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Serving the Canadian Ground Water industry for 48 years.
16 OVERCOMING JOB OBSTACLES
How women can climb the industry ladder.
19 THE SOURCE News and views from OGWA.
28 ACE 23 COMES TO CANADA World water event held in Toronto in June.
30 NEW PRODUCTS
What’s new on the market for the groundwater industry.
12 EDITORIAL: THE ‘DISTINGUISHED DRILLER’ AWARD
Nominate that deserving individual today. by Mike Jiggens
12 GUEST COLUMN
Takeaways from BCGWA conference by Dave Mercer
ON THE WEB:
Federal budget includes investment into Canada Water Agency
The federal government has invested in keeping its freshwater clean and healthy in its 2023 budget with the establishment of a new Canada Water Agency. Federal government report
Cleanup of contamination ongoing in Elmira, Ont.
Although cleanup is progressing, one site has produced a spike in chlorobenzene – an industrial solvent. Observer Xtra report
The ‘Distinguished Driller Award’
Nominate that deserving individual today.
by Mike Jiggens
There’s a special someone out there in the Canadian groundwater industry who Ground Water Canada wishes to acknowledge later this summer.
We’ll be presenting our first ever “Distinguished Driller Award” soon to someone who best fits the criteria of industry experience, business acumen, leadership and innovativeness. The eventual winner of this honour – man or woman – will be selected from among the nominations we receive via our website (groundwatercanada.com). Access to the nomination form, the list of criteria and other pertinent information can be made from the “Distinguished Driller Award” tab on our home page menu.
We want our readers to tell us who is best deserving of this award – an all-star who moves the needle through innovative practices, professional business practices and future-focused perspectives.
Nominations are already open, but will be closing soon. Nominations will close on July 15.
The “Distinguished Driller Award” is something we feel is important to this industry. It’s a well-known fact that prospective drillers entering the industry are few and far between in comparison with those eager to enter other skilled trade professions such as electrical engineering, plumbing, carpentry, automotive technology and construction. Perhaps this might be a means of bringing some recognition to the drilling industry and sparking a passion for drilling. At this point, everything helps.
Drillers aren’t lauded for their work nearly enough. What they do is often underappreciated or scarcely acknowledged. The “Distinguished Driller Award” is an attempt to change this.
We hope to be flooded with nominations, just as we were a year ago when we sought some of the finest women working in the groundwater industry. That was
a highly successful venture that helped us recognize four of Canada’s leading women in the industry.
We wish to thank both Heron Instruments Inc. and Pompco for their sponsorship of our inaugural “Distinguished Driller Award” program.
Although it is now after the fact, Canada was the host country in June for the 142nd American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE23). The event in Toronto expected to attract about 10,000 delegates from 80 different countries, offering four days of professional education opportunities and the chance to visit with about 450 exhibitors.
The event’s purpose was to enable the global water community to come together to learn, connect and be inspired to solve the world’s water challenges. Its theme was “The Future of Water is 2050.” It is an initiative to plot a course to achieve a successful and sustainable water sector. Five critical drivers have been identified toward its end goal: sustainability, technology, economics, governance and social/demographic.
Sustainability will depend on skillful and creative stewardship of water.
Adopting new technologies is the key to solving complex problems.
Economic factors must be considered when addressing such realities as rising infrastructure needs. Governments play an important role in impacting the ways water utilities are operated and regulated. Social and demographic influences are vital for strengthening public trust, especially where there are population increases in water-stressed communities.
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will focus on an Ontario community’s concerns over high metal concentrations in its water supply. Watch for it this fall.
Drillers aren’t lauded for their work nearly enough.
A GLOBAL FORUM ON PFAS DANGERS
Focus on the Environment.
Ongoing global concerns about PFAS – often referred to as “forever chemicals” – will be among the topics to addressed in September at an international conference at Germany’s University of Wuppertal.
The gathering will bring together about 2,000 of the world’s leading environmental and human health experts.
“You can’t smell it, taste it or see it,” Prof. Jorg Rinklebe, one of the experts from 76 countries, says of PFAS. “It is suspected to cause cancer, make you infertile and weaken the immune system.”
PFAS is a toxic group of industrial chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment. Used around the world, PFAS (perfluorinated alkyl substances) are found in many commonly used products.
Rinklebe is calling for a fundamental change of direction by politics and industry. He notes that in his home country of Germany, the toxin is found in at least 1,500 locations.
PFAS are synthetically produced and don’t exist in nature which make them difficult to recycle. Their liquid-repellant properties enable PFAS to be used in the manufacturing of clothing, disposable tablewear, dental floss, frying pan coatings and firefighting foams. It’s when the substances come into contact with soil and groundwater that they become a particular problem.
“If PFASs get into the human organism or the environment, they are very, very toxic,” Rinklebe warns. “This group of
substances is classified as priority harmful, both nationally and internationally.”
It has only been recently, however, that the world’s public has begun to grasp the grave situation PFAS has created.
“It’s well known among experts, but people have tended to focus on the benefits of the substance and put up with the drawbacks,” Rinklebe says. “Then, over the years, it’s always been individual compounds that have been banned, or substitutes sought.”
Experts have known about PFAS since the 1960s. In Germany, no legislation exists that limits the use and disposal of PFAS, which has federal and state governments lagging behind, Rinklebe says.
“Recently, the Federal Environment Agency recommend guideline values, but a recommendation is still not a ban,” Rinklebe says, adding he believes that more speed is needed at the international level. “The EU must establish limit values as quickly as possible and can no longer talk itself out of banning only this or that specific substance, because the industry immediately produces a similar substance that is also toxic again. We have to take a fundamental legislative approach to this.”
He admits it’s a huge task to remediate the large number of PFAS-contaminated sites in the coming years, adding common remediation methods are often insufficient.
“That’s why we’re working on developing new remediation technologies as part of an EU-funded research project.”
Another problem that needs to be ad-
dressed is the means by which products manufactured with PFAS should be disposed. Local textile waste, for example, is dumped uncontrolled in African countries, Rinklebe said.
“These are German environmental problems that we exported to other countries and continents. We in Germany and Europe are supposedly totally clean, because all our waste goes somewhere else. But that’s also where we have to start fundamentally. It has to be disposed of properly here, where we have the technologies, and detoxified as far as possible. We have to start living the circular economy. In that direction, Germany has really been asleep for the last two decades.”
The international conference, called ICOBTE & ICHMET 2023, will be held Sept. 6-10 for the first time in Germany. Its motto is “Clean Environment, Human Health, our Future.”
GOVERNMENT AID TO NL TOWN’S WATER RESERVOIR IMPROVES ACCESS TO CLEAN DRINKING WATER
A joint investment of more than $674,000 from the provincial and federal governments and the Town of St. Bride’s has been announced, aimed at improving the Southside Water Reservoir in St. Bride’s.
