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Serving the Canadian Ground Water industry for 50 years.
OUR 2024 TOP DRILLERS
Tony Myram and Chris Quinlan have been selected as Ground Water Canada’s ‘Distinguised Drillers’
MEETING HIGH PERFORMANCE
Achieving optimal pumping performance in drinking water projects
17 THE SOURCE
News and views from the OGWA
30 STANDING UP TO BIG BUSINESS
Residents of an Ontario community are pushing back against a landfill project
ON THE WEB:
Calgary’s ill-timed water setback
Feeder main burst coincided with Alberta’s long drought by Mike Jiggens
38 MARKETING COLUMN
Outgoing BCGWA GM bids farewell by Dave Mercer
New report links excessive fluoride in drinking water to lower IQs among children
The report was based on information culled from other countries, including Canada. It’s being reported that more than 1.5 milligrams of fluoride per litre of water is consistent with lower IQ levels in children. USA Today report
Alberta town coping with repercussions of Montana-based siphon burst
The Town of Milk River has been doing its best to manage a water shortage since a siphon burst south of the border led to the drying up of the Milk River. CTV News report
Calgary’s ill-timed water setback
Feeder main burst coincided with Alberta’s long drought
by Mike Jiggens
Calgary is known for a lot of things: the Calgary Stampede, the Heritage Park Historical Village, the Calgary Zoo and many other attractions. Unfortunately, this year it is also known for the massive June 6 Bearspaw south feeder main break which plunged the city into a water crisis that, as of Labour Day, was still not fully resolved.
Main breaks are a common occurrence and usually take a few hours for the necessary repairs to be made. News of these breaks usually amount to two or three paragraphs in the local newspaper with information giving residents the guidelines they need to properly boil their water for safe consumption in the short term.
Calgary’s situation was no run-of-the-mill break. It made national news with updates occurring daily as crews worked around the clock to contain the break and begin the extensive repairs.
The masses tend to take the availability of water for granted
It was bad enough that the city, and the entire province of Alberta, for that matter, was amid a long drought. Add to that the municipal water restrictions that were implemented, and Calgary was destined to become dry as a bone. The restrictions, which eventually reached the Stage 4 level, meaning outdoor lawn watering, car washing and pool filling were outlawed, cast a shadow over the looming Calgary Stampede which was to begin within a month of the burst pipeline. The thought of cancelling the annual summer spectacle was almost blasphemous, considering the untold thousands of people it draws into the city, not to mention the vast revenue that would potentially be lost.
Despite the restrictions imposed and the call to practise conservation, the show went on. In fact, organizers of the Stampede vowed the event would take place come hell or high water (or low water in this case).
The people of Calgary have largely complied with the need to conserve water since the early June setback. There were some spikes along the way which were attributed to people running out of fresh clothes to wear or the need to shower after several days without bathing, but residents took the matter seriously enough to keep a lid on their water consumption for the most part to help the city’s journey to recovery. Consumption was on the rise again in late August, prompting the city’s mayor to plead for stepped-up conservation efforts.
The masses tend to take the availability of water for granted, and this was indeed a wake-up call to demonstrate that cannot be the case.
If something like this can happen in Calgary, it can happen anywhere. It’s important to have a workable plan in place should a catastrophe of this nature ever occur.
…And now for some good news to come out of Alberta. Ground Water Canada’s second annual “Distinguished Driller” awards program has selected this year’s co-winners who hail from the province.
Chris Quinlan of Aaron Drilling in Diamond Valley, and Tony Myram, owner of Mywater Drilling near Calgary, were selected from among the nominees vying to receive the honour.
Both men have gone the extra mile to help pave the way for future drillers through their mentorship of the younger generation and are passionate about their profession.
Be sure to turn to page 8 to read their profiles and what makes them deserve to be recognized as “Distinguished Drillers.”
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will feature coverage from Groundwater Week in Las Vegas.
INDUSTRY NEWS
COLUMBIA BASIN GROUNDWATER LEVELS PROMPT NEED FOR EXPANDED MONITORING
According to a recent survey conducted by Living Lakes Canada, 72 per cent of respondents are highly concerned about groundwater in the Columbia Basin in the Pacific Northwest, with primary worries including drinking water, ecosystem health, agriculture and food security. Understanding groundwater systems and providing decision makers with current, localized information is essential to respond to these concerns and ensure a water-secure future.
Lakes
staff
the Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program during a site visit to a volunteer observation well in April 2024.
This is the goal of Living Lakes Canada’s Columbia Basin Groundwater Monitoring Program which is monitoring 32 volunteer observation wells across the region. According to data collected up to the end of March 2024, groundwater levels across different aquifers are responding differently to surface conditions, emphasizing the need for expanded monitoring.
Some wells recorded their lowest levels to date, including wells near Windermere, Skookumchuk, Brisco and Columbia Wetlands Benchlands. Longer-term trends for these wells suggest a decline in water level since monitoring began approximately five years ago, although statistical analyses have not yet been completed. Several of the wells in the program showed earlier rises in water levels in February and March compared to previous years, with some wells having levels at the end of March higher than in recent years. Others had water levels that were similar to previous years.
Baker Manufacturing Ltd., a longstanding contributor to the groundwater industry, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
“We’ve observed different seasonal and multi-year trends in water levels between the different localities we’ve been monitoring for the last several years,” Carol Luttmer, groundwater program field operations and data manager with Living Lakes Canada, said. “This underscores the variability across aquifers with water levels responding on different time scales. For example, water levels in some aquifers may respond to precipitation infiltrating within hours or days, whereas other aquifers may show a muted or delayed response over months, years, or even decades.
“This variability is precisely why it’s important to monitor diverse aquifers to understand seasonal and longterm groundwater level trends as drought conditions and other climate impacts intensify.”
Groundwater levels can be compared to a bank balance: they show the amount of water stored in an aquifer, but not the rates of recharge (water entering) or discharge (water exiting). Just as a bank balance fluctuates with deposits and withdrawals, groundwater levels vary, based on recharge and discharge rates. To avoid aquifer depletion and ensure longterm water availability, groundwater withdrawal should not cause a year-to-year decline in water levels.
Collecting aquifer-specific information helps support the sustainable management of this precious freshwater source.
Based in Winnipeg, the company began in 1924 when the Baker Manufacturing Company of Evansville, Wisc. purchased the wholesale division of the Manitoba Engine Company of Brandon, Man. The new business, briefly named Ames-Baker Manufacturing Limited, began as a modest enterprise in a small workshop, catering primarily to local businesses in need of pumps, pump jacks, cylinders, engines, tanks, lightning arrestors, feed grinders, pipe & fittings and windmills.
Baker moved to Winnipeg in the 1940s but remained committed to the small-town principles of integrity, reliability, and personalized attention. Over the years, Baker Manufacturing Ltd. became known for its innovative and reliable products, including the introduction of the
Monitor brand Pitless Units to Canada in 1950. This innovation eliminated the need for unsanitary well pits.
In 1958, Baker became the first wholesale member of the Manitoba Water Well Association. Clark Myers, who joined the company in 1984, eventually purchased Baker Mfg. Ltd in 1999 during its 75th-anniversary celebrations.
Under Myers’ leadership, the company has focused on sustainability and environmental stewardship, expanding into the water treatment industry and supporting North American-made products.
The company and its owners have been deeply committed to community service, including philanthropic efforts both locally and globally.
Despite facing various challenges over its century-long history, Baker Manufacturing Ltd. has thrived due to its commitment to customer service and innovation.
As the company enters its second century, it remains well-positioned for continued success, with a strong foundation in innovation, quality, and community service.
