GWC - Summer 2010

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Ground Water

Summer 2010, Vol. 36, No. 3

Editor Hugh McElhone groundwater@annexweb.com 888-599-2229 ext. 270

Sales Manager

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CanWell was great; now to the future

During my tenure as editor of this magazine I have been riding a steep learning curve. There is so much history to learn, and technical information, to name just two aspects of the industry.

I have quickly learned something I have always taken for granted; namely, that clean drinking water comes to Canadians courtesy of a dedicated, highly trained and knowledgeable industry that doesn’t simply cross its fingers and keep drilling hoping to find water.

There is a well-established science behind what Canadian water well drillers do. There are geological maps, site records, and a host of regulations from more than one ministry governing proper procedures.

On the latter point, I learned that the government is quick to enact strict legislation but, due to funding cuts and staff shortages, does not enforce it. This leaves those properly licensed and trained to compete with fly-by-night operators, and to fix the mistakes they leave behind.

This brings me to the geothermal industry that has no legislation to enforce. I have met many knowledgeable, skilled and highly respected geothermal installers, but they also face the same renegades that water well drillers encounter.

CanWell guest speakers Dr. Patrick Moore of Greenspirit and former governor general Ed Schreyer laid out the big picture for all of us at Friday’s events: if we don’t thoroughly think through our actions today, there may not be much of a future for our children.

While both men strongly supported geothermal systems as a necessary way to wean us off fossil fuels, both were concerned by the lack of interest from

government in setting standards and regulations that cover all of our actions when we drill into the earth. Ironically, while they were speaking, oil was gushing into the Gulf of Mexico.

In lieu of government interest, the CGWA and most provincial geothermal associations have worked cohesively to try and create national standards that both industries can recognize and honour.

The focus of the next issue will be the geothermal industry. We have an interview scheduled with Gord Bailey, veteran driller and program coordinator of Fleming College’s Resources drilling and blasting program, and we’ll provide some course updates on what Fleming College has on offer for the fall program. We are also working on a geo-installer profile, plus news that affects the industry.

The focus of this issue is new pumps and the pump market in general, plus a quick wrap-up of CanWell 2010, with plenty of photos.

It was a considerable challenge putting together the CanWell 2010 conference and trade show guide. Pages were added so we could include regular content, association and industry news plus two profiles of the good work the industry is doing at home and overseas. It was intended as a “feel good” issue so you could feel proud of yourselves, and for the most part, feedback was positive. It has been great meeting you, the readers, along the way, and at CanWell, a top-notch event. Please continue to support your associations and board members, who do their best to represent the goals and objectives of your respective industries. n

On the cover:

Despite intermittent rain, the outdoor water well drilling and geothermal demonstrations at CanWell 2010 went off without a hitch. Photo courtesy of Friesen Drilling Ltd.

CanWell that ends well

The Canadian Ground Water Association’s (CGWA) biennial Conference and Trade Show went off without a hitch last month.

Hosted jointly by the Manitoba Well Water Association (MWWA) and the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance (MGEA), CanWell 2010 drew more than 650 registered delegates to the Winnipeg Convention Centre, where some 70 manufacturers, suppliers and industry representatives greeted them eagerly at their booths on the sprawling trade show floor.

Standing among the booths were nine drill rigs, which was a CanWell first, said John Friesen, CGWA president. Highly polished to showroom condition, the owners and employees stood proudly by their rigs, ready to show them off and explain in detail how they worked.

During the wrap-up banquet, which featured an excellent meal complete with wine, Wayne McRae, CGWA executive director, asked the members of the CanWell planning committee to stand up and be recognized. “These people truly deserve your applause,” he said. He also thanked the dozens of sponsors and volunteers who helped make the event a success: “We couldn’t have done it without you.”

CanWell 2010 opened with a commercial design training course, driller training course, and Pump Level 1 and 2 courses the day before the official kickoff on May 26. Over the course of the three-day conference, technical sessions were held throughout the day covering everything from drill bits, to geothermal distribution systems, to exercising due diligence when it comes to insurance.

On the final day of the event, an outdoor drilling demonstration was held at the former Canada Packers’ site where a “drill off” took place between two rigs to compare drill bits. Another demonstration featured a shallow auger geothermal loop installation. Despite intermittent downpours, the crowd was much bigger than we expected, said Friesen.

“We have had terrific comments on the technical sessions,” said Inez Miller, CanWell co-ordinator. “They were impressed by the diversity of topics offered and were interested in the geothermal and driller (technical) sessions.”

“There is also a strong interest among drillers to get more involved in the geo industry, and lots of networking has happened today,” said Miller on the trade show floor. “Like-minded industries should stick together.”

“This is the first time the MWWA and MGEA have worked together, and this is very important,” she stressed. “The well drillers and the geothermal industry can get along quite well and have pulled off this premier event quite handily. It can happen again. It can be done.”

Miller’s advice to associations holding future CanWells is succinct. “You have to have an extensive amount of dedicated volunteers, period. So very few know the volunteer’s involvement nor how invaluable they are to the success.”

“You have to make a solid commitment to quality service from start to finish for the delegates, and for the people on the trade show floor. You also have to offer courses that adhere to the legislation, and ideally offer all of the training courses that are available at the time,” she concluded. n

Ron Wright, Calgary, Alta., and Chrystal Harty, (right) Saint John, N.B., visit with Inez Miller, CanWell coordinator, during the opening night wine and cheese reception. Photo by Hugh McElhone.
The three presidents (from left) John Friesen, CGWA, Ron Robins, MGEA, and Jeff Bell, MWWA, join guest speaker Christine Melnick, Manitoba’s Minister of Water Stewardship. Photo by Hugh McElhone.

DRILLER pROfILE

WRC grows beyond water refining

Adrian Van Mourik’s ties to the ground water industry are long – lifelong in fact.

Adrian Van Mourik, owner/ operator of WRC Purifying Ltd. in Norwich, Ont., is following in his father’s footsteps . . . after a fashion. Keith Van Mourik opened the doors of Keith’s Contracting in Norwich in 1966, concentrating on the heating, plumbing and electrical end of things. Keith was involved with water-related work but it wasn’t his primary focus, Van Mourik explained. Keith’s Contracting became WRC (Water Refining Company) in 1968.

Van Mourik, born and raised in the household where he now lives and operates his business, often helped his father while growing up. He attended the Rehoboth Christian School and Norwich District High School. After high school, Van Mourik found work as a bricklayer before signing on with his father full time 18 years ago.

It was after he joined the family business that he pursued his post-secondary education, attending various col-

leges including Sir Sandford Fleming College in Lindsay. While there, Van Mourik completed his pump installation and well-drilling apprenticeships. He earned his plumbing papers at Fanshawe College in London.

