You work hard to keep homes, businesses, and farmlands running. Tell us why you’re proud of what you do. We want to hear about it – and share it with others.
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The MudPuppy® was designed to efficiently remove rocks and sand from drill mud, making the mud and jobsite cleaner. With clean mud the problems of wear and tear on the mud pump, drill string, and other parts are reduced dramatically. The hole is cleaner with less wall cake, making for a more productive well.
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Serving the Canadian Ground Water industry for 47 years.
14
MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION
Transferring knowledge and experience to new hires is key to training and retention.
18
50 YEARS YOUNG!
B.C. Ground Water Association marks milestone with fast-paced, packed virtual program.
19
THE SOURCE
Find out what’s happening in the Ontario Ground Water Association in The Source
30 WELLS WORLDWIDE SUSCEPTIBLE
Researchers map depths and locations of water wells in Canada and elsewhere.
ON THE WEB:
NEW CONSTRUCTION CODES ACT COMING TO SASKATCHEWAN ADDRESSES ACCESSIBILITY
The Saskatchewan government recently passed The Construction Codes Act, Bill 4, in the Legislative Assembly, which will allow better alignment between construction codes and accessibility standards. The new Construction Codes Act repeals and replaces The Uniform Building and Accessibility Standards Act and will come into effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
www.groundwatercanada.com
For more information, visit saskatchewan.ca/btstandards.
PHOTO BY JIM SMITH, FLEMING COLLEGE
Everyone goes home
There are plenty of reasons to be hyper-diligent about safety but only one reason matters.
by Colleen Cross
Iremember learning about a fatality in this industry in September 2019 at an association event. It hit the room of contractors, scientists and suppliers hard.
The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety observes a National Day of Mourning every April 28. It’s a practice established 30 years ago to remember and honour those lives lost or injured due to a workplace tragedy and to collectively renew our commitment to improve health and safety in the workplace and prevent further injuries, illnesses and deaths. The statistics are sobering and worth repeating. According to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada, 925 workplace fatalities were recorded in Canada in 2019: 882 were male workers and 43 were female workers. Among these deaths were 29 young workers aged 15-24. That’s 925 workers who did their jobs and did not go home that night. There were 271,806 claims reported and accepted by the compensation boards that year for lost time due to a work-related injury or disease (up from 264,438 the previous year), including 33,615 from workers aged 15-24.
Marta Green, of the British Columbia Ground Water Association, delivered two powerful, meaningful safety messages over the past year.
In December 2020 during a regional online meeting the senior hydrogeologist at Associated Environmental Consultants in Vernon opened up about how it felt to lose a close friend and geologist in an small aircraft accident that was attributed in part to pilot error. In a very moving talk, Green made a passionate case for never lowering our guard on safety procedures.
Green gave an engaging talk at the BCGWA’s virtual convention in April about equipment orientation on the business or work site as part of hazard mitigation. She donned alternating
consultant and contractor helmets to show opportunities to educate from each point of view. To consultants taking a tour, she recommended asking questions of the contractor: What kind of PPE equipment is important and why do you wear these? Where are the “no-go” zones?
To contractors, she asked do you know where the consultant is at any given moment? Are they where you want them to be?
What an interesting, thoughtful take on safety and one I’m sure members will remember. We should all seek out ways to make important safety message meaningful and memorable.
Protecting yourself and your team is reason enough to be hyper-diligent about safety, but there are other compelling reasons to make it a priority: protecting your company’s reputation, avoiding liability and, for that matter, protecting your investment in an employee.
Aardvark Drilling founding partners Matthew England and Darren Juneau, profiled in our cover story in Winter 2015, felt health and safety was important enough to warrant hiring an independent auditor to perform safety audits and provide paperwork and provide peace of mind. This is an option worth considering for those who prefer to spend time behind a drill and not in a sea of paperwork.
Here is another good reason for maintaining an exemplary safety record. It’s an excellent way to attract, snag and retain the best employees.
I’m sure you can think of more reasons to be safe out there, but there is only one that matters: Everyone Goes Home.
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INDUSTRY NEWS
THE GROUNDWATER PROJECT SEEKS SUPPORT FOR NEXT STEPS
The Groundwater Project (GW-Project) is a non-profit Canadian organization and has made its mission to promote groundwater learning through the development and publishing of groundwater educational books, available for free at gw-project.org. Books on the website are being translated into more than 23 languages, and provided freely to all to help democratize education and help address worldwide water issues.
The GW-Project is led by Dr. John Cherry, and over 400 well-recognized groundwater professionals have volunteered as authors and reviewers.Books are developed for readers at all levels: children, high school students, water-focused community, university students, groundwater professionals, contractors, and well owners.
The GW-Project team is looking for input and financial support from the groundwater industry to help expand its capabilities.
The team is hoping the water-well industry will get involved by donating or sponsoring. Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada program will match donations two to one, making each donation go a long way.
It is also continuing engagement and outreach through social media and through its annual online Global Groundwater Event, first held in February 2021.
To learn more, visit gw-project, or contact amandasills@gw-project.org about sponsorship opportunities.
MAXIM AND OMNIVIEW TECH COLLABORATE TO SAMPLE SURFACE WATER BY DRONE
Is there anything a drone cannot do? They have now successfully been applied to observe, measure and monitor various aquatic ecosystems. Mississauga, Ont. –Maxim Environmental and Safety Inc., and OmniView Tech Corp., a supplier of drone and handheld gimbal products, recently collaborated to test the viability of sampling surface water using one of their drones.
“It’s an experiment/trial using a drone to take a surface water sample,” Justin Clarke, vice-president of sales for Maxim Environmental, told Ground Water Canada.
On March 29, the team successfully used a drone to sample water in ponds at Saigon Park in Mississauga using a HydraSleeve, which is a point-source sampling device. “The ponds are not very accessible by foot and also much lower in elevation than the area where we were standing,” he said. “A great example of what it might look like at a gravel pit, quarry or excavation.”