Living
Canada
with
The Right Tool for the Job
gets the job done right
Special jobs require special tools. The CME-45C is one of our most versatile drill rigs. It can be mounted on a truck, trailer, skid, or the CME-300 rubber track carrier. A skid/trailer configuration gives you two options. You can use the drill as a conventional trailer mounted unit, or you can easily remove the drill from the trailer and skid it up or down steep slopes, or through narrow openings.
The CME-45C is available with a high torque rotary drive option rated at 4,875 ft/lbs. The hydraulic feed system provides 19,600 pounds of retract force and 13,650 pounds of pulldown force.
Available optional equipment includes angle drilling, automatic SPT hammer, direct push hammer, CPT controls, hydraulic rod holder and break-out wrench, cathead, a variety of hydraulic hoists and water pumps, and much more.
Give us a call and let us help you find out which CME-45C can best fill your specific drilling needs for more productivity and profitability.
by MIKE JIGGENS
OUR 2024 TOP DRILLERS
Tony Myram and Chris Quinlan, a pair of Alberta-based water well drillers, have been selected as Ground Water Canada’s ‘Distinguished Driller’ award recipients for this year
Ground Water Canada is pleased to recognize two Alberta-based water well drillers who have been selected as 2024’s “Distinguished Driller” award winners. Tony Myram of Mywater Drilling and Pump Services Ltd., near Calgary, and Chris Quinlan of Aaron Drilling Inc. in Diamond Valley, best met the judges’ criteria for selection in Ground Water Canada’s second annual promotion.
Both of our recognized drillers are passionate about the industry and are eager to pass their knowledge and expertise along to others. Here are their stories:
TONY MYRAM
Tony Myram’s career as a driller has been relatively brief, but drilling has been in his blood the past couple of decades.
He was first exposed to the profession in 2005 when his father, Al, founded a drilling business with a longtime friend. The senior Myram became sole owner in 2016, changing the company’s name to Myram Drilling. It was at that time that Tony
‘I’m not going to ask them to do anything I don’t want to do.’
Myram left his oil industry job and began working with his father full-time. Only a year later, however, Al Myram was ready to retire, and Tony and his wife began Mywater Drilling and Pump Services Ltd.
Tony Myram said he didn’t want his surname to be part of the business name, recalling advice he was given long ago that implied attaching one’s name to a business made it a harder sell. It was important to have the word “water” in the business name, however, he said, and settled on a compromise of sorts by blending the first two letters of his last name with the word “water.”
Mywater Drilling, located northwest of Calgary, mainly serves parts of Alberta that are within a 90-minute radius of the company’s home base.
“I feel that with the team that we’ve got and the service that we give, there’s lot of people within an hour and a half of us that we can be home every night and have a life and raise our kids and be involved in team sports,” Myram said. “Working away from home is not fun.”
Left: Chris Quinlan, Aaron Drilling Inc., Diamond Valley, Alberta
Right: Tony Myram, Mywater Drilling & Pump Services Ltd., Cremona, Alberta
Mywater Drilling, which employs seven people, isn’t among Alberta’s largest water drilling businesses but averages between 60 and 80 wells a year, focusing on residential, light commercial and agricultural systems. Among the 65 companies that submitted drilling reports last year in Alberta, Mywater ranked within the top 25 per cent in terms of wells drilled.
Myram said Mywater has turned away several potential drilling jobs over the years that would have required the business to venture a significant distance from home.
“It’s not fair to ask the guys to do that. I’m not going to ask them to do anything I don’t want to do.”
Among Mywater’s employees are his wife, who looks after the office, a son and a brother. On occasion, Myram’s father will step in to help with jobs when larger equipment can’t be brought in, and Al Myram’s cable tool can be
utilized. Myram Drilling was more of a “retirement gig” for Al Myram, his son said, as only between eight and 10 wells were drilled in a year.
When Tony Myram first began Mywater Drilling, jobs were done with his father’s cable tool before more service work was taken on, requiring the necessary equipment.
“We took it (the business) from a retirement hobby to a viable service business that serves our community,” Myram said.
Myram became more engaged in the industry shortly after starting his own business, heeding words of wisdom from a former drilling school instructor who encouraged him to become involved with the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association (AWWDA).
“I’ve learned so much from them.”
As a director on the AWWDA board, he became involved in several different
projects, including redoing Alberta’s water well directives and working with other agencies. Through his involvement with the association, he also took on an instructor role at Red Deer Polytechnic, taking over from his mentor who helped to rebuild the school’s drilling program which had last been updated in 1991.
NOT AN ‘OLD BOYS’ CLUB’
Myram’s involvement with AWWDA has helped to dispel the perception that the water well industry has always been an “old boys” club.
“Like-minded people get along and likeminded people try to move things in the right direction. Being responsible for how we harvest water, doing quality work, standing behind the work we have done for people and supporting the people who support us, it’s a like-mindedness that put these old boys together to form the Alberta Drillers Association.”
Tony Myram is the owner of Mywater Drilling and Pump Services Ltd., located northwest of Calgary.
PHOTO CREDIT:
TONY MYRAM
Myram said he’s hesitant to label the association as an old boys’ club when it’s dedicated to pushing the industry in the right direction. Those outside of the association are likely there because the quality of work they do doesn’t align with AWWDA’s goal of promoting quality and groundwater sourcing, he added.
The groundwater industry has often been viewed as an aging profession, but Myram doesn’t see it that way. He said he’s seen an influx of new blood entering the industry as older workers are retiring. Several of the industry’s newcomers are family members of older workers and are bringing new ideas and energy to the profession.
“Being involved with the drilling association, you can see the young guys coming to golf tournaments and conventions, and they’re a bunch of real good kids. They get along. You can see it in class. You can see it at the association groups we have. There are a lot of good
folks coming along. As our industry shrinks, that’s who we’ll be relying on to carry the torch forward when it comes to quality work and doing things right.”
Myram said the industry has its challenges, but he says that obstacles are really opportunities.
“When you come up against something, I don’t look at it as ‘woe is me, it’s the end of the world.’ It’s more like, ‘Right on, it’s something new. Let’s tackle this.’”
One such challenge is the need to educate people that cheaper isn’t better, he said, noting the groundwater industry has traditionally charged by the foot with a fee that is a set dollar amount per foot drilled.
“That’s the worst thing we can do because that promotes short cuts and cost cutting and substandard work.”
His preference is to tell potential customers how much it will cost to drill a well as well as the costs associated with a proper surface casing seal and screening
for a proper filtration system.
“People just want things cheap. People want everything for nothing. If you educate them, most of the time they’ll make good decisions and spend for quality, not quantity.”
One of the biggest rewards Myram said he has enjoyed in his water drilling career was the chance to work with his father, describing it as “awesome” and something not everyone has the chance to experience.
“How many people get the opportunity to work with their family?”
Myram said he feels the groundwater industry has a bright future. He said the current youth movement he has been observing is promising, adding there will be a greater emphasis on doing things correctly in view of Western Canada’s recent dry spells. The focus on quality over quantity will help to weed out the “bad actors” and “dollar store drillers,” he added.
PROFILE
CHRIS QUINLAN
Chris Quinlan is a 27-year veteran in the water well drilling industry. The journeyman water well and geothermal driller joined business partner Tyler Crawford in purchasing Aaron Drilling Inc. from company founder Brad Meyers in 2007.
Headquartered in Diamond Valley, Alta., Aaron Drilling has been in business since 1979 and employs between 12 and 15 people, depending on the season “or what happens naturally,” Quinlan adds.
He says Aaron Drilling has a diverse clientele that includes domestic, industrial and municipal customers. The business has the expertise and equipment to tackle projects that range from a
two-gallon-a-minute domestic well to a 2,000-gallon-a-minute town supply well.
“We’re not afraid to tackle anything,” he says. “Every hole is different, and the need to be adaptable is always present. We have to look at every situation and evolve and be able to adapt to whatever Mother Nature is throwing at us.”