Digging deeper

It was Van Mourik who introduced more of the well drilling into the business, a service, he said, that really got underway in the 1990s. His father was leaning more toward water treatment by that time and away from the plumbing and electrical. He, his father and brother-in-law Eric Korevaar were the only ones on the employee roster at that point.

Back then, the company began by “jetting in” sand points, a technique that uses water pressure to create a hole in the ground, before they changed to a small rotary rig that actually drilled the holes. As time passed, they “outgrew” that equipment, purchasing a cable tool drilling machine and expanding from simply creating sand points to digging residential wells. Two years ago, Van Mourik purchased another cable tool rig from the Langton area. The rig came from the estate of Walter Burwell. “We bought the equipment and business from him,” he said. “He was in his 80s and

still drilling.” The purchase brought two rigs to the fleet of vehicles plus several service vehicles for transporting well casings, water and other necessities.

Van Mourik and Korevaar bought Keith out in the late 1990s, although his dad continues to serve as his shop foreman/handyman today. “He’s my repair guy,” Van Mourik said. Five years ago, he bought out his brother-in-law but WRC continues to have family ties. His sister Anita Veldhuizen serves as his office manager and he has a nephew working for him who is currently seeking a plumbing apprenticeship.

Today, WRC employs 15 people including part-timers. The team consists of water well drillers, pump installers, water treatment specialists, a certified operator of small drinking water systems and licensed plumbers and gas fitters.

“I have a really, really good team of employees and I like to stress the word team,” Van Mourik said.

In 1998, Van Mourik married his wife Diana, who is busy these days raising their four young children Tara, Tanner, Tiffany and Tyson.

Above: “I have a really, really good team of employees and I like to stress the word team,” says Adrian Van Mourik.

Impressive list of services

The company’s territory covers Southwestern Ontario and its areas of expertise encompass agricultural, commercial, industrial and residential water needs.

WRC’s list of services is impressive. On the drilling side, the company specializes in well drilling, well upgrades, sand points and well decommissioning. It offers agricultural plumbing and its installation services include installing the products the company sells as well as installing and servicing most water filtration equipment, pumps and systems. Water analysis work and delivery of products like water softener salt, hydrogen peroxide and bottled water in its service area round out its list of services.

Water treatment opportunities growing

Today the lion’s share of Van Mourik’s business involves water treatment.

Breaking it down, Van Mourik estimates drilling represents about 20 per cent and heating only about 10 per cent. The rest, he

commented, is water treatment, a field he sees as a “really growing” one.

While WRC specializes in many areas of water treatment, including work for Woodstock General Hospital, a large percentage of that business involves agricultural plumbing or taking water from the well to the cow’s mouth.

“Water quality is of growing importance to farmers,” Van Mourik said. “I find them more educated about it than the general public.”

“Before farmers seemed to think ‘well it is just an animal drinking it,’ he said. “Now they think of the advantages good water can have for livestock.”

Good quality water improves animal health and the overall health of the farm, he added.

“That’s what I enjoy the most, working with the farmers. Seeing their return, you are rewarded. When I succeed, the farmer benefits. Just drilling a well is only a small part of the process.”

Based on his experience, WRC is committed to meeting the heating aspects

Adrian Van Mourik is the owner operator of WRC (Water Refining Company) Purifying based in Norwich, Ont. The company has a staff of 15 full- and part-time employees. Photo by Marlene Opdecam.

and needs of barns as many have infloor, radiant heat demands.

Mezutizer on the move

Five years ago, Van Mourik began importing the Mezutizer product line from Europe, a line he distributes across

DRILLER pROfILE

Canada. The products remove iron, methane gas and sulphur from water. The line is used largely in the commercial, industrial and agricultural sectors. As it is designed for high flow, there are limited residential applications.

Other products include softeners, distillers, reverse osmosis, ozone, ultraviolet lights, iron and sulphur filters, hydrogen peroxide systems and pumps.

Different market segment

This past September, WRC purchased a Brantford-based business utilizing DI Exchange Tanks. The deionizer exchange tanks process water makes it “ultra pure,” Van Mourik explained. “It’s a whole different market segment.”

The process is the same as is used in kidney dialysis. More commercial/ industrial uses include very pure water for washing circuit boards. The tanks are also used in the soap, Windex and film developing industries, he added, in addition to others. Work for photo shops is, however, on the decline due to the rapid growth of digital technology.

Green technologies catching on

In addition to the many other services WRC offers, geothermal work has come into play.

“We’re doing a decent amount of geo-

WRC Purifying, based in Norwich, Ont., offers a wide range of services, including well drilling, well updates, sand points and well abandonment. It offers agricultural plumbing and its installation services include installing the products the company sells as well as installing and servicing most water filtration equipment, pumps and systems. Water analysis work and delivery of products like water softener salt, hydrogen peroxide and bottled water in its service area round out the company’s list of services. Photo by Marlene Opdecam.

thermal,” Van Mourik said. “(It’s) more related to the dairy side of things.” In such cases, dairy producers are using the heat from milk fresh from the cow and using it to heat their homes, he explained.

With this system, once the cow is milked, the frothy liquid is pumped through a heat exchanger and used to heat water. The water is then run through a heat pump, which cools the water and extracts the heat

Like many in the industry, Adrian Van Mourik is a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) and has been for a number of years.

The association, formed in 1952, is dedicated to protecting and promoting Ontario’s most precious resource by working with the various sectors of the ground water industry for the delivery of safe and clean water supplies throughout the province.

Van Mourik was approached to serve as a director of the notfor-profit organization and did so from 2005 to 2008.

During his term as director, he said, Regulation 903 for wells, construction and decommissioning was changing and members of the OGWA board did their best to rework it into something that could be carried out in a practical fashion.

“Sometimes you have regulations that work in the textbook but not in the field,” he commented. “We did a lot of work on how we felt they [regulations] should be written, in a practical fashion, I guess, so they could be carried out in a practical fashion.”

for use in the home. This way, the farmer not only enjoys some heat for his home, he has cooler milk and the compressor has a shorter run time, Van Mourik said. “It is really a win/win for the farmer.”

For projects such as this, WRC teams up with Oxford Energy, which designs and supplies the heat pumps, he added. WRC also handles residential geothermal jobs with horizontal or vertical loop

The board then presented the reworked regulation to the ministry.

Unfortunately, the lawyers get the final say, he commented. “They make changes in your draft.”

There are some still like that [not practical] today, Van Mourik said with a shrug. “We have to look at it as a success just by the small changes.

“I think, right now, Ontario is one of the leaders in water wells and regulations.”

After serving three years as an OGWA director, Van Mourik chose to step down. That was about the time he acquired sole ownership of WRC Purifying. “I wasn’t sure how I was going to fill the gap [left by his brother-in-law],” he said. As it turned out, one of his employees stepped up to take over as manager, which bought him some spare time. But it was also in this time period that he was elected as a Rehoboth School board director.

