Be wary of the potential dangers on a drilling site
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8 DRILL SITE WORK SAFETY
Lack of safety plan is an accident waiting to happen 12 GROUND WATER CANADA TURNS 50
Much has changed in both drilling and publishing industries 16 WATER
PROJECT IN STRETCH RUN
Learning how climate change is affecting Canada’s water
News and views from the OGWA
ON THE WEB:
Report suggests low snowpack in B.C. could trigger another summer of drought
A grim picture is being painted for the coming summer in British Columbia as the snowpack is at 56 per cent of normal for this time of year. Ground Water Canada report
Chatham-Kent-area well water owners hoping ombudsman can help resolve their plight
An ombudsman has been called upon to investigate a water well crisis that has long plagued residents. Chatham Daily News report
Safety in drilling
Shortcuts, failing to follow protocols are accidents waiting to happen
by Mike Jiggens
Another Groundwater Week has come and gone, and December’s annual event has entered the books as the National Ground Water Association’s best-attended conference in its 75-year history.
The 2006 conference had previously established the high-water mark with 6,612 groundwater professionals in attendance. An additional 30 attendees in 2023, however, topped that number.
It was fitting that the banner year for attendance coincided with the association’s milestone anniversary.
cal data of real-life accidents and tragedies, but it’s important to know what could potentially happen on a drill site if short cuts are taken and the right protocols aren’t followed. Sharing true horror stories often serves as a wake-up call for drillers who might otherwise take what they’ve been told lightly.
Sharing true horror stories
The record number of attendees walked a trade show floor that also set a record for exhibit space – 81,600 square feet. Just as important as the trade show was, industry professionals had the opportunity to take in several educational sessions that addressed a wide range of relevant topics. Among the offerings was a session that delved into health and safety protocols on drilling sites – practices that aren’t always followed to the letter and can trigger tragic consequences.
often serves as a wakeup call for drillers who might otherwise take what they’ve been told lightly
Some real-life horror stories were shared with the attentive audience. Most of the incidents cited could have been avoided through proper advanced planning, adherence to the right protocols and exercising common sense.
We’ve reported on that session about drilling site health and safety in this issue. The article serves as a prequel to a webinar Ground Water Canada will be presenting on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The session, which will be led by Ellaline Davies, president of Safety Works Consulting Inc., will take health and safety matters a little further by addressing liability issues and discussing measures drilling companies can take to prove they are doing their due diligence to keep their employees safe.
Health and safety presentations aren’t always “fun” to listen to as they almost always include statisti-
Much of what was presented during the health and safety presentation at Groundwater Week had a somewhat American feel to it, such as working in dusty desert environments. But safety is safety, and hazards such as lightning can happen anywhere. Darkness can lead to on-the-job accidents. So, too, can spills and working near overhead power lines.
Any company can identify with these potentially dangerous situations, no matter if that company operates in Canada or elsewhere. The webinar is intended for not only the business owner, but those who actively work in the field.
Stay tuned for more information about our upcoming webinar as we get closer to the date. The section about liability alone makes it a must-attend event.
It’s not only the National Ground Water Association celebrating a milestone anniversary. Ground Water Canada marks its 50th anniversary this year. It was an eye-opening exercise to leaf through older issues of the publication and read some of the ground-breaking stories that made headlines over the past half-century.
Among the standout stories – which made national and international headlines – were the 1990 Hagersville, Ont. tire fire’s impact on local groundwater and the E. coli contamination of Walkerton, Ont.’s water supply that occurred 10 years later.
Look for an account of 50 years of Ground Water Canada is this issue as well.
NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will focus on how British Columbia plans to deal with ongoing drought issues. Watch for it this spring!
SAFETY AND LIABILITY IN DRILLING
Crucial insights for safer ground water drilling
Join Ellaline Davies of Safety Works
Consulting in this live webinar on Feb. 20 for crucial insights into groundwater well drilling safety.
TOPICS INCLUDED:
• Preventing fatalities and injuries
• Knowing and identifying risks
• Understanding your liability
• Implementing effective measures to keep your team safe Feb. 20 // 1:00 pm
Join us online, from wherever you may be, for best practices that will benefit your drilling operation and contribute to a safer workplace.
SPEAKER: Ellaline Davies, Safety Works Consulting
INDUSTRY NEWS
VEGAS’ GROUNDWATER WEEK SETS NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD
Las Vegas – Attendance at December’s Groundwater Week was the largest ever in the 75-year history of the National Ground Water Association.
The conference attracted 6,642 groundwater professionals from 40 countries, beating out the 2006 conference which attracted 6,612 people.
“We’re proud to have celebrated our 75th anniversary with the largest ever show attendance and thank everyone for making this historical milestone possible,” NGWA CEO Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC, said. “The groundwater industry is essential and, as such, extremely busy. We appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy schedules to be at Groundwater Week 2023.”
NGWA celebrated 75 years of serving groundwater professionals with a booth on the exhibit hall floor. NGWA past presidents and former staff members who helped the association reach the milestone were in attendance to celebrate the occasion. A closing party, “Popcorn and Pilsners,” wrapped up Groundwater Week 2023 in the exhibit hall.
Attendees took in nearly 40 water well contractor workshops and visited 303 exhibitors on a crowded exhibit hall floor. Dozens of educational sessions in the science & engineering forum took place concurrently. There was a total of 81,600 square feet of exhibit space – the most in NGWA history.
The groundwater industry’s top concern — workforce development — was covered in a variety of workshops, including a roundtable discussion on passing knowledge to the next generation. Two certified industry veterans and one younger professional shared what has worked for them over the years in recruiting, hiring, and maintaining
December’s
their employees.
Ground Water Canada staged a Canadian-themed hospitality evening on Dec. 6, giving both Canadian and international attendees a chance to network with one another on a casual basis, with Canadian-theme cuisine.
Geothermal technology was showcased again as the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association featured a pavil-
Attendees at December’s Groundwater Week in Las Vegas enjoyed a Canadianthemed hospitality evening.
Groundwater Week convention and trade show in Las Vegas attracted a record 6,642 groundwater professionals.
PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE JIGGENS
ion for the third consecutive year in the exhibit hall along with its track of workshops. A workshop on NGWA’s ongoing geothermal retrofit detailed the design of the closed loop system. Morse and industry partners discussed different parts of the system and products that will help the association generate more than $250,000 in energy savings and a reduction of 640-plus tons of carbon dioxide over the next 30 years, according to design estimates.
For the second consecutive year, two events took place to aid young and early-career groundwater professionals. A tour of the exhibit hall led by seasoned groundwater veterans took place, explaining how the tools and machinery seen on the floor are used daily in the industry. There was also a coffee and continental breakfast where young people had a chance to meet and network
with each other.