“There are several reasons why sampling a large water body cannot easily be executed safely or in a cost-effective manner.” Clarke shared on his company’s LinkedIn page. “Site location and water access may not allow for a boat launch and water entry by a technician is not a safe alternative.”
“Together we set out to prove that a HydraSleeve could be suspended securely from a drone providing containment of a one-litre sample to be collected. In spite of the cold weather and wind, there were two separate successful attempts to collect water safely and returned to our staging area. As the weather provided less than ideal conditions, it illustrated a real-world application for this method.
“By collecting a sample quickly and safely the drone has illustrated true practicality for environmental monitoring.”
WELLMASTER AND LAMBTON COLLEGE IN SARNIA, ONT., LAUNCH COMMERCIALIZATION PROJECT WITH SUPPORT FROM ONTARIO GOVERNMENT
Wellmaster, manufacturer and wholesaler for the groundwater and other industries, has partnered with Lambton College in Sarnia, Ont., to launch a collaborative research project to support the commercialization of the Press x Press coupling.
The partnership is made possible through the Ontario government’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity program. Led by Ontario Centre of Innovation, the program supports collaboration between academia and industry to develop, carry out and commercialize technical innovations that solve industry challenges.
“Wellmaster is excited to work with Dr. Reaume and the outstanding research team at Lambton College,” said James White, Wellmaster vice-president of business development. “The project will support product design and performance testing to commercialize the Press X Press coupling as a superior casing connection for the water well and structural piling applications.”
The Press x Press couplings provides a no thread, no weld, friction taper connection for water well casing and structural piling. By using the same downward force used by drillers to advance the borehole the Press x Press connects and seals the casing. Able to accommodate plain end casing, the technology has the potential to save drillers time and money by a providing a solution superior to conventional casing connections.
Through the VIP program, the research project received $30,000 in support from the Ontario government. This was matched with $30,000 in industry contribution and an additional $30,000 from the NSERC Engage program, for a total project value of $90,000.
INDUSTRY NEWS
MIT STUDENT INVENTS ‘VARIABLE VOLUTE’ CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
Hilary Johnson, an MIT doctoral student has invented a new kind of centrifugal pump (called a “variable volute” pump) that does something engineering experts previously thought was impossible – it physically adjusts to move water based on immediate need, resulting in energy and cost savings.
The five per cent energy improvement over the lifetime of a pump is a huge savings considering the hundreds of billions of kilowatt-hours they consume, explains Johnson, who won the Lemelson-MIT Student Prize for her invention. Johnson developed this technology in collaboration with Xylem Inc.
The technology of hydraulic pumps is rarely considered in the drive to meet green technology goals due to inefficiency, Johnson says. “That’s a big missed opportunity because hydraulic pumps move water in every aspect of our lives.”
Pumps consume six per cent of electricity in the U.S., much of which is wasted because pumps can’t adjust to meet variable flow demands, she adds.
The young inventor believes variable volute pumps show the potential to significantly improve efficiency and operating range across applications by adjusting the spiral fluid passages to match the flow rate.
You can watch a video of Johnson describing her invention: the variable volute pump at groundwatercanada.com.
SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO REPLACES COLLEGE OF TRADES AS CERTIFICATION AUTHORITY
The Ontario government is introducing new measures to help tradespeople get their certification from one reliable destination through a new Crown agency, Skilled Trades Ontario, that would replace the Ontario College of Trades.
The Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development introduced the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, legislation designed to make the province’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system more efficient, accessible and easier to navigate.
Under the proposed legislation, Skilled Trades Ontario would become the province’s industry-informed training authority to lead the promotion, research and development of the latest apprenticeship training and curriculum standards. The idea is to carry out apprentice registration, issue certificates and renewals and conduct equivalency assessments all in one place. As recommended by the Skilled Trades Panel’s first report, Ontario will streamline and simplify the apprenticeship system by establishing Skilled Trades Ontario. The Ministry will provide system oversight and be responsible for regulatory decisions, financial supports and take on responsibility for compliance and enforcement.
OGWA TO HOST GOLF EVENT SEPT. 17 TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FLEMING SCHOLARSHIPS
The Ontario Ground Water Association will host its fourth annual golf tournament Sept. 17, 2021, to raise funds for annual scholarship awards for graduates of Fleming College’s resources drilling and blasting program.
The aim is to raise funds that can be held in an interest-earning account to be dispersed each year to the recipients at its annual convention.
Those who can’t attend can still help support the
NGWA RELEASES STUDY ON FINANCIAL ADVANTAGES OF WATER WELLS VS. REGIONAL PIPELINES
The National Ground Water Association has released a new study outlining the cost efficiency of private and local water wells over long regional pipelines in rural and suburban areas.
The white paper, “Cost Comparisons of Local Groundwater Sources to Regional Waterlines,” reports that even with additional water treatment and potential upfront costs, water wells can be a more cost-efficient source of clean drinking water in much of the United States. The white paper shows this through seven case studies.
While there are key advantages and disadvantages to both private water well and public water systems, the study outlines that financially private local water systems cost less over time.
The study provides data from 2018, which compares the cost of private water well installation and maintenance versus that of regional waterlines in seven rural and suburban areas in the United States. The data indicates that while the average cost of a private water well is almost $10,000, the ongoing cost of providing water to a home, even with proper maintenance, is less than that of a regional pipeline.
The white paper also identifies the advantages of private and local water systems in the owner’s ability to manage their own water quality and well maintenance. “Cost Comparisons of Local Groundwater Sources to Regional Waterlines is free for NGWA members and can be purchased for $150 by non-members.
industry’s next generation by making a donation through the association or purchasing OGWA’s new golf apparel to support the scholarship fund at ogwa.ca.