“I knew I had to give something up,” he said.

Van Mourik is also a member of the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA).

Van Mourik: on his term as OGWA director

installations while Oxford Energy installs the pumps in homes.

Nor is geothermal the only “green” work WRC is involved with.

In early 2007, the company teamed up with Zolarays, a solar heating company out of Woodstock, to tackle a very large nursing home project in Petrolia. Zolarays provided the solar panels and WRC the piping for the panels. “There is a lot of piping involved,” said Van Mourik. He added he is in the quoting stage for a retirement home project where solar heating utilizing evacuated tubes (glass tubes under vacuum) will be used to produce the entire heating load for the facility, including the pool.

Weighing in on changes

Over his years in the industry, Van Mourik has seen a lot of changes, some good, some not so good.

On the plus side, he has witnessed a lot of advances in water treatment technologies and products. “Just when you think you’ve got it all, a new product

Russ Carroll, left, and Greg Couwenberg are two of the 15 people employed by WRC Purifying. Russ describes himself as a plumber and a jack of all trades while Greg is an apprentice. Photo by Marlene Opdecam.

comes out or new opportunities.”

The public has become more aware of the importance of good, quality water, he added, and the use of geothermal, solar and radiant heat is growing.

On the minus side of the ledger, water contamination is growing. “It’s reached levels my dad has never seen,” Van Mourik said. “They say it is Chemical Alley we are living in.

No one is more serious about your job than we are.

When you’ve been around for over 70 years and invented a lot of the tools that are industry standard worldwide, you tend to develop a certain amount of confidence in your product. We offer over 40 models of swivels, handling tools, and other drilling equipment made with high-quality heat-treated steel alloys and tested in our own 300,000-square-foot facility. It’s a serious business, and no one is more serious about it than we are. Got a tough job ahead? Bring it on.

WRC Purifying of Norwich, Ont., has a fleet of two cable tool rigs and several service vehicles. Here, owner/operator Adrian Van Mourik poses with one of the rigs. Photo by Marlene Opdecam.

“The overall quality of water is a concern for humans and animals. We just can’t take it for granted that what comes out of a tap is healthy to drink. It may be potable but not necessarily

healthy to drink.”

As a seasoned veteran in the business, Van Mourik also has concerns about its regulation. The rules and regulations are there for drilling, he

The SpeedStar 30K, mounted on a 6 x 4 truck, is perfect for shallow municipal or deep residential water wells. 25,000-lb. singleline winch combined with the hydraulic rod spinner makes tool handling fast and easy. This is the flagship of the GEFCO water well line, and has been for decades.

said, but there is no one to enforce them. There are not enough regulatory bodies when it comes to drilling either, Van Mourik added.

And when it comes to geothermal work, he says, there aren’t enough rules and regulations and there isn’t anybody to enforce those that do exist. He believes lack of enforcement is the result of government cutbacks.

Future still promising

Still, when it comes to the future, Van Mourik continues to look on the bright side.

With the public awareness of the need for clean water, he anticipates unused wells or those not up to code will be capped or upgraded. “They’ll see a concern and a need for this,” Van Mourik said. Water treatment work is another area where he foresees expansion.

And, as more people embrace the “green” technologies, work in the solar and geothermal fields will enjoy continued growth. n

n Hoisting capacity (hook load) — 30,000 lbs. with tophead travel of 29 ft.

n Dimensions — length: 35’ 6”; width: 8’ 6”; height: 13’ 3”

n Field-proven PTO power design reduces maintenance costs and noise

n Hydraulic rod spinner

n Carousel options available

Despite recession, OGWA convention numbers up this year

Tough economic times did not dampen enthusiasm for this year’s Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) Trade Show & Convention, which was held April 22-24, 2010, in Niagara Falls at the Sheraton Fallsview Hotel & Conference Centre.

“There were 138 individuals registered for the convention, 40 booths in the trade show and we estimate over 200 visitors to the trade show,” says OGWA past president Craig Stainton. “These numbers are slightly larger than last year at Blue Mountain.”

“The venue was good,” says Roger McHugh, district sales manager with Grundfos Canada Inc. Although Grundfos did not have its own booth, the company exhibited their submersible and jet pump product lines at the event by pairing with three of its major groundwater distributors. McHugh’s only concern: “We would like to see more traffic through the trade show.”

The choice of Niagara Falls was a clear winner for delegates, given all the sites and sounds of this world-famous location. Besides the Falls, they had the chance to challenge Lady Luck at the nearby Fallsview Casino, tour local wineries, and enjoy “2009 International Magician of the Year” Greg Frewin demonstrating his mystical talents on Friday April 23.

“The entire convention is a highlight and holiday for many members,” Stainton tells Ground Water Canada magazine. “Certainly Niagara Falls meant for a pretty fantastic setting for the convention as well as many opportunities for fun things during private time. The Friday night entertainment and the Saturday tour of the Niagara-on-the-Lake vineyards were well enjoyed and all the seminars were well attended.”

“Reaction to the convention?” says McHugh. “I think most delegates enjoyed it.”

The events above are not all that attendees got to enjoy: “At the President’s Banquet Saturday evening four new

Honourary Members were named, Robert Williams, John W. Rumble, John O’Connor and Ted Van Kessel,” Stainton notes. “The Archie Watt award went to Tim Mullings of Golder & Associates, Rachael Managh was the Fleming College student who won the OGWA Bursary and I was awarded the Earth, Wind, Fire and Water award from Fleming College.”

Despite the good times, there were a lot of serious issues discussed during the OGWA convention’s three-day run. “The latest technologies and equipment are always very popular and certainly this year the effect that the HST will have on our industry was a common concern,” says Craig Stainton.

As for ongoing ground water issues? “There are two challenges that seem to keep coming up,” he replies. “The first is municipal water being piped all over the province at all taxpayers’ expense with benefits to a numbered few and not the well drillers in those areas; and secondly, enforcement of the regulations our industry works under.”

The problem with enforcement in Ontario is that, “There is no enforcement,” he notes. “Those individuals who are appropriately licensed, insured and follow the regulations feel that they

are at a disadvantage, and often lose jobs to unlicensed uninsured folks that don’t follow the regulations and just work cheap.”

The good news? According to Stainton, the Ontario ground water industry has done reasonably well during the recession. “Certainly the market differs greatly around the province depending on municipal water and the local economy and whether or not new homes are being built,” he says. “I think the majority are not running off their feet but are working steadily. Replacements for aging wells, irrigation wells and geothermal drilling are steady markets.”