The project involves clearing of vegetation, building an access road, upgrading the existing concrete dam structure, installing primary and secondary screening, including a screen house, as well as building a new concrete spillway.
The federal government is investing $269,952 in this project, while the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $337,440 and the Town of St. Bride’s is contributing $67,488.
These improvements will prepare for the chlorination/disinfectant phase, and improve services for residents for years to come.
“Our government’s investment in infrastructure translates into better outcomes for towns and communities by improving access to services such as drinking water,” Elvis Loveless, minister of transportation and infrastructure, said. “I am very pleased with the upgrades to the water reservoir, which will result in improved drinking water for the residents of St. Bride’s.”
“Reliable and efficient drinking water infrastructure is key to the health and well-being of communities,” Ken MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Avalon, on behalf of Dominic LeBlanc, minister of intergovernmental affairs, infrastructure and communities, said. “The improvements to the Southside Water Reservoir will help improve services and improve the quality of life for St. Bride’s residents.”
“This round of funding brings the Town of St. Bride’s one step closer to safe, clean drinking water,” St. Bride’s Mayor Eugene Manning, said, thanking the federal and provincial governments for their support.
GREENPEACE DEMANDS CHARGES BE LAID AGAINST IMPERIAL OIL IN WAKE OF OILSANDS ISSUE
Greenpeace is pressing for Imperial Oil to be charged in the wake of a toxic wastewater spill in northern Alberta’s Kearl oilsands mine.
The environmental group’s call coincides with a hearing before a House of Commons committee in which Imperial officials are to testify about the company’s delay in notifying First Nations groups and the provincial government about the wastewater release.
Greenpeace backed its call for charges by projecting a sign on the Supreme Court building’s facade, demanding to “Charge Imperial Now.”
Nine months had elapsed since the seepage from a tailings pond was discovered, leading to groundwater contamination, before First Nations and government personnel were notified.
MANITOBA INVESTS MILLIONS TO SUPPORT WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN THREE MUNICIPALITIES
The Manitoba government is investing more than $15.3 million to support three key water and wastewater treatment projects to help facilitate future community growth in the rural municipalities (RMs) of Headingley, Macdonald and West St. Paul, Municipal Relations Minister Andrew Smith has announced.
“Our government is proud to invest in water and wastewater treatment projects which improve the quality of life for local residents,” Smith said. “By ensuring safe, secure drinking water, these projects also provide environmentally sound wastewater management for our communities. We are pleased to fund these important projects in our capital region to ensure our water management systems are healthy and sustainable for years to come.”
Project investments include:
• Up to $7.75 million for the expansion of the water treatment plant in the RM of Macdonald;
• Up to $4 million to support the South East Reservoir project in the RM of Headingley; and
• Up to $3.6 million for a sewage collection system in the RM of West St. Paul.
The Water Services Branch will provide project management services on behalf of the municipalities and the Manitoba Water Services Board for these projects, the minister noted.
“We commend the Manitoba government for investing more than $15.3 million to support critical municipal water and wastewater projects,” Kam Blight, president, Association of Manitoba Municipalities (AMM), said. “As the AMM makes it a priority to tour across Manitoba to meet one on one with municipalities, it is clear that there is a great need for increased dollars to support water and wastewater infrastructure. Investments such as these are crucial to not only help support economic and residential growth but also ensure Manitobans have access to modern reliable water systems.”
Support for these three municipal water and wastewater projects is being provided from Manitoba’s Strategic Municipal Investment Fund, Manitoba’s basket funding model and is incremental to the Manitoba Water Services Board’s base budget.
MOST OF WORLD’S PROTECTED ECOSYSTEMS SUBJECT TO GROUNDWATER DEGRADATION: USASK RESEARCHERS
Most of the world’s protected ecosystems are vulnerable to groundwater degradation, according to research led by the University of Saskatchewan.
According to analysis published recently in the journal Nature Sustainability and led by the University of Saskatchewan (USask), most of the world’s protected areas – areas like nature preserves and national parks where human activity is restricted – have ecosystems that rely on groundwater. Of these protected areas, 85 per cent depend on groundwater from beyond protection boundaries, leaving ecosystems at risk from exterior contamination and overuse.
“Protected areas can face impacts from activities occurring
outside of the protected area, such as agricultural drainage, mining, contamination and groundwater pumping, which can be transmitted to protected areas through groundwater flow,” Xander Huggins, doctoral student at the USask Global Institute for Water Security and the University of Victoria, and the study’s lead author, said. “Conservation and management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems stops neither at the protected area boundary nor at the ground surface.”
The researchers gathered and analyzed huge sets of previously published and peer-reviewed data to map the “groundwatersheds” – shallow, local, subsurface water basins where groundwater collects – which feed ecosystems in the world’s protected areas.
The research team mapped these groundwatersheds in approximately one-square-kilometre segments, first determining which direction the groundwater flowed, and then establishing where inadequately protected groundwater feeds into protected areas.
The combined size of the all the groundwatersheds exceeds the total size of the protected areas by nine million square kilometres.
Many groundwatersheds span international borders and present political challenges for management.
A MILESTONE CELEBRATION
BCGWA is 30 years old, but it’s really 23 years older
The year 2023 marks the 30th anniversary for the British Columbia Ground Water Association (BCGWA)… sort of. Although the BCGWA officially came into being on March 6, 1993, its direct predecessor was founded on June 17, 1970.
by JAMES CARELESS
This is when the British Columbia Water Well Drilling Association (BCWWDA) was created during a meeting at the Villa Hotel in Burnaby, B.C, which was attended by 26 people.
According to an article written by first BCWWDA president Laurie J. Desilets (‘How the Association Came into Being’), the impetus for creating this association was a move by the B.C. government to regulate the B.C. well drilling industry.
“Government really did us a favour by introducing Bill 43 into the legislature in the spring of 1970 which stated that no wells would be drilled in B.C. without first obtaining a permit,” he wrote. “Well drillers all over the province were furious, how dare government intrude on our freedom to ply our trade which we had enjoyed for so many years.”
A TIGHT FOCUS
The enthusiasm that drove the BCWWDA’s founding meeting can be attributed to the meeting’s guest speaker ,Jay Lehr, who was the executive secretary of the National Water Well Association (U.S.). “Jay addressed the gathering and congratulated all those present for showing an interest in establishing an association because it is the most effective way we know of, of finding solutions to common problems,” wrote Desilets. “He went on to explain that a strong association with active members gave us an effective voice in shaping legislation by government that affect the well-being of the drilling industry in British Columbia.”
The audience, which had sat in “strong silence” before Lehr spoke, was energized into action afterwards.
LEFT: The annual convention of the British Columbia Ground Water Association was well attended in 2023 in Penticton.
RIGHT: Three old rigs doing bridge footings in Fort McKay, Alta., circa 1975.