Funds earmarked for the scholarship will be set aside for this purpose.
The event will take place at the Conestoga Golf and Conference Centre in Conestogo, Ont.
V-125X 25,000 Lb Pull Back
V-12X 12,000 Lb Pull Back
V-140X 40,000 Lb Pull Back
MENTORING THE NEXT GEN
Transferring knowledge and experience to new hires is key to training and retention
While recruiting employees in the water-well industry is hard enough, just as challenging, if not more so, is finding good employees who stay. Some may work for a while, then leave for jobs elsewhere.
by CAROLYN CAMILLERI
Others just don’t seem to catch on to the work or the expectations.
These are concerns Jim Smith, a professor of more than 15 years in the resources drilling and blasting program at Fleming College in Lindsay, Ont., hears often from drilling companies. He understands the challenges from both perspectives: that of the new employees and that of the employers. Smith, like everyone else on the teaching team at Fleming College, has experience in field. Several, including Smith, spend summers and holidays working on drill sites.
“We still have our boots dirty, connected to the industry,” Smith says. “We know, being experienced in the industry, what it takes to be successful.”
Mentoring is a key part of the program at Fleming College.
“Our mentoring job is not only to teach them the curriculum, to do the training hands on in the field, but it’s also the soft skills, as we call it, that will make you successful in this industry.”
Smith lists attitude, work ethic, being on time for work and being prepared to work as some of the soft skills students need for their first job. Once the students have graduated, they are ready to be hired – so they can learn more.
“They have a foundation from us, but they’re not drillers yet,” Smith says. “They need to spend time on the back of a rig learning.”
RIGHT: Mentoring is a key part of the resources drilling and blasting program at Fleming College. Here Jim Smith, professor in the department, guides students through hands-on learning. From left, George Smith, Jim Smith, Jennifer Moon and Aidan Cook. “I want them to leave me in the dust, because then I know I’ve done my job.”
Something to keep in mind is that students are different today than, say, 20 years ago ¬ and it’s not their fault.
“Years ago, you would take a farm kid, you’d throw him off a tractor or throw him on a drill and away you go,” Smith says. “Kids today are different. They’re mechanically different.”
Smith recently asked a class of 10 how many had ever checked the oil in their own cars – only five had.
“We’re not talking changing oil –just checking it,” he says. “And you can’t blame the students. They live in a different world. Twenty years ago, everyone worked on their own cars. They did stuff to their own vehicles or their own lawnmowers. They would tinker and fix. It’s different today.”
Up-and-coming drillers know they need to learn, and they need companies willing to help them learn.
“We give them a foundation – the big picture of what their job looks like and the foundational roots of knowledge,” Smith says. “Then hopefully, the companies come on board and partner this new person with someone who is going to be their mentor.”
MENTORING IN ACTION
At Drillwell Enterprises in Duncan, B.C., mentoring is a huge part of staff training and retention.
“We have a particular way of doing things here, and rather than bringing on new employees with outside experience, we like to hire young people who are new to the industry and train them from scratch,” says Shawn Slade, third generation in this family business. “There are some orientations and training to get a new employee to be safe and productive on a drill site. After that, the furthering of skills and knowledge primarily happens through mentoring.”
Slade says mentoring happens pretty naturally at Drillwell.
“Most of the jobs are two- or threeperson crews, and so there is a lot of one-on-one time to build personal relationships, ask questions, teach and learn,” he says. “Of course, some people are naturally better at mentoring than others and some personalities don’t mesh as smoothly as others, so sometimes the teams need to be switched up.”
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Slade says a good mentor is patient, approachable and an expert in their trade.
“You need to have that expertise to pass it along,” he adds.
While there is no formal structure to mentoring at Drillwell, there are expectations.
“The mentoring process doesn’t happen with everyone, at least not from the beginning,” Slade says. “Mentoring someone does take time and energy, and you aren’t going to waste resources
mentoring someone who isn’t engaged or who you don’t expect to stick around.”
A new staff member needs to show interest, ambition and work ethic.
“Once those things have been demonstrated, they have earned the right to be mentored,” he says.
Mentees are expected to pay attention and ask thoughtful questions to show they are thinking beyond their personal tasks. Mentors are expected to respond to questions with thorough
answers in a patient, congenial manner.
“We check in to make sure both sides are doing their part,” Slade says.
The payoff for intentional mentoring: skilled, loyal employees who stay –Drillwell is notable for its low staff turnover.
“Our drillers are all long-term employees with lots of experience –not just in the industry, but here at Drillwell,” Slade says. “They gained their skillsets primarily through mentoring, and they understand the need to pass it along.”
BUILDING MENTORSHIP INTO YOUR BUSINESS
A Google search for creating a mentorship program brings up thousands of pages of tips and templates to get you thinking in the right direction. Smith says the first step is to decide who on your team will be the mentors, and whether they are equipped with the skills to be a good mentor.
“Our drillers are all long-term employees with lots of experience.... They gained their skillsets primarily through mentoring, and they understand the need to pass it along.”
– Shawn Slade, Drillwell Enterprises
“A mentor is a teacher, someone who is there to help [new employees] get to the point where they can operate their own rigs safely,” Smith says.
While being competent on the job is vitally important, so is being able to communicate clearly and patiently.
“You don’t put [a new employee] with a driller who doesn’t like to talk to people,” Smith says. “You want someone who can communicate,
who likes people, who wants to share knowledge, who is capable of sharing knowledge. I think intentionality around those key points by a company would help them progress new people into drilling positions.”
It comes down to relationships and competencies, he says, and suggests holding an afternoon session with team members to discuss the mentorship role and put it on paper.
“Or at least have a group conversation about, ‘Why does Joe over here do so well with the helpers he has, and six weeks later, they’re ready to take on the rigs?’ Well, maybe Joe was doing something really, really good. Talk about it. Get it out. Put it to paper maybe. Maybe put a policy in the company saying, ‘Joe is going to get them first because he does a really good job.’ ”
Talk about the qualities you want to model to new employees.
