesses under 99 on payroll until Dec. 31, 2024.
5. There is a new COVID variant. The Fall/Winter are coming. Please ensure that you protect your workers by providing masks and hand sanitizer. I am sure that the MLITSD will renew the guidelines put in place during the height of COVID if the variant impacts healthcare facilities. Stay tuned! If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call or email me: 905-741-5001
ELLALINE (ELLA) DAVIES President, Safety Works Consulting Inc.
OGWA BOARD ACTION SUMMARY
• Successfully employed our summer student who helped archive historical photos and documents.
OGWA welcomed a new Office Manager, Trish Luty. Trish has past experience in many industries including pharmaceuticals, hospitality, event planning, and comes with years of administrative experience.
• Updates from several committees, including identifying the need for more training in the Environmental/Geotechnical professional. This is currently in early planning stages for an October event.
Parkside Collegiate Institute in St. Thomas selected OGWA for its fundraising this year. OGWA received a donation from the school, and the school was contacted to convey our sincere thanks. OGWA will work with PCI to provide reading materials about OGWA and groundwater protection.
• OGWA organizes a yearly golf tournament to raise funds for students attending Sir Sanford Fleming’s Resource Drilling Technician program. The Board also agreed to increase the award amounts for the upcoming academic year. OGWA has three awards: the Archie Watt Award, the Ralph Snider Memorial Award, and the OGWA Award. This year’s winners are Sammy Moniz, Robert Bolby and Trenton Preston.
Ontario farmers can access $65 million in funding through programs delivered by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvements Association (OSCIA). Details are still being worked on, but may include work pertaining to pumps, shared water storage, hiring hydrogeologists, and advice on monitoring and maintaining well equipment. OGWA will meet with OSCIA for possible partnership on these programs. Members are encouraged to contact their local OSCIA representative to also discuss eligibility.
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION WILL BE HOLDING THEIR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING FROM
MARCH 21-24.
Canada’s Water Week Will Be Celebrated March 21-27!
World Water Day is on March 22 and OGWA will be celebrating and discussing the importance of Water and Ground Water specifically at our meeting. Below is a photographic retrospective of last year’s AGM held at the JW Marriott in beautiful Muskoka.
Groundwater Week will be celebrated Dec. 5-7 in Las Vegas, marking 75 years of the National Ground Water Association. Several Canadians, including members of the Ontario Ground Water Association, typically attend the annual conference and trade show.
GROUNDWATER IN THE NEWS
The Ontario Ground Water Association has more than 600 members who work together to protect groundwater and provide clean drinking water to more than three million people in Ontario. Providing drinking water from aquifers requires the expertise of experienced plumbers, drillers, installers, manufacturers, scientists, engineers, and hydrogeologists. Without these specialists, Ontario could easily face problems like those shown in the articles below. Many parts of the world do not have Ontario’s abundant clean water. What Ontario takes for granted is often lacking, or non-existent, elsewhere. Groundwater is not an infinite resource.
A large solar panel project in California now uses groundwater aquifers instead of hauling water from other locations to the site. This has caused aquifer levels to fall, water reserves for surrounding communities to be depleted, land under houses to sag, leaving expensive repair bills. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ dead-without-water-massive-desert-solar-projects-are-sucking-upgroundwater-angering-locals/ar-AA1d7w1p
Investors are starting to focus on companies’ water risks. Water scarcity and drought are now part of corporate assessments and company valuations. Stakeholders are starting to demand increased transparency related to companies’ water risks and water use. Wall Street is focusing on the business risks posed by water (qz.com)
Protection of groundwater resources is a critical asset for firefighting, according to Columbia Shuswap Regional District: “There is some significant concern about the groundwater levels and about drought conditions creating a situation that may result in a worsethan-average fire year.” Drought conditions contribute to summer wildfire concerns for Columbia-Shuswap - The Golden Star
In Lincoln, California, the military left 60 years ago, but its legacy is an extensive trichloroethylene (TCE) plume discovered underneath it. Homes near the site may be pulling this contamination upwards and towards the groundwater aquifer. While the California Water Board claims there is no immediate threat of contamination and has installed 33 groundwater monitoring wells and 24 soil moisture probes. https://www.kcra. com/article/lincoln-residents-gound-contamination-formermilitary-site-tce-missile-site/44467293#
In Cuyama Valley , California, declining groundwater is a critical issue as twice as much water is pumped out of the aquifer as is being replaced. Two corporations account for 40 per cent of basin pumping, and they have filed a lawsuit to stop conservation targets and technology. Individuals of the local communities are frustrated as these companies show no interest in changing. https://hanfordsentinel.com/news/local/showdown-in-the-highdesert-an-expensive-battle-over-groundwater-rights-in-thecuyama-valley/article_90e69c7f-fa7a-548d-b42459191d2e5f66.html
Europe is now losing more groundwater than is being replaced by rainfall. These problems leave Europe in a crisis with overconsumption and illegal water use posing major threats. This is especially dangerous during current extreme heat. https://news.sky.com/story/europe-isfacing-drought-with-more-groundwaterbeing-lost-than-replaced-by-rain-12915078
IN MEMORIAM: ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Elizabeth Ferguson (nee Thorpe) passed away suddenly on Monday, June 26, 2023 at her home in Edwardsburg Cardinal. She entered into rest at the age of 55.