ASSOCIATIONS
“After his address, the ‘British Columbia Water Well Drilling Association’ name was chosen, and an executive and a director for four regions were elected,” Desilets wrote. Led by him, this leadership group wrote a constitution and bylaws for the BCWWDA, and had the association registered officially with the B.C. government. After this was done, “the next big hurdle was organizing our first convention and, with the unceasing help from our wives, we organized and held our first convention at the Astor Hotel in Burnaby. It was a success
with about 130 men and their wives (no girlfriends in those days) attended and we were all impressed.”
Ron Nelson is a pump installer/well driller with Precision Service & Pumps in Abbotsford, B.C., and a long-time BCGWA member. “I have been active in the BCGWA for about 20 years serving on the executive as secretary for most of that time, although my indirect involvement goes back much further,” he said. “My father was one of the charter members and was heavily involved in the establishment of what originally began as the BCWWDA. My mother was the organizer, accountant, newsletter editor and secretary for a couple of decades after.”
Nelson can recall the BCWWDA’s first convention, which took place in 1971 in Burnaby. “It included talks like ‘The Association and You’, ‘Groundwater in the ‘70s’, and ‘Hole Economics of Cable Tool Drilling’,” he said. “It was a very formal affair, with the men all in suits and the women in gowns — spouses only, no unmarried couples! I recall my father decided that he had to purchase a suit and tie now. He borrowed a suit for his wedding.”
In subsequent years, the men tended to dress down for the annual BCWWDA convention while “the ladies generally still dressed up; it might have been the most extravagant night of the year for many,” said Nelson. “There came to be a bit of competition over whose wife had the most money wrapped up in jewelry, the definitive sign of the most successful driller. Meanwhile, we had plenty of exhibitors at the convention. I always looked forward to what was in the bag of swag that Dad would bring home for myself and siblings to fight over.”
Members of the previously named B.C. Water Well Drilling Association gather for a group photo in the 1970s.
PHOTO CREDIT: COURTESY RON NELSON
Making friends and swapping stories were just as important to these BCWWDA conventions as attending educational sessions and doing association business. “There was always plenty of opportunity to share ‘drink and tell’ driller stories after the sessions were done,” Nelson said. “There were numerous examples to learn from; mostly on how to exaggerate, be it fishing for salmon or fishing for lost
drill bits — always blame that useless helper for losing the drill string.”
At the same, the BCWWDA was serious about protecting and advancing the industry’s interests in B.C., while ensuring that all members, big or small, had a say in this process. “From the start, the association always followed a ‘one company equals one vote’ policy, regardless of how many employees or drill rigs were involved,” said Nelson. “Pacific Water Well (Nelson’s dad) was one of the largest, and he ensured this rule was implemented so he or any other single company couldn’t dominate a discussion and vote against the better interests of the owner/operators that formed the majority. That rule applies to this day.”
FROM THEN UNTIL NOW
“At the annual general meeting on March 6th, 1993 it was voted to change the name of the association to: The British Columbia Ground Water Association as it was felt this more accurately described the objectives of the Association,” wrote Laurie Desilets.
The move made sense: “Over the years the BCWWDA’s membership had expanded beyond well drillers to encompass the entire provincial groundwater industry,” said Dave Mercer, the BCGWA’s current general manager. “The
Drillers at a job site in New Westminster, B.C., about 1976.
PHOTO CREDIT: RON NELSON
ASSOCIATIONS
challenges as it developed and promoted groundwater best practices. The association also did its best to help forestall tragedies like the e-Coli contamination of the Walkerton, Ont. potable water supply, which killed seven people in 2000.
“In British Columbia, the BCGWA helped the provincial government establish what the protocols should be for completing the surface of every water well drilled here to keep this from happening,” said Mercer.
The association has dealt with many other issues over the years. For instance, when Kathy Tixier took over from BCGWA general manager Bruce Ingimundson in 2015, “we were still reeling from the demise of the Canadian Groundwater Association in 2013 because the CGWA had been the only certifying authority for our new drillers and well pump installers in our province,” she said.
association and its members wanted to reflect this fact in their name and focus. We’ve gone from just representing a specific trade to actually all working together to protect and sustainably develop groundwater.” At present, the BCGWA has approximately 230 corporate members; far more than the 26 who founded the BCWWDA.
From then until now, the BCGWA has faced many industry
That’s not all: “The new Water Sustainability Act was on the cusp of being made law, and many were anxious about how the licensing of groundwater could impact the groundwater industry and groundwater users,” said Tixier, who served as GM until 2018. “The infamous Beechwood flowing well was drilled in September of 2015, which was a ‘wake-up call’ about the financial liability associated with unexpected flowing artesian conditions. (According to a March 10, 2016 story in The Province newspaper, ‘An unlicensed and unqualified well driller who tapped into a pressurized aquifer in southwest Vancouver last year triggered an uncontrolled flood of water that is threatening as many as a dozen multi-million-dollar homes.’) It was an exciting time, but fortunately I had a cohesive, energetic team who were willing to guide me along the way.”
Mercer succeeded Tixier as BCGWA GM. Today, he and the association have a lot on their plates. This includes working with the provincial government to finetune its groundwater licensing regulations, which defines how and where wells can be dug and how much water can be extracted. The BCGWA also surveys its members regularly to stay on top of their changing needs and inform its industry advocacy efforts, and promotes the groundwater industry as a viable career choice for young people through the BCGWA Hydrogeology Award scholarship and other outreach initiatives.
As for certifying groundwater technicians in B.C., now that the CGWA has once again gone defunct: “Fortunately, drilling and water pump installation have been recognized as legitimate trades in B.C., with certificate of qualifications being issued by the province’s SkilledTradesBC agency,” said Mercer. “BCGWA helps SkilledTradesBC in vetting applications submitted by those wishing to take the SkilledTradesBC certification exams..”
All told, the BCGWA is as busy, engaged and relevant today as the BCWWDA was when it began in 1970. “We have clout,” Mercer said. “We can get audiences with provincial cabinet ministers. There’s definitely strength in the association and what we have to say. The journey that the BCWWDA started 53 years ago continues today with the BCGWA.”
Attendees at the recent BCGWA convention listen attentively at an education session.
PHOTO CREDIT: BCGWA
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OVERCOMING JOB OBSTACLES
How women can climb the industry ladder
Women are just as likely as men to aspire to senior roles in their organizations, but they face several obstacles and prejudices that their male counterparts simply… don’t.
Their career trajectories continue to be disproportionately affected by unequal pay, fewer promotions, microaggressions, gender bias, the so-called “motherhood penalty,” and more.
As female graduates enter (or re-enter) the workforce, how can they best navigate these barriers while climbing the ladder and advocating for themselves?
Deb Boelkes, a former Fortune 500 executive and entrepreneur, recognizes that many organizations are proactively addressing these issues. But, she has a message she wants all rising women to hear: We are our own best resource in closing the equity gap so that all women have a truly fair opportunity to succeed and lead.