“Someone who’s on time for work, someone who’s professional at work, someone who speaks to the customers intelligently and is respectful. Someone who is clear with their note taking. All those things you want in a good driller.”
Plan out the mentorship, week by week. While the mentors have a responsibility to teach particular tasks, the mentee has a responsibility to learn. Check their knowledge regularly to measure progress.
“Questions need to be asked every week by either by a manager or a supervisor: ‘What did you learn this week? Explain that in a little more detail.’ ”
The purpose of the mentorship is to transfer knowledge and experience to a new generation. If the new employee isn’t learning anything, then they are just a helper doing a job, filling a space without making any progress – and without any reason to stay.
“Your goal as a mentor – and this is where you need to be confident in who you are – is that the person you’re mentoring would eventually have all of your knowledge and more,” Smith says. “I want them to leave me in the dust, because then I know I’ve done my job –when they are as competent as me and even beyond what I can do.”
That’s the kind of mentorship that can build careers for new drillers and a future for your business.
STEP-BY-STEP MENTORING
• Choose mentees who have shown interest, ambition and work ethic
• Decide who on your team will be mentors.
• Ensure they have the qualities of a good mentor: competent on the job, good teacher, able to communicate clearly and patiently, approachable, builder of relationships
• Discuss the mentorship role with team members and put it on paper.
• Talk about the qualities you want to
model to new employees.
• Make sure mentors and mentees are a good match.
• Plan out the mentorship, week by week.
• Check mentees’ knowledge regularly.
Carolyn Camilleri is a Toronto-based writer and editor. She has been writing for consumer and trade magazines, as well as businesses and organizations, for more than 20 years.
50 YEARS YOUNG!
B.C. Ground Water Association marks milestone with fast-paced, packed virtual program
It wasn’t the 50th anniversary shindig they had planned, but the British Columbia Ground Water Association staged a successful virtual day of educational seminars and networking.
by COLLEEN CROSS
The theme of the convention was celebrating the past while focusing on the future. The BCGWA plans to have celebrate its 50th anniversary in person as soon as gatherings are safe. Sights are set on spring 2022.
The unconventional convention was held using a platform called Airmeet that allowed attendees to join tables and mingle between presentations – much like at an in-person convention and with the same excitement of “seeing who’s in the room.”
A rolling average of about 60 members attended a full and fast-moving slate of seminars on the latest groundwater research, opportunities for working in oil, demonstrations and government guidance.
FAST-PACED LEARNING
Here are just a few highlights from the day’s presentations:
Equipment orientation as hazard mitigation: Marta Green, senior
hydrogeologist at Associated Environmental Consultants in Vernon, opened with a safety talk about equipment orientation on the business or work site as part of hazard mitigation. Green donned alternating consultant and contractor hats, or helmets –literally – to show opportunities to educate from each point of view. To consultants taking a tour, she recommended asking questions of the contractor: What kind of PPE equipment is important and why do you wear these? Where are the “no-go” zones? Ask them how they like to do things? In an emergency, where are the buttons and can they test the buttons. If the contractor experiences an
Continued on page 28
RIGHT:
THINGS TO COME
Hi, everyone.
As I enter my third year of a two-year term, things are obviously not what we expected. Like many of you, with the first shot in my arm, I am hopeful that we are turning the corner on this pandemic. The third wave is subsiding and we can look forward to a careful summer, with a return to “mostly normal” in the fall. Many contractors are reporting a busy season with lots of work to do, and the main question from customers seems to be “How soon can you get here?”
year and we are looking forward to their great hospitality. If things continue at the current pace, we should be able to have a great event this year, with more person-to-person interaction than we have been able to have in quite a while.
The nature of the groundwater business in the province is changing, as well. As many other industries have seen, amalgamations and purchases are starting to create a number of larger contractors. While there are still many family businesses thriving in our industry, more of these larger companies are likely indicative of things to come. This may be partially attributed to the retirement of some longtime
As many other industries have seen, amalgamations and purchases are starting to create a number of larger contractors.
The business of the OGWA continues to move along. The board of directors still meets monthly via video conference and the staff are working both from home and from the office (as local measures permit). The move to the new office in the CASO Crossing building in St. Thomas is complete, with only a few finishing touches left to do. We are working on a “State of the Association” presentation and will be ready to have a full-fledged AGM when the emergency orders end. A portion of the regional training meetings have taken place (some in- person, some online) with others planned/delayed as local health unit policies permit. Much more to come on this as the lockdown lifts and we continue to engage with the Ministry of the Environment about continuing education credits and licence renewals.
Now is also the time to sign up for the annual OGWA Fall Charity Golf Tournament to support scholarships for students in Fleming College’s drilling and blasting program. It will take place at Conestoga Golf and Conference Centre again this
contractors, but it is also a sign of the times.
Most companies are also looking at their price structure and trying to determine how much more they are going to have to charge based on a number of contributing factors. Input costs have increased dramatically in the past year. Casing, machinery replacement/repairs, fuel, materials and supplies have all increased in price, as has what it takes to find and retain qualified employees. Demand (at least somewhat based on the hot housing market) is also part of this equation.
We need to capitalize on the experience and expertise that we possess as an industry. As more and more urban people are moving to more rural areas that rely on groundwater, the awareness of the importance of groundwater is growing. We need to be
proud stewards of this resource and demonstrate the professionalism that enables us to charge what we are worth as professionals. No one wins in a race to the bottom, and charging what we are worth enables us to reinvest in our companies, our employees and ourselves.
Hopefully we can all enjoy a few sunny weekends. I look forward to seeing you in person soon. Be healthy. Be safe. Be well.
