Occasionally, Ground Water Canada will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above.
Serving the Canadian ground water industry for 42 years.
AQUIFER STORAGE AN D RECOVERY
A coming idea for Canada?
12
BRID GE TO THE FUTURE
Outgoing and incoming BCGWA managers find common ground on water issues
16 TH E 2016 CANADIAN TR UCK KING CHALLENGE
Numbers you can use to choose a truck or van from real-world test- drivers
20 NGWA EXPO HIGHLIGHTS
Booths were abuzz at the National Ground Water Association Expo in Las Vegas in December
ON THE WEB:
Using drones to study high-altitude glaciers
Ohio State University scientists are using drone technology to map glaciers and wetlands in Peru’s Cordillera Blanca mountain range to gauge how climate change will affect the half-million local residents. Phys.org reports.
Water resources highlighted in climate adaptation plans
Water is entering the climate discussion in Paris, France, in two ways: through the plans that each country submitted ahead of the conference and through the Paris Pact. Circle of Blue reports.
Ground water finds its voice
by Colleen Cross
With climate change finally taking its rightful place at the centre of world attention, and closely related ground water issues joining it, well drillers have an increasingly important role to play in educating the public about this precious resource.
The United Nations conference on Climate Change, informally dubbed COP21 and held in Paris late last year forced many countries to turn their attention to climate change and its potentially catastrophic effects on the planet. These effects – flooding, drought, intense summer heat and declining water supply, among them – in turn will have far-reaching effects on food supply, health, industry and transportation.
Although the full impact of climate change on ground water is not yet known, experts have predicted a long-term decline in ground water storage, saline intrusion in coastal aquifers caused in part by a rise in sea level and a decrease in snow pack moving us from a snow-melt to a rainfalldominated type of system.
We have no shortage of highly skilled, conscientious and enthusiastic water well drillers who can serve as effective water advocates.
Publicity around the COP21 talks has prompted the United States to suggest an ambitious goal of reducing water use by onethird as mentioned by the White House after a Water Summit roundtable in December. The goal is idealistic but as newsmagazine Fast Company said, it just may be simple and bold enough to get people at all levels talking about the importance of ground water and its conservation to our survival.
A lot of people in Canada and the U.S. are talking about ground water after a Canadian-led study pushed ground water out from the wings and made it more visible. “The Global Volume and Distribution of Modern Groundwater” published in Nature Geoscience in November made more headlines than usual for a news story about ground water. Using data from almost a million watersheds and more than 40,000 ground water models, the study estimates the world has a total volume of nearly 23 million cubic
kilometres of ground water of which about one-sixth is less than 50 years old. One tangible result of the research is a map showing the location and age –determined by measuring tritium concentrations found in 1950s and ’60s thermonuclear testing – of the world’s aquifers. It’s fascinating, collaborative work that has got the public talking.
Last spring, the Program On Water Issues at the Munk School in Toronto held a forum on ground water security issues that gathered experts in ground water science, policy and security issues. Conveniently, the forum was accessible through live streaming and available as a webinar afterward.
David McLaughlin, a well-respected expert on ground water policy, delivered a thought-provoking paper on financing ground water mapping and monitoring. McLaughlin and Adele Hurley, director for POWI, have since written very accessible opinion pieces for the Globe and Mail urging the federal government to make ground water a priority and, in Hurley’s words, “an issue of national security.”
Canada has no shortage of talented and motivated water advocates, and we have no shortage of highly skilled, conscientious and enthusiastic water well drillers who can serve as effective water advocates. Let’s build on that momentum and keep ground water centre stage. Drillers have a huge role to play in educating well owners, farmers, manufacturers and the general public about best practices and contaminants.
We know drillers take pride in being ground water stewards. That is why we are highlighting awareness, sustainability and education during National Ground Water Awareness Week in Canada March 6 to 12. You all know how important it is to keep up to date on techniques, best practices and products and to let that knowledge trickle down to a willing audience –and we want to make it easier to do that.
@GroundWaterMag
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will focus on drilling. Don’t miss it!
ONTARIO PASSES GREAT LAKES PROTECTION ACT
Ontario has passed the Great Lakes Protection Act, which aims to strengthen the province’s ability to keep the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River clean, as well as to protect and restore the waterways that flow into them, the Ontario government said in a news release. The legislation, which was passed on Oct. 7, enables the province to address significant environmental challenges to the Great Lakes, including climate change, harmful pollutants and algal blooms.
KSB PUMPS OPENS ATLANTIC CANADA OFFICE
KSB Pumps has opened a sales and engineering office for Atlantic Canada where clients can find Kandy Mitton, the company’s new regional sales manager for this area.
Mitton, a pump professional with in-depth experience in the sales and service of pumps for municipal and industrial markets, will be based in Sussex, N.B.
“We are very pleased to welcome Kandy to our Canadian team,” comments Gary Zeidler, head of KSB Canada’s growing service division, in a news release. “Not only does Kandy have more than 16 years of experience in the pump business under her belt, she is also a NHRAlicenced drag racer; a sure sign of her ability to get up to speed quickly!”
KSB Pumps Inc., based in Mississauga, Ont., is a member of the KSB Group, a major manufacturer of pumps, valves and systems.
UVIC-LED STUDY MAPS ‘OLD’ AND ‘YOUNG’ GROUND WATER
An international group of hydrologists has produced the first data-driven estimate of the Earth’s total supply of old and young ground water, the University of Victoria announced in a news release.
The study, led by Tom Gleeson of the University of Victoria with co-authors at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Calgary and the University of Göttingen, was published Nov. 16 in Nature Geoscience.
The bigger part of the study, entitled “The global volume and distribution of modern groundwater,” is the “modern” ground water story, the release said. Less than six per cent of ground water in the upper two kilometres of the Earth’s landmass is renewable within a human lifetime.
“This has never been known before,” Gleeson said. “We already know that water levels in lots of aquifers are dropping. We’re using our ground water resources too fast – faster than they’re being renewed.”
With the growing global demand for water this study provides important information to water managers and policy developers as well as scientists from fields such as hydrology, atmospheric science, geochemistry and oceanography to better manage ground water resources in a sustainable way, he said.
Using multiple datasets (including data from close to a million watersheds), and more than 40,000 ground water models, the study estimates a total volume of nearly 23 million cubic kilometres of total ground water of which 0.35 million cubic kilometres is younger than 50 years old.
Why is it important to differentiate old from modern ground water? Young and old ground water are fundamentally different in how they interact with the rest of the water and climate cycles. Old ground water is found deeper and is often used as a water resource for agriculture and industry. Sometimes it contains arsenic or uranium and is often more salty than ocean water. In some areas, the briny water is so old, isolated and stagnant it should be thought of as non-renewable, Gleeson said.
The volume of modern ground water dwarfs all other components of the active water cycle and is a more renewable resource, but because it’s closer to surface water and is faster-moving than old ground water, it’s also more vulnerable to climate change and contamination by human activities, he said.