The strong showing at this year’s OGWA convention bodes well for future events. At press time, there were no firm plans in place for the 2011 event, “although I believe the committee is looking at a venue in eastern Ontario,” Stainton says. “The location plans will be firmed up this summer. CanWell 2012 will be held in Hamilton as Ontario will host the next Canadian Ground Water Association (CGWA) convention.”

To keep an eye on plans for upcoming OGWA events, log onto http://ogwa.ca. n

Curtis Bullock (left) and Jamie Gunn give OGWA president, Greg Bullock, a hand drawing door prizes. Photo by Hugh McElhone.

A1600 Bedford Highway • Suite 100-409 • Bedford, Nova Scotia • B4A 1E8 Telephone: (902) 845-1885 • Fax: (902) 845-1886 • E-mail: cgwa@ns.sympatico.ca

s I begin to pen my newsletter for the summer issue of Ground Water Canada, I am waiting at the airport in Winnipeg to catch a flight home following Can’Well 2010. I will intentionally keep this newsletter short to allow for more Can’Well coverage in the magazine.

Your board of directors met on Monday evening, May 24, and meetings continued through Tuesday and Wednesday, the 25th and 26th. The directors’ agenda listed many

items, including the approval of financial reports, budgets, certification and training reports, and future plans for committees and Can’Well events. The board was able to discuss the recently purchased Pump Installers Course and review comments from stakeholders who were able to attend the course at Can’Well and write the CGWA Certification exams. The venue also allowed for training-thetrainer opportunities for people to begin to facilitate the course across Canada.

In future newsletters I will talk in detail about decisions made by your board at this meeting, as well as list the new board of directors for 2010-2011. The appointments of new national directors are not yet

complete as we await decisions to be made at the provincial level of several provinces. I will mention, however, that the new executive includes John Friesen, president, Manitoba; Kevin Constable, first vice-president, Ontario; and Michael Friesen, second vice-president, Saskatchewan. The M & S and technical directors will be appointed by the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) as it will be hosting Can’Well 2012 at Hamilton, Ontario.

The Can’Well at Winnipeg turned out to be an excellent gathering and the attendance, although not our best ever, was similar to that of Prince Edward Island and other recent Can’Wells, with approximately 800 delegates. The trade show, however,

was our best ever and very well managed by Can’Well chair Les Connor. This is the first time ever we were able to have nine drill rigs on the trade show floor.

The technical programs received many rave reviews from delegates as a good number of interesting topics were conveyed to the attendees. The technical sessions, chaired by Jeff Bell, are said to be the best of the Can’Wells. There were a few comments regarding the running of technical sessions and trade show hours concurrently and this issue will be addressed in future Can’Well shows.

The Can’Well at Winnipeg was a partnership with the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance (MGEA), led by Ron Robbins and Inez Miller. They worked hand-in-hand with Les Connor and his committees to create an excellent alliance that may continue through Can’Well 2012 at

Hamilton, 2014 at Vancouver, and on into the future. The provincial geothermal associations seem to have a great deal in common with the ground water associations from coast to coast.

The outdoor demos at Winnipeg, chaired by our president, John Friesen, were easily our best ever. John’s son, Jason, managed the drill site and despite heavy rain at times, we were treated to eleven different drilling and technical demos with explanations from the Manitoba ground water group and the MGEA. Congratulations for a job well done.

Finally, I would like to mention the last issue of Ground Water Canada magazine, in which controversial articles on geothermal and a less than complimentary letter to the editor was published. The board of directors spoke with Ground Water Canada staff regarding these items and advised

them that they now felt less than partners in this magazine. Further discussions took place, which will result in Ground Water Canada writing to the CGWA to offer a new publishing agreement as we move forward.

To those members, stakeholders and friends who called, e-mailed or spoke to me at Winnipeg regarding the magazine, let me simply say that we are not about to get into a “he said, she said” with an individual whose main ambition may be selfpreservation at this point. As always, the truth will come out.

In closing, I would like to announce that Valerie and I have signed on with the CGWA for the next two years so you will have to continue to put up with both of us.

Thank you for your kindness and co-operation over the past two years. We look forward to working with you in the future. n

Préparé par Wayne MacRae, Directeur administratif

Association canadienne des eaux souterraines

J1600 Bedford Highway • Suite 100-409 • Bedford, Nova Scotia • B4A 1E8 Telephone: (902) 845-1885 • Fax: (902) 845-1886 • E-mail: cgwa@ns.sympatico.ca

e commence la rédaction de mon bulletin pour la revue de l’été de l’Association canadienne des Eaux souterraines alors que je suis à l’aéroport de Winnipeg où j’attends

l’avion pour retourner à la maison après Can’Well 2010. Je vais intentionnellement fournir un bulletin plus court en vue de permettre la couverture de plus de renseignements concernant Can’Well dans la revue.

Votre comité directeur s’est réuni

lundi soir le 24 mai et les rencontres se sont poursuivies mardi le 25 et mercredi le 26 mai. Le programme des directeurs comprenait plusieurs articles incluant l’approbation des rapports financiers, les budgets, les rapports de certification et de formation et la planification future pour les Comités et les événements concernant Can’Well. Le comité a pu discuter de l’achat récent du cours pour les Installateurs de Pompes et revoir les commentaires des dépositaires qui ont pu assister au cours pendant l’exposition Can’Well 2010 et écrire les examens de certification de l’Association canadienne des Eaux souterraines. La réunion a également fourni des occasions de formation pour les instructeurs afin que les gens

commencent à faciliter la transmission du cours à travers le Canada. Dans les prochains bulletins, je parlerai en détail des décisions prises par le Conseil à cette réunion et je donnerai la liste des nouveaux membres du Conseil des directeurs pour 2010-2011. Les nominations de nouveaux directeurs nationaux ne sont pas encore complètes alors que nous attendons les décisions qui doivent être prises au niveau provincial de plusieurs provinces. Je mentionnerai, cependant, que le nouvel exécutif inclut John Friesen, président, Manitoba; Kevin Constable, premier vice-président, Ontario; et Michael Friesen, second vice-président, Saskatchewan. Le M & S et les directeurs techniques seront

Suite á la page 28

Constant pressure for residential water systems

With fewer private wells being drilled each year, the face of the ground water industry must change in order to thrive. Water systems contractors find that their success increasingly hinges on providing service to existing systems rather than on new installations. More than ever, contractors must find ways to add value to water systems already in place, improving performance and extending life while optimizing their own revenue potential. Constant pressure systems provide exactly this opportunity.

Although there are various methods of providing constant pressure, variable frequency drive (VFD) systems have proven to be the most versatile and effective. These systems use a pressure sensor to monitor water pressure, constantly comparing it to the system setting. The sensor sends a signal to the controller to adjust the pump speed as demand changes, maintaining a constant, steady pressure throughout the system. As a result, a VFD offers the flexibility to tailor a system to specific needs, even as those needs change.