“Why should the newest generation of emerging leaders enter their careers with little to no tribal knowledge of what it means to work toward the upper levels of leadership as a woman?” she asks.
Boelkes is the author of a new book, Strong Suit: Leadership Success Secrets From Women on Top, published by Business World Rising, www. businessworldrising.com.
“Instead of climbing from the ground up, rising women should be standing on the shoulders of the women who came before them.”
Having worked with and mentored hundreds of female leaders, many of
whom were C-level, Boelkes says most are eager to offer a hand to their sisters still climbing the ladder.
“I began my career at a time when the business world was much more male-dominated than it is today, and I surmounted a lot of obstacles on my own,” she recalls. “I want to pass the lessons I learned on to rising female leaders so they can spend their time and energy learning new lessons and breaking new barriers. After all, that’s what equity in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is all about: helping others access opportunities so that equality can eventually be achieved.”
Boelkes wrote Strong Suit to serve as the “voice of a mentor” for women in all fields and at all levels. Besides sharing her own wisdom, she extensively interviewed seven women who made it to the top of the corporate world, the government, the military, and beyond. Readers can learn about their lives and careers in their own words – as well as their insights on topics ranging from identifying and capitalizing on one’s strengths, leading through challenging times, forming relationships at the top, learning from mistakes, and balancing career with family.
Strong Suit is the fourth book in a series packed with real-world lessons
by GROUND WATER CANADA STAFF
from successful leaders. Even more than its predecessors, it is a comprehensive treasure trove of no-holds-barred advice. It may be a bit of an investment, but it’s the kind of book that will serve as a lifelong resource. Not only will it decrease one’s learning curve while navigating a career, it’s a book to be returned to again and again as new things are achieved and new challenges are faced.
Here, Boelkes, with help from a few of the “women on top” she has interviewed, shares eight insights from Strong Suit that will help young women take their first steps into the workforce with confidence: Your past helps mould who you are, but it doesn’t have to define what you can accomplish. We all learn lessons and pick up traits – both positive and negative – from our parents and other formative figures. Their expectations and opinions of us help shape our trajectories. Most of us were probably told, “You can do anything you set your mind to,” but we may have also absorbed negative lessons (either explicit or implied) about women’s roles and our own capabilities.
“Ultimately, your background does not determine whether you can make it to the top,” Boelkes stresses. “This is something a lot of us know in theory but have trouble internalizing. We carry limiting – and inaccurate¬ – assumptions about
what we have to offer and what our place in the world should be. Try to identify these beliefs and use them as a springboard for positive action.”
Even in this day and age – like it or not – appearance matters. Boelkes acknowledges that this advice goes against some schools of popular thought, but she insists it’s a truth that today’s rising leaders still need to live by. Every day is a dress rehearsal for the C-suite (or whatever goal you are working toward), and your appearance impacts how others perceive you.
“The women I interviewed were pleased that expectations regarding appearance are not as stringent, and perhaps unfair, as they used to be,” Boelkes says. “But they all agreed that presence does matter, even in fields where individuality, creativity, and informality are the norm. Here’s my advice: Don’t think of it as dressing to please others. You aren’t. All of us – men and women – should use our appearance as a tool to positively influence how others respond to us.”
Stop being sorry for asking questions and sharing your opinion. Boelkes says many women tend to minimize themselves, usually unconsciously. They’ll say things like, “Sorry, but I have a question,” or, “I could be wrong, but….” Sometimes they’d rather not say anything than share an opinion that hasn’t been thoroughly thought out and researched. (This happens less often with men.) She urges all women to remember: You got to where you are because you are smart, qualified, and capable. Teachers, mentors, and past leaders have already seen those things in you, so continue to showcase them moving forward.
Linda Rutherford, executive vice-president and chief communications officer of Southwest Airlines, recalls that after being promoted to VP, she initially struggled to speak up in the boardroom. “If I had a thought before, sometimes I would whisper it to the person next to me. But then the room did not benefit from that thought or that perspective. I have learned
Fortune 500 executive shares advice about how women can navigate barriers and climb the ladder.
PHOTO CREDIT: MARTINAN/ADOBE STOCK.
2023-05-29 8:34 AM
that my value is to share that thought or that perspective with everyone in the room.”
“Executive” and “emotionless” aren’t synonyms. As the leader of a peer mentoring program for C-level women, Boelkes has met many women who think that in order to reach “the top,” they need to be calm, collected, stoic, unemotional, and mentally tough at all times. These female leaders hide or shut down any expression of empathy, anxiety, indecision, or even joy. They hold other people at arm’s length to avoid dealing with emotional upheaval.
“No wonder we think it’s lonely at the top!” Boelkes says. “For many years, female leaders did have to tamp down so-called expressions of femininity as they fought to ascend the male-dominated ranks. That’s why, as we continue to work toward equity, it’s so important to have friendships with other women at your level. Build an inner circle where you can be candid and can count on support and authentic advice. As you continue to advance, maintain warm and supportive relationships with industry peers, direct reports, and high-potentials downline.”
Leadership is not about your skills. It’s about your people. Some leaders, especially new ones, are stuck in the mindset that their success hinges on the technical skills they were judged on prior to their promotion. But leadership isn’t about how well you can do something; it’s about how well you can develop, engage, and motivate your team so that they can do that task. Boelkes says a leader’s first priority is assembling and empowering a great team, followed by removing any obstacles that stand in the way of their success. When you enable everyone to perform at their individual best, you’ll all cross the finish line together.
Retired U.S. Army Lt.-Gen. Kathleen M. Gainey agrees. “What I quickly learned is, people are your most important resource. If you invest in people, they will take care of you. When you make a mistake, they will correct it… If you have created an environment where they can share information with you and not… be yelled
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: NOTHING IS EASY
Greetings. Things are still moving at a speedy pace. It seems not so long ago we were in the winter months and now summer is on our doorstep. My brief trip to Mexico this winter was far too short and I’m finding myself in need of another break from the rat race.
Things have been busy at the OGWA office with the AGM just wrapping up and the recent hire of Dennis. At the office we have been busily interviewing and actively trying to hire a replacement for Anne, however, that process has proven more difficult than we may have imagined. We have offered a few interviewees the position and for multiple reasons our efforts have proven unsuccessful. This past week, though, I think we have found a successful candidate and we are in the process of getting some relief for Anne. With timing what it is, I can’t reveal much more about the process but look forward to sharing some positive news with you all soon.
DWAYNE GRAFF President
inspection, drilling was complete and only one person was on site completing a video inspection of the well. While the inspector was very pleasant and nothing specific was said on site, I was later contacted with a stop-work order. The largest infraction noted was lack of a washroom (port-a-potty) and hand/face washing facility, among some other minor issues for signage, map to hospital, having the number for 911 posted (yes, posted, because nobody knows what that number is, I suppose).