The NGWA delegates meeting saw three incumbents get re-elected to the NGWA board of directors:
• Jeremy Bach of Bach Drilling Co. in Ellensburg, WA
• Robert Keyes, CWD, of Associated Environmental Industries Corp. in Norman, OK
• Chauncey Leggett, CWD/PI, CVCLD, of Lake Valley Well Co. in Tarboro, NC
Chip Nelson of GEFCO/BAUER Equipment America Inc. in Conroe, TX, was elected to the secretary position on the manufacturers section board and will also serve as a director on the NGWA board of directors.
Jeffrey Davis, PE, CGWP, was elected to the vice-chair position on the scientists and engineers section board and will also serve as a director on the NGWA board of directors.
David Traut, MGWC, CVCLD, of
Traut Companies in St. Joseph, MN, became the NGWA president.
For the first time, NGWA elected someone from the manufacturers section as president-elect — Eric Macias of LORENTZ U.S. Corp. in Slaton, TX.
Traut, who was interviewed earlier in 2023, spoke of his 2024 goals:
• Establish NGWA University online training powered by Oklahoma State University to meet the industry’s pressing workforce development challenges.
• Launch NGWA Business PRO, a cloud-based software system to help groundwater industry firms run a profitable business.
Keynote speaker Daniel (Rudy) Ruettiger, a former University of Notre Dame football player whose life story was immortalized in the 1993 film, Rudy, motivated attendees during the keynote presentation and awards of excellence ceremony.
DRILL SITE WORK SAFETY
Lack of safety plan is an accident waiting to happen
The health and safety of water well drillers must be a company’s foremost concern, well before work begins at a job site or even before arrival. The lack of a preconceived plan is an accident waiting to happen that can result in serious injury or perhaps even death.
by MIKE JIGGENS
Hydrogeologist Marvin Glotfelty and public health and safety administrator Russ Granfors stressed the need to observe health and safety protocols when drilling during an education session they co-presented in December at Groundwater Week in Las Vegas.
Both are principals with Arizona-based groundwater science consulting firm Clear Creek Associates.
Workers must be concerned about such potential hazards as dust storms, overhead power lines, lightning, extreme weather conditions and slipand-fall risks.
Glotfelty said drilling sites can often be in remote locations that sometime require a slow drive to get there.
“What if there’s an accident or an emergency?” he asked. “You can’t just call 9-1-1 and have an ambulance there in seconds or minutes.”
Such considerations must be built into a safety plan before work begins, he added.
Working in dry zones that are prone to periodic dust storms can lead to such serious illnesses as silicosis if the proper precautions aren’t enforced. Protective masks must be readily available and always worn in such occurrences, Glotfelty said.
“Even if you’re in there for a short bit, it’s very important not to feel like you can hold your breath.”
He said he was aware of a driller who wore a mask when wind-blown dust was an issue, but the worker cut a small hole in it to accommodate his cigarette.
Be mindful of spill areas at the drill site where slipand-fall accidents can easily occur.
“You can’t cheat the system that way,” Glotfelty stressed. “You have to have proper health and safety equipment.”
Dust storms don’t just come out of the blue, he said. Their arrival is usually predictable, making planning important. He said when a storm is imminent, a job such as running casing or an equally critical activity should be delayed until the storm passes.
Dry areas can also attract potentially dangerous wildlife that can sniff out water and be drawn to a drilling site. Companies must be aware of such dangers to prevent their employees from being bitten or stung.
‘Slip-and-fall hazards are substantial around drill sites, so be mindful of that. We can clean up as we go..’
ENSURE SITES ARE WELL LIT
Drilling work is sometimes done after nightfall which requires proper lighting. Although the rig might be adequately lit, there are apt to be darker areas on the job site where tools are stored. If a worker visits an ill-lit area at a job site, he might trip over something unseen and become seriously injured. Glotfelty said tools and other equipment tend to shift around to different sectors throughout the day and might be left in a dangerous location after dark.
Darkness can also contribute to slipand-fall accidents when they can’t be seen. Glotfelty said attention to detail and the need to clean up spills and other messes are just as important during day light hours.
“Slip-and-fall hazards are substantial around drill sites, so be mindful of that. We can clean up as we go and minimize that.”
Drill rigs must be outfitted with prop erly installed rails to prevent slip-and-fall accidents on slippery surfaces. Rails that are in rickety condition won’t be effec
tive, Glotfelty said.
“If someone were to take a fall – even a short distance – they could be seriously hurt.”
Anything more than four feet should be railed, he added.
Messes should be properly hosed down and cleaned up to ensure proper traction is afforded around slippery surfaces, he said.
Hard hats must always be worn, Glotfelty stressed, noting that even the tiniest nut falling from a rig derrick onto an unprotected head could cause substantial injury.
When drilling in residential or commercial districts, sound abatement protocols are necessary. Curtains, however, can turn a job site into a confined workspace. Workers require freedom of movement and the ability to see within their surroundings. Operating a backhoe can limit one’s vision.
CLIMATE CONSIDERATIONS
Depending on the location and time of year, drilling can be done in climates that range between severe heat and extreme cold. Heat stress and heat exhaustion can endanger workers’ health, and metal surfaces can get so hot that drillers can be scalded if their unprotected skin encounters such surfaces. Dangers are equally present when surfaces and materials are frozen, and when workers are inadequately dressed for work in sub-zero temperatures.
Wet and dry work environments can also have their share of obstacles, Glotfelty said.
“They all introduce challenges. Wherever you’re at, you need to be thinking about what’s going on there and what’s going to
be going on there throughout the course of the project.”
Glotfelty said it’s important to realize that a two-month-long project that spans a couple of seasons needs a health and safety plan that considers temperatures that will either rise or fall significantly.
Before work gets underway, drillers should be familiar with their surroundings and know where to seek safety in the event of a setback.
“Look around to see where you’re going to run if you need to run, because you don’t want to turn around and there’s the mud pit or turn around and run and there’s a steel beam. You want to know where you’re going to go.”
Drillers must know of their rigs’ proximity to power lines, always maintaining a safe distance from the hazard. Some regional regulations insist on a minimum of 10 to 15 feet away from power lines, but Glotfelty suggested such minimum standards might still be too close when winds are strong.
When cables are being tossed around in extreme windy conditions, they might touch power lines if the rig isn’t a safe enough distance away. People’s lives can’t be put at risk when high voltage is so close, he said. Power lines can be de-activated, if necessary, but there’s a cost associated with de-activation and sufficient time must be provided for its scheduling.
One problem can often lead to another, creating a domino effect, Glotfelty said. He cited a situation in which a rig’s hydraulics had overheated to such an extent that hot fluids spilled onto the exhaust manifold, setting the rig on fire.
BEWARE OF LIGHTNING
Granfors emphasized that lightning and drill rigs don’t mix.
Marvin Glotfelty of Clear Creek Associates speaks to drillers attending Groundwater Week in Las Vegas in December about drill site safety protocols.
PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE JIGGENS
When lightning is present, adopting the “6-30-30” measure is a good rule of thumb. If the time separating a clap of thunder from visible lightning is six seconds or less, “it’s time to get into your truck.” If there are 30 seconds between thunder and lightning, it’s still close enough to be dangerous. Waiting out 30 minutes after the final flash of lightning is a good safety measure.
“Don’t be on a rig when lightning’s close by,” he said.
At sites operating 24 hours a day with crews coming and going, workers must be mindful about where they park their trucks and trailers, Granfors said. They should be parked at least 1½ mast lengths away from a drill rig, he suggested.
“It’s just an extra safety feature so that you don’t have to worry about anything in case a problem comes up.”
Granfors said drill rigs will eventually break down, making it important to notice potential setbacks before they become a safety issue. Cables should be checked regularly. If they require changing, it could mean a day or two of shutdown. If a cable breaks and injures someone, “now you’re down for a week at least because you have to have an investigation
into that.”
It’s best to find potential setbacks before they happen, Granfors said, adding it’s virtually impossible to find everything that can go wrong.
“You can’t see every piece of cable on that drill rig, but you need to keep your eyes open in case you find them. You need to tell people so you can get it fixed before something bad happens.”
If time permits, checking over rented equipment brought out to a drill site is a good idea, he suggested. Rental com-
panies generally ensure everything is in proper order, but Granfors recalled an incident when a piece of equipment was low on oil and began smoking. As a worker went to check on it, the equipment blew apart, sending fragments of material into the air. The explosion had the potential to kill or injure someone, but the worker and all others at the site were unscathed.
Granfors said a second check of rental equipment – beyond that of the rental company’s – provides valuable peace of mind.
Maintain a safe distance from potential hazards when working at a drill site. PHOTO
GROUND WATER CANADA TURNS 50
Much has changed in both drilling and publishing industries
Ground Water Canada has hit the half-century mark. The magazine you hold in your hands is the first issue of our 50th year. Originally published under the name Canadian Water Well in 1974, the trade journal was rechristened Ground Water Canada by its founders Peter Darbishire and Peter Phillips, whose AIS Communications Ltd. publishing business was headquartered in Exeter, Ont.
by MIKE JIGGENS
Twenty years ago, the publication changed hands through its acquisition by Simcoe, Ont.based Annex Business Media. Other AIS-published magazines were included in the transaction.
Significant advancements have been made over the past 50 years in both the business-to-business publishing world and the groundwater industry.
In its pre-Annex years, the pages of Ground Water Canada were printed in mostly black and white – including advertisements and editorial photographs – even into the start of the 21st century. The only colour content to be found were in the first and last few pages. Colour content became standard throughout the magazine soon afterward and remains so.
Beginning with its Winter 2011 edition, Ground Water Canada adopted a newer, more modernlooking logo in which the descender of the capital G in the word “Ground” was stylized to represent a drill. The two-colour logo remains in place today.
The Winter 2020 issue of Ground Water Canada saw the start of a partnership between the publication and the Ontario Ground Water Association in which an eight-page insert called The Source – produced by the association – became a regular part of Ground Water Canada’s overall content.
A vast array of news and features have been published in the quarterly magazine over the past 50 years. Its editorial content has been overseen by several editors over the years, including Elinor Humphries, Scott Hill, Craig Power, Chris Skalkos,
Ground Water Canada editor Mike Jiggens with both an older issue of the publication and its most recent edition
Hugh McElhone, Mike Davey, Laura Aiken and Colleen Cross – the latter two of whom continue as editors for other Annex Business Media publications. Ground Water Canada’s current editor is Mike Jiggens.
Editorial content continues to bring awareness to its readers of groundwater contamination, well
PHOTO CREDIT: MIKE JIGGENS
drilling and inspection techniques, worksite safety, geothermal technology, and the plight of several First Nations communities that still have no access to readily available, clean water.
A short time after the first issue of Ground Water Canada –then Canadian Water Well – rolled off the press, the Canadian Water Well Contractors Association dissolved because of federal and provincial requirements and was reorganized as the Ontario Water Well Association. A building interest among Canada’s provinces led to the reinstitution of the Canadian Water Well Association – having dropped the word “Contractor” – in 1977.
The newly formed national association elected Andy Knelsen as its inaugural president in 1978. He stressed the need for the drilling industry to promote professionalism and to better educate customers about how and where they get their water.
Seven of Canada’s provinces were originally represented by the national association with Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island and Quebec coming on board afterward.
Many drilling companies diversified their businesses in the 1970s by offering water conditioning as an add-on service at a time when automatic washing machines had become more popular, and populations began to flourish in rural areas.
In the 1970s, it was predicted by a University of Guelph professor that nitrates from fertilizer overuse would eventually compromise the water quality of wells. A story published in Ground Water Canada quoted him urging the need for farmers to be educated about the effects of excess manure on water quality.
In the same decade, the Quebec Water Well Drillers Association was resurrected following a period of inactivity due to several issues. One such obstacle was a provincial zoning law that limited agricultural land for other purposes and resulted in the workload among some of Quebec’s drillers being reduced by 50 per cent.
In 1986, the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association was founded to give a voice to owners of municipal water and wastewater systems.
FEATURED STORIES OF NOTE
In 1990, Ground Water Canada – still known as Canadian Water Well – published a story about the 1989 implementation in Ontario of a pump installer licence. Contractors required a well contractor’s licence while employees assigned to do the work needed a well technician licence. About 400 new well contractor licences and 1,000 new well technician licences were issued in 1989.
A massive tire fire in Hagersville, Ont. in 1990, in which about 14 million tires were inadvertently set ablaze, was covered by Canadian Water Well, focusing on the fire’s effect on surrounding groundwater. The fire made national and international news.
Also making national and international news, including extensive coverage in Ground Water Canada, was the 2000 E. coli contamination of Walkerton, Ont.’s water supply, which led to seven deaths and the illnesses of more than 2,300 others.
Other stories of note published over the years by Ground Water Canada have included:
• The January 2000 issue of Ground Water Canada covered the Canadian Ground Water Association’s investigation into well
pit-related deaths. The investigation was launched following the deaths of two Alberta teenagers who died from oxygen deprivation after entering a well pit that was used as a root cellar.
• The Spring 2010 edition published a feature about volunteers with Lifewater Canada who helped drill new wells and repair older ones in Haiti following a large-magnitude earthquake that rocked the developing country.
• Ground Water Canada reported on a Chatham-Kent, Ont. water issue in its Summer 2019 issue that had area water well owners concerned. Residents said they enjoyed quality water for decades until wind turbines were installed nearby. A follow-up to the story was reported in the Fall 2022 issue, noting drinking water quality was still compromised.
• The capital of Nunavut – Iqaluit – endured months of a water crisis when its water was deemed unsafe to drink. The story, reported in the Winter 2022 issue, chronicled the downward spiral of the community’s drinking water quality, which began with residents reporting an odour coming from their tap water. Next came reports of headaches and dizziness. A state of emergency was declared for the city as bottled water was shipped in. Tests revealed high concentrations of fuel in a water storage tank. The timeline of the story featured alternating bouts of improvements and setbacks.