Varying the speed of a pump means that its output is not limited to one performance curve, which is typically based on single-speed operation. Instead, a variable speed system operates on an infinite number of pump curves that exist between its minimum and maximum speeds. Essentially, every time the pump speed changes, the pump finds its operating point on a different curve within its range of performance.

Using a VFD can thus vastly expand the output range of a standard pump and motor to provide the advantages of constant pressure. This will eliminate pressure fluctuations from cycling in a traditional water well system while allowing the simultaneous use of multiple appliances or taps. In addition, constant pressure provides consistent spray patterns for lawn sprinklers, faster fill times for appliances, and more efficient water treatment. It also allows the possibility of expanding or

Wiring schematic of a variable frequency drive system.

improving a residence without having to make changes to the water system. Besides constant pressure, a VFD system offers many other benefits. For example, a VFD ramps up motor speed on startup and coasts down on shutdown. The result of this soft-start/ stop characteristic is a cooler motor with a much lower in-rush current, which in turn increases the lifespan of the motor. Soft starting also eliminates pressure surges and water hammer, reducing mechanical damage to the pump accordingly. In addition, many VFD systems offer built-in diagnostics and protection against damaging operating conditions, such as over/undervoltage, over/underload, current unbalance, over cycling, broken shaft, and more.

Clearly, VFD constant pressure systems can add tremendous value to water systems. Nevertheless, although they have been used for industrial and agricultural applications for many years, their acceptance has come more slowly for residential and light commercial applications. The primary reason for this was the necessity of a three-phase pump/ motor for VFD operation. Because most residential systems have single-phase

pumps/motors already in place, installing a VFD meant also having to replace the pump. In the case of submersible systems, the added labour costs quickly became prohibitive to a homeowner and overshadowed the benefits of constant pressure. This is no longer true today.

Franklin Electric has pioneered constant pressure VFD development for single-phase submersible water systems. Franklin’s MonoDrive controllers for three-wire systems and SubDrive2W controllers for two-wire systems allow for constant pressure retrofit, making pulling the pump unnecessary. Because the programming is built in and wiring is straightforward – power in/power out, like a standard control box–water systems contractors can add significant value to a water system with only a short service call.

In addition, the technology behind SubDrive and MonoDrive controllers has led Franklin Electric to develop a whole new kind of constant pressure unit. SubDrive Inline 1100 is an aboveground pump, motor, drive, and pressure switch in an integrated enclosure. Its small footprint and easy mounting options bring boosted and consistent pressure

to previously underserved applications, such as private residences on municipal/ city water systems and low yielding wells where storage tanks or cisterns are used.

SubDrive Inline 1100 differentiates itself from other pressure boosting pumps by providing constant pressure for every fixture at the same time.

As the ground water industry evolves, constant pressure products like these will continue to become more significant. With fewer wells drilled each year, simply providing water will no longer sustain business for water systems contractors. Instead, contractors must consider how to make systems already in place more valuable. By improving performance and giving homeowners the flexibility in their water usage their lifestyles demand, constant pressure systems offer the opportunity to do just that. With retrofit options available, constant pressure for residential water systems has never been easier or more affordable than it is now.

Franklin manufactures products for both private wells and municipal systems, covering a range of 1/2 through 5 horsepower. For more information about its portfolio of constant pressure products, visit www. constantpressure.com. n

©Franklin Electric Co., Inc., 2010. All rights reserved.

Heron dipper-T

• HigH viSiBiLity, eaSy Read POLyetHyLeNe JaCketed yeLLOw taPe

• StRONg SteeL taPe maRked iN ft/100tHS Of a fOOt (meteRS & miLLimeteRS)

• fuLLy PReSSuRe Rated PROBe

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HeRON PRemium wateR LeveL iNdiCatOR eaSy Read taPe.

pump mARkET

CentriPro® Balanced Flow Submersible Pump Controller from ITT

The CentriPro® Balanced Flow Submersible Pump Controller provides constant pressure when flow demand varies greatly. The controller reduces cycle stops resulting in longer motor life and the use of small pressure tanks occupies less space in pump rooms. Flashing LED signal lights indicate systems faults for foolproof troubleshooting.

All CentriPro® Balanced Flow Submersible Pump Controllers have built in filters that protect the motor and prevent interference with electronic devices.

The controllers are compatible with a number of submersible pump models up to 5HP. For more information visit www.goulds.com.

Peerless pump moves into Grundfos Canada

Peerless Pump Canada has relocated its facilities from Burlington, Ontario to Grundfos Canada headquarters in Oakville, Ontario. The relocation is in response to Grundfos’ acquisition of Peerless Pump in December 2007 and will enable Peerless to work closely with Grundfos and present itself to the industrial market as one company.

This is the first step in getting the Peerless brand more recognized in Canada, stated Chris Hatton, general manager of Peerless Pump Canada. “The advantage of doing this is that we will be able to grow our business a lot quicker by utilizing distribution networks and selling our products through existing Grundfos channels. Grundfos certainly has more sales guys in the industry,

compared to Peerless, so we will be able to get the product out there with more visibility, sell to places we couldn’t sell to before and eventually package the Peerless product with Grundfos”.

Hatton added, “Peerless didn’t own the Burlington facility, whereas Grundfos owns their facility and it didn’t make financial sense to have two facilities within fifteen kilometres of each other. A decision was made to move into Grundfos’ newer facility and keep everything in-house and under one roof.”

Pentair Water Inc. launches constant water pressure system

Pentair Water is pleased to announce the introduction of the PENTEK INTELLIKIT constant pressure system for four inch submersible well water applications. According to Pentair, the PENTEK INTELLIKIT is a bundled system consisting of submersible motor, pump and variable-frequency-drive

products pre-packaged in a contractorfriendly kit. The PENTEK INTELLIKIT products do support all four pro pump brands and provide constant pressure solutions up to and in excess of 50GPM in either a NEMA 1 or NEMA 3R enclosure solution. In addition, they offer kits in both 60Hz and 80Hz packages to meet the needs of varying applications. The PENTEK INTELLIKIT provides an easy to identify

pre-packaged solution with a cost advantage over purchasing components individually.

Constant Pressure Benefits – The “PENTEK INTELLIKIT’ provides the performance of a city water system, maintaining steady water pressure regardless of demand.

Energy Savings Solution – Utilization of a Variable-FrequencyDrive allows for the motor to only run as fast as required to keep up with fluctuating demand. This results in less current to the motor; hence, less power required and a lower energy bill.

Extended Life of the Pump and Motor – Utilization of a VariableFrequency-Drive provides a Soft Start / Coast to Stop Solution that is much easier on motor insulation. In addition, the Variable-Frequency-Drive has pump protection not typically

found on traditional pressure switch systems.

