Now there’s a permanent name for portable power: Doosan. Formerly a division of Ingersoll Rand, we’re the product that construction and mining companies worldwide have relied upon for 140 years. Known for innovative solutions and extraordinary service, we’re the same superior product as always. The only change is the name.
Annex Publishing & Printing Inc. P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, Ontario N3Y 4N5 (800) 265-2827 or (519) 429-3966 Fax: (519) 429-3094
Editor | Laura Aiken laiken@annexweb.com (416) 522-1595
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Serving the Canadian ground water industry for 38 years.
10 THE NEXT CHAPTER FOR J.B. WILSON & SON
Finding growth through five generations.
16 THE ART OF SUCCESSION
Tips for business transitions.
22 IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
The complexity of a geothermal ground loop installation.
25 PHARMACEUTICALS
UPDATE
Where Canada stands when it comes to drugs in our ground water.
4 CHOICE WORDS
The ultimate skill for success. by Laura Aiken
6 INDUSTRY NEWS
7 NEW PRODUCTS
Special CanWell preview.
ON THE WEB:
B.C. hydro plants to benefit from snowpacks
Higher-than-average snowpacks across key parts of B.C.’s Interior signal good runoffs for groundwater aquifers, lakes, rivers and reservoirs, meaning a strong year ahead for power generation in the province.
Aquifers may come up dry
A dry winter could spell a need to conserve water this summer for residents who rely on wells, says a hydrogeologist with Quinte Conservation in Belleville, Ont.
www.groundwatercanada.com
Photo credit: Brandi Cowen
Choice words
Whether it’s working with family or handling customers, communication is the definitive skill.
by Laura Aiken
Acouple of articles in this issue look at stories of positive succession in well-drilling businesses. Our cover story on J.B. Wilson and Son and our feature “The Art of Succesion” feature family tips for working alongside kin and eventually handing over the reins.
I have some personal experience with this issue, having worked alongside my dad very early in my career in a small publishing company. It can be challenging to work with family, particularly if you vary in your decision-making style, be it ‘shoot from the hip’ or slow and methodical. All stories I’ve heard, articles I’ve read and life experience I’ve gathered point to one fundamental skill that makes the difference between the family strife or success: Communication.
I’ve often wondered if communication is an overlooked skill. We all know it’s important, but how many of us diligently practise better communication? The ability to speak is easy to take for granted, as is the ever more difficult art of listening. People need to ask the right questions to communicate effectively, and no one knows what those questions are if they aren’t listening. Listening has a best friend – paying attention –who is a keen consumer of all our non-verbal clues.
It can be challenging to work with family, particularly if you vary in your decision-making style, be it ‘shoot from the hip’ or slow and methodical.
I sense most of us become better communicators through trial and error rather than through conscious effort and research of techniques that expert communicators use. We reflect on how we communicated based on the reactions we receive from others, but there is a lot more we can do to increase our effectiveness at exchanging information, and many good reasons for doing so.
Salespeople tend to be very talented communicators. If you own a business, you are a salesperson by default. However, successful transmission of knowledge is also needed to have a happy and strong family business. It takes more than love. It takes professionalism and a culture of
communication.
A family well-drilling business would be characterized as small-group communication. In the early 1950s, social psychologist Robert Bales published the first important milestone on how small groups relate. Bales discovered that all small groups go through the same process when making a decision. There is opinion exchange, attentiveness to individual values underlying the decision and then the decision itself. He called this the linear phase model. His research also found that the most talkative member of a group tends to make between 40 and 50 per cent of the comments and the second most talkative member between 25 and 30, regardless of the size of the group. This observation is good to be aware of, as it seems two people can generally dominate a group decision to the detriment of others, whether there are 10 people present or three.
Whether you are the loudest or quietest in your clan, it is wise to reflect on how well you are listening and finding the right questions. The right questions give you more sales and empower the people you work with. The right questions can prevent a monumental oversight. We find the right questions by slowing down and listening without other thoughts rattling around in our heads (tougher than it sounds, as we all know). Although outgoing personalities tend to get a lot of airtime, our businesses would be all the sorrier without the often-thoughtful insights of our introverts.
Human communication is truly like golf: We can practise it forever but never perfect it, knowing the whole time the secret to the game is between our ears. However, there is an awful lot of satisfaction in getting as good as we can get.
NEXT ISSUE: Be sure to read our summer issue. We’ll be taking a special look at the history of pumps.
INDUSTRY NEWS
ROCKMORE OPENS NEW FACILITY IN AUSTRIA
Rockmore International, a global manufacturer of premium percussive rock drilling tools, opened an additional manufacturing centre. The $12,000,000 U.S. facility, located in Judenburg, Austria, officially opened in January. Along with their existing plant in the U.S., this effectively doubles Rockmore’s production capacity.
“We are looking to the future of the industry and meeting the needs of our customers for the next 20 years,” said Pejman Eghdami, executive vice president of Rockmore International in a news release. “This new facility has streamlined and speeded our manufacturing process, making it possible to provide better and faster service and an expanded line of products.”
Situated on a 5.2 acre site in a new industrial park zone in Judenburg, Austria, the new plant is 81,000 square feet, and features advanced heat treatment equipment, automated CNC production machinery, and a state-ofthe-art laboratory and testing facility. The new plant manufactures primarily drill rods for extension and tunneling drill rigs. Shank adapters, couplings, and DTH bits are also manufactured in high volume. Production capacity is initially targeted at 15,000 units per month and can exceed 20,000 units as required.
The building was designed with optimum manufacturing sequences in mind, so production is streamlined and efficient.
With an eye to the environment, this new plant conforms to the strictest European energy codes, and incorporates the latest energy-saving systems. For example, a closed-loop water recovery system utilizes the heated water generated by the production machinery to provide the heating and cooling function for the entire factory and offices.
Rockmore has been serving the mining, construction, and water-well sectors for more than 60 years.
NEW HIRE AT ZOELLER CANADA
Milt Tillich has joined Zoeller Canada.
He will represent Flint & Walling Potable Ground Water Products and support Stuart Saville with Zoeller Sump, Sewage and Effluent Pumps and Systems.
“We welcome Milt to the family and look forward to sharing his extensive knowledge of the industry,” the company said in a press release.
The Zoeller family of water solutions was established in 1939 as a quality manufacturer of pumps, and pumps supplies.
STAFF CHANGES AT WATERGROUP IN CANADA
Brian Mills has been appointed WaterGroup’s Canadian sales director. Mills brings a strong background in water treatment sales, service and marketing from his most recent role as sales manager and prior experience running his own water treatment company. His sales leadership and account development skills have helped him grow product offerings, develop field personnel and improve key account relationships.
Jamie Buczynski has been promoted to Southwestern Ontario District Sales Manager.
Buczynski brings a strong background in water treatment sales and service from his 14 years with WaterGroup working with installers and technicians, both on the technical order desk and in the field.