Ultimately, all of these things do have a direct effect on the bottom line. When attentions are not on direct revenue generation and are on other ventures (albeit required) our core work is not being done. That said, there is a loss in productivity which ultimately increases cost for the business. Rules aren’t necessarily a bad thing. It will take some thought as to what is the best way to implement the required changes. All of these things impact profitability, which leads me to my next brief discussion.
So, it seems we are all going to become more focused on safety whether we like it or not. If you haven’t heard, there was a recent announcement regarding utility locates. The powers that be have taken steps to increase enforcement and the fines for not having locates. It is my understanding that first offence can be penalized at up to $10,000.
On a more personal note, I had the pleasure of meeting a local labour inspector following his attendance at one of my project sites. The inspection was part of a large blanket inspection for the particular area where many varying sites were inspected. At the time of the
Evidently, the province has made it a requirement to have washroom and sanitary stations present at ALL jobsites. For those saying we will just use the gas station or Tim Hortons down the road – well, OK, that’s fine as long as you have that in writing for the job at hand and signed by the facility manager/owner at each specific site – oh, and for now that offsite washroom must be within three kilometres of the site. Coming in July, the washroom location must be no more than 180 metres from the site. So right away one can see how this will impact our industry. If you are working at someone’s home, you must have permission to use their facilities in writing as well if that is going to be your designated location. Subsequently, we have spent the last couple weeks revamping our H+S system, doing upgrades and looking at methods for streamlining and utilizing technology to assist us with compliance. There is much work to do, even though I thought we were in a good position.
It seems we are in a world of rapid change right now. Collectively, we all need to change with the times or we will be left behind. With the increased H+S requirements and the employment situation, there is a strong need to reassess our rates to complete our work. Staffing for our industry already is a huge problem getting
Continued to page 2
INSIDE THE ISSUE
Managing Director’s Report
Wells, communal wells and pipelines
Groundwater News
What’s happening in the world of groundwater
OGWA Board Action
A summary of recent board action Golf Tournament
Looking ahead to September fundraiser
PUBLISHED FOR THE ONTARIO GROUND
WATER ASSOCIATION
Ph: 519-245-7194 Fax: 519-245-7196
DENNIS O’GRADY, Managing Director dennis@ogwa.ca
ANNE GAMMAGE, Administration Ext.103 / anne@ogwa.ca
new people into the industry. Having adequate resources to properly compensate staff, remain in compliance with legislation, buy new equipment and assure profitability will be a challenge. Pricing needs to change or we won’t be able to remain in business for the long term. Give some
thought and speak with your competitors about how you transition your business to the realities of the marketplace that is under rapid transformation.
HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
Hello, OGWA members!
We have changes that you should be aware of as, for some of you, you may be affected by them!
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Skills and Development (MLITSD) has new legislation:
1. New posters for COVID-19 resources. The focus now is on other respiratory illnesses! Post on your safety board.
2. Effective June 1, 2023:
a. Naloxone:
b. Occupational Health and Safety Act change – see S.25.2
c. NEW Regulation for Naloxone: O. Reg. 559/22: Naloxone Kits
i. For small businesses, if you need it, the MLITSD will cover a kit and training for 2 people until 2024
3. The MLITSD has come up with new initiatives in effect July 1, 2023:
a. Women-only toilets on job sites and other changes to what toilets must include
(Regulations for Construction Projects: S.29.(2)(4), S.29.(2)(11.1), S.29.1((1),S.29.2(1) and (1.0.1) and (3))
b. Requirement for employers to ensure that their workers have PPE that fits properly and that suits different body types (Regulations for Construction Projects: S.21(4))
4. The WSIB is offering the incentive of DOUBLE Rebates and $1,000 to sign up to the WSIB H & S Excellence program until 2023. They have not indicated if this will continue into 2024.
If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call or email me- 905-741-5001
OGWA BOARD ACTION SUMMARY
Approved acceptance of Federal funding to hire summer student
• Review of current 2023 budget, including revenues and expenses from the AGM
• Updates from several committees, with committee chairs seeking ideas for the annual convention, bylaws, advocacy for OGWA, golf tournament, etc.; ideas should be directed to the OGWA office or the committee chairs
• OGWA will continue to collaborate with the My Water Quality (mywaterquality.ca) organization and support their efforts in testing water quality; the President will contact its coordinator, Ms. Tecia White, who is also on the Board of OGWA, and discuss ways to work together
OGWA members have extensive knowledge in many areas; the Board wants to ensure that knowledge is used by outside agencies, on planning issues that affect groundwater, and on various committees across the Province that work to protect drinking water; OGWA will work
with its members to see where they can be of greatest assistance
• University of Guelph is seeking to update the 2003 publication, “Best Management Practices –Water Wells.” OGWA was asked to be part of this study and will work with U of G to identify potential OGWA members for this project. BMPs can vary across Ontario, and OGWA will look at geographic representation for the study.
• An update was approved for the 2023 digital map that shows the location of the 650 individuals and companies working with OGWA
The President of OGWA met with the Ontario Minister of Energy, Conservation and Parks to discuss topics of interest to the Minister, and to seek a meeting with Ministry staff to look at different ways of working together
OGWA was approached by a recent Queen’s Engineering Graduate with an interest in getting into the water will drilling industry; OGWA will provide guidance and expertise for this potential new business owner.
DWAYNE GRAFF, President
ELLALINE DAVIES President, Safety Works Consulting Inc.
WELLS, COMMUNAL WELLS OR PIPELINES
To paraphrase a well-worn quote, is it possible that pipelines are not always a better alternative for Ontario when it comes to providing clean drinking water?
Ontario has more than 250,000 lakes, including the Great Lakes. Together, they contain about one-fifth of the world’s fresh surface water. We are indeed fortunate.
The Great Lakes provide drinking water to about 10 million Ontarians, and their watersheds are home to more than 30,000 species of fish, birds and other living things. More than 2.5 million people in Ontario get their drinking water from ground ater through wells.
It is important to remember that up to 70 per cent of the water flowing into rivers and streams, and 40 per cent of the water flowing into the Great Lakes basin, starts as groundwater. Groundwater also helps to keep our rivers flowing when rainfall is low and supports Great Lakes’ water levels and aquatic ecosystem health.
Groundwater and surface water are inextricably linked, and sound management of both is required to keep our drinking water safe.
Ontario’s drinking water is free. Residents with municipal drinking water pay only for the treatment and transportation of the water.
In Ontario, there seems to be a tendency to use pipelines above other alternatives. Pipelines can be expensive. London alone has more than 1,600 kilometres of pipe, a network of treatment plants, reservoirs, pumping stations, etc., just for the city and those in close proximity to the pipelines Water system | City of London. These systems are expensive to build, operate and maintain, as the residents of Port Stanley recently found out. ‘I can’t afford to water the lawn’: Central Elgin residents angry of rising water rates | CTV News.