The study’s maps show most modern ground water in tropical and mountain regions. Some of the largest deposits are in the Amazon Basin, the Congo, Indonesia, and in North and Central America running along the Rockies and the western cordillera to the tip of South America. High northern latitudes are excluded from the data because satellite data doesn’t accurately cover them. Regardless, this area is largely under permafrost with little ground water. The least amount of modern ground water is, not surprisingly, in more arid regions such as the Sahara.
The next step in painting a full picture of how quickly we’re depleting both old and modern ground water is to analyze volumes of ground water in relation to how much is being used and depleted.
The study’s maps show most modern ground water in tropical and mountain regions.
Photo
INDUSTRY NEWS
CAPM APPROVED AS COUNCIL WITHIN CIPH
On Nov. 16, 2015, the CIPH board of directors voted to approve the transition of the Canadian Association of Pump Manufacturers (CAPM) into a Council within CIPH known as the Canadian Water Systems Council. Since 1949, CAPM was the national trade association representing the Canadian potable and wastewater pump industry. In January 2015, faced with a changing business landscape, the CAPM board of directors began the process of examining the future of the association. Many options were discussed, including trying to find ways of growing membership or creating a council under CIPH. On Nov. 3, 2015, the CAPM members voted unanimously to dissolve CAPM and transition into a council under CIPH.
“On behalf of CIPH, we would like to extend an official welcome to the Canadian Water Systems
Council,” says Siân Smith, CIPH chairman of the board. “This is truly an exciting opportunity for us all as we navigate together to strengthen this sector of the industry.”
“Most members of CAPM are already members of CIPH and the transition will mean greater access to networking events, training opportunities, a stronger voice with government agencies and a competitive edge with access to industry statistics and reports,” says CAPM President, Richard Barg.
Under the new Canadian Water Systems Council, the scope and mandate will also be expanded to include previously unrepresented aspects of water and pump use such as grey water, rainwater recycling and reuse.
The official dissolution of CAPM will occur in early 2016.
The CAPM board met for its last official meeting Nov. 3. Left to right: Kris Yungblut, Boshart Industries; Sean Welsh, Franklin Electric; Michael Prencipe, manager of operations for CIPH; Todd Sutherland, Pentair Canada; Denton Gaiser, Canature Watergroup; John Cardiff, Canature Watergroup; CAPM president Richard Barg, Xylem Applied Water Systems; Stuart Saville, Zoeller Canada; and Brendan Kelly and Bob Bellomo, CAPM life members. Members J.J. Troccoli, A.O. Smith Water Products Company, and Jon Gross, Crane Pumps & Systems Canada, attended by teleconference.
H. Wright and Son Electrical of Kirkton, Ont., has lost one of its founders.
Evelyn Wright, wife of the late Harvey Wright and mother of Don Wright and Norlene and Ed Rodd, passed away March 22, 2015, at the age of 90. Mrs. Wright previously lived in Millet, Alta. She and her late husband Harvey owned and operated H. Wright and Son Electrical, Plumbing, Heating and General Store in Kirkton. They established the business in 1939. It is now operated by Don Wright.
We know you as drillers take pride in being stewards of this resource. That is why Groundwatercanada.com is highlighting education and sustainability during National Ground Water Awareness Week in Canada March 6 to 12.
We mark this week in conjunction with National Ground Water Awareness Week in the U.S., an annual observance sponsored by the National Ground Water Association that brings attention to the importance of ground water as a valuable resource and stresses the need for yearly water testing and well maintenance. Groundwatercanada.com will serve as a hub focusing on these closely related topics. On our website you will find tools and resources for yourselves and your well owners: fact sheets you can share on water testing and well maintenance best practices, articles on potential contaminants and recent water research. You will also find a web feature by Carolyn Camilleri on what some drillers are doing to educate from the frontlines.
Don’t miss it!
OGWA CONFERENCE CALLS FOR PRESENTATIONS
The Ontario Ground Water Association has issued a call for papers for the Canadian Ground Water Conference & Expo 2016, which is slated for June 8-11.
The OGWA will host the conference and trade show at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Ont.
The conference theme is “Sustainability – Ground Water Matters.” NGWA 2016 McEllhiney Lecturer Peter Cartwright will present his lecture entitled “Groundwater Contaminants and Treatment Options.”
ONTARIO APPROVES GRAND RIVER WATERSHED SOURCE PROTECTION PLAN
Ontario has approved a plan to protect sources of drinking water in the Grand River watershed area in south-central Ontario. The province has now approved all 22 of its source water protection plans.
The source protection plan, developed by the local municipalities and the Lake Erie Region source protection committee, will take effect July 1, the Ontario government said in a news release.
The source protection planning process began in 2006, when the Ontario government passed the Clean Water Act to protect the sources of municipal drinking water throughout the province, and is based on technical studies, collaborative policy development, and extensive public consultation.
“Formal approval of the Grand River Source Protection Plan is a major milestone in the Committee’s work with its community, agriculture, industry, conservation authority, municipal and provincial partners to protect and enhance municipal drinking water supplies,” said Wendy Wright Cascaden, acting chair of the Lake Erie Region Source Protection Committee, in the release.
“We look forward to measuring and monitoring the Plan’s future success,” she said.
Altogether, the plans cover areas where over 95 per cent of the province’s population live.
The event is intended as a national platform through which members of the ground water industry can share knowledge and connect with one another, the association said in a news release.
The association invites licensed water well contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, members representing municipalities, governmental agencies, ground water scientists and engineers from across Canada to gather for learning and networking opportunities.
FEDERAL, MANITOBA AND WINNIPEG GOVERNMENTS TO BUILD SHOAL LAKE NO. 40 FIRST NATION’S FREEDOM ROAD
Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Carolyn Bennett in December announced the Government of Canada will be an equal partner with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to ensure Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation constructs Freedom Road.
Minister Bennett said in a news release that Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada will match Manitoba’s and Winnipeg’s commitments to fund one-third of the estimated $30 million project to construct an approximately 24-kilometre all-season road from Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation to the Trans-Canada Highway in Manitoba.
Shoal Lake No. 40 is a First Nation community that straddles the OntarioManitoba border and has an on-reserve population of about 290 people. The First Nation was cut off from the mainland in 1917 when a nearby channel was cut in order to bring drinking water to Winnipeg. The First Nation has long sought a permanent all-weather road to provide the community with secure and constant access to essential services, including emergency medical services and waste collection.
All three levels of government had already committed up to $1 million each for the design work of Freedom Road. That work is underway and is expected to be completed in the spring.
The announcement was made at a meeting of the Shoal Lake No. 40 Tripartite Agreement Committee at the Manitoba Legislature in Winnipeg.
“Partnering with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to help Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation build Freedom Road is both long overdue and the right thing to do,” Bennett said. “When completed, Freedom Road will provide the First Nation’s residents with increased mobility and help unlock economic opportunities for the community.”