MATT WILSON, President
Executive Director’s Report
June update
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OGWA members are encouraged to visit the Members Only section at ogwa.ca for timely news and updates!
PUBLISHED FOR THE ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION
750 Talbot St., St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2
Phone: 519-245-7194 Fax: 519-245-7196
Email: ogwa@ogwa.ca
ADVERTISING: Jennifer Hudson
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 519-245-7194, ext.101 Fax: 519-245-7196
Email: admin@ogwa.ca
EDITOR: K.C. Craig Stainton, Executive Director
Phone: 519-245-7194, ext. 103 Cell: 519-282-0063
Email: executivedirector@ogwa.ca
EXECUTIVE
MATT WILSON President
DWAYNE GRAFF 1st Vice-President
KYLE SMITH 2nd Vice-President
STEPHEN BLEIZEFFER Treasurer/ Secretary
BRYAN WATSON Past President
DIRECTORS
BILL BEATON
Lotowater Technical Services Inc. 519-442-2086 Fax: 519-442-7242
Canadian Pipe & Pump Supply Ltd. 416-244-6476 Fax: 416- 241-2022
JEFFERY MCCRACKEN Franklin Electric 647-641-2178
KYLE SMITH
Aardvark Drilling Inc. 519-826-9340 Fax: 519-826-9108
BRYAN WATSON
Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. 705-887-3331 Fax 705-887-4788
MATTHEW D. WILSON
J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling Ltd. 519-639-9988 Fax: 519-269-3552
JUNE UPDATE
How quickly the time has gone since my last column, it almost seems like yesterday.
Troy Hughson has retired from his seat at the board of directors table and as we were already one position down the Nominations Committee, chaired by Bruce Hietkamp, is kicking into action looking for suitable candidates for the two open board positions. The OGWA is always looking for members to get involved. There are nine committees that would always benefit from the thoughts and expertise of those with a bit of time to offer. In today’s world where we meet virtually, there is no expense involved other than your time. Joining an OGWA committee is an excellent way to experience the board world and perhaps consider moving up into a position on the board of directors. Please consider joining us and offering your expertise: you all have something to offer, I assure you.
Due to the COVID lockdown, we have had a slow progression to the further (final) unpacking that was the result of our office’s move upstairs. A half-dozen boxes of paperwork and supplies still need sorting and storage.
We have the OK to hire the summer student and a prospectus is on file with the Canada Summer Jobs agency. We will be posting the application to the website as well. This student will dig into our OGWA history, sort, scan, file and archive what is in boxes in the storage rooms. Our aim is to create a searchable database of OGWA historical information and reference material.
Upon purchase of an appropriate storage shelf, we wish to display the OGWA’s copies of the published and bound Water Well Records. Many of you older drillers will remember those books. I have heard they are coveted by those who still have them. We could use a display case no taller than 41 inches, no longer than 105 inches and no deeper than 20-24 inches (approximately) to display the golf attire, information brochures and books. Please keep your eyes open in your travels for such a display/bookcase or a combination thereof and let me know of any finds.
Schools have remained closed, so Jennifer has remained mostly home as a result of childcare issues for her family. She balances her time as best she can, working during the day and often at night but coming into the office one day per week.
Our last two regional meetings were presented only as virtual. Our meeting in Walkerton was our favoured presentation with in-person and virtual at the same time. We are hoping that with the changing conditions in the pandemic we will soon be able to offer more in-person courses and will be able to also provide virtual attendance.
We anticipate two or three more regional meetings as soon as in-person is viable. We have a fair waiting list of individuals who are unable to do virtual meetings. I am anticipating a call with the MECP to discuss the numbers of technicians who have yet to fulfil the continuing education hours. The MECP are referring to Nov. 1 as a cut-off on owed CE hours. This will have to be assessed as we move closer to the date as to how realistic it may or may not be.
We are consistently looking for any contributions to The Source. There is another due out in the fall and the deadline will be in July. If anyone has articles or suggestions, all would be greatly appreciated.
The board is putting together a virtual Annual General Meeting to cover the necessary business for 2019 and 2020. In the meantime, the reviewed but not yet accepted financial statements for both years are posted in the Members’ Log In area of our website. Please have a look and if you have any questions give us a call.
I want to thank you all for your excellent and responsible performances as “Essential Workers” during this pandemic. It would seem we are within view of herd immunity and a return to more normal daily living. If you have not, please access your “jabs” to keep us all safer. I believe immunization is the key to a better tomorrow, sooner. Keep up the good work, ladies and gentlemen, and keep up the value of water!
CRAIG STAINTON, Executive Director
WELL WISE WATER
TESTING PROGRAM
Administered by the Ontario Ground Water Association
In Ontario, well owners should test their water quality regularly until it can be considered stable. Bacteriological testing is provided by the Ministry of Health at no charge to property owners and Well Wise does not offer those tests.
To be sure of what your water contains be it natural or man-made contaminants we recommend your water be tested at minimum for Metals, Minerals & Salts. Drilled wells are generally stable, however shallow wells, surface water sources or wells influenced by surface water should be checked more frequently.
The only way to tell if your drinking water is safe is by having it tested.
Test Packages offered include: Metals/Minerals/Salts, Solvents, Fuels, Mercury, Fluoride, Sulphide, Tannin/Lignin, Glyphosates & OP Pesticides/Herbicides. This test will provide a general chemistry of your water. The minimum recommended testing is the Metals, Minerals & Salts package.
1,2-Dichloropropane Xylenes, total cis-1,3-Dichloropropylene
Fluoride Anions
Sulphide
General Inorganics
Sulphide
Tannin/Lignin
General Inorganics
Tannin & Lignin
Glyphosates (Roundup)
Glyphosates Fuels
Volatiles Hydrocarbons
Benzene
Ethylbenzene
Toluene
m/p-Xylene
o-Xylene
Xylenes, total
F1 PHCs (C6-C10)
F2 PHCs (C10-C16)
F3 PHCs (C16-C34)
F4 PHCs (C34-C50)
For more information or to order a test visit: http://www.ogwa.ca/ resources/wellwise
Send your order form to: wellwise@ogwa.ca
Difficulties or to order by phone call: (519) 245-7194 extension 101 Return shipping is included with your order.