Space Savings Solution – Utilization of a Variable-Frequency-Drive allows for the use of a small pressure tank, freeing up valuable space where that large tank would reside.

For more information visit www.pentair.com

Pompco introduces the ST12-75-233P

According to Pompco, its ST (stainless) and SL (thermoplastic) series are built with such precision that they provide superior output for many years. These submersible pumps are built to perform under tough conditions even in abrasive water. You can also count on Canadian quality as these pumps are built and assembled right here in Canada.

Some of the pumps’ features

pump mARkET

include: external stainless steel check valves on the ST series as well as a 304 stainless discharge head and motor bracket. On the SL series we use an internal Polypropylene plus fibres check valve with the same material in our discharge head and motor bracket.

On both series we use a hexagonal shaft made of stainless steel for corrosion and wear resistance. The couplings are made of stainless steel and fit perfectly to any four-inch standard motor, which allows maximum efficiency. The screens and cable guards are all made of stainless steel that resists corrosion.

Presently they can offer either the Franklin Electric motor or the Pentek Motor which carries a five-year warranty (1/2-1hp). For more information visit www.pompco.com

SubDrive Inline 1100

Franklin Electric’s SubDrive Inline 1100 provides constant pressure for both private wells and municipal water systems.

According to Franklin, the Subdrive features a complete and packaged system with pump, motor, drive and pressure switch in one box. With a small and compact design, and made from stainless steel, it fits into small areas, even between floor joists.

The package contains simple and easy installation with step-by-step illustrated instructions. It has quiet

and cool operation with an integrated motor design that allows water to flow around it.

The SubDrive has multiple mounting configurations and units can be installed where you need them, either horizontal, vertical or upside down.

Other features incude a product power rating: 1.2 hp, 0.9 kW with a shipping weight of 22.7 kg. Built in system protections guard the inline

unit from many common failure modes including: surge protection, voltage underload, locked pump, open circuit, short circuit and overheated controller. Applications include boosted and consistent water pressure from water storage/cistern systems, homes – both in private and municipal applications, general pressure boosting, sprinkler systems, farming and commercial wash down systems. n

Jan Van Genechten (left) of Well Pumps of Belgium and Tony Biamonte of Slyfox Holdings show their new three-inch submersible pump at CanWell 2010. Photo by Hugh McElhone.

The Geoprobe Systems’ 8040DT rig can tackle a variety of applications

According to Geoprobe their highcapacity 8040DT, establishes a new class of subsurface machines that are innovative, versatile, compact and well-suited for the geotechnical, environmental, and geothermal industries. The machine features a five-function combo head for performing standard penetration testing, highcapacity augering, and for easy driving, a large diameter casing. Large power in a compact package allows use in different drilling techniques such as direct push, air rotary, wet rotary, overburden rotary systems, and augering. Options include a coring head, pullback/breakout, and the drop rack system for easy transport

of tools and supplies. The 8040DT has 59,000 pounds of downforce and 80,000 pounds of pullback. www.geoprobe.com

New well guide protects well tapes

Rice Earth Sciences recently unveiled its new two-inch well guide, which was demonstrated by company representative, Glen Fletcher, at the Ontario Ground Water Association’s convention and trade show.

“You can protect well tapes and costly pump wire from damage with our new 360-degree Rice Well Guide. This tool will eliminate the possibility of damage from rough edges on the well casing and provide consistent measurement for users,” said Fletcher.

Heron Instruments offers ground water data logger

The Heron dipperLog ground water data logger provides users with more features and benefits than higher priced loggers. The dipperLog has a memory capacity of 32,000 readings of both level and temperature and is available on vented and non vented cable. The narrow 5/8 inch diameter logger allows the dipperLog to be used in narrow wells where space is an issue. The portability of the dipperLog on a reel is ideal for pump tests and short term monitoring projects. Calibration certificates are available. Heron Instruments has cost effective logging for everyone who needs to monitor water levels.

The Heron dipperLog at a glance:

• Has many features of higher priced models.

• Beginner and Advanced setting make it easy to learn and use.

• 32,000 readings of level & 32,000 readings of temperature between downloads.

• Real time readings available with the Direct Read dipperLog Version.

• Automatic elevation and barometric compensation with the Heron barLog.

• Instant visual real time readings at the well with the Heron Tap”N”Tell.

• Remote downloading and reprogramming option with the Heron dipperWave system.

• SDI -12 compatible using the Heron SDI-12 interface cable.

For more information please visit: www.heroninstruments.com

Solar charger for mobile devices

Ottawa-based KIWI Choice Inc. announces availability of the KIWI U-Powered portable charger – a solar and USB-powered portable charger for mobile devices. Unlike other portable chargers, KIWI U-Powered can be charged from multiple power sources, such as a USB port, car charger, wall charger or the sun. Once charged, KIWI U-Powered is used both as a backup power source for hand

held electronics like BlackBerrys, iPods, iPhones and digital cameras, and as a universal charger for all these devices.

The centre of each unit is intentionally left blank for corporations to insert their logo at the products’ focal point, creating a unique branding opportunity. The KIWI U-Powered package includes one 2000 mAh battery capacity and 1000 charge battery life, 11 device tips, USB car charger, USB wall charger and a velveteen pouch. Both the USB car charger and wall charger can be used to charge your KIWI U-Powered and all your mobile devices directly.

Suggested retail price is $49.99. For more information please visit www.kiwichoice.com

Sandvik announces new QL-60 6 inch DTH hammer

Sandvik recently introduced a new series of DTH hammers using the most common shank type in the industry.

Their new RH450 series will be able to use any QL-60 shank type drill bits.

The design of the RH450 series of hammers is based on a proven design that has been reverse engineered over recent years to take advantage of the latest technology. The hammers are characterized by high reliability in most applications and rock conditions. A patented taper lock system holds the inner cylinder tightly in place and makes removal and replacement easy without special tools. The solid piston with robust impact area is designed to take a lot of punishment.

The overall design is simple, with a minimized number of non-steel parts. All RH450 hammers are built for bits with generic shanks, a fact that gives a great flexibility in the choice of bits.

The six-inch DTH hammer is the latest offer from Sandvik, and the five- and eight-inch hammers will be introduced later, said David Lewandowski, with ML Air Inc., which distributes the Sandvik line throughout eastern Canada. n

CAnwELL phOTO gALLERy

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1. Rick Oberle (left) demonstrates his Well Magic software to Jeff Dickson, M & M Drilling, Winnipeg, Man.