• The Fall 2023 issue of Ground Water Canada profiled Darell Lepper, owner of Lakeland Drilling in St. Paul, Alta., who was selected as the first recipient of the publication’s “Distinguished Driller Award.”
Empowering Your Business’s Financial Future
Introducing
IAN GAWEL
Life and Health Insurance Advisor Mutual Fund Representative* 647-285-1390 | ian.gawel@dfsin.ca
as your new member benefit partner, approved by Ontario Groundwater Association, for the following financial services:
• Group Benefits Plans
• Group Pension Plans
• Business Owner Financial Services
• Individual Employee Financial Services
LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU AND DISCUSSING EACH OF YOUR SPECIFIC NEEDS.
HIGH HONOUR FOR RESEARCHER
Dr. Beth Parker honoured for helping to advance groundwater protection
Dr. Beth Parker, a professor in the School of Engineering and director of the Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute (MG360), has been honoured by the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council for her work in helping to advance groundwater protection.
by GROUND WATER CANADA STAFF
For two decades, she has collaborated with the City of Guelph and two environmental engineering firms – Matrix Solutions and WSP Global – to enhance the city’s groundwater monitoring network with state-of-the-science methods to manage risks to the city’s water supply, safeguarding the community’s access to clean uncontaminated water into the future.
Parker’s efforts have earned her the Synergy Award for Innovation, which celebrates impactful partnerships between post-secondary institutions and Canadian public, not-for-profit and industry organizations.
“It’s so gratifying to have our longstanding partnership recognized, to know that a project we’ve worked away at year after year is making a difference,” Parker said. “Implementing novel ideas from research into practice takes guts, energy and vision. The reward has been a new level of insight into tackling complex problems, the synergies that come from partnerships with distinct areas of expertise across community sectors and training the next generation of professionals.”
“As a groundwater community, the City of Guelph is thrilled to partner with the university to ensure we are using leading-edge best practices to keep our groundwater safe and available for Guelphites, now and in the future,” Mayor Cam Guthrie said.
Guelph is the largest Canadian city to draw all its water supply from an underground reservoir
Dr. Beth Parker, Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute director.
known as a bedrock aquifer. Bedrock aquifers are some of the most complex systems to characterize and monitor, Parker said.
To understand this complex system, Parker and a team of research scientists, post-doctoral fellows and graduate students have carried out an ongoing series of projects, transforming Guelph into a realworld field laboratory. Before this partnership, the few effective methods for studying contaminant behaviour in fractured bedrock were used sparingly, she said.
PHOTO:
Through continual innovation, the team has developed industry-leading tools and methods to measure water flow rates and contaminant concentrations at sufficiently small scales with precision beyond what is used in conventional practice. This improved resolution increases the accuracy and reliability of the data the team collects, which leads to better informed decision-making for the city.
Their field data have been used to build a detailed numerical model of Guelph’s groundwater system that better represents how aquitards – thin, dense zones of material within or overlaying the bedrock – influence water flow and contaminant migration. It also helps determine the best places to put wells for the highest quality of water. The model is adapted regularly to respond to the most recent field data obtained by both the research team and the city.
The result is an advanced 3D monitoring network across the city and neighbouring townships used to inform the flow system and its response to climate, pumping and contamination threats.
“Working with two consulting firms
has been invaluable for pushing these new methods and style of data into practice, ensuring data is applied for real-world solutions in a timely manner,” Parker said. “My students and staff have worked hard to collect field data in an efficient manner that facilitates its use in the modelling process by our consulting colleagues.”
‘Implementing novel ideas from research into practice takes guts, energy and vision.’
The model guides the city’s policy framework for urban planning and sustainable governance and the multi-level monitoring network that ensures their wells operate safely.
Guelph has also inspired monitoring practices for other groundwater-reliant communities to protect their groundwater. Nearby, Centre Wellington, Halton Hills and Erin, among others, are using MG360 methods and update the Guelph flow model with their own data.
“The Synergy Award is a tremendous and well-deserved recognition for Dr. Parker, the City of Guelph and their industry partners,” Dr. Rene Van Acker, interim vice-president (research), said. “Their long-term commitment to understanding our local water sources has led to crucial innovations in groundwater protection, improving lives locally and around the globe now and for future generations.”
Parker will receive a $200,000 grant from NSERC to further the research. Each partner organization will receive a $50,000 voucher to help fund their future NSERC-funded research partnerships.
In other news, the groundbreaking for a new Morwick Groundwater Research Centre was celebrated in November in Guelph.
WATER PROJECT IN STRETCH RUN
Learning how climate change is affecting Canada’s water
Canada1Water (C1W) is a comprehensive data and modelling framework with an associated decision-support system to evaluate the sustainability of water resources in a changing climate. The ground-breaking project is a collaboration between Waterloo-based Aquanty Inc. and Natural Resources Canada, among other Canadian partners.
by CAROLYN CAMILLERI
The project’s goal is to provide a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the sustainability of water resources.
C1W aims to answer a question that’s vital to our future: How is Canada’s groundwater-surface water system being affected by climate change now and for the decades ahead? Being able to answer this question is clearly important to virtually every industry and municipality in the country.
In the winter 2023 issue of Ground Water Canada magazine, “Water Data Not Seen Before,” provided background information on C1W’s origin and key players, as well as the aims of the project and the development of the technology. This article is a progress update.
The three-year C1W project launched in
April 2021. Year one involved data assembly – a critical and complex step incorporating massive amounts of data from sources in all parts of the country. Year two focused on spin-up of C1W’s integrated, continental-scale hydrologic model using Aquanty’s HydroGeoSphere (HGS) platform. Initial outputs from this stage are expected by the end of 2023.
The project is now in year three, which will see the production of two versions of the C1W model – one coarse and the other at high resolution – to support applications for the widest range of uses possible, including water well drilling and
hydrogeology, community and government planning departments, farming of all kinds, and industries such as mining, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and recreation.
In other words, this breakthrough, made-in-Canada technology will support anyone who requires accurate, sciencebased information on surface and groundwater availability to make better decisions in a changing climate.
“Water is a universal necessity for every person, community, ecosystem, and industry in this country,” says Brayden McNeill, Aquanty’s technical sales and marketing lead. “Despite having more freshwater resources than any other country, the absolute vitality of water to every facet of our life means that Canada cannot afford to rest on its laurels when it comes to the sustainability of water resources.”
Farming is an excellent example. A recent Agriculture Canada article, “Researchers protect environment, human and animal health with natural capital,” highlights how Aquanty’s watermodelling technology and C1W play a role in helping producers and watershed managers in South Nation Conservation Authority near Ottawa to respond to threats of drought and flooding.1
The overarching goal of the C1W project is to provide a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the sustainability of water resources, including a means for environmental economists to use this data to gauge the economic benefits that water resources provide to Canadians.