SNAPSHOT: CANWELL 2012
Mark your calendars! Canada’s biannual symposium on ground water kicks off May 23 in Hamilton, Ont., at the Hamilton Convention Centre.
On May 23, golf lovers can sign up for the Lifewater Charity Golf tournament and dinner at Copetown Woods Golf Club. Non-golfers have the option of taking a tour of several wineries before joining the players on the links for supper. For exhibitors, trade show setup starts at noon.
The trade show officially opens at 1 p.m. on Thursday, but technical sessions begin at 9 a.m. The evening’s events wrap up with a wine and cheese reception on the trade show floor from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The trade show continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by two hours of technical sessions and then association division meetings. Buses are provided for a spousal outing to the Royal Botanical Gardens, lunch and a pottery demonstration. The fun continues into the night with the president’s banquet, a silent auction and entertainment at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.
Saturday morning sees the Canadian Ground Water Association and Ontario Ground Water Association gather for their annual meetings starting at 9 a.m. Saturday’s spousal program buses partners to Dundurn Castle, lunch at the Dutch Mill Country Market and a waterfront trolley tour. Those with some energy to burn won’t want to miss the pub crawl in notorious Hess Village, or, alternatively, a restaurant tour.
The 2012 CanWell committee consists of Kevin Constable and Nicole Boilard-Constable, CGWA/OGWA; Greg and Dodie Bullock, OGWA; Rob Martini, Canadian Pipe & Pump Supply Ltd.; and Stephen Bleizeffer, Lackner McLennan Insurance Ltd.
Sheraton Hamilton, this year’s host hotel, is conveniently located downtown and connectied to the convention centre.
For more information visit www. canwell2012.ca.
NEW PRODUCTS
Here’s a sampling of some of the great products and equipment you’ll find at CanWell 2012.
THE DIPPER-T
Heron Instruments’ Dipper-T Water level indicator has high-visibility yellow tape and comes in lengths of up to 3,000 feet. The yellow flexible, highly tensile steel tape is jacketed with heavy-duty polyethylene and manufactured to the ASME standard of accuracy.
A unique link between the tape and probe prevents tape damage. Should a probe become stuck in the well, the link will release the probe to prevent overstressing the tape. This means there won’t be a need to repair the tape and accuracy won’t be compromised.
Tape scales are printed beneath the jacketing to ensure long life and readability.
Dog bone cross-section prevents tape from sticking to the side of the well casing.
Another feature is sensitivity control to eliminate false signals caused by cascading or highly saline water. The Dipper-T has a fully encapsulated, waterand corrosion-resistant electronic module.
www.heroninstruments.com
Exhibitor booth: 617
HOUSING KITS
Boshart Industries will be showcasing their new 10” Standard and Valve-In-Head Filter Housing Kits, which utilize industry standard cartridges (not included). The mouldedin-place stainless steel thread inserts provide added strength to both the inlet and outlet connections reducing the possibility of cracking due to over tightening of connections.
The filter heads are made of white reinforced polypropylene with the bowls being made of clear styrene-acrylonitrile and come with NBR O-ring along with a replacement O-ring. The kits include a blue polypropylene full circle filter wrench and “U” style mounting brackets, which come with necessary hardware.
www.boshart.com
Exhibitor booth: 607
F&W PUMPS NOW IN CANADA
In 1866, one year after Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, Flint & Walling began operations at the corner of
Mitchell and Oak streets in Kendallville, IN. At first F&W built hand operated water pumps and the F&W windmill, a revolutionary product that quickly spanned the globe.
As the only American pump company to manufacture its own 50Hz and 60Hz electric motors for jets and centrifugal pumps. F&W is known for superior quality and high efficiency products, such as submersible, jet and centrifugal water well systems, variable speed drive packages, city water boosting systems, sump pumps, whole house water filters and decorative pond fountain pumps
Milt Tillich of Zoeller Canada says they are pleased to be introducing F&W products to the Canadian market.
www.flintandwalling.com
Exhibitor booth: 106
resists corrosion. Available in lengths to 1,000 feet (300 metres). For greater depths, the heavier 3/8-inch (9.5-millimetre) P2 brass probe includes 10 segmented weights. For the narrowest applications, the 1/4-inch (4.6-millimetre) P1 stainless steel probe is the choice, with 12 segmented weights for easy handling.
The Model 102M Mini Water Level Indicator comes with 80 feet (25 metres) of cable on a small portable reel. Also available are the Model 101 Flat Tape Water Level Meters.
www.solinst.com
Exhibitor booth: 807
BIG FEATURES, SMALL FOOTPRINT
Drillers looking for more features and power, but a smaller footprint, will find just that in the Geoprobe 7822DT. Larger-diameter augering, air rotary, pavement cutting, mud rotary, and concrete coring are taking new 7822DT owners to the head of the pack, say its makers.
COAXIAL CABLE WATER LEVEL METER
Solinst Canada’s Model 102
Coaxial Cable Water Level Indicator uses narrow cable and probes for measuring water levels in tight spaces. This inexpensive option offers greater flexibility in angled piezometers, and assists in bypassing downhole restrictions or pumps.
The cable has a tough polyethylene jacket with laser markings each 1/100 foot or millimetre. The braided copper outer conductor provides flexibility and the stainless steel central conductor reduces stretch and
Features include a new GH64 Hammer with Modular Percussion Power Cell technology and integrated two-speed, bidirectional rotation. This
drill features 48,000 pounds of pullback, a totally redesigned control panel, rear stabilizer with Geoprobe Drop Rack System, tier-3 compliant diesel engine and much more. The variety of optional equipment makes the 7822DT well suited for the environmental, geotechnical, and mining exploration industries.
www.geoprobe.com
Exhibitor booths: 801 and 803
THE NEW MIXMASTER
The MIXMASTER mixing/ storage tank for disinfecting potable water is designed to ensure uniform mixing and meet health standards. The BAF120 tank has a 0.5 baffle factor but saves on space by doing the work of 2.5 normal tanks, says Flexcon. The BAF120 has a patent pending design where water enters the tank through a riser and mixes in the inner water chamber. Water is diverted and keeps mixing until it exits through the stainless steel reinforced connection
at the top of the tank. The bottom T shape allows for sediment to exit.
The tank holds 119 gallons with a chamber volume of 43 gallons. The maximum pressure is 100 PSI and the tank is 72.1 inches high.
All Flexcon Flow-Thru well tanks feature their exclusivepatented Flow-Thru technology.
This is meant to assure the system will provide the freshest water quality possible.
www.flexconind.com
Exhibitor booth: 120
GETTING YOUR BUSINESS COVERED
Lackner McLennan Insurance (LMI) is one of Canada’s largest commercial insurance brokers. For over 65 years, LMI has offered Canadian businesses
Tested Toughness.
185,000-lb. hoist capacity
140,000-in/lb. torque at 140 RPM
51’ working space above table
Racking board
Lockable tophead for directional drilling
Hydraulic-rod breakout systems available
Powered by Cat® C18 Engine 550 horsepower
a comprehensive range of insurance coverages, the highest quality insurance carriers and a responsive, efficient internal customer care centre, says the company. LMI is a commercial insurance specialist with expertise in developing costeffective comprehensive insurance programs.