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
Ontario Ground Water Association Membership Benefits
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discountson many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
The OGWA has negotiated special Corporate Membership rates with the 3 district areas in Ontario with CAA. Please remember besides roadside assistance CAA offer members discounts on many goods and services. CAA Members can enjoy the features and services offered by affiliate auto clubs across North America and around the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
Enjoy all the Benefits brought to you by being associated with the NGWA, as a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association you will have access to many of the programs and offerings brought to you by the largest groundwater association in the world.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industry’s changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your company’s assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
As the largest insurer of groundwater contractors in Canada, Lackner McLennan Insurance has made available a unique and taylor-made product covering all aspects of your insurance requirements. Starting back in 1992 they have continued to service the industryʼs changing requirements and have earned the trust of over 200 professional groundwater companies. Your companyʼs assets are your investment and Lackner McLennan will provide you the protection required for you Automobiles, Buildings, Contents, Equipment and Commercial Liability.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Recently through the Economical Insurance Company, we can now offer a reduced cost Home and Automobile insurance product available to all your employees. This offering is an employment benefit that comes to you at no cost. Have your employees call direct for savings on their personal insurance requirements.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
Thrifty Car Rental services offers special member rates and benefits throughout all their North American locations and access to their Blue-Chip Express Rental Program with availability to commercial vehicles - pickups and vans.
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
GOSTWEAR provides good quality Canadian and American made work wear for you and your employees. Please visit their website and take advantage of free shipping on orders over $149.00 - https://www.gostwear.com
Choice Hotels is Canada’s largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chainin the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
Choice Hotels is Canadaʼs largest lodging chain with over 270 hotels coast to coast. They offer 8 distinct brands at different budget levels providing more lodging choices than any other hotel chain in the world. Choice Hotels also represents hotel brands in 46 countries with more than 4700 locations. Offering a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee to our members or there is no charge for your room.
OGWA Members’ Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
OGWA Members' Newest Benefit Program. 1% above dealer invoice pricing! As a member of the Ontario Ground Water Association, you can purchase or lease a new Ford or Lincoln vehicle from Parkway Ford Lincoln Waterloo. When it comes to your bottom line, your membership in the OGWA pays dividends.
Discover the value CFIB has to offer its members. Get resources from business experts, access webinars and templates for common HR issues. Get exclusive discounts on payment processing, banking, payroll, shipping and more. Have your say with policies that affect your business, as CFIB is your strong voice for Canadian Businesses and included in your OGWA Membership.
Perkopolis is Canada’s leading provider of fully managed perk programs, continually sourcing exclusive, high-value offers, rewards, and benefits. Get savings on entertainment, travel, shopping, dining and more! Included in your OGWA membership.
Great news! Through our partnership with Choice Hotels ®, you’ll be upgraded to Gold Elite Status when you enroll in the Choice Privileges® Rewards Program.1 That means 10% more points for each stay! But that’s not all. The Choice Privileges Rewards Program is the faster way to rewards—starting on day one!
YOUR EXTRAS: Earn exclusive perks for weekday check-ins. Choose from 400 Choice Privileges points, 100 airline miles, Amazon.ca credit, Tim Hortons and Starbucks coffee cards and more!2
1,000 BONUS POINTS just for enrolling
MORE REWARD POINTS: Earn 10 points for every $1 spent at any of our hotels, with no expiration on those reward points for active members.3
FREE NIGHTS: Earn points to use for free nights at over 7,000 Choice Hotels properties.
GIFT CARDS: Redeem points for gift cards from many of your favourite retailers and restaurants.
DREAM GETAWAYS: Redeem points for stays at hundreds of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Bluegreen Vacations, and AM Resorts properties worldwide.
Here’s How to Enroll:
1. To enroll in Choice Privileges, visit: www.ChoicePrivileges.com/ signup/GoldUpgrade
2. In your Choice Privileges online profile, add your Company Name and Corporate ID # to the Company Information section: My Account > Update Profile > Company Information
3. Be sure to add your Choice Privileges member number to your reservations so you can earn points toward free nights and other rewards.
NEW MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL *RETURNING MEMBER
* NOTE: If your Membership has lapsed in the last 3 years and you are re-applying there is a $100 re-instatement fee
New, renewing or returning members of the OGWA are required to log-in to the Members Only section and create/update their profile. There are many benefits to the “members only portal” including a robust search engine for the public. You can effectively advertise the services your business has to offer and the preferred geographical area in which you work. Your OGWA membership entitles you to automatically become a member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). Information on your profile will be listed in those memberships. Please keep you profile current and accurate.
COMPANY INFORMATION:
COMPANY NAME:
ADDRESS:
PROVINCE:
CONTACT EMAIL:
MAIN CONTACT NAME:
CITY:
POSTAL CODE
BILLING EMAIL:
BUS PHONE: CELL: FAX:
CONTRACTORS MECP LICENCE NUMBER: EXPIRY DATE :____________________
MANDITORY: MECP CONTRACTOR LICENCE NUMBER REQUIRED FOR ALL QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS
Contractor with 5 or more Licenced Technicians
GOVERNMENT AND ASSOCIATES
An individual or organization interested in the welfare and success of the Ground Water Industry but unable to be classified in any other of our membership categories may apply to this division/category. Please note, this division/category receives no voting power.