FORECASTING GROUNDWATER RESOURCES
Currently, the C1W team is generating surface water, groundwater, and soil moisture projections using Aquanty’s HGS platform to identify regions that may be particularly stressed in the midand end-of-century time periods. For
‘Canada cannot afford to rest on its laurels when it comes to the sustainability of water resources.’
water well drillers, the ability to forecast groundwater resources across Canada over several decades can help determine how climate change might impact drilling operations.
“For example, if a region is set to experience significant groundwater decline, this means that drillers in the coming decades may have to drill much deeper to find economical sources of water for residential and industrial water supply,” McNeill says.
The comprehensive and updated surficial soils map for all of Canada may also be of interest to well drillers.
“Our updated map expands the coverage area compared to provincial sources and we’ve maintained the highest possible resolution from all original sources,” he says. “In addition to the soil map itself, each soil type will also have a list of parameters associated with it, which may not be available from individual provincial sources.”
As anyone in the groundwater industry knows, the importance of Canada’s water
resources cannot be overstated, especially as climate change brings increasingly intense weather events. As McNeill points out, climate change is already causing tremendous stress on communities across the country – ongoing drought across British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan over the past several years has led to major wildfires and impacts on the agricultural community; the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events has caused catastrophic flooding; changes in groundwater/surface water interactions have caused rivers and streams to dry up and habitat loss, etc.
“The Canada1Water project is a good start in evaluating the dangers that climate change poses to water resources and to Canadian society at large,” he says. “The groundwater industry, including water resources engineers, policy and decision makers, community planners, and so on – they will all benefit from a comprehensive modelling and data framework that will enable us all to mitigate impacts and adapt more effectively to the changing reality brought on by climate change.”
The initial development phase of the C1W project is due to wrap up on March 31, 2024, and McNeill says the web platform will be fully functional and live at that time, adding that they are currently providing early access to any available data set upon request.
In the meantime, you can catch the latest C1W updates, including progress reports and the article “The science of seeing into the future: Canada’s groundwater” in Simply Science, Natural Resource’s Canada’s digital magazine, at https://www.canada1water.ca.
1 Agriculture Canada. “Researchers protect environment, human and animal health with natural capital.” Accessed Nov 13, 2023: https://agriculture.canada.ca/ en/science/story-agricultural-science/scientific-achievements-agriculture/researchers-protect-environmenthuman-and-animal-health-natural-capital
Canada1Water project stages. The green background arrow indicates progress to date.
Canada1Water is a data and modeling framework aimed at evaluating the sustainability of water resources.
SOIL SAMPLING DATA LOGGING
Steps to follow before, during and after sample collection
Whether it’s choosing the location for a new home or rotating crops that feed an entire country, soil sampling data is used to make important, long-lasting decisions.
by JOE HAYNES
Recording soil sampling data correctly saves time and costs.
Recording soil sampling data accurately and properly handling the collected samples can save time, reduce cost and streamline operations. Here are some suggestions about what should be done before, during and after a soil sampling project to keep the process efficient and accurate.
BEFORE STARTING
Establishing a recording system prior to entering the sample site is crucial to accurate data recording. This includes setting up a dedicated soil sample log and pre-labeled containers. Preparing materials beforehand allows the operator to focus on recording data accurately and implementing the proper sampling equipment.
Assign the overall sample area a unique identi-
fier such as SA-1 – Sample Area One. From there, the terrain layout and soil sample requirements will largely dictate the labeling method used, but sample areas can be broken down further into sample sites, like SS-1, SS-2 and so on. Then, borings can be assigned to specific sample sites within the overall sample area and label individual boring containers – as well as the logbook – with this information.
Referencing and recording data will be much more fluid after establishing an identification system. From there, operators can decide what specifics should be recorded on the individual sample containers and what should be in the logbook. For example, it’s good practice to record boring coordinates, dates and times in both locations.
Referencing will be much more fluid after establishing an identification system.
DURING THE PROCESS
Once containers have a label, the logbook is set up and data recording priorities have been established, note the date and time of arrival at the sample area and the times for every boring within a sample site. Be sure to record the last boring time along with the time range for the sample site, SS-1, before moving on to SS-2 and starting the process over. With soil conditions constantly changing, the tiniest detail from time of year to time
Record any equipment changes due to changing soil conditions, whether that’s switching augers, using hand sampling tools or bringing in an entirely different drill rig.
of day can impact the results and how they’re interpreted.
Take note of the weather conditions upon arriving at the sample area and consider how these may change during the collection process. Also note the soil conditions. Soil condition descriptors can be anything that seems relevant, such as smooth, gritty, sand, clay and more.
Record any equipment changes due to changing soil conditions, whether that’s switching augers, using hand sampling tools or bringing in an entirely different drill rig. Equipment model names and drill types are important to note. This may be the same for an entire sample area or may change from site to site. Additionally, note the borehole depth and size of the soil sampler. At this point in data recording, consider noting the blow counts needed to drive in the soil sam pler to the desired depth. This should be noted for every borehole.
Photos are also an important part of
the documentation process. Pictures of the sampling process at every borehole can be useful and shed light on mistakes when reviewed later. Additionally, photograph the surrounding soil, entire soil sample and any individual sections chosen from the sample for later reference and note-taking confirmation. The camera used for site photography can also provide an excellent third source for referencing soil date and time in addition to the logbook and containers.
AFTER SAMPLING
Different industries and contractors establish their own standard operating procedures for handling and storing samples. However, an airtight container for storage in the field is essential. From there, place the samples in the shade, preferably in a cooler, until they can be refrigerated or sent to a lab. Individual labs may offer further shipping and storage recommendations.
While the impact of soil sampling may seem to rely solely on the trusted systems set in place – like a testing lab – to provide reliable data, it’s important to remember that a contractor’s actions will determine how closely the soil sample that arrives at the lab represents the soil at the jobsite. Contact the manufacturer of the drill to learn more about how to keep soil samples safe on the jobsite.
NEW PRODUCTS
SUBDRIVE QUICKPAKS PAIR EFFICIENCY WITH RELIABILITY
Franklin Electric’s SubDrive QuickPAK offers solutions for water system installers looking to deliver reliable constant water pressure while maximizing efficiency. The newest SubDrive QuickPAKs are powered by a fourinch MagForce high-efficiency motor for top performance in jobs up to five horsepower. These offerings feature a Franklin Electric motor, pump and drive – all in one package for complete operational compatibility and optimized operation. They are ideal for residential water systems, irrigation, constant pressure boosting or geothermal systems.
“With these new QuickPAKs, users can upgrade their systems with groundbreaking performance and get up to 17 per cent more efficiency combined with the trusted reliability and seamless operation of the legendary Franklin Electric four-inch motor professionals have trusted for decades,” Terry Smith, Franklin Electric senior product manager – residential electronics & controls, said.