Norfolk County is one municipality that is now looking at an extensive, and expansive, upgrade to its drinking water pipelines. Pipelines do fail after many years of use and need replacing. Norfolk is leaking 20-30 per cent of its treated water – a waste of a precious resource. Norfolk’s aging system losing $333,000 clean water annually | TheSpec.com.
For Norfolk County, the chosen solution appears to be more pipelines. One proposal suggests that Courtland would get piped water from Nanticoke, through about
100 kilometres of new pipelines at a cost to taxpayers of almost $300 million, some of which the county is asking for other levels of government to help with.
(As an aside, rural residents of Ontario that do not have access to municipal drinking water, pay the full cost of their drinking water and treatment if required. It appears that urban residents get grants and low cost loans, while farmers and rural residents get almost no assistance.)
There is, however, an alternative to extensive, and expensive infrastructure that can provide drinking water to residents who are not near existing pipelines.
It’s called communal water systems.
Frontenac County in Eastern Ontario is a leader in providing communal water systems to its residents. Much of the following information comes from their website, and should be read as a viable option to extensive piped systems. Learn about the advantages of communal water and wastewater services | EngageFrontenac.ca
The opening paragraph on Frontenac’s website is eye opening. In 2019, the county approved a communal services study (Communal Services Study). Here is a quote from the County: “The main purpose of the study was to demonstrate that the perceived obstacles — engineering, financial, risk management, planning — are just that, (bold highlights by author) and to equip Frontenac with the tools necessary to enable redevelopment and new development on the basis of communal servicing. Communal servicing has the potential to support more compact, land-efficient development than is possible with private servicing, at a lower cost than is possible with centralized municipal services, and to enable revitalization of the Frontenacs’ communities.”
Quoting further from the study: “Many different options exist within the broad category of communal servicing. Systems may be municipally or privately-owned, using several different ownership and operation models. There is a growing range of treatment technologies that can be used for communal servicing. The distinguishing feature is that communal services treat water and wastewater close to where it is needed. (bold highlights by author)
A key benefit of communal services is that they represent alternative water and wastewater servicing approaches that can provide the county and townships with the innovative technology
Dennis O’Grady
NEW MEMBERS
SEPT 1, 2022 - MAY 19, 2023
BUSINESS
Arrow Drilling Inc. Ray Collette
Direct Environmental
Drilling Inc.
Andrew Armstrong Vice President
London ON Contractor
London ON Contractor
Grey-Bruce Plumbing Ltd. Robert Currie President Owen Sound ON Contractor
My Water Quality Tecia White Hydrogeologist Collingwood ON Scientist/ Engineer
SGR Plumbing Richard Stringer Manager Shelburne ON Contractor
Shareate Tools Canada Ltd. Rouxu Zhou Vancouver BC Manufacturer
Testmark Laboratories Ltd. Sylvia Rennie
Director of Marketing and Business Development Garson ON Supplier
Township of Tiny Rebecca Raymond Water Supervisor Tiny ON Government Associate
UPEI Muhammad Qasim Mahmood PhD Student Charlottetown PE Student
POTENTIAL NEW MEMBER
Cat’s Cove Communications Toby James Owner Perth ON Supplier
GROUNDWATER NEWS
Ohio’s environmental regulators will have until the end of June to finish a plan aimed at combating toxic algae blooms that have flourished in Lake Erie since the late 1990s. Plan needed for toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie | CTV News (https://www.ctvnews.ca/ climate-and-environment/judge-sets-a-deadline-to-put-lake-erieon-pollution-diet-1.6385872)
Amid continuing drought, Arizona is coming up with new sources of water – if cities can afford them: Phoenix-area communities plan to spend millions to find new water supplies to help the region continue to grow. Amid Continuing Drought, Arizona Is Coming up With New Sources of Water—if Cities Can Afford Them - Inside Climate News (https://insideclimatenews.org/news/06052023/ arizona-water-sources-drought/)
In a recently published paper (Applying a science-forward approach to groundwater regulatory design (eartharxiv.org) (https://eartharxiv. org/repository/view/3463/) authors Deborah Curran, Tom Gleeson, and Xander Huggins suggest that groundwater sustainability in British Columbia is challenged by the difference between legal and scientific understanding of groundwater, as well as the lack of focused attention to regulatory design. Their paper proposes the use of groundwater science, and its unique characteristics, to direct regulatory design. The article describes seven groundwater-scientific characteristics as:
processes, functions, qualities, physical sustainability, scale, information and data, and physical state. The use of these groundwater characteristics embeds the scientific understanding of groundwater into regulatory design, and enables the expression of new values, such as Indigenous rights to water. The authors conclude with three recommendations: defining sustainability goals and ecological thresholds; regionalizing and prioritizing; and long-term planning.
Protection of groundwater resources a critical asset for firefighting, according to Columbia Shuswap Regional District: “There is some significant concern about the groundwater levels and about drought conditions creating a situation that may result in a worse than average fire year.” Drought conditions contribute to summer wildfire concerns for Columbia-Shuswap - The Golden Star (https://www.thegoldenstar.net/news/low-ground-water-and-drought-conditions-raisesummer-wildfire-concerns-for-the-columbia-shuswap/)
Investors are starting to focus on companies’ water risks. Water scarcity and drought are now part of corporate assessments and company valuations. Stakeholders are starting to demand increased transparency related to companies’ water risks and water use. Wall Street is focusing on the business risks posed by water (qz.com) (https://qz.com/water-supply-risks-disruptions-institutional-investors-1850413711)
Who Should Join the O GWA?
Consider Becoming A Member If You Are ...
• Involved in or interested in supporting the ground water industry in Ontario
• An Ontario Licenced Well Contractor or an Ontario Licenced Well Technician (Drillers, Environmental/Geotechnical Drillers, Pump Installers)
• A Manufacturer and/or Supplier of equipment or products used in this industry
• A Ground Water Scientist and/or Engineer, Geologist, Hydrogeologist
• A Student in ground water or a related field in environmental technology
• A Municipality/Government Body with concern and/or oversight of ground water
• Any ground water professional interested in the advancement of the ground water industry through advocacy, outreach, education, and accreditation
Join Today!
The Ontario Ground Water Association invites all companies and persons with an interest in promoting and protecting Ontario's ground water to apply for membership.
Join the Association and enjoy many opportunities to have a say in your industry.
We offer networking opportunities, training events, a dedicated volunteer board of directors, an executive director, and office staff to assist you. We provide information, tools, skills, and news all focused exclusively on the ground water industry in On tario.
We support our members with mediation services, be it with government or the public.
Ask for a copy of the OGWA Code of Conduct .
Those with Licensed Well Technicians, Professional Staff (Scientist & Engineers), or Associate Members are asked to c omplete the additional information on Page 2 of the application. This provides the greatest exposure to potential clients searching the Membership Directory.