ONLY COMPANY NAMES, BUNDLE MANAGERS, ENROLLED SALESPERSONS AND ASSOCIATES WILL APPEAR IN OUR PRINTED MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS’ ONLY PORTAL AND WILL BE SEARCHABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. ALL UN PAID STAFF LISTED IN YOUR PROFILE WILL NOT RECEIVE MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS WHEN REGISTERING FOR EVENTS AND WILL BE BILLED AT THE NON -MEMBERS RATES.
Join us for a great day of golf!
$85.00 + HST -Includes golf, a cart, and a BBQ
September 17th, 2021
Conestoga Golf & Country Club
400 Golf Course Rd, Conestogo ON N0B 1N0
Registration opens at 8:30am on the day of the event Register before September 13th, 2021
Please complete and send by email to admin@ogwa.ca or fax (519) 245 - 7194
Questions? Comments?
Contact Jennifer at (519) 245 - 7194 x 101 or by email at admin@ogwa.ca
Thank you to all our continuous supporters
Continued from page 18
emergency, what do they want you to do (for example, look up first). Where is the emergency equipment?
To contractors: do you know where the consultant is at any given moment? Stop and think about this –how can you get their attention? Are they where you want them to be. Are they wearing the right clothing (might talk to them ahead of time)? Do you know how to help them if something happens? Is there something the consultant knows or can suggest to help you? For example, potential contaminants of concern or artesian conditions? Trust and getting to know each other is an important part of this industry. Equipment orientations are a great way to get together and help build trust.
Building a profitable trades business: Tony Malyk, certified professional business coach and author of Empowered Business Coaching, went over the magic profit formula and left the convention with a takeaway: Small adjustments can have great impact.
Look at contacts from new customers, contacts from past customers and contacts from existing customers to increase your customer base. Are staff asking customers the right questions?
Pricing strategies such as bundling services, add-on services or cross-selling can potentially increase sales by 30 per
cent, Malyk said.
The lowest hanging fruit, he suggsted, is to increase your gross margins: two ways to do this are increasing your price and lower your supply costs. Lowering your fixed costs is another effective strategy. What can you do to lower your fixed costs by 10 per cent? Making little tweaks can have a significant impact on your bottom line.
Finally, Malyk warned against undervaluing and underselling your service. Drillers and all businesses need to benchmark what their service is worth to the customer, he said. “You are commoditizing your service without commoditizing the end product for the user and what it means to them. Don’t just market what service you do, but market the end result you bring to your client, he said, then back it up with some facts and details about what you do. What you do is your commodity;
what you bring the customer is your value.”
Mapping and Mitigating Risk of Flowing Artesian Wells: Okanagan Basin and Lower Fraser Valley:
Diana Allen, professor of hydrogeology in the Department of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, and graduate student Brynje Johnson presented research providing insight into the hydrogeological factors that control the occurrence of flowing artesian wells.
Under Allen’s supervision, Johnson studied flowing artesian conditions in the Fraser and Okanagan valleys. She examined models for artesian wells in mountainous setting and in a low-relief setting like the valley.
The team used Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) to map the likelihood of flowing conditions. This method considers weighted factors such as elevation, slope, curvature and fractures to try to predict what is most likely to happen. The research was done within a GIS system working with maps.
One result is a map showing likelihood of flowing artesian wells, which they then validated using a statistical test to determine which factors are statistically significant for predicting occurrence. Their analysis determined 85 per cent confidence in the results.
The maps can be used for identifying areas that should be more closely examined or monitored, as well as for
issuing Flowing Artesian Conditions Advisories. The project is intended to support regulatory requirements for controlling artesian flow by providing better understanding of where such conditions occur, and how B.C. and other jurisdictions are managing the problem through policy and regulation. The approach and findings will described in a BC Water Science Series report. GIS maps will be provided to the government and Allen and Johnson will work with the ministry to create area-specific advisories for landowners and water-well drillers.
Hopefully this will provide a tool for drillers, homeowners and others to make decisions, Allen said.
GOOD LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT
Although he would like to have seen more participation by contractors, general manager Dave Mercer was pleased by the level of engagement from
“What you do is your commodity; what you bring the customer is your value.”
– Tony Malyk, business coach
the convention attendees. “We worked hard to provide a broad range of topics and I think we truly did have something for everyone,” says general manager Dave Mercer. “The birthday videos were a hit,” referring to short video messages from member businesses in the field.
Twenty-five people attended a pump installer course held the next day. “Eight hours is a long slog for an online course with a single instructor, but they all stuck with it and feedback was good,” Mercer says. “Ron Nelson [Precision Service & Pumps in Abbotsford] put in many, many hours prepping and was a great instructor.”
Mercer summed up what the BCGWA has meant to contractors and the B.C. groundwater industry over the last half-century. “The BCGWA
has accomplished a lot and it’s a long list, but I think the most important aspect is that the BCGWA has provided a voice for those who work in the industry, particularly drillers and pump installers, who otherwise aren’t heard. We plan to celebrate the long list of achievements, and those who helped make it all happen, at our next convention when we can all be together.”
The association has lots on its plate for 2021, including its May
Membership Drive, putting in place its Respectful Workplace Policy and Code of Ethics, developing training courses for advanced learning, working as always with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to vet applications for certification of drillers and pump installers in the province, and continually working with the Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources on behalf of its members and groundwater.
The Rideau Group has become "One for the Sake of Our Customers"
This major re-branding is a reaffirma�on that our business has been and will always be more about people than products.
It always was, and always will be, a human to human thing. Our Pro's helping your Pro's to help you solve your customer's problems and serve their needs.
MAPPING WELL DEPTHS
Researchers map depths and locations of water wells in Canada and elsewhere
Moderate groundwater level declines could cause millions of wells to run dry. That’s the finding in a new study of well locations and depths in 139 countries, including Canada.
by COLLEEN CROSS
RIGHT: Scott Jasechko and Debra Perrone reviewed well records from all provinces and territories and interviewed database managers to help them understand the nuances of how information is collected from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
The study carried out by University of California Santa Barbara researchers and published in May in the journal Science maps depths and locations of groundwater wells in Canada and other countries, and highlights the risk of depletion in millions of wells after even moderate groundwater level declines.
