BCGWA Newsletter March 2003 The President’s Message Between newsletters I usually don’t give much thought to what I will need to write about for the next newsletter. So I usually wing it with what is current. However, this time I actually made a few notes about things that happened as time went on, so here goes. I had a rather heated letter from one of our driller members a while ago, lambasting consultants. His complaint was that consultants always have their favorite driller who they always give those larger diameter, high volume, big money jobs to sole source. I know some consultants that tend to favour certain drillers. What I do is to have a short list of “preferred” drilling contractors, whom I usually invite to bid on jobs if my client wants to handle the project that way. Usually developers prefer the comparative bidding process. Sometimes my client, will prefer a local driller and I may or may not agree depending on how qualified they are to do the job. After 30 years of consulting in BC, I have got to know who are the drillers that are most experienced and have the equipment to do the work required, those that I call “preferred”. If it is a simple domestic well project, possibly consisting of several wells, I will usually have a selected group of area drillers (usually 3 to 4) bid on the work. Sometimes my clients, who may be municipal engineers have a preference for local drilling contractors whom they have used before. Generally I think most consultants are reasonable people and share the work. It is in their best interest to do this, because, like me they get a lot of referrals from drilling contractors. So to you consultants keep an open mind when it comes to selecting a drilling contractor and remember to do what is best for your client under the circumstances. The better the relationship between driller and consultant, the better off both are. If any consultants wish to take this thought further, write something for the next newsletter. Another interesting issue that arose lately was a call from one of our driller members regarding another member who was moving into his territory. This upset him considerably. Competition is the backbone of our free enterprise society. This movement of business in consulting is very common and usually is not catastrophic. I can recall, numerous times when other consultants have moved into an area where I had a significant volume of business. I lost some, I got some back, I continued to get new work. All in all it was not a big deal. If you do good quality work, honestly priced and provide service, most likely you will retain most of your clients and their referrals. The few that you loose are probably not worth having anyway. Usually they are the ones you can do without. I must say, I have a long simmering problem with the somewhat territorial attitude of some drilling contractors. We may work in a general area, but it is not our territory and if someone else wants to try to move in that is their prerogative. Some members must try to work together and cooperate for the betterment of themselves and the industry as a whole. Well enough soap-boxing for one newsletter. Hope you have a good summer. Cheers! Bruce Ingimundson At our March Convention I presented a plaque to Alan Kohut. Al has retired now. Al has been instrumental in shaping our association and has been a trusted link with the provincial government, and a staunch supporter for almost 30 years. Thanks Al, and enjoy your retirement. ...... Dear Groundwater Professionals: We had another excellent BC Groundwater Association Convention this past March 6th & 7th. It was a great opportunity to share ideas and learn from other groundwater professionals. Drilling contractors and pump installers had an opportunity to write exams and become certified and we enjoyed supplier presentations of new products and services offered. There were several technical presentations made on subjects like well cleaning and rehabilitation work. For me the highlight was the government’s report on progress being made with the Drinking Water Protection Act regulations and the consultation with our industry that has been happening. As some of you know the government formed a six member advisory board of groundwater professionals to review and make recommendations on the new regulations. Our government hopes to have phase one of the regulations completed for this fall, with phase two and three to follow when completed. As an industry we are going to be challenged to become better educated in groundwater management practices and to educate our customers and promote the best management practices to protect groundwater resources. The new regulations will move us all in that direction. The CGWA will have a key role in this new era consulting with government agencies on the regulations to make them work in both the development of educational programs for contractors and the public. We will be the voice of groundwater professionals to the government. Some of you may be surprised by all this. Let me take you to our mission statement and objectives found on the membership list. Our Mission: The mission of the British Columbia Ground Water Association is to provide professional and technical leadership in the advancement of the ground water industry and in the protection, the promotion, and the responsible development and use of ground water resources. BCGWA Objectives: - To place the ground water contracting business on a scientific and business-like basis - To maintain an organization to assist, promote, encourage and support the interest and welfare of the Ground Water Industry in the province of British Columbia - To foster and promote scientific education, standards, research and techniques in order to improve the methods of water well construction - To promote and encourage harmony and co-operation between members and Government Agencies relative to the proper development and protection of the underground water supply and to generally advance