“We welcome the Government of Canada to our partnership with the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg to finally secure the access we have lacked for so long,” said Chief Erwin Redsky of the Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation. “Our situation is unique and requires creative problemsolving. We thank the governments of Canada, Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg for their commitments and their willingness to collaborate with our community.”
“The residents of Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation have been without an allweather road for far too long,” said Manitoba’s premier Greg Selinger. “The Government of Manitoba is pleased to partner with the federal government and the City of Winnipeg in providing funding for the road and will do everything possible to see this critically important infrastructure project move forward as quickly as possible.”
Aquifer storage and recovery
A procedure to collect and store water could contribute to sustainability for the water industr y in Canada
By Ken Hugo
Recent reports in the media have illustrated declining water levels in aquifers in California and the midwestern United States.
A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Victoria, University of Calgary and other universities has raised the issue of worldwide over-pumping and scarcity of ground water. Entitled “The global volume and distribution of modern groundwater,” the research clarifies earlier rough estimations of worldwide volume and confirms the finite nature of this resource.
Conversely, much effort is being made in parts of the world (such as Calgary) for flood mitigation: storage dams and diversions are planned for times of too much water. Alternating droughts with occasional floods illustrates one of the problems with water – water is not available when it is needed.
This is one reason we build dams, which are temporary water storage devices for surface water.
A lesser-seen but equally valid procedure is to collect and store water when precipitation is abundant in aquifers and then pump out the water in times of need. This procedure is called aquifer storage and recovery (ASR). The procedure is common in Africa and becoming established in parts of the United States. ASR is less common in Canada but certainly there is no reason it should not be undertaken here.
Historical researchers have pointed out that prior to development of the North American continent ASR was occurring more under natural conditions: forests, wetlands, beaver dams and even gopher holes allowed for greater natural recharge of ground water. With agricultural and industrial development, these features of the landscape were removed, leading to dwindling ground water recharge.
The principle of ASR involves collecting water
at times of higher precipitation or high river flow into surface impoundments and allowing the water to percolate into the aquifer. Sometimes a confining layer such as clay till is at the surface and water will not percolate at a sufficient rate. Stripping the upper confining layer is one option for the storage reservoir. Injecting the water into the ground directly through wells is another.
An ideal situation is to use the recharge areas as both flood control and aquifer storage, a practice often undertaken in parts of Africa that experience short rainfall seasons and long hot and dry periods. These regular seasonal events allow for easier planning and rationalization of an ASR project rather than for contingencies for a project in 100-year flood events.
Other advantages of ASR include prevention of land settlement due to over-pumping and lessening of salt water intrusion on coastal aquifers.
One would think that surface waters have bacteria in them that would be introduced to the aquifer and render the water unsuitable for reuse. Although some treatment of water prior to injection may be required, surface water bacteria are used to light and oxygen and have a hard time surviving in the cool, dark environment of the aquifer. Experience has generally shown that surface water bacteria are not a significant problem with ASR.
However, there could be other problems. The injected water does contain oxygen and aquifers do contain bacteria; thus, plugging of wells and aquifers by iron bacteria may occur and enhanced well maintenance may be required.
Mobilization of metals such as chromium or arsenic could also be a problem that occurs with changing ground water conditions.
Is there a role for water well drillers? The technique requires the installation of pumping and injection wells, along with the installation, operation and maintenance of pumps.
Observation wells to monitor performance and volumes of water going into and out of the aquifer will be required. Possibly some well performance problems may be encountered and remediation work on wells could be required.
Will ASR contribute to a sustainable ground water industry? Definitely.
The National Ground Water Association has a 22-page free download entitled “Best Suggested Practices for Aquifer Storage and Recovery” that drillers should consider viewing if they are involved in an ASR project.
Ken Hugo is a technical director and hyrdogeologist with Groundwater Information Technologies (GRIT).
Aquifier storage and recovery (ASR) involves collecting and storing water in aquifiers when precipitation is abundant and then pumping out the water in times of need.
Reprinted from Aquifer Storage and Recovery: Best Suggested Practice with permission of the National Ground Water Association. Copyright 2014.
ASSOCIATIONS
BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
Outgoing and incoming BCGWA managers find common ground on water issues
When Bruce Ingimundson joined the BCGWA in 1975, it was mainly a water well drilling association. The pump installer trade was just beginning to evolve. Membership counted few hydrogeologists and engineers and even fewer government people. And because the association was established partly as a reaction to fears around regulation, relations with the government were somewhat adversarial.
That was reality in the 1970s, and in the ’80s and into the ’90s, when Ingimundson was elected technical-professional director – a role he fulfilled for more than 15 years.
In 2000, when Ingimundson began his two-year stint as BCGWA vice-president, things started changing. They kept changing, as he shifted to association president from 2002 to 2004, followed by five years of executive positions, and, finally, the role of managing director from 2009 to 2015.
When he retired last September, Ingimundson handed over the reigns of an association vastly different from the one he signed up with in the ’70s.
“I have big shoes to fill,” says BCGWA’s new general manager, Kathy Tixier, a hydrogeologist with a consulting background, noted for strong organizational and communication skills. “Now that I’m running the boat on my own, so to speak, I can very much appreciate all that Bruce [Ingimundson] handled when he was managing director.”
“I hope to continue to be a credit to the work that he’s done and live up to the votes of confidence from my peers,” she adds.
Detailing Ingimundson’s accomplishments would fill pages, but looking at significant turning points for the BCGWA, common themes emerge.
Mike Wei, from the Aquifer and Watershed Science, Water Protection and Sustainability Branch of the B.C. Ministry of Environment, has been a colleague of Ingimundson’s for more than 30 years.
“He’s an outstanding fellow, an outstanding person, and a really true professional,” Wei says. “He’s made a mark in consulting, he’s made a mark working on an expert board, and he’s made a mark working within industry to further their cause and their mandate to their benefit.”
“He’s had probably a couple of careers, if you look at it. They’re all in ground water, but they’re in radically different roles,” Wei adds.
Ingimundson, a consulting hydrogeologist with Thurber Engineering in Victoria for 38 years, is profoundly influential as a unifier of people. The growth of membership in the BCGWA is a telling example. Since 2000, BCGWA has expanded from being primarily well drillers and pump installers to an all-encompassing membership that
by CAROLYN CAMILLERI
includes tradespeople, professionals, municipal engineers and other affiliated organizations.
“There are so many other trades, at least nowadays, that are involved in ground water supply and ground water delivery than there were maybe 30, 40 years ago,” says Ingimundson, who is quick to say that BCGWA’s accomplishments were the work of many people and not his alone.
“And each group is represented, so nobody’s left out.”
Indeed, including five executive members, it is a 17-member board.
“In one sense, it’s a big challenge because our pie is more diverse, with diverse interests, and it’s hard to come up with an aligned set of values and aligned direction,” says Tixier about the board she has inherited. “At the same time, it’s a great strength because if we can get these different groups interfacing more with one another, exchanging information and ideas, we’ll find a lot of commonalities that can strengthen everyone.”