Programs can be tailored directly to suit the unique requirements of the industry to help ensure that you pay only for coverage you need.
www.lmicanada.com
Exhibitor booths: 511 and 610
CONSTANT WATER PRESSURE
Designed for superior performance, the 3-inch Grundfos SQE provides constant pressure even when water is in high demand.
The SQE features a “smart” variable speed motor, high starting torque and dry-run protection. Advancements to Grundfos’ check valve
design ensure product longevity, while a lightweight, stainless steel casing provides ease of installation. Perfect for domestic and light irrigation use, this tough submersible is designed to provide optimum water pressure whenever, wherever.
www.grundfos.ca
Exhibtor booths: 700 and 702
PURE WYOMING BENTONITE
The Drilling Depot is the exclusive Canadian distributor of the EnviroPlug Medium, which is made of pure ‘Wyoming Bentonite’ and was the first bentonite chip developed and marketed. EnviroPlug Medium has been used for abandoning holes since 1983.
EnviroPlug Medium is
a versatile product used for abandoning cased and uncased boreholes, sealing casing, sealing grounding rods and heat pump conductor holes. It is also great for stemming and sealing seismic shot holes, sealing excavations, and for any vertical sealing to prevent water movement up or down a borehole.
Enviroplug Medium is introduced in a dry state,
CANWELL 2012
preventing shrinkage and provides a reserve expansion capacity. When absorbing water, EnviroPlug Medium swells to fill voids, exerting pressure against all surfaces to create a flexible, low-permeability seal. Enviroplug Medium falls easily through standing water and thin drilling fluids, filling the column from the bottom upward.
www.drillingdepot.com
Exhibitor booths: 715 and 717
Canwell 2012 Runs May 23 to 26 at the Hamilton Convention Centre in Hamilton, Ont.
Look for these products and more at Canada’s national ground water symposium. Keep up to date by following Ground Water Canada on Twitter at @GroundWaterMag.
5 GENERATIONS
The next chapter in one family’s tried and tested traditions.
The water well business runs in the Wilson family. Five generations of Wilsons (so far) have earned a living bringing water to people living in and around Springfield, Ont. This is one family that has water in its blood.
by BRANDI COWEN
The first Wilson involved in the water industry was a jack of all trades, selling farm equipment and windmills in addition to servicing wells. More than 100 years later, his great grandson still has clippings of the ads that he ran in the local Springfield Echo newspaper, advertising all manner of goods and services.
“Back in that stage of the game, everybody did everything because nobody was just zeroed in on one thing,” says John R. Wilson, current president of J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling.
Business has evolved as Springfield and the surrounding area have changed over time. Water services have gradually become a greater part of the business for subsequent generations of Wilsons.
“After the Depression my dad did everything.
He installed bathrooms and installed pumps and put in the work to help a couple of drilling contractors and then he worked at repairing the pumps and so forth,” says Wilson. “We got our own drilling equipment in the late ’60s and then went from there.”
At the time, Wilson wasn’t planning to carry on the family business. He attended the University of Guelph and earned a bachelor of science degree in microbiology. After graduation he worked in the food industry, first in quality assurance with General Foods in Cobourg, Ont., and then as a production manager with Kellogg Canada in London, Ont. But in 1977, Wilson decided to leave Kellogg and join his father, John B. Wilson, in the family business. In his words, “I retired and went home to work.”
The Wilson clan: Doreen, Matt, Johnny and John R.
• Ideal for initial site investigations
• High quality stainless steel piezometer tip
• 3/4” NPT drive extensions
• Completes a simple, cost effective well
• Drives 20 to 25 ft in suitable soils
That year, J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling bought its first air rotary rig. This investment opened the door to new jobs. Over the years, the company has worked on a number of larger projects, including irrigation well work for several area golf courses, municipal work, and wells for nearby industrial agriculture operations.
“There’s always something you run across that you’re not familiar with, but generally we have pretty good working knowledge in most areas,” says Wilson. His sons, Johnny and Matt, are now contributing to that pool of knowledge after following in their father’s footsteps in more ways than one. Like Wilson, both boys earned their bachelor of science degrees (Matt attended the
University of Guelph, while Johnny chose to study at the University of Windsor) before starting their careers in other fields. Just as their father did decades before, both have since returned to the family business (Johnny came back in 2000; Matt returned four years later). The two are currently co-vicepresidents.
Father and sons share a commitment to delivering quality work. In business as in life, they abide by the Golden Rule, treating others the way they want to be treated.
“We try and do the work like we were doing it for ourselves,” Johnny says. “I wouldn’t want surface water running down the outside between two different aquifers because the guy
TOP: The brand new 4,800-square-foot shop.
LEFT: The new shop features two lowflow, composting toilets, a system costing the business half of what it would have cost to install a septic system.
doesn’t know enough to seal up the stuff in between.”
SETTING UP SHOP
The Wilson clan occupies a fair stretch of Wilson Line (which is no coincidence), laying claim to two century farms that have been in the family for over 100 years. It’s a testament to how deeply rooted the Wilsons are in the tiny rural township of Malahide, with a population of just 9,146 people spread out over 395 square kilometres, according to the 2011 census. While staying deeply connected to the past, J.B. Wilson & Son is also looking to the future. The company is nearing completion on construction of a brand new 4,800-square-foot shop, located not even a full 15-second drive down the road from where Wilson and his wife, Doreen, live. Now that the structure itself is finished, the Wilsons are turning their attention to installing all the bells and whistles that they’ve dreamt up over their many years in the business.
Entering the bright, open shop, visitors are greeted by a 14-foot well that will be used to test various pumps. At the back of the shop, a hinged staircase leading up to a mezzanine offering extra storage space will be rigged to lift up, doubling the width of the staircase leading down to the basement. The main floor has been designed with accessibility in mind to allow Johnny’s father-in-law, who is in a wheelchair, the full run of the place when he comes to visit. In addition to a fully accessible bathroom complete with a shower, the new shop features two low-flow, composting toilets. The toilets aren’t just eco- friendly; the composting system cost half of what it would have cost to install a septic system for the shop. The green trend continues on the roof, which has the capacity to house three solar panels. They haven’t been installed yet, but Wilson assures they’re coming.
The shop will also house the company’s main office, offering visitors a comfortable waiting area where they can read up on the latest pumps and other products, learn about the services J.B. Wilson & Son offers, and scope out the various awards and recognitions the company has received over the years.
“To do our work, we don’t necessarily need a nice shop because the shop’s not where we make our money, but it makes the job easier and it makes the equipment last longer,” Wilson says. “It’s not the bread and butter of what we’re doing; it’s just a convenience.”
He flashes a wide grin, and then adds, “A really nice convenience.”
Although it’s still early days in the new space, the sixth generation of Wilsons is already making its mark.