Free Membership for College & University Students!
We want you to learn more about the Ontario ground water industry and help you make connections with potential employers and contacts in related fields.
and flexibility to accommodate growth and achieve planning, environmental, and economic development objectives.
Communal services can provide numerous community benefits and opportunities:
• New development on smaller lot sizes that are a better ‘fit’ into the existing fabric of a village or hamlet; Developments within villages or hamlets that are dense enough to promote walkability, lower-carbon lifestyles, and efficient use of other municipal services and infrastructure; More housing within walking distance of main streets and
commercial cores, to assist in strengthening the local economy;
• Infilling and redevelopment along main streets, to promote vibrant community hubs, and on brownfield sites;
• Commercial or industrial development and possible creation of a business park;
Development of a broader range of housing types, such as seniors’ communal system homes and outdoor lifestyle communities to support ageing in place; Increased opportunities for mixed-use development, and for home-based businesses; and
• Rural and waterfront development that protects the county’s water quality and natural heritage“
I encourage everyone to go to the County of Frontenac’s website, and read the reports linked to it.
Pipelines have their place, as do communal and individual services. No one size fits all, and it is up to our elected officials and consulting companies to continue to look for new and innovative ways for providing low cost, safe drinking water. The old ways have to change.
DENNIS O’GRADY, OGWA Managing Director
Thank You, OGWA Corporate Sponsors!
Ground
Nominations
by GROUND WATER CANADA STAFF
ACE 23 COMES TO CANADA
Forum held in Toronto in June
Water professionals from around the world came to Canada this year to attend the 142nd American Water Works Association’s (AWWA) Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE23) June 11-14, at Exhibition Place Toronto, including the Enercare and Beanfield Centres.
This year’s event featured 20 professional tracks and 126 sessions, including 29 virtual sessions available both live in-person and virtually.
The conference theme was “ACE23: The Future of Water is 2050,” which aligns with AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative seeking to establish a long-term vision for the future of water. This collaborative exploration is charting a course for a successful and sustainable water sector.
AWWA’s Water 2050 initiative seeks to establish a long-term vision of the future of water. This collaborative exploration will chart a course for a successful and sustainable water sector, with engagement in a thoughtful, intentional and inclusive discourse that results in bold, achievable goals.
Ultimately, Water 2050’s influence will extend beyond the water community, fostering partnerships and cross-sector collaboration for mutual and global benefit.
AWWA has identified five critical drivers that will influence progress toward a sustainable and resilient water future: sustainability, technology, economics, governance and social/demographic. Among the track highlights for ACE23 are:
• Climate resilience
• Innovation
• Capital improvement projects
• Water policy & regulation
• Modern approaches to water quality
• Managing lead in water
• Water resources planning and management
Toronto was the setting in June for the 142nd conference and exposition of the American Water Works Association.
• International perspectives
Among the challenges and solutions discussed were those related to water quality, as water utilities prepare to meet regulatory requirements for contaminants such as lead and PFAS. The innovation track covered topics such as digital transformation and advancing water reuse development for sustainable water supply. The water planning and management sessions were to explore protecting and managing water resource portfolios with an integrated approach that includes existing water resources, water conservation programs, potable reuse projects, source water protection, groundwater management, and resiliency considerations.
AWWA streamed 29 sessions totaling more than 55 hours of content. All ACE Virtual programming and resources, including Q&A discussions for recorded sessions, will be available on-demand for 30 days after the event to all virtual and full-conference participants. For those attended in person, the ACE23 App was available on iOS and Android for quick and easy access to agenda items, networking opportunities and continuing education credit check-in. Users could find the app by searching and downloading “AWWA Events” from their respective app store.
The entire professional program was available on the “AWWA Events” app. Users could also create a personalized schedule and track session attendance for certificates.
Attendees could register to take advantage of discounted prices, including $1,025 for members to attend the full conference and $45 for student members. A virtual-only option was $395 for members and $125 for student members.
ACE23 was expected to draw 10,000 attendees and featured an exposition with about 400 exhibitors and nearly 950 booths in the Enercare Centre.
NEW PRODUCTS
CAPACITANCE LEVEL SWITCH IDEAL FOR OVERFILL AND DRY-LEVEL PROTECTION
KROHNE, a leading manufacturer and supplier of solutions in industrial process instrumentation, has released its OPTISWITCH 6700, the company’s newest capacitance level switch. The OPTISWITCH 6700 offers the same pointlevel detection of liquids and solids as their previous models, now with 10-Link communication. Offering high- and lowlevel detection, the OPTISWITCH 6700 is ideal for overfill and dry-level protection.
The OPTISWITCH 6700’s double output can be individually programmed to monitor different processes or media, making it an ideal solution for adhesives and difficult products, as detection is not
affected by product build-up, foam, or condensation. Additionally, this switch offers maintenance-free function with an optimal sensor shape for cleaning.
With the ability to monitor CIP and SIP cleaning processes, media separation, clogged or blocked pipes, moisture levels, and offer dry run protection, this level switch is ideal for point-level detection of food and pharmaceutical products.
The OPTISWITCH 6700 is highly customizable, offering a wide range of available hygienic adapters, the potential to add a sliding connection for tanks with thicker walls and insulation, and an alternate sensor version complete with reverse-threaded G¾ connection, enabling low level detection from the top of the tank.
KROHNE’s products help operators overcome challenges that arise while managing difficult products that require hygienic environments.
For more information, email info@ krohne.com.
HEADLAMPS PROVIDE WORKERS THE SAFETY AND ILLUMINATION THEY NEED IN LOW-LIGHT CONDITIONS
Princeton Tec’s industrial-grade VIZZ series headlamps are designed to provide powerful, lasting, reliable, hands-free illumination to increase operator safety and productivity in many low-light work conditions. Those employed in the groundwater industry who are working before the sun rises or after it sets need to see what they’re doing in order to get the job done and to do it safely.
Lightweight 3.2oz VIZZ series headlamps flexibly light up the workspace with two separate modes that the operator can easily switch between at the push of a button: flood which widely illuminates the surroundings, and spot which focuses a bright beam on the task at hand. A dimming feature extends battery life which is important for those working eight-to-12-hour shifts.
The headlamps come with an industrial headlamp kit with a nylon head strap, a rubber hard hat strap, and double-sided Velcro to affix the light to a helmet, if preferred. Three AAA batteries are included. The VIZZ series is offered in two distinctive headlamp models, the VIZZ II and VIZZ IND.