Quinlan says 90 per cent of Alberta’s drillers take on domestic jobs only. Because Aaron Drilling is more diversified, some projects can take the company to job sites well beyond Diamond Valley, although the lion’s share of its work is conducted within a 160-mile radius of home.
Aaron Drilling started as an air rotary drilling company, but in recent years
adopted a technology that combines a down-the-hole hammer style of drilling with a rotating drive shoe. Quinlan says the technology has existed for several years but added he’s not aware of any other company in his area using it.
“We’ve had a lot of success with it.”
The company purchased a mud pump this year which has allowed it “to step out of our wheelhouse and broaden our ability.” Quinlan says the purchase has allowed Aaron Drilling to “open up avenues” for more efficient drilling.
Most drillers stick with what they know, he says, but Aaron opted to take a leap of faith with the new approach.
Nominating Quinlan for Ground Water Canada’s “Distinguished Driller Award” was Crawford, his longtime business partner, who made special note of an international project for which Quinlan freely gave his time.
In 2015, Quinlan traveled to Haiti to share his expertise with local Haitians to dig a new well at a correctional facility.
“I always wanted to do something important.”
The seed was planted early in his career when he attended the National Ground Water Association’s annual conference. Quinlan visited the booth of a non-profit organization that was doing work in Haiti to help the developing country access clean drinking water.
“It automatically struck a chord.”
THE HAITI PROJECT
A potential trip to Haiti to assist in a drilling project remained “on the back burner” for about 10 years until Quinlan felt Aaron Drilling was adequately positioned to operate in his absence for an extended period. Reaching out to several non-profit agencies, he opted to volunteer with Lifewater Canada, wishing to support a Canadian-based organization’s work in Haiti.
The correctional facility’s well project wasn’t without its challenges. Using a cable tool to drill the well, the apparatus got stuck, and several days were spent trying to extract it. Although Quinlan didn’t do any of the extraction work himself, he taught the Haitians to
Chris Quinlan is co-owner of Aaron Drilling Inc. in Diamond Valley, Alta.
PHOTO CREDIT: CHRIS QUINLAN
PROFILE
evaluate how the tool became stuck and how it could possibly be extracted. The top of the tool was 32 feet below grade, and all extraction efforts proved futile until a decision was made to send inmates armed with shovels and buckets to dig a large enough hole to allow the tool to be extracted by crane.
“Being able to pass on skills to those who didn’t have any was very gratifying.”
While in Haiti, Quinlan was asked by another non-profit organization to evaluate the water situation at a hospital located several hours away. Determining the water was “horrible,” he made a presentation to the hospital’s board before continuing his work with Lifewater Canada.
Whether it’s unskilled labourers in Haiti or up-and-coming young drillers in Canada, he says he likes to use a handson approach to mentor others, adding he prefers to be out on the rig “with the boys” rather than sitting behind a desk.
“I like to teach them how to get
through it than push them out of the way and show them. Showing somebody hands on is the best way to go.”
A one-time challenge Quinlan says he and the water well drilling industry faced led to an opportunity that paid off handsomely for the industry at large. The geothermal trade had tapped into aquifers with drilling done in the same manner as that in water well drilling, but the trade was neither organized nor regulated, he says.
“And that posed a threat to our resource – groundwater – because geothermal drillers would drill through multiple aquifers and complete a geothermal hole, and there was no oversight as to whether or not they were grouting into the bore holes correctly and ensuring there was no cross contamination.”
As a board member of Apprenticeship and Industrial Training, he helped in the creation of a trade called ELT (earth loop technician) which allowed the Province
of Alberta to regulate it. A course outline was created, and the province now requires one to be an ELT if the goal is to drill a geothermal earth loop.
“This was a challenge our industry saw,” Quinlan says, adding it took several years before everything came to fruition. “We were able to create a brand-new trade out of it.”
What Quinlan finds most rewarding, however, is the work achieved by the water well drilling industry.
“I’m rewarded daily by the fact we provide clean water to people. You can’t live without water.”
Quinlan said he would not be where he is today without the mentorship of Meyers and Collin Woodley and the support of his wife Tia-Jayne Clark and business partners Crawford and Adam Kingma.
In his free time, Quinlan says he has “a taste for adventure” and likes to ski, sail and ride dirt bikes.
by Dayna Tyner & Brandon Schumm
MEETING HIGH PERFORMANCE
Achieving optimal pumping performance in drinking water projects
Groundwater professionals who work on residential and municipal pumping systems are often faced with a critical task: they must maintain a water delivery system that meets high performance demands and distributes water that is consistently safe for human consumption.
That’s what makes the standards for drinking water applications so important. These strict standards are used throughout Canada to help pumping professionals identify products that are certified safe for drinking water system components. However, identifying certified components is only one part of the selection
challenge. Professionals must also understand how those components are vetted and how they will deliver the hydraulics and functionality needed for the application.
Reliability counts and meeting the challenges of performance while ensuring public safety can be complicated, even for industry professionals.
With drinking water systems, health and safety always come first. Yet, engineers must also make sure they’re installing a system that delivers water reliably and at peak performance.
SYSTEMS
Consider these insights regarding drinking water standards – what they mean, how they’ve evolved, and how you can use them to select a pumping system that meets a home or community’s performance demands.
DESIGNING FOR TOMORROW: WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR PROFESSIONALS TO STAY
AHEAD OF STANDARDS?
Continuous improvement is critical in the water industry, and drinking water standards are no different. In fact, these standards are constantly in review. For example, a specific drinking water standard first adopted in the late 1980s has been published more than 40 times. Innovative new materials and new threats to water quality must be considered when new standards are developed. That allows the standards to address any new science related to water quality while making sure water professionals can design systems that are safe to use.
The team that evaluates and writes the
drinking water standards is extensive, and includes representatives from three core sectors: manufacturing, general interest (such as environmental and provincial regulators) and the certifying bodies themselves.
Manufacturers are involved in these discussions for a very important reason: they can provide insight into feasibility and performance. While public safety is paramount, standards must be achievable from a production standpoint. Are the materials realistic and cost-effective? Can a pump be produced to meet a standard – and what will it take? When new standards are established, it often takes from several months to years for a
manufacturer to build these compliant products. By having a voice at this table, manufacturers help assure that quality products are constantly in the development pipeline.
HOW CAN YOU ASSURE YOUR PUMPING SYSTEM MEETS THE LATEST DRINKING WATER STANDARDS?
Every part of a pumping system that comes in contact with water and is intended for consumption will need to be evaluated against drinking water standards. This means that all components and materials in the system should be known and understood. Additionally, the manufacturing process and factory conditions at suppliers and the final manufacturer facility are critical. There should be no introduction of an unwanted negative agent that could be in violation of the standard. Variables like these can ultimately affect product certification.
Continued on page 36
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
As I write this, I’m just back from what was meant to be a brief summer vacation. What started as a few days away was supposed to be followed by time to address some home matters, and quickly turned into a return to work the very day after my flight landed. Looking at the calendar I observed that there is little to no summer left. How did that happen?
DWAYNE GRAFF President
During my time away, I received news that another contractor member faced fines from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) for installing pumps in a series for new builds without obtaining an electrical permit for inspection. This issue arises because currently, we cannot secure these permits for inspection.
To that end, several board members have been called upon to prepare some information supporting our position and summarize past discussions with the ESA. In addition to the work done by board members and the staff, a detailed written response to the ESA has also been prepared, outlining our scope and explaining its necessity. Experience has shown that these are typically a non-issue on larger commercial projects that involve multiple trades on site. This is more of an issue with the fractional HP size equipment installed in homes and farms. Common sense suggests we share similarities to HVAC technicians in that regard, providing critical service in
a time of need (perhaps the exception being new builds). I believe we are making progress and will continue to work towards a positive resolution. Collectively, we will work to resolve this and keep you all posted.