“There’s richness in diversity,” she adds.
Ingimundson admits that it hasn’t always been easy. “Sometimes, there’s a little fumble between the old school and
the new younger guys.”
One of the ways Ingimundson has distinguished himself relates to those internal barriers.
“If a guy’s got an iron ring on his finger, that doesn’t mean he’s not human. I’m a geoscientist. I’m one of those guys,” he says. “On the other side, the engineers, geoscientists, have to be, as [former BCGWA president] David Slade said about me, ‘not afraid to get his boots dirty.’ ”
“As a professional, you can learn from these drillers. You can learn from the tradespeople,” Ingimundson says. “And the other way around. The trade community can learn from the professionals.”
Tixier shares that view and has experienced the benefits first hand.
“I got a master’s degree in hydrogeology but just about everything I’ve learned about wells, about the practical aspects of well drilling or testing or maintaining wells, I’ve learned from my colleagues and consulting, but a lot from the drillers, a lot from the tradesmen,” she says. “They’re on the ground seven days a week doing this work.”
Mutual respect and recognizing the value of sharing knowledge has gone a long way in unifying membership.
“In the last 10 years, it’s really come together as a group, not only to better their workload and whatever they do in their trades, but also to come together on a lot of things,” Ingimundson says.
An example of that was working in conjunction with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to create official provincial trades, adding well pump installer, geotechnical/environmental driller, and geo exchange driller to the already existing water well driller.
“For us, [the collapse of the CGWA] turned out to be probably a good thing,” says Ingimundson, clarifying that he doesn’t mean that in a disrespectful way, but that it pushed B.C. into action. “It took a lot of support from the Ministry of Environment, and now we have those trades.”
The resulting apprenticeship programs include examinations acceptable to both the BCGWA and ITA. Each trade has its own association, but all are affiliated with the BCGWA.
“You can see the thread here,” Ingimundson says. “Everything’s affiliated. It’s about co-operation and working with people.”
That thinking extends beyond
“Try to get over your issues with government and learn. Work with them. Try to find common ground. It doesn’t happen overnight, but if you keep at it, in a non-aggressive manner, it happens,” says Bruce Ingimundson, who retired as the BCGWA’s managing director last September. Ingimundson is working closely with Kathy Tixier, who follows in his footsteps in the newly defined role of general manager.
membership. Over the years, BCGWA has expanded its relationship with BC Water & Waste Association in projects concerning ground water quality and hydrogeology. It also works with Agriculture Canada and the MOE in the development of wellowner workshops and regional districtsupported presentations. A board member links the BCGWA with GeoExchange BC. And Canwell 2004 and 2014 has established relationships with associations and individuals across North America.
There is another advantage.
“It’s helped us get involved with the government at a different level,” Ingimundson says.
A stronger BCGWA meant greatly improved relationships with the MOE, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, and the Health Regions.
“That doesn’t mean we always agree. We don’t,” Ingimundson says. “But they’re open to listening to us and we’re open to listening to them.”
Wei agrees, describing the relationships as mutually beneficial.
“Despite the fact that we’re government and they are industry, and we don’t always hit the same notes every time. We overlooked that and we developed a lot of trust,” Wei says. “We did it because of
the personality of people like Bruce and, currently, Kathy Tixier.”
Personality is important in partnerships, he adds, along with a willingness to find the common ground that leads to solutions.
“I think that’s been probably one of my most cherished experiences working in the public service,” Wei says. “Being able to walk with these professionals and contractors to do things that would better our resource.”
About working with Wei, Ingimundson says the relationship has been a big plus.
“It’s a big help when you get a civil servant who looks beyond the government side, looks at us as people. We’ve developed a very good relationship with Mike [Wei] and his people and he with myself and our people.”
Within the BCGWA, getting membership to work with government meant changing some attitudes.
“I said, ‘Look guys, you’ve been fighting the government for as long as I’ve been around here. . . . You’re not progressing. Let’s put the axe aside and start working with these people and get them working with us,’ ” Ingimundson says.
It took time, but it has been worth it. Working together meant being able to
Continued on page 19
by
Photo
Ron Nelson
Decentralizing water
Small-scale water and waste water treatment systems are musts in rural Canadian settings
By Kevin Wong
At the turn of the 19th century, the steel industry was huge until environmental and economic conditions forced it to scale down infrastructure to make the mini mill. The development of steel thus became cheaper due to the smaller footprint, energy needs and capital costs.
My point? The development of small-scale water and wastewater treatment systems is a must in rural Canadian settings.
The tough thing is to run the pipe to the treatment plants. The water treatment plant is a long distance away, and so is the wastewater treatment plant. This procedure is not cheap, but because regulators understand it, they can help drive planning around these costly utilities.
These multibillion-dollar giants are costly, tax intensive and often built based on plans for changes in growth or intensity of the area. We don’t take into account future changes in urban sprawl, policy changes like water conservation, energy efficiency or even over-strength chemistry conditions in our wastewaters that result in these changes.
Such projects also do not take into account changing regulations, emerging chemicals or even climate change. These factors are impossible to predict in some cases.
What is the solution? In the traditional regulatory sense, there is no solution in some jurisdictions: multiple homes sharing one septic system or well is difficult to conceive and even more difficult to police and regulate. These are the very small (public) systems that are common on many rural Canadian sites and very much so on many First Nations communities. These have fallen through the cracks after we have dealt with larger municipal systems and single-family systems via the plumbing code and well regulations. The middle ground has been forgotten it seems . . . for now.
The provinces have had the opportunity to manage this for the most part, but the concept of a decentralized small system is still a challenge
encompassing regulatory issues, questions of inspector education/jurisdiction and training.
For the most part, it is our environmental and health inspectors who are left managing this grey area. But they may be trying to apply very large/ municipal or very small system/single residence theories to the applications. Performance-based systems exist and this could be a solution. There are product standards that could apply and there are regulatory models to be adjusted.
Monitoring and responsibility for these systems can match the large-system models or become regulated, but they must be monitored by an operating authority responsible for the system.
Do those responsible need to be licensed MOECC-type operators? Do they have the training to manage smaller systems? What is needed for small, decentralized systems?
What we need is a blend of large- and small-scale concepts and regulations. We can cherry-pick some of the best practices from regulation. We may have to choose the middle gap between the plumbing code and well regulations and the larger-system policies and processes. At the very small end of the spectrum, the plumbing code can be somewhat upsized to handle multiple sites. A trained operating authority and an oversighting regulator from the MOECC, the health department, or chief building inspector also would be handy.
At the drinking water end, we have the technology and the people to manage these sites. Professionals can handle systems that are larger than one home, in a manner that blends the certified technology in the plumbing code with a certified professional on a permanent, monitored service contract overseen by a local chief building official, public health unit or ministry inspector.
The author is no expert in this realm, and your response and feedback is respectfully requested!