The latest SubDrive QuickPAKs are powered by MagForce high efficiency motors that deliver optimum power per volume of any four-inch submersible motor, enabling these packages to run on the least amount of electricity at any given operational point.
The total assembly itself is more compact and lighter than systems powered by traditional submersible motors. In fact, a fivehorsepower motor is 7 inches shorter and 18 pounds lighter than a standard induction motor. That aids groundwater professionals with ease of transport and installation.
“The benefits multiply when you consider these savings across multiple jobsites,” Smith said. “Plus, running on a lower current means that specific components of the system, such as motor cables, might result in smaller size requirements and, consequently, enable more cost-effective installations. By introducing advancements in power density, we have released a smaller, lighter, and more powerful motor design.”
In addition to improved efficiency, the packages have been designed for easy selection. The predetermined motor, pump and drive combination choices match a variety of flow and total dynamic head requirements, ranging from seven to 90 GPM. When it’s time to install, the SubDrive platform uses an array of easy setup and assisted troubleshooting solutions to help save time and reduce service hours. This includes a new and enhanced experience using FE Connect for smart devices.
franklinwater.com/subdrive-quickpak
HOPE FOR CONTINUED WATER PROTECTION IN 2024
Merry Christmas, everyone!
For my Christmas message, I’d like to talk a bit about hope.
It’s not been a banner year for water. Devastating floods. Drought. Scarcity. Millions of people with no clean water. Conflict between users and countries alike. It seems that the politics of water may someday lead to what some call “water wars.”
Fortunately, in Ontario, OGWA members spend their time, energy, and resources providing clean drinking water for farmers and cities. Members also protect industrial sites, subways and commercial construction from soil and water issues that allow the projects to be built without any worries. And when some inevitable disputes do arise, everyone (landowners, government staff, and OGWA members)
can sit down and find a solution that, if not totally perfect, can at least develop an agreement with the compromises that are necessary in solving any issue.
But I have hope. My hope for 2024 is that the good work all of us in Ontario have done to protect our aquifers and all fresh water sources continues. Most of the water flowing into rivers, streams and the Great Lakes started out as groundwater. Millions of people in Ontario rely on groundwater for their drinking water. Ontario is lucky to have so much water.
DWAYNE GRAFF President
groundwater for many uses: drinking, recreation, hydro power, and industrial applications, to name a few.
I hope others across Canada, and perhaps elsewhere, will look at the success that OGWA and others in Ontario have in protecting our drinking water, and see how the many partnerships we have make it work so well.
That is my hope for 2024.
It’s also reassuring that there are many groups, landowners, and government departments working to protect our
CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
6:00 pm - 11:00 pm Senators vs. St. Louis Blues (separate registration fee)
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
8:00 am to 5:00 pm Regional CEC Training
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm Exhibitor Space
6:00 pm to 9:00 pm Exhibitor Welcome Reception
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
8:00 am to 5:00 pm Exhibition
8:30 am to 11:30 am Divisional Meetings
11:30 am to 12:45 pm Annual General Meeting
1:15 pm – 2:15 pm Lunch Symposium with Dr. Beth Parker
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm Round Table Discussions
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm President’s Banquet with Entertainment
9:30 pm Silent Auction Winners Announced
Wishing everyone enjoyment this Christmas season, and the simple things that make our families, and others, have great memories of our time together.
DWAYNE GRAFF, President
INSIDE THE ISSUE
Health & Safety Report
Watch for COVID symptoms
OGWA Member Benefits
Review the many benefits and resources membership provides
BOYD PENDLETON Lotowater Technical Services Inc. 519-442-2086
RICK PETTIT Rideau Supply
800-463-7648
KYLE SMITH
Aardvark Drilling Inc. 613-296-8779
MIKE STEFFEN
Steffen Well Drilling 519-357-1960 / 519-531-0355
BRYAN WATSON
G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. 705-887-3331
TECIA WHITE
My Water Quality
705-888-7064
MATTHEW D. WILSON
J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling ltd. 519-269-3364
HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT
Hello, OGWA members!
1. The WSIB is offering the incentive of DOUBLE Rebates and $1,000 to sign up to the WSIB H & S Excellence program for businesses under 99 on payroll until December 31, 2024
2. Please ensure that you protect your workers by providing masks and hand sanitizer.
Here are the guidelines:
Stay
home
If you are sick, stay home to prevent transmission to others, except to seek testing or medical care if required.
You should stay home until all of the following apply to you: your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting and/or diarrhea) you do not have a fever you do not develop any additional symptoms When your symptoms are improving and you are no longer isolating at home, doing the following can provide extra protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses circulating in the community.
For 10 days after your symptoms started:
• wear a tight-fitting, well-constructed mask in all public settings – this means work!!! avoid non-essential activities where you need to take off your mask (for example, dining out) avoid non-essential visits to anyone who is immunocompromised or may be at higher risk of illness (for example, seniors) avoid non-essential visits to highest risk settings in the community such as hospitals and long-term care homes
• where visits cannot be avoided, wear a mask and recommend the individual being visited also wear a mask
If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call or email me – 905-741-5001
ELLALINE (ELLA) DAVIES President, Safety Works Consulting Inc.
In Memoriam – DAVID
STANLEY MOORE
David Stanley Moore passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loving family, on March 30, 2023, in his 72nd year.
He was the husband of Mary Moore, father of Karry, Jason (Vanessa) and Katelyn, and brother-in-law to 10 siblings and spouses. He was predeceased by parents Doris (Miller), Stanley “Joe” Moore and in-laws Margaret and William Squires.
Dave was a retired firefighter, working 25 years with the City of Mississauga and Markham. He was the proud owner of Ontario Well Drilling and an active member of Rowland Masonic Lodge #646. A Masonic Funeral Service was performed at the family’s request. Leaving to mourn a large circle of family and friends, he will be greatly missed. Memorial donations may be made to the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake if desired.
The board and staff of the Ontario Ground Water Association shares its deepest condolences to Mary and all of Dave’s family and friends. Dave Moore was a member of the OGWA for many years, often at our events, and was an active supporter of the association. Dave will be sadly missed by all.
Phone: 519-245-7194
BROOKSTREET HOTEL
525 Legget Dr, Kanata, ON K2K 2W2
Rooms – Call and identify that you are with Ontario Ground Water Association Toll Free: 1-888-826-2220
CONVENTION REGISTRATION RATES: **Registration also available online** visit: www.ogwa.ca
(*Note: Friday daytime will have 7 Hours MECP approved CEC Credits with Coffee Breaks and Lunch. This is a separate registrat ion. Register for Regional Training only – contact the OGWA office or register using the links on the OGWA website.)
Thursday Evening: (Separate event registration) – See the Ottawa Senators take on the St. Louis Blues! OGWA has a private suite with transportation, appetizers and a cash bar. Tickets are limited!
Friday Evening: Welcome Reception – Meet & Greet: Hors d’oeuvres, Cash Bar, and entertainment.