2. James and Jason Friesen, Friesen Drillers, Steinbach, Man., pack up their drill rig on the last day of the show.

3. Dave Breeze (right) explains the new Atlas Copco Aqua 60 hammer to Pete Waldner, Klein’s Geothermal, McGregor, Man.

4. No convention would be complete without Elvis, and Corny Remple, Steinbach, Man., delivered the goods.

5. From left, Deborah and Darren Holmberg of Winnipeg Geothermal, chat with Travis Robinson of GroundTech Solutions.

6. The trade show was a family affair for Jody and Jason Tessier (rear) and children Kali and Dylan, Mel’s Well Drilling, Emo, Ont.

7. Married the week before, Ivan and Alicia Gough, Brewster Well Drilling, Mount Uniacke, N.S., enjoyed CanWell but did not consider it their honeymoon.

8. From left, Fred Glass, Waylon Bundus and Mackenzie Hubick, Stauber Drilling, Regina, Sask.

9. The Evolution Dance Group kept toes tapping.

InDusTRy nEws

Manitoba Water Well Association update

The Manitoba Water Well Association (MWWA), and our conference partner, the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance (MGEA), would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that came out and made the show a success.

Preliminary reports indicate that about 650 people attended from across Canada. The technical talks were well attended, and the drilling demonstration went well, despite receiving a record-setting amount of rain early in the morning. Overall, things went very well, and we hope that everyone enjoyed themselves and found the convention and trade show a worthwhile experience.

The convention marked the first time that the MGEA and the MWWA have collaborated on a large project. We feel that this collaboration is good for both groups. We also plan on

working together more in the future with the MGEA, while maintaining our own individual organizations.

The executive of the MWWA would like to thank all the members, suppliers, and partners that worked hard to make the show a success. Everyone really pulled together to make things work. We had an excellent turnout of suppliers and exhibitors to support the show. The demonstration also had more participants than we had originally hoped. A big thank-you goes out to everyone that contributed and worked hard.

The MWWA is starting things off this year with some fairly major re-organization. We are currently facing a new change in our Province of Manitoba Ground Water and Water Well act, which will affect water well drillers, geothermal drillers, and possibly other industry groups. We plan on forming an active group to review and provide comments on these upcoming changes to the act. We also

have recently obtained the services of an executive director, who will be able to assist us in strengthening the association.

We plan on having a meeting in early July to go over the closing up details of the CanWell, and possibly discuss our plan for reviewing the changes to the ground water and water well act. We will likely be collaborating with the MGEA on this review process.

Thanks again for attending the 2010 CanWell.

InDusTRy nEws

Oct. 18 is private well seminar day, the sequel

The Ontario Ground Water Association and Well Wise partnered last March to offer a fantastic seminar day for professionals interested in learning more about private wells and in meeting a wide range of colleagues interested in improving their knowledge of wells. The day was such a great success that we are doing it again!

The Ministry of Environment has offered some financial support for this day and OGWA and Well Wise are working hard to bring a diverse group of speakers. The venue will be Victoria Hall in Cobourg. We loved the historical building offered by Orono’s Town Hall last time but we filled the hall. Victoria hall should offer a welcoming space in a small town, with a bit more room. We anticipate a lot of interest, so make sure you act quickly when we open registration in late August. Registration will go through the OGWA office this year. We are finalizing the agenda and have a few more speakers we are still communicating with at the time of print. We are very excited to tell you about the confirmed speakers:

• Bill Clarke, MTE Consultants and OGWA Director – to talk about pump tests.

• Steve Holysch – TRCA – to talk about the Sustainable Groundwater Expert Panel report.

• Stew Hamilton – to give a talk on the Ontario Geological Survey Ambient Groundwater Geochemistry project.

• Kim Yee Ministry of Environment.

• Jim Gehrels – to talk about the work they are doing in Haiti, Liberia and Kenya this year with Lifewater Canada.

• Mike Mehmert from the National Ground Water Association. Mike has been in the ground water industry for 38 years. He was the project director and contributing author for the third edition of Groundwater & Wells. He is the current McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer. His talk is entitled “You Drill a Hole – You Develop a Well.”

This is shaping up to be a very interesting day and we hope you will mark Oct. 18 on your calendar so that you can join us in Cobourg.

New digs for Lackner McLennan

The industry’s largest insurance provider closed the doors of its old office in April and moved a few streets over to its new headquarters at 423 King St. North, Waterloo, Ont., next to the Wildcraft Restaurant.

The new office is more spacious and modern, according to partner, Stephen Bleizeffer. “Our telephone and fax numbers remain unchanged and we will be able to better serve your needs from our new location,” he said.

Quebec group holds AGM and trade show

Marking its 10th anniversary, the Association des puits et pompes du Québec (APPQ) held Congess 2010, its annual general meeting, April 16-17.

The event was held at the Gouverneur Hotel, Longueuil, and featured a trade show, seminars on constant pressure pump systems, new pumps and new products, as well as geothermal systems and installations. An information session was also held with representatives for the Ministry of the Environment.

Congress 2010 wrapped up with a meeting of the board of directors plus general elections. Elected to the board are: Yanic Bernier, president; Denis Samson, vice-president; Simon Massé, secretary; Sylvain Beaudoin, director; Jonathan Desabrais, director; Sébastien Lapointe, director. Gilles Doyon was also elected for another term as executive director.

Workplace violence legislation takes effect

The Ontario government recently passed legislation for employers to identify risks employees face regarding harassment or violence. This policy is required regardless of business size and if more than six employees, must be in writing and posted in the workplace. n

Suite de la page 15

nommés par l’Association des Eaux souterraines de l’Ontario (OGWA) qui sera l’hôte de Can’Well 2012 à Hamilton en Ontario.

Le Can’Well de Winnipeg a vraiment été une excellente rencontre et l’assistance, même si elle n’a pas été la meilleure de toutes, s’est avérée semblable à celle de l’Île du Prince-Édouard et des autres récents Can’Wells, avec approximativement 800 délégués.

Cependant, l’exposition commerciale a été la meilleure de toutes et très bien gérée par le président de Can’Well, Les Connor. Il s’agit vraiment de la toute première fois que nous avons pu avoir neuf appareils de forage sur le plancher de l’exposition commerciale.

Les programmes techniques ont reçu plusieurs critiques élogieuses de la part des délégués, car un bon nombre de sujets intéressants ont été transmis aux gens présents. Les sessions techniques présidées par Jeff Bell sont, dit-on, les meilleures de tous les Can’Wells. Il y a eu quelques commentaires concernant le fait que les sessions techniques et l’exposition commerciale se déroulaient aux mêmes heures et cette question sera prise en considération lors des prochaines expositions Can’Well.