Kevin Wong is the executive director of the Canadian Water Quality Association.
•
•
•
TRUCK KING CHALLENGE
Numbers you can use from real-world test-drivers
For the past nine years veteran automotive journalists have donated their time to act as judges in the only annual North American truck competition that tests pickup and van models head to head – while hauling payload and also towing.
by HOWARD J ELMER
The overall top scoring 2016 Canadian Truck King Challenge winner is the Ram 1500, Laramie, 3L EcoDiesel, V6, diesel, 8-speed Auto.
The Canadian Truck King Challenge started in 2006, and each year these writers return because they believe in this straightforward approach to testing and they know their readers want the results it creates.
I started it (and continue to do it) for the same reason – that and my belief that after 40 years of putting trucks to work I know what’s important to Canadians. Now, that’s a long list of qualifications, but in a nutshell it’s the concept that a truck can be pretty, but that alone is just not enough – it also better do its job – and do it well.
This year, nine judges travelled from
Quebec, Saskatchewan and across Ontario to the Kawartha Lakes Region where we test the trucks each year. All the entries are delivered to my 70-acre IronWood test site days before the judges arrive so we can prepare them for hauling and towing. In the meantime they are all outfitted with digital data collectors. These gadgets plug into the USB readers on each vehicle and transmit fuel consumption data to a company in Kitchener, Ont. (MyCarma) who records, compiles and translates those readings into fuel economy results that span the almost 4,000 test kilometres that we accumulate over two long days.
Photos courtesy Truck King Challenge
The Ford Transit 250 led the pack for Full-Size Commercial Van, while the Mercedes Metris won for Mid-Size Commercial Van.
These results are as real world as it gets. The numbers are broken into empty runs, loaded results and even consumption while towing. Each segment is measured during test loops with the trucks being driven by five judges – one after the other. That’s five different driving styles, acceleration, braking and idling (we don’t shut the engines down during seat changes).
The Head River test loop itself is also a combination of road surfaces and speed limits. At 17 kilometres long it runs on gravel, secondary paved road and highway. Speed limits vary from 50 to 80 km/h and the road climbs and drops off an escarpment-like ridgeline several times; plus it crosses the Head River twice at its lowest elevation. The off-road part of our testing is done on my own course at IronWood. Vans are not tested on the off-road though it’s noteworthy that the Mercedes Sprinter was equipped with a four-wheel drive system this year.
This is the third year that we have used the data collection system and released the final fuel consumption report that MyCarma prepares for the Truck King Challenge. It’s become one of our most anticipated results.
But how do we decide what to test? Well, as anyone who’s bought a truck knows, the manufacturers never sleep; they bring something different to market every year. As the Challenge looks to follow market trends, what and how we test must change each year too. We had a field of 14 contenders at IronWood this year covering four categories. They were as follows:
FULL-SIZE HALF-TON PICKUP TRUCK
• Ford F-150, Platinum, 3.5L, V6 EcoBoost, gas, 6-speed Auto
• Ford F-150, XLT, 2.7L, V6 EcoBoost, gas, 6-speed Auto
• Chevrolet Silverado, High Country, 6.2L, V8, gas, 8-speed Auto
• Ram 1500, Laramie, 3L EcoDiesel, V6, diesel, 8-speed Auto
MID-SIZE PICKUP TRUCK
• Toyota Tacoma, TRD Off-Road, 3.5L V6, gas, 6-speed Auto
• GMC Canyon, SLT, 2.8L Duramax, I-4 diesel, 6-speed Auto
• Chevrolet Colorado, Z71, 3.6L V6, gas, 6-speed Auto
FULL-SIZE COMMERCIAL VANS
• Ford Transit 250, 3.2L Power Stroke I-5 diesel, 6-speed Auto
• Ram ProMaster City, SLT, 2.4L Tigershark I-4 gas, 9-speed Auto
• Nissan NV200, 2.0L I-4, gas, Xtronic CVT Auto
• Mercedes Metris, 2.0L I-4, gas, 7-speed Auto
These vehicles are each all-new or have significant changes made to them. However, this year the Truck King Challenge decided to try something else new by offering a returning champion category.
This idea had been growing for a while having everything to do with the engineering cycles that each manufacturer follows. Simply put, trucks are not significantly updated each year and to date we have only included “new” iron in each year’s competition. However, we started to think that just because a truck is in the second or third year of its current generational life shouldn’t make it non-competitive.
So, this spring we decided that the immediate previous year’s winner (in each category) would be offered the chance to send its current truck to compete against what’s new on the market.
This year the invitation was sent to the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, Ford Transit 250 and Nissan NV200 – all previous winners that accepted the offer to return and fight for their crowns.
They, along with the new vehicles, took the tests over two days with the judges evaluating everything from towing feel to interior features.
The judges score each vehicle in 20 different categories; these scores are then averaged across the field of judges and converted to a score out of 100. Finally the “as tested” price of each vehicle is also weighted against the average (adding or subtracting points) for the final outcome.
• Full-Size Commercial Van – Ford Transit 250 – 73.90%
• Mid-Size Commercial Van – Mercedes Metris – 75.69%
The overall top scoring 2016 Canadian Truck King Challenge winner is the Ram 1500, Laramie, 3L EcoDiesel, V6, diesel, 8-speed Auto.
Congratulations to the winners and to the two repeating champions – the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel and the Ford Transit 250.
BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE
Continued from page 13
address outstanding well records and developing the aforementioned trades. It also led to the Ground Water Advisory Board in 2003. Four of the six people on that board were from the BCGWA. Wei and Ingimundson were co-chairs.
“The advice the board gave resulted in the current Ground Water Protection Regulation,” Wei says.
While the six years of work weren’t always easy, Ingimundson says everyone was determined to find commonalities because, until very recently, B.C. had virtually no ground water regulations.
“It was still the Wild West,” he says. “That wasn’t good for industry. It wasn’t good for the public. The industry wanted regulations, first of all, to create a level playing field for the people working it.”
The resulting regulations laid the groundwork for the soon-to-be-issued Ground Water Protection Regulation under the Water Sustainability Act.
“It’s going to be a transition for some of our people but we’ve been involved in this all the way along. We have our stamp on those regulations,” Ingimundson says.
Inheriting the relationship with government is something Tixier values.
regulations in place to protect our ground water resource. We need to set some industry standards on how we drill wells and construct them, and the association played a big role in communicating that to government and drafting the regulations.”
Wei is confident about working with Tixier.
“We started working with Kathy on planning how could we communicate with the drilling and consulting industry when the Water Sustainability Act is brought into force and implemented,” Wei says. “Head- and heart-wise, she is very smart, very willing to work together. She’s got a good personality. She has a willingness to work with us, which is super welcomed.”
Tixier describes her new position as a facilitator, communicator and manager, and says her role is about pulling out a consensus vision from the board of directors and being accountable to them.