On a brighter note, the OGWA golf tournament is rapidly approaching. I am looking forward to another successful event. Hopefully, the weather will be co-operative as it has been most other years. I want to extend a special thanks to Paul Conrad for his initiative in creating this fundraiser. Without Paul’s vision, the scholarship fund may never have come to be. Hopefully many of you took the time to attend. It is always good to see many of you on the course.
I’m grateful that I haven’t heard of any injuries so far this season. However, this is no time to relax our safety protocols. With several seasoned professionals leaving the industry for retirement, there are many new faces joining the industry. It is crucial to ensure that these new members are well-trained and kept safe as they transition into experienced professionals.
Lastly, have a good Summer (or Fall might be more appropriate) and try to do a better job planning and implementing a vacation than I did this year. I succeeded in planning but failed on the implementation.
All the best.
OGWA REDESIGNS ITS WEBSITE
The Ontario Ground Water Association is proud to announce the redesign of its website – to better serve our members and the public, we have partnered with UX Designer Samantha Tyson to breathe new life into our website and create a more modern and accessible experience. We haven’t just updated our visuals – beyond a new user interface, we have also combed through and updated our website content to ensure that the information you need is accurate, understandable, and easy to find.
All of the functionality you’re used to will still be there, including our events registration, member pages, and more – just with a shiny new coat of paint. We’ve also added an industry events calendar so that you can keep up with many organizations across Canada, not just us!
We look forward to sharing this exciting redesign with you, and thank you for your patience as the website is updated.
INSIDE THE ISSUE
INVESTING IN GROUP INSURANCE
Substantial benefits for small business
HEALTH & SAFETY
Updates for OGWA members
OGWA’S NEW WEBSITE
An exciting redesign
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Coverage of our annual fundraiser
PUBLISHED FOR THE ONTARIO GROUND
WATER ASSOCIATION
Ph: 519-245-7194
TRISH LUTY, General Manager Ext. 1 / trish@ogwa.ca
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
JASON TESSIER
Mel’s Well Drilling 807-486-1333
BRYAN WATSON
G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. 705-887-3331
MATTHEW D. WILSON
J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling ltd. 519-269-3364
INVESTING IN A GROUP INSURANCE PLAN FOR A SMALL BUSINESS CAN OFFER SUBSTANTIAL BENEFITS
For business owners, this investment is more than just a financial decision – it can significantly impact the business’s success, employee satisfaction, and overall stability.
Cost Savings: One of the primary advantages of a group insurance plan is the potential for cost savings. Unlike individual health insurance plans, which can be quite expensive, group plans benefit from economies of scale. By pooling the risk among multiple participants, insurers can offer lower premiums. This can make comprehensive coverage more affordable for both the tradesperson and their employees, which can be crucial for small businesses with tight budgets.
Attracting and Retaining Talent: In competitive labour markets, offering health insurance can be a powerful tool for attracting and retaining skilled tradespeople. High-quality benefits can set a business apart from others that may not offer similar perks. By providing health insurance, a tradesperson demonstrates a commitment to their employees’ well-being, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and loyalty. This is especially important in trades where skilled labour is in high demand.
Comprehensive Coverage: Group insurance plans often include a range of coverage options, including medical, dental, and vision care. This comprehensive approach ensures that employees have access to a variety of healthcare services, which can improve their overall health and productivity. For tradespeople who are frequently exposed to physical risks, having access to comprehensive healthcare is particularly valuable. It ensures that any injuries or health issues are addressed promptly, minimizing downtime and enhancing job performance.
Tax Benefits: Another significant advantage of group insurance plans is the potential tax benefits. Premiums paid for group insurance are generally tax-deductible as a business expense. This can reduce the overall tax burden for the business, providing some financial relief. For small businesses, managing expenses effectively is crucial, and the tax deductibility of insurance premiums can be a valuable financial advantage.
Reduced Financial Risk: Healthcare costs can be a major financial burden, both for businesses and individuals. By providing group insurance, a tradesperson can help mitigate this risk. Employees with insurance are less likely to face unexpected medical expenses that could lead to financial strain. This protection can contribute to a more stable and focused workforce, as employees are less likely to be distracted or stressed by healthcare costs.
Employee Health: Access to health insurance can lead to better overall health for employees. Regular check-ups, preventive care, and timely treatment can help employees stay healthier and reduce absenteeism. In trades professions, where physical health is essential to job performance, ensuring that employees have access to quality healthcare can enhance productivity and reduce the likelihood of work-related injuries.
Peace of Mind: Lastly, offering a group insurance plan provides peace of mind for both the tradesperson and their employees. Knowing that there is a safety net in place for health-related issues can alleviate stress and allow everyone to focus more on their work. This can contribute to a more motivated and engaged workforce, ultimately benefiting the overall success of the business.
In conclusion, investing in a group insurance plan can be a highly beneficial decision for tradespeople. It offers cost savings, enhances the ability to attract and retain talent, provides comprehensive coverage, and delivers significant financial and operational advantages. By prioritizing employee health and well-being through a group insurance plan, tradespeople can foster a more stable, productive, and successful business environment.
IAN GAWEL
Life and Health Insurance Advisor,
Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network
Cell: 647-285-1390
Email: Ian.gawel@dfsin.ca
VINCE VIVONA
Group Insurance Specialist
Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network
Cell: 416-571-6568
Email: vince.vivona@dfsin.ca
HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
Hello OGWA members!
I trust that all is well with you and that you have had a safe and productive summer. I have a couple of updates for you!
1. For those who hire temporary agencies or recruiters, they now must be licensed by the Ontario government in order to operate:
“Clients are prohibited from knowingly engaging or using the services of a temporary help agency unless the agency holds a licence. (Learn more about the relationship between temporary help agencies and clients: https://www.ontario.ca/document/ your-guide-employment-standards-act-0/temporary-help-agencies)”
2. Reminder that you have 3 business days to submit the Form 7 (used to have 7 days)
3. If need any WSIB Form 82s (The in Case of Injury Poster) in other languages, please let me know. There is a requirement to have this posted in the workplace!
4. Speaking of the WSIB Form 82, there was another change to the poster. It now has a QR code on the poster. I will send the poster over to Trish so that if you need it, you can contact her at the OGWA Office.
5. Don’t forget to review the WSIB Form 82 with your staff during a safety talk.
6. The WSIB continues to offer the incentive of DOUBLE Rebates and $1,000 to sign up to the WSIB H & S Excellence program for businesses under 100 on payroll until December 31, 2024.
If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call at 905-741-5001 or email me at info@safetyworksconsulting.com
ELLALINE (ELLA) DAVIES President, Safety Works Consulting Inc.
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION TO SHOWCASE AT THE INTERNATIONAL PLOWING MATCH IN LINDSAY
The Ontario Ground Water Association is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming International Plowing Match (IPM) in Lindsay, Ont., scheduled to take place from Oct. 1-5, 2024. This prestigious event, known for its celebration of agricultural heritage and innovation, will provide the OGWA the opportunity to highlight the critical role of groundwater in sustainable farming and everyday life.
At this year’s IPM, the OGWA will be showcasing a range drilling equipment used by its members. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the technology and techniques involved in groundwater extraction, offering a hands-on look at the machinery that plays a crucial role in maintaining reliable water sources.
In addition to the equipment showcase, the OGWA is committed to educating the next generation about groundwater. Located in the educational building, the association will run interactive sessions tailored for children. These sessions will cover the basics of groundwater and well maintenance, designed to be both engaging and informative. Kids will have the opportunity to sign the pledge wall and become groundwater warriors, protecting our most precious resource.
The IPM provides an invaluable opportunity for the OGWA to connect with the community, promote awareness about groundwater issues, and inspire young people.