Elizabeth Ferguson was the beloved wife of Todd Ferguson. dear mother of Chelsea Jalbert (Corey) and Johnathon Ferguson (Hannah Albers). cherished grandmother of Chase Jalbert. sister of Danny Lefebvre (Holly), Wayne Lefebvre (Maureen), Karen Marshall (Chris) and Caroline Lefebvre. She was predeceased by her mother Elaine Lefebvre. Elizabeth is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life was held on Monday July 3, 2023 at the Roebuck Community Centre in Spencerville. Donations to the Heart
& Stroke Foundation and the he Ottawa Heart Institute were encouraged.
The Ontario Ground Water Association directors and staff are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Liz Ferguson. She was an active and committed member of the groundwater industry and our association. Our heartfelt condolences are extended to Todd and his family, friends, and colleagues.
The full obituary and tributes for Liz can be viewed at https://www. mackayfuneralhome.com/memorials/cecilia-ferguson/5221619/
Photo credit: Soonthorn/Adobe Stock
OGWA HONOURS SAMMY MONIZ WITH ARCHIE WATT AWARD
The Ontario Ground Water Association is proud to support Fleming College and the future generations of groundwater professionals. For decades, the OGWA has been granting deserving students with the Archie Watt, OGWA and Ralph Snider awards.
The funds from our yearly golf tournament directly support the Archie Watt award, which is awarded to the student who has demonstrated commitment to the water well industry.
This year’s recipient is Sammy Moniz. He is currently working with McLeod Water Wells.
“Thank you very much for selecting me as the recipient of the Archie Watt Award,” Sammy said. “This bursary is helping me
pay for the cost of my DZ license training course. I am currently working for McLeod Water Wells, assisting in drilling wells and working on the hours needed for my drilling license. Thanks again for your generosity.”
Once again, we would like to thank our sponsors for supporting this year’s sold-out event that will be held on Sept. 15, 2023.
In other partnerships, a local St. Thomas school classroom selected the OGWA for its not-for-profit fundraising project. We were honoured to receive their support and hope to connect with them in the fall for an education session on the importance of groundwater.
THANK YOU, GOLF TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
Sammy Moniz Photo credit: McLeod Water Wells
OGWA SCHOLARSHIP GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 2023 OGWA Scholarship Golf Tournament was held on September 15th and was our biggest tournament yet! It was a perfect day for over 145 golfers. Thank you to our volunteers, to all those who donated a raffle prize and especially all those who purchased raffle and
50/50 tickets. Your support helped raise even more funds for this charity event.
Thank you to our food donors, My Water Quality & Aardvark Drilling Inc, and to our prize donors; Aardvark, Baroid IPD, Brokerlink, Canpipe, Eloquip, Grundfos, Flexcon, Franklin
Electric, Heron Instruments, Pentair, Pompco, Rideau Supply, Wellmaster and Well Initiatives Ltd.
The winning team of the day was from Conrad Well Drilling – Paul Conrad, Mike Algairs, Cam Allen & Judd Thompson.