“I’m very much a task-oriented person. I like to feel productive. The association has no shortage of tasks to keep me busy,” she says. “The challenge is getting the priorities right so they’re aligned with what the members expect from the association.”
supporting our members whose livelihoods depend on developing ground water and investigating ground water resources.”
Tixier is also working toward facilitating BCGWA involvement in regulatory development right from the beginning stages, not just for review comments after the first draft has been written.
“I would like to encourage that the communication be throughout the process,” she says.
Like Ingimundson, Tixier believes in bringing people together to find common ground.
“Policy and industry development need not just be led by the academics, consultants, and regulators, but also from the ground up, from the people that are out there working in the industry every day,” Tixier says. “There’s a lot of knowledge, a lot of common sense, a lot of experience, lessons there that we can all learn from.”
A true leader, Ingimundson turned the BCGWA into a shining example of what co-operation and mutual respect can accomplish.
With Tixier taking the lead, the future of the BCGWA looks to be in good hands.
“Bruce has done a great job growing our relationship with the ministry and maintaining those good communication lines,” she says. “We need to get some
She says her first priority is to listen and hear from the board where to focus. The upcoming regulatory changes will require significant attention. The first phase will be about licensing, with the ground water protection a focus in the second phase.
Beauregard_7x3.25 3/21/06 7:45 AM Page 1
“The challenge is maintaining a balance between being protective of our resource and promoting its development, and
Carolyn Camilleri is a Toronto-based writer, editor, and content strategist. She has been writing for consumer and trade magazines, as well as businesses and organizations across the country for more than 15 years on such topics as food, books, business and technology.
TRADE SHOW
EXPO HIGHLIGHTS
Booths were abuzz at the NGWA Expo in Las Vegas
The National Ground Water Association trade show and conference gave contractors a chance for some lastminute shopping as it returned to Las Vegas Dec. 15 to 17. By all accounts the event was a pre-Christmas success.
Expo started on the Tuesday with a full slate of educational offerings throughout the day. At night the event moved into full party mode with the attendee welcome reception sponsored by Franklin Electric. A buzzing ballroom of delegates and suppliers had the opportunity to renew acquaintances and discuss waterrelated topics over a few adult beverages and finger foods.
On Wednesday, after the opening ceremony with keynote speaker Ryan Hreljac, founder of Ryan’s Well Foundation, and the awards presentation, the show floor opened to a steady stream of water-well professionals looking to learn about the new products and services the 300-plus exhibitors had on display. The aisles were packed all day as well drillers picked up literature and spoke shop with the suppliers.
Dan Mutchler from Frontier Waterworks and Pump Supply in Edmonton said he loves coming to the show to meet with companies he does business with, to renew friendships and to learn about new products.
According to Vickie Crosby, director of sales for the NGWA, there were almost 30 first-time exhibitors on the floor in addition to many longtime vendors. There was much buzz before the show started
Dan Mutchler from Frontier Waterworks and Pump Supply in Edmonton (left) chats with Eric LeMay at the Flexcon booth.
and it exploded after the doors opened, Crosby said. She was pleased with the attendance as more than 4,900 delegates made the trip to Las Vegas.
That enthusiasm carried over into the second day of the show when the serious buying and continued discussions took place. There were also several on-floor educational sessions, including one from
by ED COSMAN
Rob Caho of Diedrich Drill talking about rig safety. A crowd gathered around Caho’s booth as he went over safety practices and things to look for before you start drilling.
Thousands of dollars were raised that afternoon through the annual National Ground Water Research and Educational Foundation auction, which featured 30 donated items. The foundation conducts education, research and other charitable activities related to a broader public understanding of ground water.
“We had an amazing turn out at our booth for this year’s Expo. It was great to get to talk to so many of our customers,” said Susan Loit from Solinst.
Ground Water Canada also met up with Jeff Hanson from Wellmaster Pipe and Supply in Tillsonburg, Ont., who said the trip to Las Vegas was very worthwhile and he was extremely pleased with the quality of attendees. He also mentioned that you always learn something new at every event that you go to, a sentiment echoed by many other exhibitors.
The show wrapped up on Thursday afternoon with a visit from Santa and his helpers.
The 2016 event is planned for Dec. 5 to 7 back in Las Vegas, while the 2017 event is scheduled for Nashville, Tenn.
NEW PRODUCTS
P200 HYDRA-CELL
METERING SOLUTIONS PUMPS FEATURE GEARBOX REDUCERS
Wanner Engineering has in troduced its Mo del P200 Hydra-Cell Metering Solutions pumps featuring new gearbox reducers with ratios from 60:1 to 5:1. The pumps are designed for a wide range of processing applications and for use in manufacturing facilities.
When combined with variable frequency drive (VFD) electronic flow adjustment, Model P200 metering pumps with new gearboxes provide precise, accurate flow throughout the turndown range, the company said in a press release. They operate at up to 81.0 gph (255.4 lph) at pressure ratings to 350 psi (24 bar) for non-metallic pump heads and 1000 psi (69 bar) for metallic pump heads. The separate gearboxes also allow for versatility in changing applications and to prevent cross-contamination of actuating hydraulic oil. The Hydra-Cell P200 is available in Canada from John Brooks Company Limited.
Model P200 pumps feature a multiple-diaphragm design
that minimizes pulsations, producing smooth, linear flow without the need for expensive pulsation dampeners. The seal-less design of Hydra-Cell means that there are no seals, cups, or packing to leak, wear or replace. Spring-loaded, horizontal disk check valves and the seal-less design enable the P200 to handle viscous fluids and abrasive particulates up to 200 microns in size. Hydra-Cell Metering Solutions pumps can also run dry indefinitely without damage to the pump and are available in a wide choice of pump head, valve, diaphragm, and o-ring materials.
One option with the P200 is the new “Control Freak” touch-screen metering controller, which features
b uilt-in p rogramming t o provide motor speed control for Hydra-Cell Metering Solutions pumps.
www.Hydra-Cell.com/metering
NEW SWING CHECK VALVE FROM FLOMATIC
Flomatic Corporation recently introduced a new Model 745ASC Rubber Flapper Swing Check valve with adjustable spring closure
NEW PRODUCTS
(ASC). This swing check valve has an epoxy coated ductile iron body with an encapsulated valve disc that is custommoulded Buna-N and comes in three- to 14-inch sizes. The model 745ASC is designed for high-head, long pipelines, and for multiple pump and surge tank installations. The springassisted closure of the valve to provide rapid closure through a short stroke of 45 degrees and use of the field-adjustable spring to avoid slamming and at the same time allowing the valve disc to be stabilized under normal flow conditions. The spring closure device can be replaced in the field without removing the valve.
For more detailed information on Flomatic’s new Model 745ASC Swing check valve or to obtain a copy of the new 2015 condensed valve catalogue, email Flomatic Corporation at flomatic@ flomatic.com, call them at 1-800-833-2040 or fax them at 1-800-314-3155.
www.flomatic.com
DRILLAIR COMPRESSOR DESIGNED FOR SPEED, VERSATILITY
The DrillAirX28 provides improved versatility and drilling speed in addition to a new engine, enabling users to drill two 200-metre holes in a single day at 30 bar of pressure.