The VIZZ II’s one Maxbright LED creates a powerful 200 lumen spot beam for long-throw illumination, while 4 Ultrabright LEDs deliver a dimmable flood beam. The VIZZ IND headlamp is like the VIZZ II but provides even brighter illumination with a 550-lumen spot beam. However, it is not safety-rated for hazardous environments.
https://princetontec.com/
Attracting younger workers not exclusive to drilling
Hello, Mike:
I read with interest your article in Ground Water Canada, dated May 23, 2023, regarding the issues surrounding attracting workers to the field of drilling. I am a faculty member at Fleming College, School of Environmental and Natural Resources (SENRS). I teach at the campus located in Lindsay, Ont. (Frost Campus). I teach primarily in the Geology Program and, due to the nature of our course content (mineral exploration, geotechnical engineering, hydrogeology), we have a close connection to the Resources Drilling Technician program.
Both programs have a long association (50-plus years) within the drilling industry, and many of our alumni have graduated from both programs. It is my understanding that the Fleming College Resources Drilling Technician Program offers the most extensive drilling training throughout North America. Students are trained on diamond drilling, water well drilling, geotechnical/construction drilling, environmental drilling and horizontal drilling. Within Ontario, our graduates are well on their way to earning their Well Technician’s licence under Regulation 903.
The challenges of attracting a younger generation of workers are not exclusive to the drilling industry; we are experiencing this problem in other industries that the Frost Campus offers training in (geology, forestry, etc.). I know that as faculty, we work closely with our industry partners to stay on top of all the latest training requirements and look to them to hire our graduates. We host a large in-person job fair each year where we welcome companies from all over Ontario (and sometimes beyond). We continue to offer outreach programming (hands-on activities for local high schools, for example).
Articles such as yours helps to shine a light on a career opportunity that can be extremely rewarding while offering competitive salaries and a chance to work literally anywhere in the world.
Thank you again for your interesting article. I look forward to reading future articles in your online journal.
Regards,
Cyndy Broughton
Professor, School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Fleming College
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18
at, or screamed at, they will share things with you that you need to know.”
Assessments exist for a reason. Use them. It can be surprisingly challenging to answer the question, “What are your strong suits?” Boelkes warns that a true strong suit isn’t just something you’re good at; it should also bring you joy and tie into your purpose. To help you zero in on these sometimes-elusive strengths, how they manifest in your life, and how to best leverage them, she recommends assessments like CliftonStrengths and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
“Knowing what makes you stand out can give you a big leg up and help you become the best version of yourself,” she says. “Focusing on what you are really great at and love doing will elevate your performance and enhance your authenticity. You’ll be comfortable with yourself as well as your evolving roles and responsibilities, rather than feeling like
an imposter or a square peg in a round hole as you climb the ladder.”
If you choose to improve in one area, make it soft skills. Communication and relationship-management skills are what build a great culture (and Boelkes is adamant that a great culture is what leads to great metrics, not the other way around). Yet – even though this generation of workers has made it clear how much they value good relationships with their leaders – there is a noted “softskill gap” in many business education programs. That’s why she recommends identifying role models and adopting their behaviors, attitudes, and methods.
“There is a big gap between understanding organizational theory and becoming an inspirational leader,” Boelkes notes. “The only way to fill it is through observing and, more importantly, doing. Start by treating people the way you would want to be treated and consciously inspiring them to be their best. You’ll instinctively feel which
tactics work and can build from there. The good news is so-called soft skills like communication, empathy, emotional intelligence, and flexibility tend to be innate for many women – so lean into your feminine strengths.”
You may be able to “have it all” – if you have help. The concept of “having it all” – and whether that’s even possible –has sparked fierce debate. Based on her own experience and the feedback she’s received from fellow executive mothers, Boelkes believes that women can enjoy a fulfilling career and a strong family life –but success in this endeavor has to be a team effort.
“Just like building a successful executive career, raising children demands large amounts of time, energy, and emotional investment,” she says. “Sharing the load with others who are also invested in your child’s future should not be seen as a weakness or failure, but as a prudent decision to enhance everyone’s well-being.”
Event takeaways
BCGWA brings value to members
by Dave Mercer
The B.C. Ground Water Association held its 2023 trade show, AGM and convention on April 13-15 at the beautiful Penticton Lakeside Resort in Penticton B.C. The weather was gorgeous, but we had enough learning and social activities planned to keep most people engaged and off the local golf courses. It was our biggest convention yet, with more than 150 attendees and 25 exhibitors.
We had the usual assortment of technical presentations, workshops etc., but what I would like to focus on in this column is a few key takeaways that illustrate how associations like the BCGWA bring value to our members throughout the year.
Firstly, we provided follow-up to several of the key discussion topics from our 2022 convention –education and outreach. Training/education has been a regular discussion topic in the association for many years, and this year we did more than talk. Thanks to the leadership and hard work of our outgoing president Morly Bishop, we were able to provide an introduction to our online training modules. This was the result of funding being approved by the executive for us to hire a training consultant who helped us choose a learning management system that is best suited to our needs.
We then worked with the consultant to set up a framework for BCGWA training courses and populated it with preliminary videos and content. Morly presented a first draft at the convention to illustrate how easy it is to navigate and how it’s flexible so we can incorporate training from a wide variety of sources. Our next step is to form a training committee and prepare courses that will bring value to our members and the groundwater industry.
Also at the convention, we revealed a new BCGWA brochure that is designed to help promote careers in groundwater. In 2022 we had a panel discussion on the labour shortage in the groundwater industry, and outreach was identified as a key role the association can play to help. Our new brochure leads people (by way of a QR code) to a section on our website dedicated to providing information about careers with our trades, professions, manufacturers, suppliers, etc.
The brochure is part of a larger outreach effort by
the BCGWA and our members. We encourage our members to use the brochure at company events, local school events and anywhere else we can inform students and the public.
The hot topic at this year’s convention was compliance and compliance enforcement. We were pleased to have significant representation from three provincial ministries which, in addition to setting up a trade show booth, also hosted an hour-long workshop on compliance initiatives. The workshop was standing room only and was punctuated by lively discussion and exchanging of information. BCGWA members are passionate about the work we do, and we want everyone to comply with the regulations that have been established to protect groundwater resources and the public.
One specific concern that was expressed repeatedly is enforcement of work being carried out by non-certified operators. In B.C .altering and decommissioning wells, and installing well pumps are restricted activities, so all drillers and pump installers must be certified and registered with the government to legally operate in the province. The BCGWA does not have the authority to enforce the law, but we do have a code of ethics whereby our members must follow the law.
The BCGWA also advocates on behalf of our members, and one of the outcomes of the workshop is that we will strongly recommend to the government that appropriate resources are applied to enforcement so that it can be done effectively. We will also continue to work with government to support their enforcement initiatives.
Another compliance-related issue that was raised is over-the-counter sales of pumps. I am just becoming familiar with this issue so am not going to go into detail about it here because I don’t want to misrepresent it. However, the concern revolves around pumps being sold to members of the public even though installation of pumps is a restricted activity. We intend to investigate the matter.
Dave Mercer, P.Geo, is a geologist and GM of the BCGWA. dave@undergroundcommunications.ca