Inside the shop, a green plastic children’s ride-on tractor sits parked alongside adult-sized equipment.
Out front, tiny hands and feet mark where Johnny’s two children –Liam, two-and-a-half, and Olivia, six months – and Matt’s daughter Scarlett, just shy of three, joined their parents and grandparents in commemorating pouring the shop’s cement foundation.
“We’re pretty proud of what we’ve got here,” Wilson says. His tone leaves no doubt that’s true.
Flush, fill and purge the right way
Sometimes it makes sense to get sideways.
by Stan Marco
One of the most important ways to ensure a successful geothermal installation involves flushing, filling and purging of the loop system. When and how you do this can mean the difference between a well-installed system and one destined for problems.
Grouting is a critical factor when dealing with cases of vertically or horizontally bored geothermal loops. This essential step should be completed as soon as the pipes are inserted in the holes. Waiting a day or more to complete this task is prohibited and can lead to environmental and thermal conductivity issues down the road as proper grouting provides the all-important environmental surface barrier and thermal connection between the pipes and the ground surrounding them.
Grouting from the bottom of the borehole to the top ensures that the entire space between the pipes and the ground is sealed and prevents any contamination of the aquifers. Those who elect not to grout, or do so from the top only, run the risk of creating air gaps that will prevent the grout from getting to the bottom of the borehole and the loop pipes from connecting consistently with the ground throughout the system, rendering it ineffective.
Once installed, the pipes must first be filled with water and properly flushed to prove circuit flow, then pressure tested and checked for leaks before any freeze protection, if needed, is added to the system. Poor loop design and lack of planning can make this a very difficult task. In order to remove all trapped air from the now completed loop system, a critical minimum flushing velocity of two feet per second per circuit or greater is required. Geothermal specialists often install multiple vertical or horizontal loops in parallel to one another, further complicating
the process of filling and flushing.
Common pipe size dimensions used in geothermal are 3/4-inch, 1-1/4-inch or 2-inch IPS. Reaching critical flush velocity requires at least 4 U.S. gallons (USG) per minute for 3/4-inch pipe, 10 USG per minute for 1-1/4inch pipe and as much as 20 USG per minute for 2-inch IPS pipe.
For example, the 10-USG-per-minute pump required to flush 1-1/4-inch pipe will need added horsepower as the total length of the circuit is increased to offset the additional pressure drop while still maintaining the same flow rate. Adding multiple and equal parallel circuits will require additional gallons per minute at a rate of 10 gallons per minute per circuit, while maintaining the same head pressure characteristics. The ideal flush pump for residential and light commercial jobs is likely in the single phase, two-horsepower multistage range, producing 50 gallons per minute or greater and developing 100 feet of head. The idea, of course, is to get in and get out quickly with the job well done the first time.
Whether you’re designing a residential or commercial geothermal installation, make sure your plans include adequate land to run enough pipe in the ground to support the size of the heat pump installation. Subsequent loop design and a flush pump capable of generating the critical velocity needed to flush the air out of the system will increase your profitability and reduce unnecessary frustration.
Several years ago, I completed a commercial project in Nova Scotia that featured 360 circuits of 3/4-inch pipe, meaning I needed 1,500 gallons of water per minute against 35 feet of head to fill, flush and purge the air out of the system. Or did I? You can’t find a pump
Continued on page 21
THE ART OF SUCCESSION
Entrusting your business to the next generation.
Like those who came before them, many of today’s well drillers hold great pride and responsibility in their role of providing people with fresh water, one of our most basic needs for survival.
It’s a mindset that has been passed down through generations of drillers, from those who pioneered the industry digging wells by hand, to their great grandchildren who have helped revolutionize the industry with cuttingedge technology.
For third-generation driller George R. Chalk, co-owner of Chalk Well Drilling Ltd. located in Napanee, Ont., the family business has always been a way of life. “When I was a kid I went with my grandfather to a lot of job sites. I’m very proud of the fact that my grandfather and father built something that we’re still carrying on. But we don’t take it for granted, we still work very hard at it,” he says.
George Sydney Chalk founded Chalk Well Drilling in 1922 and in 1959 he passed the business down to his son, George Herbert Chalk. In 1989, after 30 years of running the company, George Herbert followed in his father’s footsteps, happily passing the business down to three of his sons.
“When my father handed the business down to Ian, Kevin and myself, it was something that we were really proud of and we looked forward to carrying it on,” George R. explains. “I think we’ve made some changes. The way that Dad did business and the way that we do business is not the same and that’s mainly because our customers have changed, but I think
the focus as far as ensuring the longevity of the business and maintaining a good name is still the focus that we have today.”
Roger Boadway, owner of Roger Boadway Enterprises in Sutton, Ont., is a fourth-generation well driller. At the age of 76, he is preparing to pass down the company founded by his great grandfather, Frank Boadway, to his son Grant and daughter Lynor. The Boadway legacy dates back to the 1880s, when Frank began digging wells by hand in the Stouffville, Ont., area. As technology progressed, he purchased a drilling machine and employed a team of horses to pull it. The horses were later replaced with a tractor and in 1928 the tractor was replaced with the business’s first truck. Astoundingly, Roger still has that first truck, a treasured reminder of what his great grandfather, grandfather and father worked so hard to create. He has never had any doubt about the career path that he would follow. “I always knew that I wanted the business from the day that I came out of school. Every well that I drilled I wanted to drill it as well as I possibly could because I knew one day that would be my business and I wanted it to be a good business; and it was,” he says.
The continued success of Roger Boadway Enterprises from one generation to the next is due in part to good communication. “At one point in
by JULIE FITZ-GERALD
my career, my grandfather, my father and I all worked together for a short period. At the end of every day, there was always a meeting and discussion of what we accomplished that day, how we accomplished it and if anything should be changed, and that was very important to me,” Roger says.
Roger points out that during this time period, the industry was experiencing immense growth, with bathrooms being moved into the house and the invention of dishwashers and washing machines which required greater quantities of water. “The industry was in its infancy. The very slow well of one or two gallons a minute just didn’t suffice anymore, so we had to drill deeper, we had to use better screening methods and this was all a learning curve,” he says.
Although industry advancements have now slowed compared to decades past, Roger still speaks with his son and daughter several times a week to discuss day-to-day operations, ensuring that the business runs smoothly.
The Chalk brothers are similar in their approach to maintaining the success of their family business. “We come in every morning and have a little chit chat about what’s happening that day. Sometimes we see each other at the end of the day, but we always make sure that we see each other in the morning,” says George R. Family businesses do come with their
own set of challenges, which are bound to arise when family members work closely together. Squabbles and arguments are a part of every business, but the key to avoiding petty disagreements within a family-run company is to ensure that everyone brings his own unique skills and knowledge to the table. “It would be a rare thing for us to have a disagreement about something,” George R. says. “We all bring our own expertise to the table. I look after most of the organizing, going out to look at job sites and visiting customers. My brother Ian supervises all the drilling, even running the drill himself occasionally and my brother Kevin is very mechanical, so he does a lot of the repairs when they’re needed.”