The X28 has a nominal flow of 28.3 square metres per minute, but crucially has a pressure rating of 30 bar, manu-
facturer Atlas Copco said in a press release. As the X28 is designed for geothermal drilling where back pressure is typically higher than in water well drilling, the additional five bar of pressure helps to overcome this while giving enough flow to drive the hammer. The DrillAir X28 comes with Dynamic Flow Boost as standard, providing additional air when the compressor is working at lower pressures. Users are provided with 30 square metres per minute at 25 bar, 31.6 square metres per minute at 21 bar and a maximum flow of 33 metres squared per minute at 16 bar, which leads to faster drilling completion rates, the company said.
“The X28 is designed to balance the relationship between pressure and flow and for the compressor to find the right combination for the application,” said Dmitry Karablinov, product marketing manager at Atlas Copco Portable Energy. “By equipping the compressor with DrillAirXpert technology, users can accurately set the air output based on their drilling requirements, helping to reduce fuel dependency.”
The DrillAirXpert performance management system is fully electronic and freezeresistant to help ensure it can be deployed in the harshest of environments. The compressor features a 13-litre Scania engine, compliant with stage IV emissions standards. With a
large fuel tank and a focus on efficiency, the compressor is capable of running multiple shifts before refuelling.
The DrillAir range is built around the principles of pressure and flow with a design ethos that focuses on the relationship between these two variables. By using a combination of these two variables, the DrillAir range helps users achieve the maximum air flow at any pressure setting.
www.atlascopco.com
BOOK EXPLORES CHALLENGES OF DESALINATION TECH
A new book from the American Society of Civil Engineers’ entitled Forward Osmosis: Fundamentals and Applications, examines ways to easily and efficiently produce clean drinking water. Forward Osmosis presents the principles and implementation challenges of low-energy desalination technology for producing potable and nonpotable water. The book describes the basic concept of forward osmosis (FO) technology and discusses modelling and element design. The 518-page reference book is aimed at water and environmental engineering practitioners, environmental managers, government officials, and students.
Editors Ho Kyong Shon, Sh erub P huntsho, T ian C Zhang and Rao Y. Surampalli explore different draw solutions and assess recently developed FO membranes. In forward osmosis, a saline feed solution passes through a semipermeable membrane toward a draw solution; water then may be separated from the draw solution. Although FO technology has advanced in recent years, much work remains to be done to develop suitable membranes and draw solutions that can easily and efficiently produce drinking water.
Several different types of draw solution are explored and recently developed FO membranes are assessed. The book explores the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of membrane fouling as well as a variety of FO applications, including desalination, water reclamation, membrane bioreactors, mining wastewater, fertigation, and landfill leachate. Contributors also critically assess the limitations of specific FO technologies and suggest ways of overcoming these limitations. 518 pages, paperback.
www.asce.org
VERSATILE B-PUMPS DESIGNED FOR DEEP WELL WATER RECOVERY
KSB’s B-Pumps are designed to extract water from deep wells or boreholes.
These products, which are also known as Deep Well Turbine or DWT pumps, have the ir int ake an d im pellers located at the lower end of a long vertical tube and discharge nozzle positioned at the top. The motor is mounted on a pedestal that sits above the tube where it is dry and readily accessible for service.
NEW PRODUCTS
Because of their modular design, the length of the assembly can be varied by changing the number of tube and driveshaft stages, up to a maximum suspended depth of 120 metres. The type of impellers and the number of impeller stages can also be customized to meet an application’s head and flow requirements.
B-Pumps are a versatile and highly reliable choice for applications such as water table lowering or maintenance in mines or quarries, water extraction for water supply or irrigation systems and the circulation of cooling water in industrial plants, the company said in a press release. There are 12 pump sizes available, ranging from six-inch (150-millimetre) to 24-inch (600-millimetre) diameter. The maximum delivered head of the B-Pump family is 160 metres, while
flow rates of up to 2,600 cubic metres per hour are available. Thanks to the highly customizable design, KSB application engineers can help customers select a configuration that will meet their exact requirements.
www.ksb.ca
CONDUCTIVITY METER HELPS WITH ASSESSMENTS
GSSI, a manufacturer of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, recently released its Profiler EMP-400 multi-frequency electromagnetic (EM) conductivity meter for use in geological investigation, site assessment, ground water investigation, and other environmental assessment applications.
With a user-friendly design and unmatched signal stability, this electromagnetic induction tool is designed for reliable and accurate examination of soil conditions and subsurface targets on both small and large scale sites.
“The GSSI Profiler EMP400 is a valuable tool that provides our clients with
more efficient and comprehensive geophysical surveys. We have been impressed with its simplicity to deploy in the field and the data it outputs to create an easy to understand sub-surface image of our geophysical survey areas,” said Fletcher S. Thompson of E.F. Thompson Geotechnologies, Inc., in a press release from GSSI.
Featuring a lightweight, environmentally sealed EM in strument a nd h andheld interface with integrated GPS, the Profiler offers users premium mobility and ease of transport. Advanced software features provide several
options to view the data in real time, thereby enhancing survey efficiency. For instance, the “freeway” collection mode allows the user to collect data by using GPS co-ordinates as reference points rather than setting up a physical grid on the ground. The Profiler then provides real-time data output via a colour-coded map, which enables the user to quickly and easily identify areas of interest on site. It then stores files in a Microsoft Excel format in internal memory for later access.
The Profiler EMP-400 is commonly used in concert with GSSI’s UtilityScanÒ GPR system for environmental assessment. It provides a survey method for large-scale environmental assessments such as UST and drum locating, plume mapping and landfill delineation. Users can employ the Profiler as a quick reconnaissance level survey tool to narrow down areas of interest on large survey sites, and then use the UtilityScan GPR system to concentrate on anomalies.
www.geophysical.com
NEW PRODUCTS
FRANKLIN ELECTRIC INTRODUCES SLATE OF PUMP PRODUCTS AT EXPO
Franklin Electric highlighted several new products at Expo, including a solar drive, grinder and multi-stage pumps, a battery back-up system and a line of sump/effluent pumps.
The new Fhoton SolarPAK system uses Franklin’s solar technology with the new Fhoton solar drive, which features a smaller modular design and helps provide flexibility and simple maintenance for the contractor. The panels, pump, motor and drive are backed by Franklin’s team of field service engineers to help contractors provide “off-grid” water pumping to their customers.
The new FPS IGPH Series of high head grinder pumps are engineered for the tough demands of higher head conditions found in many low-pressure sewage transfer applications. Available in an automatic or manual version, the FPS IGPH Series pumps use a patented cutter system with precision clearances for superior grinding at 414,000 cuts per
ABOVE: Fhoton solar drive
RIGHT: VR Series multi-stage pumps
minute. These new units incorporate two non-clogging impeller stages for efficient pumping of sewage slurries with a shutoff head of 200 feet. With only 16 full-load amps (at minimum head requirements), these units can replace other grinders that fail to meet current application needs.