For more information about the OGWA’s participation in the International Plowing Match, please visit our website or stop by our booth at the event. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing our passion for groundwater.
OGWA HOSTS ‘WELL WISE’ PRESENTATION FOR QUINTE CONSERVATION AREA
HOMEOWNERS
At the request of the Quinte Conservation Area, the Ontario Ground Water Association recently conducted an informative presentation aimed at local homeowners. This recent initiative’s goal was to enhance local awareness about groundwater and well safety. Trish Luty (General Manager, OGWA) and Kyle Smith (Vice President, OGWA) delivered an informative presentation tailored for homeowners in the Quinte Conservation Area.
The presentation, titled, “Well Wise,” was designed to explore groundwater concepts and advocate for safe, sustainable practices. OGWA’s team covered a range of topics, including the importance of groundwater, the mechanisms of aquifer systems, and the potential impacts of well usage and maintenance.
Key highlights of the session included:
Groundwater Fundamentals: The experts explained how groundwater is replenished through precipitation and how it moves through porous rock and soil layers to reach aquifers. Emphasized was the critical role groundwater plays in providing drinking water, irrigation, and supporting natural ecosystems. Well Maintenance and Safety: Homeowners learned essential practices for maintaining their private wells, including regular testing for contaminants and the importance of proper well construction and decommissioning.
Contaminants and Natural Filtration: The presentation addressed common contaminants that can affect groundwater quality, such as agricultural runoff, industrial pollutants, and naturally occurring substances. Also discussed was how natural filtration processes help remove some of these contaminants and highlighted the potential harms of these contaminants.
Local Water Issues: Attendees were informed about specific groundwater concerns relevant to the Quinte Conservation Area, including regional water source protection areas.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, allowing attendees to ask specific questions about their own wells and groundwater concerns. Kyle Smith offered his expert advice and resources for further support. This educational initiative by the Ontario Ground Water Association highlights the crucial role of community involvement in groundwater management. By providing homeowners with essential knowledge and practical tools, the OGWA is helping to build a more informed public that can actively support the protection and sustainable use of groundwater resources across Ontario.
YET ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL OGWA CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT
We are thrilled to announce that our 8th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was another outstanding success! This year’s event was nothing short of spectacular, thanks to the incredible support from our sponsors, participants, and volunteers. Despite seeing the water cycle in action with a bit of rain, our golfers enjoyed a wonderful day out on the green, coming together both for a love of the sport and also to support our groundwater industry students. Now more than ever it’s important to support the next generation of groundwater workers, and we’re so proud of the turnout and the passion of all of our golfers.
A special thank you goes out to our generous sponsors, whose contributions to the 50/50 raffle, goodie bags, and our sponsored holes, were crucial in making this tournament a success. Your support not only allowed us to put on the best tournament possible, but also significantly boosted our efforts to raise money for our Fleming College Resource Drilling students. We’re excited to share that the 50/50 raffle and prize draw generated impressive results, bringing in $900 on top of proceeds from registrants and sponsors. We also celebrated Anne Gammage’s official retirement from the OGWA. Her commitment to groundwater, conservation and devotion to the membership has been nothing short of inspiring. Her leadership has not only enriched our programs but has also strengthened our mission and impact within the community.
The success of the Annual Charity Golf Tournament is a testament to the strength and generosity of the groundwater industry. We are grateful to everyone who made the event possible and look forward to seeing you all again next year. Together, we are making a meaningful impact – one swing at a time.
A thank you from OGWA president Dwayne Graff
Anne Gammage, left, has retired from OGWA and was honoured at the tournament for her involvement with the association.
OGWA General Manager Trish Luty presented her with a gift for her years of hard work
SEEKING PROPOSALS FOR OGWA’S AGM & CONVENTION
Submit your proposals of the OGWA’s 73rd AGM & Convention, March 7-9, 2025, at the White Oaks Conference Resort & Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The 73rd Annual General Meeting & Convention is the premier event for showcasing new products and services, offering educational opportunities, and facilitating networking within the groundwater industry.
To uphold this tradition of excellence, the Ontario Ground
Water Association would like to invite its members to share what you would like to see at this year’s event: entertainment, submissions for educational programming, presentation that will be relevant and beneficial to professionals across all sectors of the groundwater industry.
PLEASE SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO admin@ogwa.ca
We look forward to hosting you at White Oaks!
In case of injury or illness at work
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Report to the WSIB
You can scan the QR code below or visit wsib.ca/reporting and follow the steps to submit a Worker’s Report of Injury/Illness (form 6). Your employer must report an injury or illness to us within three days.
Scan the QR code or visit wsib.ca/reporting to submit a Worker’s Report of Injury/Illness (form 6).
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NEW PRODUCTS
BLADDER PUMP DESIGN HAS EASY-TO-REPLACE BLADDER
Solinst Canada Ltd. has released its new Model 407 Bladder Pump design that will save more time and costs in the field while providing high-quality groundwater samples. The Bladder Pumps now feature Santoprene bladder cartridges that are quick and easy to replace in the field with no tools required.
Solinst Bladder Pumps provide consistent, reliable groundwater samples in all
types of applications. With the pumps, there is the assurance that there is no air/ water contact during sampling – meeting the most rigorous US EPA standards for VOC groundwater monitoring. They are ideal for regular flow or low flow groundwater sampling. Low-flow sampling provides representative samples and results in cost and time savings. There is less need for repeat sampling and less time for each sampling round. Low purge volumes ensure quick sampling and less purged water disposal.
Solinst offers two pump sizes and two different pump materials. Back by popular demand, the new PVC Bladder Pump is available in a 1.66-inch (42 mm) diameter. The standard stainless steel pumps are available in 1.66-inch (42 mm) and one-inch (25 mm) diameters. Ideal for either regular flow or low flow sampling, the stainless steel pumps can lift from depths up to 150 m (500 ft) below grade. The new PVC Bladder Pump operates up to 100 ft (30 m) below grade.
The stainless steel Bladder Pumps are ideal for most municipal, industrial and general environmental applications, especially where VOC analysis of the groundwater sample is essential. The new PVC Bladder Pump is more suitable for metals analysis and situations with highly corrosive liquids. The lower-cost PVC Bladder Pump is a perfect choice for situations with a limited budget, but dedicated Bladder Pumps are preferred.
All Bladder Pumps use the new Santoprene bladders. In addition to being simple to replace, Santoprene’s chemical resistance and inert properties make the bladders suitable for harsh environments and potable water applications. They are resilient and flexible, ideal for repeated, long-term use. Santoprene bladders are suitable for dedication; however, the new easy-to-replace bladder cartridges are ideal for those who prefer to change bladders after each use.
www.solinst.com
STANDING UP TO BIG BUSINESS
Residents of the Dresden area of Chatham-Kent are pushing to reject a massive landfill project that threatens the environment and their health and safety
The nightmare John Lamers is now living started for him in January 2024, when he received notification that York1 Environmental Waste Solutions, a Mississauga-based waste-management company, had submitted a proposal to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to significantly expand and amend a dormant landfill site in the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ont.
by Carolyn Camilleri
Signage in the Dresden area appeals to stop the York landfill project.
The site in question is separated by a small creek from Lamers’ own property, a threehectare (7.4-acre) family farm where his son and grandchildren live. The Lamers’ water comes from a 40-foot private water well that was drilled in 1975 and provided the family with perfectly good drinking water for decades.
“My dad lived there for 40 years, and we always drank out of the tap,” says Lamers. “It was always good water, and now the water looks fine and
smells fine, but I’m concerned about all the stuff that you can’t see.”
And Lamers is right to be concerned. While he had heard rumours that something was happening with the property next door, that January notice was the first indication that he had a problem –and he started asking questions. As it turns out, in 2020, the previous owner of that property was investigated and fined for violations under the Ontario Water Resources Act and Environmental
GROUNDWATER
Protection Act. Leachate running off the property was a concern.