Saturday Events: Breakfast Buffet, Division & AGM Meetings, Coffee Breaks, Lunch with Guest Speaker –Dr. Beth Parker, Round Table Discussions, President’s Banquet with entertainment, and Silent Auction
MEMBERS ONLY
1) Convention Registration Fees Per Person (includes all Saturday Catering): # persons @ Friday-Saturday Convention Events & Meals ......x $ 495.00 = $
*Additional with at least one Convention Registration – Adult Banquet Only Fee or Children’s Meals:
*2) Rates for Spouse/Guest for Attendance at only the Saturday Banquet: # Banquet @ $101 ea = $
*3) Rates for Children for Saturday Catering: (NOTE: Under 4 Free - Over 9 require Convention Registration) # Breakfast @ $18 = $ # Lunch @ $25 = $ # Banquet @ $41 ea = $
TOTAL REGISTRATION (Add Totals from 1-3 above): $ + 13% = $ **Interest in Spousal or Family Activities (Details to come): # Interested: ** Brookstreet Hotel – BOOK NOW – 1-888-826-2220 … Discounted Rooms held till February 20th, 2024 OGWA Rates: Double Queen $249 or King Room $249 – per room/per night PLUS Accommodation tax %4 PLUS 13% HST
Company:
Contact:
Address:
Phone: Email
Adult Names for Name Tags:
(PRINT CLEARLY)
OGWA Name Tags Must be Worn for Event Entry
Enclosed
Children’s Names for Name Tags (Under Age 10):
COURSE TOPICS
Case Study 1: Understanding On-site and Excess Soils
•
• Refunds or to change locations (subject to availability) will only be accepted if requested BEFORE the Registration Deadline
• A copy of your certificate will be emailed to everyone once course is completed. For Members OnlyA permanent copy will reside in your OGWA Membership Dashboard under Other Info > My Certificates
• Trouble with online registration? Complete and send in your registration form by email to admin@ogwa.ca.
Overview of Regulation * Options for Management of Excavated Soil * Observations of Contamination On-site * Soil Managed within and leaning the project area * Reuse Sites Taking Excess Soil * Excess Soil Reuse Planning Requirements, Exemptions, Fillings, Assessments, Tracking * Transportation and Providing Evidence * Record Keeping * Compliance and Enforcement
Case Study 2: Separation Distance from Small Sewage Systems
Check in at 8:00 am: Starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. & ends at 5:00 p.m. Coffee, Tea, & Lunch included.
Incident * Wells Regulation Requirements * Additional Building Code Requirements * Compliance With Building Code Act * Application of Code to Incident * Lessons Learned * Best Management Practices Case Study 3: Abandoned Well Blowouts
Incident 1 * Incident 2 * Incident 3 * Lessons Learned * Who Can the Person Abandoning the Well, Often the Well Owner, Retain to Work at the Abandonment of the Well Case Study 4: Tagging Wells
History * Affixing a Well Tag * Well Tag Rules * Affixing a Well Tag Case Study 5: Disinfection (Products Used in Treatment, Mixing and Verification)
Disinfection Purpose & Process of Disinfection * When is Disinfection Required and Exempted * Use of Chlorinated Water * Thorough Flushing of a Well * Requirements Using an Example * Special Circumstances for Alterations Case Study 6: Working on Federal Lands
Incident 1 * Incident 2 * Incident 3 * Incident 4 * Incident 5 * Lessons Learned Case Study 7: Standard Operating Procedure for a Pump Repair in a Drilled Well • Field Notes, Well Licensing * Assessment * Performing Pump Installation * Disinfection * Well Cap, Ground Surface Slope * Casing Height, Air Vent * Well Tagging and Well Record * Information Package
OGWA 2024 Convention & AGM Information:
If you are registering for a Regional Training meeting and want to make it a more exciting worthwhile event - consider registering for the Regional Training in Kanata (Ottawa) on Friday, March 22, 2024
Better yet, come a day early on Thursday, March 21, 2024 - attend the St. Louis Blues at Ottawa Senators @7pm. The OGWA secured a private suite offering exclusive atmosphere and premium amenities to watch the game and network. Hors d’oeuvres will be served; transportation available to/from the Brookstreet Hotel to the game. Additional cost is $150/person. Limited to 75 people.
Friday, March 22, 2024 - attend the Regional Training session and stay the night at the Brookstreet Hotel and enjoy the Exhibitor Welcome event Friday evening with Entertainment, Hors d’oeuvres & Bar Service and then attend the Full 2024 Convention & AGM with Keynote Speakers, Divisional Meetings, Silent Auction & Presidents' Banquet. We will be offering spouse and children activities as well.
Your Course Instructors: Warren Lusk P. Geo - Greg Bullock - Kyle Smith
Ontario Ground Water Association
2024 OGWA Regional Training Meetings - Registration Form
Participants in the OGWA Regional Meetings MUST pre-register with full payment by the dates Fees to replace lost certificates: $ 25.00 (Members) $50.00 (Non-members) + HST.
Pre-paid participants may switch meetings dates ONLY PRIOR TO “Register By” date.
Company:
Mailing Address:
Contact:
Phone: Cell:
Email: Licence Classes:
Participant Name:
Participant Name:
Participant Name:
Participant Name:
Participant Name:
Additional Participants: Add a 2nd page with your Company Name, Participant Names, and Well Technician Licence #s & Classes (if applicable) You Must PRE-REGISTER TO ATTEND: Note: OGWA 2024 CEC Training MECP Approved! Choice: LOCATIONS
Alliston (Nottawasaga Inn) Wed, February 21 February 14 Lindsay (Holiday Inn – Peterborough Waterfront) Thu, February 22 February 15 North Bay (Best Western North Bay) Wed, March 20 March 14 Kanata (Brookstreet Hotel, at OGWA Convention) Fri, March 22 March 15
Registration Fees:
# of Participants (OGWA Members) X $ 215.00 + 27 95 (HST) = $242.95 (HST Included) = $ # of Participants (Non-members) X $ 335.00 + 43.55 (HST) = $378.55 (HST Included) = $ # of Participants (Virtual: OGWA Members) X $ 175.00 + 22 75 (HST) = $197.75 (HST Included) = $ # of Participants (Virtual: Non-members) X $ 295.00 + 38 35 (HST) = $333.35 (HST Included) = $ Total Registration Fees: $
Pay by Credit Card: Visa MasterCard Name on Credit Card: Card Number: Expiry Date: / (MM / YY)
CVV# (3 digits back of credit card)
Pay by Cheque: Cheque Enclosed: $
Pay via E-transfer: Send to accounts@ogwa.ca (Mail to: OGWA, 203-750 Talbot St., St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E3)
For Credit Card & E-transfer - Send form via email to : admin@ogwa.ca OR, REGISTER ONLINE: www.ogwa.ca Questions: (519) 245-7194 / admin@ogwa.ca
OGWA: “Dedicated to protecting and promoting Ontario’s most precious resource – Ground Water”
ONTARIO GROUND WATER ASSOCIATION 2024 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NEW MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL *RETURNING MEMBER
*NOTE: If your Membership has lapsed in the last 3 years and you are re -applying there is a $100 re-instatement fee
New, renewing or returning members of the OGWA are required to log-in to the Members Only section and create/update their profile. There are many benefits to the “members only portal” including a robust public search engine. You can effectively advertise the services your business has to offer and the preferred geographical area in which you work. Your OGWA membership entitles you to automatically become a member of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA). Information on your profile will be listed in those memberships. Please keep your profile current and accurate.
