March 2005 BCGWA Newsletter BCGWA e-mail address: secretary.bcgwa@shaw.ca ____________________________________________________________________________ PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE I would like to thank all of the membership for showing their confidence in me and returning me as president of the association. I am sure that David Slade, my Vice-President, who was also re-elected would like to thank the membership for their support. There is still a great deal of work to be done that we would like to see to its completion; the new education program, continued relationship building with the government and other associations, and finding a part time manager, to name a few. I was very pleased with this past Annual General Meeting. Gilles Wendling, Scott Schillereff and Joan Perry made an event which was very well received and I heard many positive comments from the members, M&S people and other association members who attended. Well done (no pun intended)!! Congratulations to the newly elected directors and thank you to past directors for your dedication and work. Dennis Thompson will replace Darrin Parnell in the Kootenays. Darrin has done a fine job in the past and will continue to work with Dennis. Scott Schillereff, of EBA Engineering will replace Remi Allard of Golder Associates, as the Okanagan director. Remi will now take over as Secretary from Bruce Grey, who has worked hard the past two years on CanWell 2004 and other projects. Thank you, Bruce. Of course, I should thank Bruce Ingimundson, our past president, who works just as hard now for the association as when he was president! My thanks and admiration are boundless, Bruce! Last but not least, is Jim Fyfe, a past president who is working hard as our representative to the Canadian Ground Water Association. Jim’s assistance has been instrumental on many of our associations’ issues. I look forward to working with all of you on improving our association’s reputation and its cause. Next year we are planning to have a convention and trade show in the Lower mainland which will be a major event. I hope everyone will be involved to make it successful. Now it is time to get back to work and make this year an even better one than the last. The government and our association will continue to work together to bring a successful transition to meet the new regulations and challenges of the future. Best regards, Dave Mellis President ······ CGWA Report I would like to take this opportunity to explain to you and your members the new policy on certification renewals following our Board of Directors meeting in Moncton on November 25 to 27, 2004. The CGWA office will send out invoices to individuals beginning in 2005 for any and all renewals. The 2005 invoice will include any arrears, if applicable, and in future if any certification lapses more than two (2) years without renewal, then that individual will have to re-write certification exams to become re-certified. I will supply this information to all certified individuals across Canada. If you or your members have any questions, please feel free to get in touch at your convenience. P.S. The renewal fee for all members is $25.00 per year, plus GST/HST, no matter if they have one or all of the Canadian certifications. Regards, Wayne MacRae Executive Director Canadian Ground Water Association ******************************************* Attention Provincial Associations and Stakeholders The following is the username and password to access the Membership List on the Canadian Ground Water Association web site: Username: cgwa Password: water68 In Memory of George Vlchek It is with great regret that we have recently heard of the untimely death of one of our members George Vlchek. George passed away recently at the age of 65 from exposure to asbestos. George was a pipe fitter by trade and started well drilling with family members Steve and John Vlchek in 1975. In 1976 George and John bought Steve out to form Cariboo Water Wells Ltd. based out of Prince George. George was known as one of the key drillers in residential, commercial, agricultural and industrial well drilling covering the northern part of our province for almost 30 years. He was a very active member and staunch supporter of the BCGWA. In 1994, George was invited by the provincial government to become a member of the Interim Water Well Advisory committee. For several months George would travel down to Surrey to work with other drillers, consultants and government staff in the creation of the 1994 Draft Code of Practice for Construction, Testing, Maintenance and Closure of Wells for the Province of British Columbia. This document would eventually become the corner stone of the recently legislated Ground Water Protection Regulation – Phase 1 and will be used in the formation of following phases. We wish to remember George as an expert driller and respected colleague. Our condolences go out to his family, drilling partners and those of us who knew and worked with this highly respected individual. ······ Road Weight Restrictions Since I volunteered to pursue the matter of drill rigs traveling during road weight restrictions for emergency water well work, I have made some inquiries. The following is a summary of what I have learned. The Province is divided up into 11 districts. A District Manager employed by the Ministry of Transportation administers each district. I was informed that the “official policy” is that there are no exceptions to road weight restrictions and that heavy vehicles traveling on restricted roads can cause tens of thousands of dollars damage in a very short time, which of course affects all tax payers in a negative manner. Getting caught driving against restrictions can result in hefty fines, even if the restrictions are not posted. However, each