“They investigated a water well that was on the premises of the waste wood disposal, and they did water tests for the three closest neighbours that are right by the laneway of this property,” says Lamers.
But they didn’t test Lamers’ well. He had no idea there was even an investigation until April 2024, when he contacted an MECP environmental compliance officer and got confirmation. That’s when his family stopped drinking well water.
“I’m working on that with my lawyer and a hydrologist to make sure we have the proper water tests done for landfill contaminants,” he says. “We need to find out whether or not my water’s got contaminants in it.”
That test will also serve as baseline that he may need, depending on what happens next with York1.
‘We need to find out whether or not my water’s got contaminants in it’
THE YORK1 PROPOSALS
York1 submitted two proposals to the province. The Municipality of ChathamKent received notice of the first one, Proposed Amendment to Environmental Compliance Approval for Waste Storage, Transfer, and Processing ECA No. A020401 (1998), on Jan. 29, 2024. It aims to increase the facility size from 0.8 hectares to 25 hectares and raise daily receiving rate from 75 tonnes to 6,000 tonnes, among other stipulations. On Feb. 26, 2024, the municipality received notice of the second proposal, Proposed Amendment by York1 to Environmental
TRAINING, TALENT AND OPERATIONS
in
Groundwater
Drilling SURVEY RESULTS
• 60% of respondents employed for 25 or more years in the industry
• Two-thirds of companies hire back the same staff every year
• #1 recruitment tool: pre-existing relationships with family and friends
• 53% using print and digital job advertisements for recruitment
• Pay & Benefits are the primary reasons for drillers choose to work with the company they do
• Other key incentives noted: Continued education opportunities and work-life balance
Compliance Approval for Waste Disposal Site ECA No. A021304 (1980), which includes increasing the maximum waste capacity to 1,620,000 cubic metres. The entire site would operate 24/7. More details on the proposals can be found at https://ero.ontario.ca/ notice/019-8205 and https://ero.ontario. ca/notice/019-8313.
The York1 project was immediately controversial and the response from the community was swift. To understand the concerns, MECP put out a call for comments. Between March 26 and May 10, 2024, MECP received 529 comments through the registry, 25 by email, and 626 by mail for a total of 1,180 comment submissions during the 45-day period.
Topping the list of key concerns is the potential effect on the natural environment, including impacts to groundwater and surface water, air quality, soil, plants, wildlife, and noise. The list of concerns for human health
SMD DRILLING EQUIPMENT: RTDRILL BY REICHDRILL DRILLING RIG DEALER FOR EASTERN CANADA
The reputation of the RTDrill brand is well established since it is actually the drills known in Canada under the name ReichDrill, manufacturer of this equipment for more than 80 years in Pennsylvania, USA. Reichdrill manufactures a full range of rotating and DTH equipment for the water wells, stone pits, construction and mining industries.
RTDrill drills are a reference in the drilling world. The design and manufacturing process, without too much electronics, make these rigs more reliable, easy to use and maintain than machines containing more components of recent technologies; they are therefore less expensive in maintenance and repairs, which results in less production downtime for the owner of this equipment. Particular attention is given to design improvements that will make the drills more productive and costeffective.
ARTESIAN WELLS - RTD69 PTO
The RTD69 PTO is aimed at artesian well drillers who are once again looking for easy-to-use and efficient equipment without costly electronic technology in terms of maintenance and repairs. This truck-mounted drill can move easily from one customer to another to make residential or municipal water wells and even for geothermal energy. You can find the RTDrill range of drills exclusively at Solution Mécanique Diésel (SMD Drilling Equipments), only authorized RTDrill distributor for Eastern Canada.
Solution Mécanique Diésel is a Quebec-based company selling machines and parts for all surface drilling equipment and artesian wells, which is truly committed to offering an incomparable service for the maintenance, repair and reconditioning of this type of equipment. They also offer labor rental
services for mechanics specializing in drills on sites, consulting, training and are also dealers of StonePower drills, Scania engines, Allfett automatic lubrication systems, Pfreundt on-board scales, Technidrill drilling consumables (DTH rods as well as top hammer rods and bits), NBS CAM backup cameras, Montabert hammers and masts, and several other products. Their customers have quick access to a large inventory of spare parts to avoid production losses in case of breakage.
High quality & reliable 850 HP Rated PTO Gear box
Reichdrill quality structure & components
Interchangeable spare parts to prior Reichdrill T690
Premium built Peterbilt truck with 600 HP Cummins Engine
NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE RTD69 PTO?
Contact your local dealer in Canada, SMD Drilling Equipment: elafrance@mecanique-diesel.ca www.mecanique-diesel.ca
GROUNDWATER
and safety ranges from pests, diseases, and contamination of drinking wells and agricultural crops to diminished property values and quality of life, to name a few of many. A summary is posted at https://ero. ontario.ca/notice/019-8417.
As a result of the consultation, MECP ordered a full environmental assessment (EA), which the Municipality of Chatham-Kent announced in a media release on July 2, 2024.
“The ruling by the Lieutenant Governor regarding the proposed landfill in Dresden is excellent news for Dresden and for all of Chatham-Kent,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff. “The response from the community of Dresden has been nothing short of inspiring. They have presented a unified voice through petitions, signs, submissions, and deputations to Municipal Council. The comprehensive environmental assessment process that is now required is a direct result of a community that has come together to speak up for what they believe in.”
Provincial MOE map shows the high levels of naturally occurring levels of dissolved methane gas in the groundwater.
That EA process, as explained in an email from Ryan Jacques, director of planning services for the municipality of Chatham Kent, “sets out a planning and decision-making process so that potential environmental effects are considered
before a project begins. Individual environmental assessments are prepared for large-scale, complex projects with the potential for significant environmental effects and require MECP approval.”
In the same email, sent Aug. 12, 2024, Jacques noted that, “Chatham-Kent has not received any further correspondence from the MECP or the proponent since the designation of the proposed waste disposal site project.”
While the municipality is pleased with the order for the EA, Lamers isn’t convinced it will stop the project. In his mind, it’s clear that the project is so risky, it should be rejected outright.
A BAD PLACE FOR A LANDFILL
Lamers is concerned about more than just his own property. While Dresden is on municipal water, there are about 15 to 20 other properties on well water and the creeks in the area flow into the Sydenham River.
“I don’t want people to think this is just about me and my property,” he says. “I want to acknowledge the 13 or 14 thousand people in Tupperville and Wallaceburg and on Walpole Island. These are all towns downstream on Sydenham River, which flows out to their intake supply of water, affecting them drastically, just like all of us with private water wells adjacent to the proposed site.”
In addition to the creek between Lamers’ property and the landfill site, Molly’s Creek also runs through the area. Further, a portion of the landfill site is a floodplain that Lamers says has been flooding for years.
“These new landfills that they build, they’re known to leak. There are statistics out there, there are reports out there that they leak. The geothermal liners get holes in them,” he says.
And there’s methane gas – the entire area is known for it.
“The methane gas levels are so high, even if they put their clay liner in and their geothermal liner, the gas pushes through that and creates a leak in the liner,” says Lamers.
Then there is the aquifer, which is very close to the surface.
PHOTO CREDIT: ONTARIO MOE
GROUNDWATER
Johnny Wilson of J.B. Wilson and Son Well Drilling Ltd. is a fifth-generation water well driller with a BSc in environmental geology from the University of Windsor. He’s also a Ward 2 Councillor for the Township of Malahide and was elected the first vice-president of the Canadian National Ground Water Association.
“I can’t believe they’re even entertaining to put a dump on the site,” he says, adding that the Dresden landfill site is a good example of where not to put a landfill. He looked up some of the well records in the neighbourhood.