Roger agrees, noting that while his daughter Lynor manages the office, his son Grant is running the drill rig, proving that daily operations are a real team effort.
With his two children already deeply involved in the family business, Roger feels confident about handing over the
reins to the fifth generation of Boadways later this year. However, even with the utmost confidence in his children, Roger believes that a legal change in ownership is the only way to ensure a smooth transition when passing down a family business.
“If it’s an incorporated company, one of the best steps to take, of course, is to get your shares changed over and set up a new minute book so that you as the retiring one are not on the hook for any expenses that may be incurred in case they can’t make it fly. Even though it’s your son or daughter, it has to be done in a very businesslike manner or it might not work,” he advises.
When Roger took the business over from his father in 1966, the company had not been incorporated, but that didn’t stop the father-son duo from ensuring that proper steps were taken. “We walked through the business and took inventory of everything, right down to how much was in the gas tank. We agreed on the price, went to a lawyer and had a bill of
sale drawn up, we both signed it and I paid my father off on a percentage basis of every well I drilled until the business was paid for,” Roger explains.
George R. and his brothers had a similarly organized experience when their father retired from Chalk Well Drilling. George Herbert used a lawyer to sort out all the details of the sale, ensuring that no loose ends were left dangling. “He felt fairly confident that he had some capable people looking after things and when it came time to turn the business over he turned it over and that was it. The legal work was done and he walked out the door and enjoyed his retirement,” George R. says with a laugh, “But he was always there to consult with if we needed him,” he adds.
While technology and new regulations continue to change the industry, the longstanding principles of the drillers who founded it remain alive in the legacy of their family businesses.
Julie Fitz-Gerald is a freelancer writer based in uxbridge, ont.
With the fluctuating cost of fossil fuels and
WATER MANA GEMENT
Sustainablity through ground water monitoring.
According to a 2008 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), fresh water usage has risen by more than double the rate of population growth over the last hundred years.
With two-thirds of the world’s population dependent on ground water for fresh water supplies, the increasing population is putting stress on our resources.
Ground water is threatened by many related factors. Not only by overuse caused by population growth and increased development, but by uncertainty over climate change, pollution, and saltwater intrusion, which are among the issues that bring concern over our future ground water supplies.
The need for sustainable management is growing as these issues are being recognized more often. There is greater awareness that the ability to manage our resources successfully depends on the collection and organization of high-resolution ground water data.
THE URGENT NEED FOR MONITORING NETWORKS
Ground water monitoring networks are being set up in watersheds worldwide to obtain the high-resolution data required to combat sustainability issues. Some countries are implementing programs on a national scale. For example, the European Union’s Water Framework Directives have led numerous European countries to implement monitoring programs. In addition, there is currently a pilot program underway in the United States for a National Groundwater Monitoring Network.
There are four major objectives of ground water monitoring networks:
• Obtain baseline groundwater level and quality data,
• Track the changes in quantity and quality over time,
• Identify trends and pressing issues, and
• Predict water levels available for human consumption in the future.
The data provides an understanding between water level fluctuations and the way ground water is being used. Armed with the data obtained from these networks, government agencies, municipalities, watershed professionals and the public can make informed ground water management decisions. Access to detailed data improves landuse planning and allows water-use programs and policies to be developed. In addition real-time data allows quick decisions to be made based on current ground water levels.
ADVANCES IN DATA COLLECTION
As the need grows, and more large-scale ground water monitoring networks are being set up worldwide, the technology used to collect ground water level data is also advancing.
Manual water level indicators are being replaced by more accurate automated dataloggers. Dataloggers can be set to recordhigh frequency readings (even up to every 0.125 seconds), providing high-resolution
by TRICIA LANE
data, and left in the field unattended for extended periods. They provide a costeffective option for continuous measurements, and when paired with a telemetry system, can provide real-time data.
Telemetry has the ability to send realtime, or stored, data from field-located dataloggers to a central database. Using flexible communication options, such as radio, landline, and more recently various cellular and satellite options, level data from numerous ground water monitoring wells in network can be linked to a single office computer.
Programs, such as the Ontario Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network, benefit from the use of telemetry, as it minimizes workforce and travel requirements to the field, reduces inherent error in manual data collection, collects real-time data and organizes and stores data in a convenient manner.
For more vulnerable ground water resources, telemetry also has the added advantage of automated alarm notifications when an unusual level or quality condition is detected. This can enable immediate emergency response or issues of water use advisories and warnings to the public.
Overall, the combination of dataloggers and telemetry technology increases the effectiveness of ground water monitoring networks by allowing continuous, frequent, real-time data collection and
reporting; presenting data simply for fast and efficient interpretation; and providing real-time data to allow early warning of changes in water levels.
MONITORING GROUND WATER IN CANADA
A survey by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) identified ground water sustainability as one of the most significant ground water issues facing Canada today. Although there is not a national initiative in Canada, there are local, and larger-scale, ground water monitoring networks set up across the country that are benefiting from advanced water level data collection technology.
At a symposium held by Solinst Canada Ltd, where the theme was Groundwater Monitoring for the 21st Century, many of the symposium presenters discussed how data gained from their ground water level monitoring networks helps them meet their ground water management objectives.
Provincial ground water monitoring: In a presentation from the Ontario Ministry of Environment, the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN) was discussed. The PGMN is a combined effort between the Ministry and 38 Conservation Authorities to collect continuous ground water level data. It was established in 2001 in order to assess ground water reserves across the province. Today, over 500 wells have been equipped with water level dataloggers, and connected to a self-managed central data management system using telemetry.
Overall, monitoring ground water levels helps the Ministry obtain vital provincewide baseline, annual, and long-term changes in groundwater storage, estimate recharge rates, determine the direction of ground water flow and track long-term drought conditions.
Municipal ground water monitoring: Also at the symposium, Tammy Middleton, senior hydrogeologist with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, discussed the region’s ground water monitoring program. The program consists of over 400 wells in a ground water level monitoring network, many of which have been equipped with automated water level sensors.
Middleton pointed out the effectiveness of water level measurements because of how much information they provide at such a small cost. Monitoring water levels at a high frequency allowed the region to
see connectivity between aquifers that may not have been discovered without a continuous water level monitoring program.
The region’s network helps them comply with legislation, including the Clean Water Act, and meet the monitoring and reporting requirements of their watertaking permit, while providing a safe and sufficient supply of water to the public. It allows them to remain proactive, and ensure sustainable management.
Regional ground water monitoring: Steve Holysh and Rick Gerber of the Oak Ridges Moraine Coalition discussed their unique ground water management program. Rapid development and expansion on the Moraine initiated the program about 20 years ago, with the goal to fully understand the extent, quality and movement of ground water in the region.
Water levels from wells across the region have been collected, many from the PGMN, as well as their own network. They use the water level data for incorporating into numerical and site conceptual models. The more data that is added to these models, the more representative they become, allowing better management decisions to be made.