The Little Giant SPBS Series Battery Backup Systems allow contractors to help protect basements from flooding when the electricity goes out. The series is available in four options that deliver capacities from 53-67 gallons per minute with high flow rates, quick charging time and hours of battery longevity.
The new Little Giant 6EC Series of sump/effluent pumps provide lower current draw, energy efficiency, and improved performance. These
new units have updated cast iron covers and are available with an optional cast iron base, reducing intake velocities, or a polypropylene base that includes the stainless steel debris plate. The 1/3 hp 6EC Series consumes only 5.0 amps while pumping 53 gpm at 5 feet of head and reaching a maximum shut-off of 28 feet.
Franklin Electric has expanded its line of VR Series vertical, stainless steel multi-stage pumps designed to deliver clean water under pressure for a wide range of applications. These booster pumps are now available in 3, 5, 9, 15, 20, 30, 45, 65 and 95 m3/h options with a flow range up to 600 gpm and 750 feet of total dynamic head. The VR Series was manufactured to be the most durable booster pump on the market. Each
pump features all 316 stainless steel hydraulic components for optimum durability, efficiency and performance – even in corrosive water applications.
The impellers and diffuser stages are fabricated from heavy-gauge stainless steel using advanced welding technology. The oversized ball bearing/coupler assembly eliminates the need for stack height adjustment and supports the axial thrust load. The elimination of axial thrust allows the VR Series pumps to use industry standard motors instead of the high-thrust motors commonly required in similar industry applications.
The line has standard in-line ports and three connection choices: round, Victaulic or oval flange. The rugged construction of these pumps helps ensure long life and makes them ideal for use in tough applications, including water supply and pressure boosting; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; light industry; water treatment; irrigation and agriculture.
www.franklinwater.com
GEOTHERMAL NEWS
Ground Water Canada spoke with Denis Tanguay, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition about recent developments in the geothermal industry.
“The market follows the economy. In provinces where the economy is doing well, we see more commercial projects,” Tanguay said.
The current low price of natural gas is against development in the residential sector, he noted.
He described the commercial sector as “slow and steady.” In regions where natural gas is not available, however, the market is quite strong for commercial jobs, he added.
Quebec came up with a new regulation last year that removes references to the C448 Binational
Standard for the Design/Installation of Geothermal Ground Heat Pumps with the goal of building in some flexibility.
“The reasoning from the provincial government’s perspective was that they didn’t want to be stuck with a standard that was rigid. They wanted the flexibility to upgrade and make changes as they see fit,” he said.
The province has untethered itself from the CSA standard, which Tanguay said can change frequently.
For example, under the new regulation, the province can make decisions such as its recent move to ban the use of methanol and switch to ethanol. Ontario had already banned its use, Tanguay said, so it made sense to do so in Quebec.
Another recent development relates to the quality of the grout mix
in borehole construction, Tanguay said. The C448 standard does not provide a detailed explanation of, for example, the amount of water or bentonite to be used in a grout mixture. “The standard is quiet on that,” he said. “Those mixing the grout are asked to follow the recipe, but they don’t necessarily understand the consequences of not following it.”
The Canadian Geo-Exchange coalition has taken a step to remedy this knowledge gap by commissioning research on permeability and made several observations relating to permeability and its effect on heat loss. Sixty samples were taken over three months and a report commissioned. The CGC will disseminate the information at a later date.
Millennials hungry for training
Millennial workers value and seek out training
By Retain Canada
With Millennials set to make up half the Canadian labour force by 2020, your business needs to find a way to attract and retain these workers.
For many Millennials, the biggest shocker about the “real world” is the lack of training available at work.
The “lack of company support for training and development” was cited as the number one most surprising aspect of work in the “real world,” according to a Millennial Mindset Study from Mindflash that polled 1,200 employed U.S. Millennials. This reality likely contributed to the fact that nearly nine in 10 Millennials (88 per cent) are willing to invest personally or sacrifice anything from vacations to coffee habits to train themselves in the skills needed to compete in today’s workforce.
Many Millennials are already putting this commitment into action. One in three (31 per cent) report that while it is tough to keep up with the skills they need to do their jobs, they seek out training on their own to address this challenge. Meanwhile, only 20 per cent indicated that while it is hard to keep up with the needed job skills, their employers equip them with necessary training opportunities.
“Perhaps against conventional stereotypes, the majority of Millennials are shocked by the lack of skills development available in the workplace today, and committed to taking matters in their own hands,” said Donna Wells, CEO of Mindflash. “This should be a signal for companies that both online training and traditional live training will be a critical component of harnessing the potential of these young professionals, especially with graduation season upon us.”
This is likely why the number one piece of advice Millennials have for the graduating class of 2015 is: “Invest in your own skills training to make you as marketable as possible” (cited by 40
per cent of Millennials).
This beat out other advice such as “be proactive” (28 per cent), “go in guns blazing” (six per cent) and “start your own company” (four per cent).
When it comes to assessing their own skills gaps, project management (25 per cent) emerged as the top leadership skill that Millennials want to develop, followed by interpersonal communication (21 per cent) and problem solving (20 per cent).
So while they recognize there is room for improvement, Millennials are also aware that negative stereotypes exist around them. More than one-quarter, 26 per cent, said the biggest misconception is that “we don’t know how to communicate because we spend too much time with technology,” followed closely by “we’re overconfident and self-centered” and “we don’t want any guidance, training or input.”
One area where Millennials strongly assert they thrive in managerial roles specifically, however, is in bringing fresh thinking (26 per cent) and open-mindedness (31 per cent) to the workplace, rating these attributes over technological savvy as the chief benefits of having Millennials in manager roles.
Though they are surprised by the lack of employer-led development opportunities and are cautioning their successors to be prepared to fend for themselves when it comes to learning, Millennial employees are only willing to go so far for their own training and development. In fact, when asked which non-monetary benefit would make them most loyal to their employers, almost half (49 per cent) reported employee perks are the way to their hearts. Another 26 per cent chose “invest in my career by training me.”
Retain is a multimedia website delivering pension and benefit information to small and medium-sized businesses.
Extra heavy-duty pressure switch for longer life Heavy brass wire connections can hold No.4 wire
Switch inside extra large case for easy wiring
Swivel union available switch case does not need to pivot
Universal control switch works on all brands of motors
50 field installations in use, some over 7 years still working
The Flagship GEFCO 30K is still a Leader in the Industry. Mounted on a 6x4 truck, the 30K is perfect for shallow municipal or deep residential water wells. With 40,000 lbs. (18,140 kg) of top head hoist and 25,000 lbs. (11,340 kg) single-line winch combined with the hydraulic rod spinner makes tool handling fast and easy.