“The top of the aquifer is only 37 and 38 feet down, and the static level is only 10 feet below ground. The shallowness of the water in this area makes it an awful location for a dump,” says Wilson. “They can’t dig the (landfill cell) very deep because the groundwater’s going to be there and they can’t get into the aquifer, so how deep do they dig? And the aquifer isn’t uniform, it goes up and down.”
And as anyone in the water well
industry knows, it is next to impossible to repair a compromised aquifer.
“The other thing is the creek that goes through there,” says Wilson. “Dresden’s water supply comes from a different spot, but when you get into Wallaceburg and Walpole Island, that creek is a tributary to where their water supply is, so having contaminants from that heading into Wallaceburg and Walpole is not long-term thinking.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
Lamers continues to watch and worry about the outcome of the environmental assessment and how long it is all going to take to be resolved. But he isn’t sitting quietly. He is bracing for the worst and getting his legal ducks in a row for a lawsuit in case the project is approved.
He also is investigating Bill 197, which he believes gives the Municipality of Chatham Kent veto powers on the project. He has never received a satisfactory explanation for why they haven’t used that veto power.
“That’s my issue with Bill 197. (York 1) is trying to get away from saying that they’re building a new landfill because it’s already in an existing landfill. That’s BS. It says right in their proposal that they are constructing a new regenerative landfill cell. That’s their proposal. So how can you say that it’s not a new landfill and that you can’t use Bill 197?”
He also doesn’t understand why the community has to go to such lengths to prove the project is a bad idea.
“All the levels of government and all the levels of people that are involved in these kinds of things, it starts from the federal level, the provincial level, the municipality level, the ministry, their environment level, and the proponent, you cannot tell me that they cannot find better land that’s more suitable hydrology-wise or safe for the people to set these projects up on,” says Lamers.
“Our municipality has to be big time on our side and try and set a precedent in this case,” he says. “Hopefully, the MECP does what is right and safe.”
PROS & CONS OF 5 WAYS TO DRILL
A method to the water well drilling madness
The earliest civilizations in the world hand dug the first water wells to supply their people with safe, clean water sources. While our need for water hasn’t changed, water well drilling technology has. Mechanical water well drilling has taken a backbreaking manual task and made it faster and more effective. That doesn’t mean that all mechanical methods are the same, though.
By Joe Haynes
Mud rotary drilling uses a bentonite clay mixture called ‘drilling mud,’ or just ‘mud,’ to lift cuttings out of the borehole. Before drilling starts, operators dig two mud pits, one that holds the clean drilling mud and one where the cuttings can settle.
There are several ways to approach water well drilling. Each option has its own pros and cons, so drillers should consider both the short- and longterm costs, the needs of the well and the geology of the area before committing to a drilling rig.
JETTING
Jetting, also known as washboring or hand turning, is a step up from using hand tools. This method uses a centrifugal pump, suction hose, flexible
delivery hose, elbow and swivel and jetting pipes. A tripod suspends the drill pipe vertically in the borehole. Water passes through the open end of the pipe and comes out a narrow nozzle to make a jet of water that loosens soil. Water builds up in the borehole, carrying cuttings into a settling pit, which is next to the borehole. Whereas jetting primarily uses water pressure to drill, the operator still turns the drill pipe manually to create a borehole and keep the hole straight.
While our need for water hasn’t changed, water well drilling technology has. Mechanical water well drilling has taken a backbreaking manual task and made it faster and more effective.
PROS:
• Requires only two people.
• Can reach depths of 197 feet (60 metres) in fine sand.
CONS:
• Unable to drill in hard formations.
• Difficult to install sanitary seal to protect water from surface contamination.
• Slow penetration rates.
CABLE TOOL
The cable tool percussion drilling method is the oldest of the mechanical drilling methods at more than 4,000 years old. A heavy drill bit attached to a steel cable rises and drops into the borehole. The drill bit breaks down soil and rock, loosening materials in the borehole. A slurry is created at the bottom of the borehole through either natural water reservoirs or by adding water to the borehole to keep the cuttings suspended. A bailer manually removes cuttings from the slurry.
Equipment for this type of drilling ranges from a skid-mounted winch with a tripod to a complex set of pulleys and drums with a large mast. Large cable tool rigs can be mounted on trailers or the bed of a truck to then use hydraulic motors to raise and lower the mast and rotate the drums of the cable. Larger units are capable of drilling hundreds of feet deep through virtually any geological conditions.
PROS:
• Uses the least amount of fuel.
• Works in virtually any geological condition.</bu>
CONS:
• Slowest of the mechanical drilling methods.
• Requires a steel casing to keep the borehole from collapsing when working in loose sediment.
• Can require extra equipment like an arc welder or cutting torch for drive casing.
AIR ROTARY
Air rotary drilling uses a full drilling rig, including a large cutting bit, lengths of steel drill pipe with threaded joints, a motor to turn and lift the drill pipe and a sturdy mast to support the pipe. The two basic categories of rotary drilling are: table drive, where a rotating mechanism near the base of the rig turns the drill pipe, and top-head drive, where a motor attached to the upper end of the pipe turns it. In both cases, the upper end of the pipe is attached to a lifting mechanism that moves it along the mast.
The air rotary drilling rig uses compressed air to remove the cuttings from the borehole. Compressed air is supplied by a large compressor, which transports the air to the swivel hose and into the drill pipe. Small ports in the drill bit allow air to escape, which pushes the cuttings up and to the surface throughout the drilling process.
PROS:
• Fastest drilling method.
• Quicker setup than other methods.
• More obvious when an aquifer is hit due to water flooding the borehole.
CONS:
• Most expensive method of drilling.
• Consumes the most fuel per hour.
• Requires support vehicles and large air compressors.
• More common for the borehole to collapse.
MUD ROTARY
Much like air rotary drilling, mud rotary drilling includes an option of table drive or top-head drive for rotating the drilling pipe. The main difference resides in the element removing cuttings from the borehole. Instead of using air, mud rotary drilling uses a bentonite clay mixture called “drilling mud,” or just “mud,” to lift cuttings out of the borehole. Before drilling starts, operators dig two mud pits – one that holds the clean drilling mud and one where the cuttings can settle.
The clean mud circulates through the hollow drill pipe. It then carries drill cuttings to the surface of the borehole,
DRILLING
flowing into the second mud pit. The cuttings settle into the bottom of the mud pit while the drilling mud flows back into the clean mud pit and is reused. This is referred to as a closed loop system. Mechanical mud rotary drills typically drill to shallower depths at only 197 feet. Depending on the size of the drill, a mud rotary rig can drill up to 3,281 feet with a hydraulic rig.
PROS:
• Drilling mud keeps borehole open, eliminating the need for drive casings.
• Faster than cable tool and jetting methods.
• Allows larger-diameter holes.
• Preferred method for drilling in sand and gravel formations.
CONS:
• Drilling through rock requires additional equipment.
• Multiple motors consume more fuel per hour than other methods.
• Operators rely on interpretations of the borehole cuttings to figure out if they hit an aquifer or not.
DOWN-THE-HOLE (DTH) HAMMER
The DTH hammer can be used as its own drilling method, similar to the cable tool method, or it can be supplementary to air or mud rotary drilling. Operators should choose the DTH hammer method when drilling through the toughest rock formations, including quartzite, granite and basalt or to break through bedrock.
The DTH hammer’s percussive operation breaks through bedrock and other rock surfaces. An air-powered hammer transfers energy through carbide teeth to shatter the rock while the compressed air blows away any small rock fragments. While the DTH hammer can be used as its own method, it can also be paired with hydraulic air or mud rotary drills. Some manufacturers offer DTH hammers specific to their water well drills with kits made to connect them.