As many aquifers in Ontario cross regional boundaries and are used by various stakeholders, all the symposium presenters agreed that there needs to be
a more co-ordinated effort to share highresolution data between networks, ensuring data is available on an ongoing basis to all those who need it.
SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH HIGH-RESOLUTION DATA
Overall, as ground water sustainability concerns continue to grow in Canada, and worldwide, the need for high-resolution data is also increasing. More frequent and continuous water level data provides a better understanding of how ground water resources respond to usage and can help predict how they might respond to future variables such as climate change. More data allows the best sustainable management actions to be taken.
The need for larger-scale ground water level monitoring networks will also increase, and for these networks to be effective in sustainable ground water management, there has to be a co-ordinated effort with focus on organizing and sharing high-resolution data more efficiently.
Tricia Lane is a technical writer for Solinst Canada Ltd., based in Georgetown, Ont. Solinst Canada has been providing telemetry technology for numerous years, and has continued to update the technology as clients needs evolve. For more information visit www.solinst.com.
A telemetry system connected to ground water monitoring wells in the field.
Photo credit: Solinst Canada
to generate that kind of power just anywhere, so it’s important that you think through the design ahead of time to ensure you have the right equipment on hand and great header design when it’s time to flush the system. Proper design led us to flush this system using the pump described above.
A step mentioned earlier is pressure testing the system once the installation is complete. Geothermal pipe pressure ratings generally run from 125 to 160 psi in the standard 3608 resin and 185 psi for high-density PE100 highperformance resin. Normal system working pressures are another story often found in the 35- to 50-psi range. Always pressure test hydraulically at twice the system working pressure while staying within the overall pressure rating of the particular pipe. This will generally satisfy inquiring minds, although testing at the full pipe rating pressure of the lowest-rated component will also work.
From a safety perspective, it’s important to pressure test the system hydraulically with water rather than pressure test with air. Not only is testing with water safer, but it’s also more effective than air in determining and locating leaks.
Fusion welding is the only acceptable method of joining outdoor geothermal
connections and, as a result of being fully trained in HDPE fusion welding, you shouldn’t find any leaks . . . ever. However, it’s prudent to test all pipe connections in case something was accidently damaged during installation or burial. Be sure to pressure test the system both before and after burying
Grouting from the bottom of the borehole to the top ensures that the entire space between the pipes and the ground is sealed and prevents any contamination of the aquifers.
the pipes. When in doubt, cut it out! Keep in mind that geothermal pipes are made of polyethylene, which means they can stretch under certain temperature conditions. This can lead to misinterpretation of the pressure readings. If you are pressure testing over a short period of time, you may see the pressure drop and assume you have a leak in the pipe, when in actual fact, the pipe is stretching. It’s important to conduct pressure testing over a longer
time period. Be sure to pre-tension the loop using hydraulic pressure before taking final pressure measurements.
As the pipe stretches, you may also notice grout coming out of the ground implying a leak, but it is really just the pipe stretching. Once pressures are stabilized and you have passed the required test, when you reduce the pressure on the system the grout will likely settle back into place.
Once your loop system has passed all required tests and is leak-free it’s time to introduce additional heat transfer fluids if required (for example, ethanol, methanol, propylene glycol). These important installation principles apply on both commercial and residential projects and on all types of loop systems including vertical, horizontal, lake or pond loops.
Every contractor wants the geothermal system they install to be a success. By following these few simple steps, your clients will have a relatively maintenance-free system they can rely on for years to come.
Stan Marco is a well-respected and highly sought after geothermal knowledge expert and educator. He is an active member within the ground water community, is a board member with the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition and is Co-founder and CEO of GeoSmart Energy & GeoSmart Drilling Services.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS!
The complexity of a geothermal ground loop installation.
Innovation means new challenges and new methods of working. This reality is everywhere, but it is particularly true for an industry that has not reached maturity, which is the case for the GLSHP (Ground Loop Source Heat Pump) industry.
by BENJAMIN HÉNAULT
LEFT: Thermally enhanced grout and pipe spacers are necessary to reduce borehole thermal resistance.
RIGHT: A key to profitability lies in constant improvement of skilled labour.
At what price does it become interesting to innovate? Ground loop installers live this rude reality each day and decide whether to innovate or not. Innovation requires an investment of time and money and increase risk. Think about grout mixture and pipes spacers. These practices are by no means recent, yet not all installers offer them. Why is that? These practices might seem like standard procedures, but in reality they are not.
Normally, the contractor hires a loop installer that is equipped and trained in order to execute the work as required by the designer. The installer must mention his or her issues to the designer and they must fix the problem together. Surprising as it sounds, bad installations are often the result of poor or difficult communications between
the installer and designer in their attempts to resolve issues. Some installers prefer to stay quiet and do the work as they know it, without consideration for designers’ plans or specifications. The rationale is that nobody will know what is in the borehole once the backfill material is back in place. Well, guess what? This attitude presents a huge problem for the industry.
THERMALLY ENHANCED GROUT, PIPE SPACERS AND THEIR IMPACT
Thermally enhanced grout and pipe spacers are necessary to reduce borehole thermal resistance. More specifically, they provide for a better heat exchange between the borehole and the surrounding geology. This means that the borehole can be shorter
than a conventional borehole despite the same geological conditions. The difference in price between all these parameters will help to evaluate which configurations are best suited for a geothermal system. If the installer can
At what price does it become interesting to innovate?
do all the configurations, he or she gives many quotations to the designer. These price differences will help the designer evaluate which option is most profitable for a specific system. For example, thermally enhanced grout is not always necessary in order to significantly reduce the length of a ground loop heat exchanger. The grout should be used when the geological
conditions of the surrounding medium are thermally bad. Another way to think of it: The borehole material is the first layer; and can act as a shield, or highway. The second layer is the geological medium. It is not necessary to have a highway of a few inches if the second layer is also a shield. This means that the more your soil is thermally conductive, the more the grout mix needs to be.
GROUT MIXTURE
At first glance, the grout mixture recipe comprises three or four ingredients, like a simple cake mix. However, a job site is not a kitchen, and the volume that requires mixing is considerable. Manufacturers’ recommendations are extremely precise because the exact ratio of each component will affect the properties of the grout. The water volume variation of 0.1 US gallon on 27 US gallons of slurry mix will affect the viscosity of the fluid. Using too little water will render the fluid unpumpable. This does not happen if too little water
has been added; the problem arises when there is too much water in the mixture. This leads to the question: what will happen with the properties of the grout? How does one control that?
The Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), Canmet Energy (NRCan), l’École Polytechnique de Montréal and GeoEnergie inc. are collaborating on this question in search of answers.