the mutual interest of those engaged in the ground water industry in their own and the public interest. If you share these goals and you are not a member please consider joining. The new regulations will mean lots of changes for us as an industry. Regulations to protect and promote good stewardship of our groundwater resources are long overdue. Peter Epp Hillside Pumps & Water Treatment ······ From the Water Quality Association The pH Scale The acidity of a water sample is measured on a pH scale. This scale ranges from 0 (maximum acidity) to 14 (maximum alkalinity). The middle of the scale, 7, represents the neutral point. The acidity increases from neutral toward 0. Because the scale is logarithmic, a difference of one pH unit represents a tenfold change. For example, the acidity of a sample with a pH of 5 is ten times greater than that of a sample with pH of 6. A difference of 2 units, from 6 to 4, would mean that the acidity is one hundred times greater, and so on. Normal rain has a pH of 5.6 – slightly acidic because of the carbon dioxide picked up in the earth’s atmosphere by the rain. ······ Canada’s Water Ranks Second Best in the World Canada has the second-highest water quality in the world according to a report issued by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization (UNESCO). In the water-quality rankings, which evaluate both purity and availability, Canada came second to Finland. The United States ranked 12th. Last out of 122 countries was Belgium, where runoffs from agricultural waste and other pollution contribute to its dismal score of –2.25, nearly a full point behind second-last Morocco. The report took an in-depth look at every major dimension of water use and management, from the growth of cities to the threat of looming water wars between countries. The rankings were composite figures based upon a range of factors such as the quantity and quality of freshwater, especially groundwater, wastewater treatment facilities as well as legal issues such as the application of pollution regulations. ...... WE MUST STOP THIS SINISTER PLOT! Clothing manufacturers are part of the conspiracy too! Why else would they suddenly start labeling a size 10 or 12 dress as 18 or 20? Do they think no one notices that these things no longer fit around the waist, hips, thighs, and bosom? Another thing, everyone drives so fast today! You're risking life and limb if you just happen to pull onto the freeway in front of them. All I can say is, their brakes must wear out awfully fast, the way I see them screech and swerve in my rear view mirror. The people who make bathroom scales are in on it as well. Do they think I actually believe the number I see on that dial? Hah! I would never let myself weigh that much! Just whom do these people think they're fooling? I'd like to call up someone in authority to report what's going on - but the telephone company is in on the conspiracy too: they've printed the phone books in such small type that no one could ever find a number in here! All I can do is pass along this warning: Maturity is under attack! Unless something drastic happens, pretty soon *everyone* will have to suffer these awful indignities. PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO WE CAN GET THIS CONSPIRACY STOPPED! *********** In Memory of Eric Linder - Well Driller 1938-2003 Eric started in the water well industry in Langley, during the early 1960’s with Aldergrove Water Wells, which was then owned by Orville White. As the 60’s moved along, he worked for Engineering Drillers, Terry Henderson and Western Water Wells, and Arnold Hamelin before going on his own in the early 70’s with Linder’s Well Drilling Ltd. in Aldergrove and later in 100 Mile House. Eric entered the industry as an owner operator at a good time. The water well industry was in a hay day. Eric soon gained recognition as being a driller people could count on. His work habits were consistent by showing up and working a full shift five days a week. The well's Eric left behind yielded good clean sand free water. Eric was a strong supporter of the BCGWA and was always willing to help some one out. Eric will be sadly missed. ...... For Sale - Futros air rotary. Early 80's model. This machine has recently had large amounts of money put into it. In good working order. - 400' of nearly new 4 1/2" drill rod. - 1994 Chevy "Top Kick" "Cat Powered". About 113,000 k's. Complete with 18' flat deck, older Hiab (replumbed with new hydraulic hoses) and under deck tool boxes. This truck has been well maintained and looks new. - Some shop tools are available; compressor, hydraulic press, older lathe, electric shop welder, 4 cylinder gas welder (Lincoln), parts washer etc. Open to offers. Call Eunice Linder at 250 395-6074 100 Mile House. ······ Membership Dues If you have not paid your membership dues, this is your last chance to be included in the membership booklet and our web site. Please send your cheque immediately! All of the membership changes will be made in the new booklet that will be coming out next week ...... Coming Events NGWA Ground Water Expo Orlando, Florida. Dec. 9 – 12, 2003 A.W.W.D.A. Convention & Trade Show Mayfield Inn Edmonton, Alberta March 25 – 27th, 2004 Ph: 780-386-2335 Can’Well 2004 Kelowna, B. C. April 21 - 24, 2004 Ph: 604-530-8934 ······ CanWell 2004 All of the plans for CanWell 2004 seem to be moving ahead right on schedule. All of the venues have been booked and we already have a wide range of speakers booked as well. We have confirmed David Suzuki for the Friday evening. A tentative schedule of events has also been drawn up. We have the Sky Reach Place booked and plan to have at least 80 booths with plenty of room for drill rigs and equipment in the middle. We are arranging product seminars in the same area. These were so popular last year that we thought we would do it again. We would like to sell CanWell for not only its information and technical sessions and a fabulous Trade Show but also as a holiday package. We feel