PROS:
• reaks through bedrock and other hard rock formations.
• Can be supplementary to break through bedrock with multiple different drilling methods.
CONS:
• Can be a slow process.
• Requires high-pressure air compressors.
• Not suitable for soft soil or sand.
MAKING A CHOICE
Picking the best drilling method for a project isn’t an easy task. However, make sure to understand the geology of the area and any cost constraints to choose the best option. If the right choice still isn’t apparent, work with a trusted water well drill manufacturer.
Joe Haynes is president of Lone Star Drills, a member of the Little Beaver product family. Lone Star designs drills for areas with minimal resources for transportation and operation.
SYSTEMS
Continued from page 16
Here are a few critical questions to consider to ensure all components are fully vetted and safe for potable water:
• Is the entire product or pumping system certified? When pumps are evaluated for compliance, all wetted areas must include compliant materials. From submersible to aboveground systems, the entire unit (including any type of pump and its components) must meet strict standards to gain certification. Professionals should work with manufacturers and certifying bodies to help determine the compliance of selected products. You can also visit the certifying body’s public listing and browse via product and manufacturer plant.
• Is the complete manufacturing facility certified? When a product, packaging, or literature is marked as certified, this covers the manufacturing facility and the product. This certification is important since manufacturers participate in ongoing evaluations to remain compliant. Plants and suppliers are regularly inspected and validated for adherence to processes and requirements ensuring the fabricated products and their critical components can be certified to meet drinking water standards.
Online selection tools can help water system professionals build a pumping system that meets the latest drinking water standards in Canada. These tools can swap out non-compliant materials to drinking water compliant ones, making product selection easier. The tools can also instantly provide the documentation needed to verify compliance.
MEETING THE CHALLENGES OF PERFORMANCE WHILE ENSURING PUBLIC SAFETY
With drinking water systems, health and safety always come first. Yet, water system professionals must also make sure they’re installing a system that delivers water reliably and at peak performance. The overall hydraulic design – including the flow rate and pressure, pump efficiency and head curve – are still important. Other variables may also come into play: does the system need to operate quietly? Is backflow prevention important? Does the pump seamlessly integrate with other system components like piping, valves and storage tanks?
Drinking water systems are expected to last for many years and operate reliably throughout their lifespan. It’s important to choose durable materials and incorporate features that facilitate easy maintenance and repairs.
This is also where online selection tools provide incredible benefits. Advanced selection tools allow you to filter or narrow down your selection based on the parameters that are most important to the user. In addition to certification needs, users can specify suction/discharge size, power requirements, NPSHr, desired speed of operation, number of stages, bowl diameter, power rating and other relevant factors. These tools will do all the calculations related to performance curves –eliminating manual tasks and time-consuming data searches.
This can include the recommended system components, a complete price quote and important accompanying documents: performance curves, dimensional drawings, and detailed specifications of components.
ONE FINAL CONSIDERATION: COST
Of course, one of the biggest questions of all is how to assure performance needs and public health/safety within the parameters of the project’s budget. This is also why manufacturers are a key voice in writing, changing and improving drinking water standards. Drinking water-compliant products need to be functional, reliable and efficient while still being cost-effective.
This often involves optimizing designs for low energy consumption, minimal maintenance and long lifespans. Feasibility includes assuring water delivery doesn’t suffer and that water users are satisfied with the results. Finding the right balance between these factors can be challenging, but manufacturers also know it’s critically important – whatever changes the standards bring.
Dayna Tyner is a senior engineer, certification, at Franklin Electric, and can be reached at Dayna.Tyner@fele.com. Brandon Schumm is a senior project manager, vertical pumping systems, at Franklin Electric, and can be reached at Brandon.Schumm@fele.com.
Reflecting on my tenure as GM
by Dave Mercer
This is a difficult one. As you’re probably aware, I’ve resigned as the BCGWA general manager, and as I write this we are working to find and hire my replacement. It wasn’t an easy decision. Working with the board for all of you has been a rewarding experience for me – sometimes challenging, usually fun. But recent personal experiences, including turning 60, have made me take stock of where I’m at and led to the realization that it’s time for me to pass the torch to someone new.
So, for what will likely be my final general manager’s report, I thought it would be interesting to go back through my previous reports and review where we began and what we’ve accomplished.
My first introduction to you all was in Kathy Tixier’s final GM report in September 2018, where she said she had “the impression that Dave is a good listener, an enthusiastic adventurer, and a sharp thinker whose intuition and life experience has guided him in working positively and effectively with people. In this his first year as GM, he is eager to get to know all of you and acquire a better understanding of your day-to-day activities and concerns.”
Wow! No pressure. Nowhere to go but down from there… But seriously, my takeaway from that is I was completely new to the association and the activities and concerns of its members and realized that understanding would be required to effectively manage the association.
From that time on, there were a lot of Dave Mercer-penned GM Reports – 24 in total if you include this one. My first activity as GM was to host the 2018 regional meetings, and my first GM report summarized those meetings. What I didn’t include was being picked up at the Prince George airport by John Vlchek who introduced himself by letting me know that “if
God didn’t want us to drink and drive, why do I have 11 cup holders in this truck?”
We didn’t drink and drive, of course, but John, Mark MacNeil and Chris Bain made sure that my initiation included rigorous liver testing to ensure that I was up to the task. I passed, barely.
In 2019 we held a well-attended convention in Langley and a series of well-attended regional meetings in the fall. The tone of my reports was upbeat and positive, including “Mark Your Calendars” announcements for our 2020 Convention. Little did we know what 2020 had in store for all of us.
COVID threw the world one great big curveball, the likes of which none of us have ever seen. But reading through my GM reports over that year and the next, it’s one of the things I’m most proud of, considering my tenure as GM. We fielded inquiries from our members and the public about the potential effects of the pandemic on water wells and groundwater and made sure we provided science-based information at a time when misinformation was rampant.
While the pandemic dragged on, we continued maintaining our working relationships with the provincial government and the ITA. We strengthened and solidified what had become somewhat strained relationships with the province, continuing to hold their feet to the fire on issues we feel strongly about, but doing so in a spirit of collaboration.
By the March 2022 newsletter, the world was starting to get back to normal. I had visited a number of our BCGWA members at the RoundUp Conference in Vancouver, and we had high hopes for our first inperson convention after a two-year hiatus.
In the September newsletter we tackled issues related to operator certification and working under the direct supervision of a certified operator. It’s a topic that seemed
to have a lot of gray area, and both the president’s and GM’s reports were dedicated to clearing up some of the uncertainty.
Throughout 2023, the GM’s report highlighted a variety of topics that I’m still proud about. We supported Women in STEM and continued to announce each year’s winner of the BCGWA scholarship in hydrogeology at SFU (the recipient of which is often a woman).
Which brings us back to 2024. There are some people who I worked with most closely who deserve a shout out, beginning with Kathy Tixier who helped my transition to be as smooth as possible and continues to be a great asset of the association. I want to thank each of the presidents who I worked with: Ryan Rhodes, Morly Bishop and Mark MacNeil. These three not only took great interest in helping me with guidance, but truly have the best interests of the association at heart. And speaking of helping me, none of this would happen if it weren’t for our executive secretary and account manager. A big thank you to the Lamonts, Kathie and Deborah, who worked hard behind the scenes to make me look good and keep this ship sailing. Laura Eby has taken over from Kathie in the combined role of executive secretary and account manager, and in her capable hands we continue to run smoothly and efficiently. I’m confident that Laura will be a huge help in bringing our next general manager up to speed on our operations as quickly as possible.
I won’t be steering the ship for much longer but intend to stay onboard and help out where I can. So, this isn’t a goodbye, it’s more like the French would say: À bientôt or “see you soon.”
Dave Mercer is the outgoing general manager of the British Columbia Ground Water Association.