As stated in CSA C448, Design and Installation of Earth Energy Systems, the grout must be injected from the bottom to the top of the borehole through a tremie pipe. This operation means that the entire borehole must be grouted with a bentonite mixture, and not only a bentonite plug. Again, is it really the solution for the efficiency of geothermal ground loop systems? The answer is NO. For example, saturated quartz sand is more conductive than a thermally enhanced grout with a bentonite base. The issue with quartz sand is that it is too permeable for the protection
Continued on page 28
DRUGS AND WATER UPDATE
Science, political will, dollars and pharmaceutical sense.
Organizations and governments around the world are now recognizing that pharmaceuticals are potentially a new class of water pollutants. A large assortment of drugs, from antibiotics, anti-depressants and birth control pills to chemotherapy ingredients, painkillers and tranquilizers, have been detected in water sources.
by TREENA HEIN
These substances get into the water treatment system, and perhaps even into ground water, the same ways many other substances do. People in hospitals, nursing homes and households flush unused medicines down toilets, or dispose of them through their garbage, where in a landfill, they can potentially be present in leachate. Sewage can also contain incompletely metabolized medicines.
In addition, livestock can produce manure that contains traces of antibiotics and other medicines, which after being spread on fields, can then wash off into surface water and even move into ground water. Some studies suggest
that pharmaceuticals such as “endocrinedisrupters” that are present in water sources can contribute to the development of abnormal sexual characteristics and behaviour in some species of fish, such as males producing eggs and females that don’t spawn.
But as is the case with many potential water quality threats, there is a great deal of uncertainty surrounding pharmaceuticals. There is no agreement, for example, on what percentage of drugs go unconsumed in Canada or across the world and what percentage of those reach water sources and pose a risk.
“The water treatment industry has been wrought with comments and claims on the issues regarding pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in water,” observes Kevin Wong, director of the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA).
Existing tests for pharmaceuticals are very specific and expensive in many cases, notes Wong, and tests don’t even exist for some of them. He is concerned that many members of the public don’t understand that “this is new territory for the point-of-use/point-of-entry water treatment industry. There are no guidelines developed as yet, so…what is in the water, or what the safe levels are, is yet to be determined.”
In 2010, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment reported that at a recent Council meeting, “pharmaceuticals in groundwater was raised as an emerging issue. There are uncertainties concerning the behaviour of these constituents, together with their potential impact on human health and ecosystems.” A summary of the recent World Health Organization technical report Pharmaceuticals in drinking-water, stated that “although current risk assessments indicate that the very low concentrations of pharmaceuticals found in drinking-water are very unlikely to pose any appreciable risks to human health, knowledge gaps exist.”
To fill some of these knowledge gaps, Health Canada is conducting a two-year investigation called “National Survey of Disinfection By-Products and Selected Emerging Contaminants in Canadian Drinking Water.” The final results
ADVICE ON THE PROPER DISP OSAL OF UNUSED DRUGS
On its website, Health Canada provides advice to Canadians on how to properly dispose of pharmaceuticals:
• “Check to see if your pharmacy has a drug take-back program that collects and disposes of the public’s unused and expired drugs in an environmentally-safe manner. Most pharmacies do, and programs exist in many provinces and territories across the country. If your area does not have such a program, contact your municipality to see if it collects drugs. Various municipalities have put in place different collection modes for household hazardous waste, including drugs. Those include collection days, mobile depots, and permanent depots.”
There have been three national government-run drug take-back events in the U.S. since late 2010. Legislation was introduced in September of 2011 that would create a national industry-funded drug takeback program, but it is not expected to pass due to budgetary restraints. A few U.S. states have created programs, but all are apparently quickly running out of funding. Cities and counties in various states also run small-scale collection programs, using drop boxes or collaborations with pharmacies.
will be presented at scientific conferences and then published in scientific journals this year, says Health Canada media relations officer Gary Scott Holub.
“The results from this study will help the department determine if new or emerging disinfection by-products and other emerging contaminants [like pharmaceuticals] identified in the scientific literature are present in Canadian drinking water supplies, and establish the priorities for guideline development,” Holub says. “The survey results will help [also] determine the need for any action to minimize risk to human health.” He adds: “While there are no known adverse human health effects attributed to the extremely low presence of pharmaceuticals in drinking water, research continues to focus on detection and removal.”
IMPLEMENTING WATER PROTECTION LAWS
In provincial and territorial jurisdictions, policies are being drawn up to implement water legislation. When the time came to start drafting the policies relating to Ontario’s Clean Water Act, for example, “municipalities had first choice on taking the lead,” says Dave Schultz, manager of communications for the Grand River Conservation Authority.
“Most larger municipalities took that route and in cases where the municipality was concerned that it didn’t have the capacity, conservation authorities took the lead but worked closely with them.”
A source protection committee leads the development of policies in most other regions. These bodies work with municipalities, the public and many stakeholders to ensure that policies are in harmony with existing regulations and procedures, that they’re equitable across the watershed, and so on.
There are 19 source protection areas in Ontario, and Lake Erie is one of the biggest in terms of area and population. Over the past few years, the Lake Erie Source Protection Region Committee has guided the development of four source protection plans, one for each area (watershed/Conservation Authority) within the region. Committee members represent the general public, several First Nations, business owners, government, industries such as aggregates and agriculture, and more. The Ontario Minister of the Environment will approve the four plans, and municipal governments will implement them in co-operation with provincial government agencies, as directed in the Clean Water Act. Although one draft Committee report refers to pharmaceuticals, Schultz notes that they “are not listed in the Clean Water Act at present, and whether they would be added in the future is a decision for the provincial government. So the bottom line is that they won’t be addressed in this round of plans, but could be considered in a future round if the Act is changed.” He also notes, however, that there are other pieces of provincial and federal legislation that affect water in Ontario as well.
With the release of the Health Canada survey later this year, at least some direction and guidance for industry will be provided. However, Wong believes “the road to evaluating the risk, developing the science, and determining the allowable concentrations in drinking water may be a long one.”
Treena Hein is a science writer based in Ontario.
Continued from page 24
of the environment and is not very thermally conductive without water saturation. In some cases, using quartz sand in the bottom section of the borehole and bentonite grout mixture on the upper section would be better and acceptable enough for the environment. Each project is a case-by-case scenario. For a big project, the way to determine the best solution would be to involve a hydrogeologist and obtain a consultation report from a qualified professional. Depending on the lithography and the aquifer types (level, quality, dimensions, hydraulic gradient, hydraulic conductivity, etc.) observed in the test well(s) and any available information on the region, the hydrogeologist can recommend different types of grout at different levels in the boreholes. These kinds of specifications present an additional challenge to the loop installer. He or she needs to use different machineries depending on the different operations required for the ground loop construction. And it might be different each time. More effective work will lead to a more profitable project for everyone. The key lies in constant improvement of skilled labour. This includes managerial thinking, constant training updates and practice.