COMPANY INFORMATION
COMPANY NAME: CONTACT NAME:
ADDRESS:
MANDITORY: MECP CONTRACTOR LICENCE NUMBER REQUIRED FOR ALL QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS
Groundwater Contractor with 7 Licenced Technicians $1140.00 More than 6? See checkout on next page
SCIENTISTS/ENGINEERS
ASSOCIATES & GOVERNMENT
An individual or organization interested in the welfare and success of the Ground Water Industry but no t classified in any other of our membership categories may apply to this division/category.
Please note, this division/category receives no voting power.
ONLY COMPANY NAMES, BUNDLE MANAGERS, ENROLLED SALESPERSONS AND ASSOCIATES WILL APPEAR IN OUR MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY. THEY WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEMBERS’ ONLY PORTAL AND WILL BE SEARCHABLE ON OUR WEBSITE. ALL UNPAID STAFF LISTED IN YOUR PROFILE WILL NOT RECEIVE MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS WHEN REGISTERING FOR EVENTS AND WILL BE BILLED AT THE NON -MEMBERS RATES.
Services Provided (Check all applicable to provide the best data for website searches and business referrals.
DRILLING:
REQUIRED: All Licensed Technicians, Ground Water Professional and Association Members: Names, contact details and MECP License numbers of Licenced Well Technicians or Ground Water Professionals employed by Company (including owner or manager if applicable). Complete additional pages if necessary. The OGWA will send updates to the addresses and emails indicated.
Please mail cheque and application to: Ontario Ground Water Association 203-750 Talbot St E. St. Thomas, ON N5P 1E2 E-Transfer
Send to accounts@ogwa.ca and email your application separately. Once payment is processed you will receive an email with instructions on how to access the Members Only Portal to update your profile. You can add your technicians (with licences), Associates and/or salespeople.
BOOTS DELIVER DAY-LONG SAFETY AND WARMTH FOR OUTDOOR WORKERS
KEEN Utility has introduced a new safety boot for outdoor workers requiring the safety, warmth and protection they need on the job site. The CSA-Camden provides rugged capability with a “barnyard-resistant” leather upper, a KEEN.DRY waterproof, breathable membrane and a 360-degree Goodyear welt and air-infused Luftcell midsole to give an ultra-stable and all-day comfortable work platform.
The Luftcell midsole feature is infused
with nearly 100,000 micro air bubbles per cubic centimetre to provide day-long support.
The insulated and internal metguard option for men keeps feet warm and duly protected during the coldest winter months. Safety features include asymmetrical carbonfibre safety toes that are unobtrusive and 15 per cent lighter than steel, an EH-rated oil- and slip- resistant rubber outsole, and a 90-degree heel to provide secure footing and stability while doing work on ladders, poles, and other structures.
The Camden is heavy-duty without being heavyweight, providing day-long comfort to the wearer.
www.keenfootwear.ca
TRANSMITTER FOR ACCURATE DRINKING WATER FLOW MEASUREMENTS
NIVUS’ NivuFlow 600 WS is a system for non-contact flow measurement in drinking water applications. The measurement sys-
tem stands out with its simple installation without the need to interrupt the process as well as with its high measurement accuracy.
The IP68 clamp-on sensors are clamped onto the pipe from the outside. This uninterruptible mounting means that it is not necessary to open and, if necessary, cut the pipe and then flush the pipe. The sensors do not come into contact with the drinking water and guarantee absolute hygiene.
The measurement system is suitable for all common pipe materials and pipe linings and can also be installed directly in the ground without the need for a shaft structure.
www.nivus.com
B.C.’s drought
by Dave Mercer
Province must better communicate what’s happening
The B.C. Ground Water Association held four regional meetings across British Columbia in the fall of 2023, and the most pressing issue at each meeting was drought and how it is affecting the province’s groundwater.
British Columbia experienced unprecedented drought conditions in 2023, resulting in 80 per cent of the province reaching drought levels 4 or 5, the highest on a five-point scale, where ecosystem or socio-economic impacts are likely or almost certain to occur.
From shallow domestic water wells going dry to provincial orders to reduce or stop agricultural pumping, these unprecedented drought conditions have made normally unseen groundwater conditions very visible to the public. Rather than dig into specific incidents that occurred this past year, I thought I’d look forward to what we can do to help the public prepare for what is likely to be more of the same in future years.
Managing water resources across a province the size of B.C. is a difficult task at the best of times, but drought conditions make it considerably harder. When water wells and salmon spawning creeks go dry, and aquifer levels are the lowest on record, mitigation measures need to be put in place.
These measures are often met with resistance, and understandably so as people, farms and businesses are told to curtail and even stop their water usage.
In some regions of B.C., the resistance was very vocal and negative. A YouTube video series claiming a “war on farmers” garnered well over 100,000 views. In other regions, the drought conditions and mitigation measures caught people off guard, and they looked to the media and social media for answers.
The result was an abundance of information and misinformation from multiple sources with the common themes of either, “Why hasn’t the government done anything about this?” or in the cases where the government had done something, “The government doesn’t know what it’s doing”.
This leads to my first point about what can be done to help the public be better informed and prepared – the government needs to do a much better job of communicating. As I mentioned, managing water resources in times of drought is extremely difficult, and mitigation measures aren’t going to be popular.
But much of the public simply isn’t aware of what is being done and why. The government posts lots of valuable information to its website and hosts some town hall meetings in key areas, among other efforts. Unfortunately, that’s not where people get their information today.
The government needs to reach out to the public using the communication pathways the public uses, and that means social media. It won’t necessarily lead to everyone agreeing with how the government is managing our water, but at least more people will be aware and able to prepare.
Organizations like the BCGWA, and publications like Ground Water Canada can help as well. I and other members of the BCGWA have recently been doing radio and television news interviews as water issues become more pressing in the province.
The first mandate of the BCGWA is “to provide professional and technical leadership in the advancement of the groundwater industry and in the protection, promotion, and responsible development of groundwater resources.” We are well positioned to be a source of unbiased and knowledgeable information about our province’s precious groundwater resources.
Other organizations and publications across Canada need to do the same. Most people don’t think about where their water comes from until their taps stop flowing.
Water underground is impossible to see, but we can help make it visible, so people are better prepared for future water uncertainty.
Dave Mercer, PGeo, is a geologist and general manager of the BCGWA.