very lucky to be hosting this show in such a unique area. Kelowna has so much to offer. We haven’t forgotten the spouses either! This is still in the planning stage but so far we have a morning at the spa, casino lessons and a wine museum tour with a guided walk through town to visit the interesting shops in the area. Of course they are welcome to attend all technical sessions and trade show events. All of this is included with their full registration. You can find all of the CanWell information (and more) on the web site at www. bcgwa.org. Who could miss an event like this? MWLAP Information Series This is the second information pamphlet which has been sent to us from the MWLAP. There are 7 pages in the series and they will be added into the next Newsletters one page at a time. The second article is on Flouride in Groundwater. If you would like to receive all of the pages at once, please call the office and the booklet will be sent to you. The other topics deal with Arsenic, Hardness, Iron & Manganese, Nitrate, Sodium, and Total and Faecal Coliform Bacteria in Groundwater. ...... To All CGWA Members and Stakeholders I would like to take a few minutes of your time and a few dollars out of your pocket to introduce you to our newest fundraising program. We propose a silent auction on the web for all our members and stakeholders, i.e., M&S, Technical, friends of Groundwater, etc. Please keep in mind that 2003 in not a CanWell year, and we did not hold a silent auction in 2002. 1. We would like to solicit silent auction prizes from each member and stakeholder to finalize a list of items by July 15, 2003. Prizes may include but are not limited to new merchandise, food, services, used parts or equipment or anything your imagination may come up with. 2. We plan to start the bidding on August 1, 2003 and close the bidding October 31, 2003. A list of items will be sent to each member and stakeholder after July 15, 2003 and each provincial association office will have a list as well. You may bid by e.mail, phone or fax to the CGWA office. Valerie Rogers will keep a running total of all bids on all items. 3. All taxes will be included in the final price of the item and worked backward and submitted by your CGWA office. 4. Most, if not all items will be available from coast to coast. If the shipping is not included, it will be marked as such and the shipping will be the responsibility of the highest bidder. 5. The money gained from this auction will be used by the Association for research and development of groundwater issues and initiatives across Canada. 6. Please feel free to work with all your CGWA Directors or Ms. Susan Doncaster, who has agreed to co-chair this project. You may reach Susan at 1-902-667-5743 regarding your donations or purchases. Please give Susan your support when she calls. ······ Advertising If you wish to advertise in this quarterly newsletter, please contact the office by the end of the previous month. The advertising costs are $25.00 for 1/4 page, $45.00 for 1/2 page and $90.00 for a full page ad. ...... CGWA Activities The following are some of the issues that have been handled during the transfer of the CGWA office from July to the end of December 2002. I’m sure you will agree that they have been very, very busy back in Nova Scotia. Keep up the good work Wayne MacRae and Valerie Rogers. - the office was set up in July in Nova Scotia and all of the work necessary to transfer bank accounts was taken care of. A post office box for incoming mail and parcels was arranged and a phone/fax system as well as e.mail was set up. - worked closely with the Ground Water Canada magazine to prepare a regular newsletter and have worked with Jerry Topilka and new President Watson MacDonald to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. - arranged for the province of Nova Scotia to adopt the CGWA Certification Exams for new applicants and this was also discussed with the New Brunswick drillers and pump installers. - In August met with a Royal Bank Executive regarding a Visa Rebate Program. - traveled to Ottawa to meet with Federal bureaucrats regarding a national certification program for ground water contractors. - discussed the certification model with the BCGWA - discussed Quebec re-involvement with industry stakeholders from Quebec. - We discussed changes to the CGWA web site with industry experts. - We did inventory and filing on 13 file boxes received from the Ontario office and made arrangements with Past-President Jerry Topilka and Gayle Woolard to review Alberta office inventory. - In September we arranged for the CGWA Board of Directors to meet in Moncton, New Brunswick. - Several meetings and conversations were held with Petro-Canada Executives to allow for a fuel rebate offer made to the board of Directors - In October we attended the Atlantic Water Well Convention and School and traveled to Niagara Falls, Ontario to attend the IAH conference - worked with Gayle Woolard to get information on proper computer programs to allow for database access and a proper bookkeeping system and then transferred remaining mail and publications to the Nova Scotia office - In November, finalized the Petro Canada deal - update all provincial membership lists and dates, times and locations of conventions and annual meetings. - Member provinces billed for dues and draft 2003 budget - In December we discussed the Canadian Certification Program with Newfoundland and Labrador Department and Ground Water Association - attended the NGWA Conference and Trade Show in Las Vegas, Nevada and discussed opportunities for our contractors to avoid US duties when importing parts and equipment from the US. I hope this will give CGWA members an insight into our activities over the past few months. If you have any questions, please feel free to write, phone or fax at your convenience. Let’s continue to work together for Canada’s ground water. As each generation passes ground water becomes even more important. Please do your part.