PIPE SPACERS
Pipe spacers are used to maintain the pipe against the borehole wall. Several theoretical and empirical experiments demonstrate the benefit of using them by reducing the thermal resistance of the borehole when they are correctly installed. Complaints about this gadget are generally associated with a bad method of loop insertion. To install them may require modification on loop reel and heavier ballast attached to a U-Bend. Those considerations are not always welcomed by every installer because they change their work habits. Normally, if you follow the manufacturers’ recommendations of pipe spacers, they will become easier to install. However, a borehole lithology described by crumbled rock demands particular attention because the HDPE U-Bend pipe insertion could be difficult or impossible. This may occur with or without pipe spacers and the crumbling risk level should have been determined during the prefeasibility study. A vertical ground loop heat exchanger is not always the best solution, which is why a geological condition survey is critical for loop efficiency.
INNOVATIONS
Reducing the overall cost of a geothermal system is the purpose of these two specifications. We have many others possibilities: pipe material, number of pipes per borehole, pipe thickness, pipe geometry, borehole diameter, etc. These detail considerations are elements that will bring the industry to higher standards. Are you ready for it?
Benjamin Hénault is a professional engineer. Since graduating from École de technologie supérieure, he has worked as the technical advisor at Canadian GeoExchange Coalition and is studying geothermal research for his masters degree at École Polytechnique de Montréal.
INDUSTRY NEWS
GROUND WATER RESEARCH GRABS ATTENTION
When Jason Gurdak says climate change is going underground, he means it literally.
Jason Gurdak is an internationally recognized ground water expert abd assistant professor of geosciences at San Francisco State University.
As precipitation becomes less frequent due to climate change, lake and reservoir levels will drop and people will increasingly turn to ground water for agricultural, industrial and drinking water needs, he said.
“It is clear that groundwater will play a critical role in society’s adaption to climate change,” said Gurdak, who has studied the High Plains aquifer in the Midwest extensively.
Ground water already accounts for nearly half of all drinking water worldwide, but recharges at a much slower rate than aboveground sources and in some cases is nonrenewable. As more people tap into ground water, they may not realize that they are relying on an unsustainable resource.
Gurdak was one of the principle editors of “Climate Change Effects on Groundwater Resources,” a book that is the result of a global ground water initiative by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO).
The impacts of climate change on groundwater vary widely depending on the type of climate region. In temperate coastal regions like the Bay Area, saltwater intrusion is a major threat. When sea levels rise, saltwater could begin seeping into underground freshwater sources, tainting their use for drinking water and irrigation. Wetlands, a crucial regulator of groundwater quality and water levels, may also start to dry up.
“In many ways, California is leading the way in developing solutions,” Gurdak said. “Artificial recharge, managed storage and recovery projects and low impact development around the state will become more important for many local water systems to bank excess water in aquifers.”
But Gurdak said that conservation starts with educating future generations about where their resources come from and how limited they may be.
“Day to day we don’t see where our water comes from, we just turn on the tap and it’s there and it’s clean,” he said. “But just like with a carbon footprint, you can calculate your water footprint.”
– Philip Riley
Prepping for tough times
by David Filice
Four steps to help your business weather any turbulent economic times ahead.
Smart business owners need to implement strategies that will help them succeed in an uncertain economy. The following are some practical steps you can take to help you land in a better position if things take a turn for the worst.
1. Analyze your cash flow
Cash is the lifeblood of any business. It matters more than earnings. To analyze your cash flow:
• Focus on working capital and the cash conversion cycle.
• Forecast near-term cash receipts and cash disbursements based on realistic financial projections. Keep in mind customers will start to pay their bills more slowly than usual as the economy slows down.
• Continue to reduce inventory levels and replenish on a just-in-time basis.
• Continue to liquidate other nonredundant assets to free up cash.
2. Stay close to your banker
If you have a good working relationship with your lender, you may be in a better position to renegotiate your current loan facilities. Treat your banker as a partner and keep them informed of critical issues affecting the business and the industry. As long as your banker maintains confidence in the company’s direction and owner, chances are the bank will stick with the business. You can continue to have the bank’s confidence in you and your business by giving them your plan for how you will fix the business, and then going out and doing it.
3. Continue to slash costs where possible
Tough economic conditions and falling sales volumes require cost-cutting measures wherever possible. When sales volumes are expected to decline, costs need to be closely monitored.
Consider:
• Reducing spending – talk directly to floor and office employees to see if there are any items that can easily be cut without
affecting the sales levels of the company.
• Deferring non-critical capital expenditures in order to conserve cash.
• Making tough decisions about payroll costs. Don’t be too quick to rehire once sales volumes start to increase.
4. Concentrate on good customers and suppliers
A careful review of your customer base is critical when developing a financial forecast. If customers were slow in paying their accounts even as sales volumes were starting to increase in 2009 and 2010, it could be a red flag that these customers may not be able to ride out a new recession. No company wants to drop customers when sales are starting to decline, but it may be prudent to tighten credit terms with some customers during this period of continued economic uncertainty. You may have to sacrifice some sales levels in an attempt to prevent a bigger loss if the customers go out of business.
Continue to bargain for favourable credit terms with your suppliers, and if possible, negotiate for early payment discounts. Most suppliers will be hungry for cash. Consider whether you can slim down the number of suppliers you are currently using to qualify for larger volume discounts with your existing suppliers.
The above tips should allow you and your business to weather possible storms ahead, and come out in an even better position. If you are concerned about the viability of your business, remember that the earlier you seek help, the greater your chances of success.
David Filice is a senior vice-president and partner in the Restructuring and Insolvency Practice of Fuller Landau LLP, Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors (www. fullerlandau.com). Contact him at 416-6456506 or email dfilice@fullerlandau.com.
Well Aware: helping to ensure clean, clear and safe drinking water for rural well owners since 2002.
Well Aware is a stewardship program for private residential wells that emphasizes the value of protecting the health of family, friends and environment by understanding the interaction of the well, property and the home.
Initiated in Ontario after the Walkerton tragedy, some of the tools we use to promote well stewardship include community forums; workshops for realtors, public health staff, and home inspectors; and outreach materials.
Our Home Visits help foster change: The Well Aware home visit is another popular tool – an intensive opportunity to educate and empower well owners, helping them to identify any issues on their property that might be impacting their water quality, and providing them with the knowledge and resources they need to take positive action to address those issues. It is non-regulatory, voluntary, and confidential.
Our trained well guides have completed almost 4,000 home visits, and have observed that comfort levels among well owners are often misplaced. The recommendations that we have provided to participants have included:
After receiving their Recommendations Report, follow-up research indicates that 76% of well visit participants later implement recommendations.
If you are concerned about groundwater protection in your region, Well Aware can provide much needed support.
To date Well Aware has only been delivered in Ontario, but we are very interested in bringing this innovative program to other provinces and territories.
Well Aware can help stakeholders by providing: information kits booklets factsheets presentations information provider workshops partnerships
Well Aware can help well owners by providing: information kits booklets factsheets home visits
direction to local, licensed contractors present at local events
Contact Heather Kirby at hkirby@greencommunitiescanada.org or 705-745-7479x114 to learn more about protecting groundwater through Well Aware.