L’exposition Can’Well à Winnipeg se tenait en partenariat avec l’Alliance de l’Énergie Géothermique du Manitoba (MGEA), dirigée par Ron Robbins et Inez Miller. Ils ont travaillé main dans la main avec Les Connor et ses comités pour créer une excellente alliance qui pourrait se poursuivre au Can’Well 2012 à Hamilton, 2014 à Vancouver, et encore dans l’avenir. Les associations provinciales en énergie géothermique semblent avoir beaucoup de choses en commun avec les associations des eaux souterraines d’un océan à l’autre.

Les démonstrations extérieures à Winnipeg, présidées par John Friesen, notre président, ont facilement été les meilleures de toutes. Le fils de John, Jason, a géré le site de forage et malgré une grosse pluie à certains moments, nous avons vu onze différents types de forage et des

démonstrations techniques avec des explications de la part du groupe des eaux souterraines du Manitoba et de l’Alliance de l’Énergie Géothermique du Manitoba (MGEA). Félicitations pour un travail bien fait.

Finalement, j’aimerais mentionner la dernière publication de la revue «Ground Water Canada», dans laquelle certains articles sur l’énergie géothermique et une lettre, loin d’être élogieuse, ont été publiés et ont suscité la controverse. Le conseil des directeurs a parlé avec le personnel de «Ground Water Canada» concernant ces articles et les a avi-

sés qu’ils se sentaient maintenant moins partenaires de cette revue. D’autres discussions ont eu lieu, qui feront que le personnel de «Ground Water Canada» écrira une lettre à l’Association canadienne des Eaux souterraines pour offrir dans l’avenir une nouvelle entente de publication. À tous les membres, les dépositaires et les amis qui ont appelé, expédié des courriers électroniques ou discuté avec moi à Winnipeg concernant la revue, permettez-moi de vous dire que nous n’avons pas l’intention de nous attarder à des remarques comme « il a dit, elle a dit » avec

quelqu’un dont la principale ambition pourrait être à ce moment de se préoccuper de lui-même. Comme toujours, la vérité ressortira.

En terminant, je voudrais vous annoncer que Valérie et moi avons signé avec l’Association canadienne des Eaux souterraines pour les deux prochaines années, vous devrez donc continuer de travailler avec nous deux.

Merci de votre gentillesse et de votre coopération au cours des deux dernières années. Nous sommes fiers de poursuivre notre travail avec vous dans les mois à venir. n

hELpIng OvERsEAs

OGWA making progress in raising money, supplies for Haiti

The Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA) is about halfway towards its goal of raising $20,000 in money and materials for Haitian relief. As was reported in an earlier edition of Ground Water Canada, the OGWA is supporting Lifewater Canada’s efforts to help build wells in Haiti.

On its shopping list is a mud rotary rig; 200 lengths of fourinch Sch. 40 PVC casing; 75 lengths of #10 slot well screen with centralizers; four three-inch Grundfos pumps with generators; and two used army trucks.

“We had great success raising funds and supplies at the annual OGWA convention in Niagara Falls in late April,” says OGWA director Mary Jane Conboy. “To date, our donors have included the OGWA, Canpipe, Rideau Valley Pipe and Drilling Supplies Ltd., Heron Instruments, Geosmart, Air Rock, Boshart Industries, Interpump and Polytubes. Thanks to their support, OGWA was able to send materials to be included in containers shipping two refurbished army trucks and the rotary mud drill. OGWA was able to send three rolls of poly pipe, 1,460 feet of casing, 740 feet of screen and 30 end caps on a ship to Haiti on May 3.”

Materials are not enough: The Lifewater Canada mission is also seeking skilled volunteers to spend a few weeks in Haiti at their own expense. Once there, the volunteers will spend their time GPS-locating and refurbishing existing wells, and drilling new ones. Haiti is chronically short of fresh water; a situation made worse by the January 2010 earthquake, which drove hundreds of thousands of refugees into the country’s poorly equipped north.

Even before the earthquake, most of Haiti’s nine million

LETTER TO ThE EDITOR

Dear Editor,

Thank you for an excellent issue.

I am impressed to see Canadian generosity helping those less fortunate, especially by providing access to SAFE drinking water. Way to go, Lifewater Canada.

In North America, hard hats, steel toed boots, safety glasses, and coveralls are basic personal protective equipment that must be worn all the time. The young worker on the front page of your magazine doing work in Haiti didn’t have personal protective equipment. The people of Haiti deserve access to safe drinking water, and

people had no access to piped water. Many of the wells that were in existence were already overtaxed, or too shallow and thus polluted. With refugees from Port-au-Prince having moved into the poorly serviced north, the strain on the wells there is greater than ever.

‘We are making progress, but much more needs to be done,” Conboy says. “This is why we hope that OGWA members, and members of the general public, will continue to help out by making donations through the OGWA fund set up at www.lifewater.ca. The generosity of the Ontario ground water community really made itself apparent at the OGWA convention. Now we’re hoping that the industry will continue to help out, and help us make life so much better for the people of Haiti.” n

their workers deserve the same safety provisions we have in Canada.

Please let Lifewater know that for their next shipment of supplies to Haiti or elsewhere, ConeTec would be pleased to assist by funding basic personal protective equipment for the workers.

Best regards,

Jamie Sharp ConeTec Investigations Ltd. Richmond B.C. www.conetec.com

Volunteers from Lifewater Canada recently loaded desperately needed supplies and equipment into a sea container destined for Haiti. Photo courtesy of Mary Jane Conboy, OGWA.
What if satisfying the customer was as easy as turning on the water?

Think about ITT.

Even when flow requirements vary, Goulds Pumps efficiently delivers constant pressure and reliability thanks to the Balanced Flow Submersible Pump Controller and the GS Submersible Pump. The Balanced Flow provides the right pressure for showers, irrigation systems, washing machines and dishwashers, even when more than one appliance is in use. The GS Submersible Pump with the Guardian® System and CentriPro® motor delivers quiet, efficient and long-lasting performance in some of the world’s toughest submersible applications.

The result is that your customers have all the flow they need at the pressure they want, and you have a system you can feel confident installing nearly anywhere.

and

Back in 1959, a Woodford Model Y34 Freezeless Yard Hydrant left the factory with a shiny new coat of paint, and found a home on a farm in Iowa. Fifty years later, after countless hailstorms, sleet, rain, snow, and subzero temperatures, it’s not very shiny. But it’s still working fine.

In fact, we’ve seen some that date back to the 1920s, still doing their job every day.

Should a Woodford hydrant ever need repair, even if it

was made decades ago, all parts are replaceable on site without removing the hydrant itself. And we’ll have those parts available.

We can’t guarantee that every Woodford hydrant will last for 50 years. But, we can guarantee that when you specify Woodford, you’ll be drastically reducing the chance of callbacks, problems, and unhappy customers. We build everything possible into a Woodford hydrant. Except obsolescence.

WOODFORD MANUFACTURING COMPANY

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