The study analyzed 39 million well construction records worldwide and found that six to 20 per cent of wells are no more than five metres deeper than the water table, implying millions of wells are at risk of running dry if groundwater levels decline by only a few metres.
Another finding was that newer wells are not being constructed deeper than older wells in some of the places experiencing significant groundwater level declines, suggesting that newer wells are at least as likely to run dry as older wells if groundwater levels continue to decline. Poor water quality in deep aquifers and the high costs of well construction limit the effectiveness of tapping deep groundwater to stave off the loss of access to water as wells run dry.
Scott Jasechko, assistant professor at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, and Debra Perrone, assistant
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professor at the Environmental Studies Program, carried out the study, entitled “Global groundwater wells at risk of running dry.”
What seemed a simple question asked during Jasechko’s time at the University of Calgary turned into a six-year endeavour by the Canadian scientist to try to understand the depth and location of water wells in Canada and internationally.
The project compiled records 100 different databases around the world and included some two million records in Canada from various sources. Jasechko and Perrone reviewed well records from all provinces and territories and interviewed database managers to help them understand the nuances of how information is collected from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
STUDY HIGHLIGHTS WELLS’ SUSCEPTIBILITY TO DROUGHT
The research highlights the clear threat of widespread drought, Jasechko told Ground Water Canada in an interview. “Many wells are at risk of drought. This research helped us understand who’s most at risk of having wells run dry.”
“Both newer and older wells are at risk,” he said.
Jasechko said that newer wells tend to be deeper than older wells in more places than where the opposite was true.
And deeper wells tend to be less vulnerable than shallower wells to climate variability and groundwater level declines, the paper’s abstract points out, but even relatively deep wells are not immune to long-term reductions in groundwater storage.
Jasechko and Perrone also compiled a database of monitoring wells around the world. Looking at isolated data, he said, “we find there are some places where groundwater levels are declining, and yet users are not investing in deeper wells.”
Jasechko was surprised at just how widely accessed groundwater is and “astounded” at the density of clusters of well locations on a worldwide scale. The density is all the more marked given that databases, for a number of reasons, generally under-report the actual number of wells.
Despite the role of wells as basic infrastructure used to access groundwater, information about the locations and depths of wells has never before been compiled and analyzed at the global scale.
WELL CONTRACTORS POSSESS DEPTH OF KNOWLEDGE
Studying the well records drove home to Jasechko the wealth of knowledge held by the drilling industry. “Drillers really know their local geography. The records capture that intellect. It was a great privilege to get these insights,” he said.
“I would like to thank the drilling community for decades of really important information and sharing that knowledge via these reports.”
For more information, refer to the citation: Science 23 Apr 2021: Vol. 372, Issue 6540, pp. 418-421 DOI: 10.1126/science. abc2755
Nurses are the heart of healthcare and always deserve our gratitude-but especially during these trying times. I wanted to give a special thanks to my daughter and daugter-in-law, Grace and Brandi, you are heroes in my book! –Kevin McGinnis, President
Mastering Google My Business
How to make sure your business shows up where customers are looking.
by Dave Mercer
Last column we talked about knowing your customers to understand how they find you. For most businesses this starts with your Google presence.
Today people find you online. This article is a quick-start guide to get Google to drive customers to you.
Let’s start with how Google displays results of a search. Try it out for yourself – search for something like a plumber in your town or area. There are three sections to the results. At the top of the page are ads that companies have paid for, so you see them first (unless you’re using an effective ad blocker, in which case you don’t see any ads at all). Google ads can be effective, but in many cases people scroll past the ads to the second section, which is a map. The map shows locations of the results of your search in the area you defined, followed by a listing for each business.
It is absolutely essential that your business shows up here, and it’s how to be sure that happens that we will focus on in this article.
It’s not until after the map section that you see the typical Google results showing the “best matches” for your search. Being discoverable in this section is also important. However, since many people make up their minds before even getting to this section, it’s not as important as being discoverable in the map section.
So, the map section is where it’s at. People often make up their minds whether or not to buy your product or use your service based solely on what they find here, and they do so primarily because they have already built up trust in your business.
How does that work? It comes down to your Google rating and testimonials. If someone searches for a plumber and immediately finds one that serves their area, has a high Google rating (of say 4.7 out of 5), and has hundreds of positive testimonials, they probably won’t look any further. They trust Google results and they trust testimonials. They may do a
quick comparison of a few other plumbers just to confirm they’re making a good decision, and they’ll likely see listings for plumbers with lower ratings and maybe only a handful of testimonials. They’ve done their research and they are going to contact the business they trust based on their research.
Being discoverable in the maps section is as easy as filling out your business profile (https:// www.google.com/business/go/businessprofile/) and filling it with testimonials. When you first access your business profile at this link, you’ll probably find that Google already has a listing for your business so you don’t need to create one. Follow the instructions and populate the listing with accurate information. Your business description should be brief, free from spelling or grammatical errors, and describe exactly what you do (and how long you’ve been doing it).
If there’s one thing you take away from this article it’s that you need your customers to rate your business and leave testimonials. Get into the habit of asking customers to leave a rating for you. These are the primary factors customers use to decide if they trust you, which leads them to contact you. Trust is important. It means that when someone contacts you or visits your website based on a Google search, they have basically already decided to buy your product or service. Your response, or the quality of your website, is required for them to maintain that trust. Don’t give them a reason to change their mind!
Dave Mercer, P. Geo, is a geologist who specializes in marketing and communications for companies that work in the groundwater industry. Dave offers consulting services to companies looking to up their marketing presence and grow their business. He is also currently general manager of the British Columbia Ground Water Association. Dave can be reached at Dave@undergroundcommunications.ca.
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