Eric Wright won $500 in the 50/50 draw
OGWA president Dwayne Graff presents the championship trophy to the winning team from Conrad Drilling (Paul Conrad, Mike Algairs, Cam Allen and Judd Thompson).
Trish Luty and Sharon Kauk were busy selling 50-50 and raffle tickets.
A happy prize winner of the Rideau Supply-sponsored cornhole prize.
Golfers get in some last-minute putting practice before teeing off.
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Membership renewals are coming soon!
The OGWA has negotiated special CAA Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario. Besides roadside assistance, CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services as well as those offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America. Corporate Membership: $132 (plus HST) and save $15 when you sign up for automatic credit card payment. Call 1-800-341-2226 or email corpmember@caasco.ca with your OGWA special promotion code.
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 ground water 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 industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and BrokerLink will provide you the protection you need. 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.
Thrifty Car Rental offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles- pickups and vans. 1-800-847-4389 www.thrifty.com and use your discount code.
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their web site - take advantage of 10% off orders with your discount code plus free shipping on orders over $149.00! https://www.gostwear.com
Parkway Ford offers OGWA Members 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the OGWA, 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 pays dividends! Call 1-888-849-5171 or visit www.parkwayford.ca
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. Register your email at perkopolis.com and enter OGWA + your membership number!
Discover the value CFIB has to offer its members. Access resources from business experts, use webinars and templates for common HR issues. Receive exclusive discounts on payment processing, banking, payroll, shipping and more. Have your say with policies that affect your business - CFIB is your strong voice for Canadian Businesses and membership in CFIB is included with your OGWA Membership.
For more information or for help accessing your benefits, contact the Ontario Ground Water Association at 519-245-7194 or accounts@ogwa.ca
On-the-Job Harassment
by CCOHS
Workplace harassment and violence happens more often than you may think. According to a recent national study (published in 2022) conducted by Western University, the University of Toronto and the Canadian Labour Congress, 71 per cent of respondents experienced at least one form of harassment or abuse at work in the two years prior to completing the study survey.
Any worker or workplace, across any sector or industry, can be affected by harassment and violence. These acts can have devastating effects, including physical and psychological harm, a hostile working environment, and increased absenteeism and turnover.
All workers have the right to feel safe, protected and respected at work. To help reduce the risk to workers who may work alone, in skeleton crews, or in precarious environments, having a harassment and violence prevention program can help.
UNDERSTANDING HARASSMENT AND VIOLENCE
An important first step in ensuring a safe work environment is to define and understand the many forms of harassment and violence.
Whether a series of incidents or a single act, workplace harassment can involve unwelcome behaviours or comments meant to demean, embarrass, or provoke a reaction. Workplace violence, including physical assault, psychological trauma, family violence, and sexual assault, can be any action, threat or gesture that can cause harm, injury or illness. Bullying is also a form of harassment and violence and can involve acts that cause psychological harm or negative physical contact.
ARE YOUR WORKERS AT RISK?
Some work settings are more vulnerable to harassment and violence than others due to their location, activity, or hours of operation. Working alone or in small numbers, and in the late evening or early morning can put workers at greater risk for this unwelcome behaviour. Other factors that can put someone at greater risk include gender,
persons in equity-seeking groups, and persons with disabilities.
Since each workplace is unique, it is important to understand what can contribute to harassment and violence. A risk assessment can help determine which hazards are present and the risk they represent to your workers. Starting with an inspection of the work environment, focus on the tasks being done, and your administrative and work practices. Consider internal factors such as your work culture, conditions, activities, and organizational structure. Also consider external factors, including work site locations, clients, customers, and any history of family violence.
It’s good practice to review previous incidents of harassment and violence by consulting existing incident reports, first aid records, and health and safety committee records, if applicable. You might also request information from any organizations or industry associations you’re associated with, the union (if applicable), or from the workers’ compensation board, and occupational health and safety regulators.
Once you’ve collected this information, review it for trends and identify the occupations and locations that you believe are most at risk. Record the results of your assessment and use this to develop a prevention program.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) promotes the total well-being of workers in Canada by providing information, training, education, systems and solutions that support health and safety programs and injury and illness prevention. www.ccohs.ca.
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