district manager has the power to grant exemptions in the case of true emergencies. The manager of the Kamloops district who I spoke to said that she had granted two exemptions in recent years, one of which was related to drilling equipment. The situation must be a true emergency, not just an inconvenience. For example, a drastic municipal water crisis, or a school or hospital supply, or perhaps if a large number of livestock were at risk of death. Each request would be reviewed on a case by case basis, and it might be best approached if the client in need made the first call to the district manager to plead the case. If exemptions are granted, the local scales and enforcement officers are notified. There is no fee, and hours of travel may be imposed (i.e. between 4am and 6am). An individual domestic water problem or even a small commercial system is not likely to be considered an emergency in the eyes of the Ministry of Transportation. The reason why the official policy is “NO EXCEPTIONS” is because of the fear of abuse, and the making of “emergencies” for the sake of convenience. So, if you have a “true” emergency, and a desperate situation, I would suggest that a very humble request to the District Manager may get the necessary permit to travel on restricted roads. If not, then there is always the other option…. Regards David Slade ************************ Membership Changes New Contractor Members & Changes Action Drilling Box 1228 100 Mile House, B. C. V0K 2E0 Ph: 250-395-2077 Fax: 250-395-2254 Rep: Egon Pederson Central Interior Pump RR#1, Site 2, Comp 6 Heffley Creek, B. C. V0E 1Z0 Ph: 250-578-7829 Fax: 250-578-7863 Rep: Blaine Matuga DEREX Drilling Services Ltd. Box 536 Armstrong, B. C. V0E 1B0 Ph: 250-546-3402 Cell: 250-260-0960 Fax: 250-546-3603 Rep: Derek McGladdery Double D Drilling Ltd. (new address) Box 766 5275 Arthur Road Terrace, B. C. V8G 4R1 Downrite Drilling 4346 Wilson Road Chilliwack, B. C. V2R 5C6 Ph: 604-823-4086 Cell: 604-793-5466 Rep: Bill Tuytel J.C.’s Water Works Ltd. PO Box 1866 Vanderhoof, B. C. V0J 3A0 Ph: 250-567-5888 Fax: 250-567-5885 Rep: Jim Moon Nanaimo Pump & Motor Ltd. 156 Cliff Street Nanaimo, B. C. V9R 5E7 Ph/Fax: 250-753-8042 Rep: Peter J. Jarratt Northcove Marine 4-8 Thetis Island, B. C. V0R 2Y0 Ph: 250-252-0144 Fax: 250-246-2187 The Pump House new rep – Mike Ante Triple D Drillers 3886 Balsum Road Prince George, B. C. V2K 1Z8 Ph/Fax: 250-962-9030 Rep: Darrell Netrefa Van Isle Water Services 461 Dupplin Road Victoria, B. C. V8Z 1B8 Ph: 250-383-7145 Fax: 250-385-1216 Rep: Peter Misek Wellmaster Pumps & Water Systems Ltd. 7983 Simpson Road Saanichton, B. C. V8M 2H3 Ph: 250-652-1941 Fax: 250-652-7915 Rep: Michael K. Garthwaite New M&S Members & Changes Baroid of Canada (new address) PO Box 96 Mundare, Alberta T0B 3H0 Ph: 780-764-2008 Fax: 780-764-2018 Cell: 780-893-0131 Dominion Pipe & Piling (BC) #6-8500 River Road Delta, B. C. V4G 1B5 Ph: 604-946-2655 Fax: 604-946-2630 Rep: Hunter Becenko Flexcon Industries 479 Acadia Court Waterloo, Ontario N2K 3Y2 Ph: 519-635-3539 Fax: 519-342-8386 Rep: Eric LeMay Pentair Water PO Box 1262 Fort MacLeod, Alberta T0L 0Z0 Ph: 403-558-2070 Fax: 403-553-4815 Rep: Cal Tolley New Employee Members (Associate) Martin Byrne Beaver Creek Improvement District B-6038 Beaver Creek Road Port Alberni, B. C. V9Y 8X4 Ph: 250-723-9371 Fax: 250-723-1511 Gilbert Dubois Laird Improvement District Box 746 Armstrong, B C. V0E 1B0 Ph: 250-546-8805 Fax: 250-546-8812 Moe Marji PSI Pump Systems Inc. 23184 Fraser Hwy. Langley, B. C. V3A 4P6 Ph: 604-534-1115 Fax: 604-534-5522 Jonathon McLean Anderson Air Drilling Box 6383 Fort St. John, B. C. V1J 4H8 Ph: 250-785-3598 Fax: 250-785-9106 Jamie O’Neil PSI Pump Systems Inc. 23184 Fraser Hwy. Langley, B. C. V3A 4P6 Ph: 604-534-1115 Fax: 604-534-5522 Steve Robbins Anderson Air Drilling Box 6383 Fort St. John, B. C. V1J 4H8 Ph: 250-785-3598 Fax: 250-785-9106 David Schibli Schibli Drilling PO Box 729 Lumby, B. C. V0E 2G0 Ph: 250-547-6845 Kelly Sorenson Anderson Air Drilling Box 6383 Fort St. John, B. C. V1J 4H8 Ph: 250-785-3598 Fax: 250-785-9106 Daniel Watterson Summit Environmental Consultants Ltd. 17 A 100 Kalamalka Lake Road Vernon, B. C. V1T 7M3 Ph: 250-545-3672 Fax: 250-545-3654 Welcome to all of our new members! ******************************* Coming Events April 8 & 9, 2005, Ontario Ground Water Association, 52nd Annual Convention and Trade Show Ph: 519-245-7194 Fax: 519-245-7196 e.mail: ogwa@bellnet.ca April 14-16th, 2005, Alberta Water Well Drilling Association, 48th Convention & Trade Show, Red Deer, Alberta Ph: 780-386-2335 CanWell Convention 2006 May long weekend in Charlottetown, PEI World Water Day March 22 Since 1993, the United Nations General Assembly has designated March 22nd of each year as World Water Day, in recognition of the importance of water as a basis requirement for life. The main purpose of the day is to create public awareness on the need to conserve and protect water, and to encourage people around the world to carry out activities related to the management and care of water resources. The aims of World Water Day is to support the special challenges facing communities in developing countries to gain improved access to safe water supply. It is estimated that 1.1 billion people in the world still lack access to safe water to drink and 2.4 billion people lack basic sanitation. Each year, more than 2.2 million people, mostly children in developing countries, die from problems associated with the lack of safe water supply and sanitation services. To learn more about World Water Day and WaterCan’s programs visit www.watercan.com WaterCan ······ Membership Dues! Just a friendly reminder to make sure you get your membership dues paid. Send your cheque today so your company name won’t be missed in the Membership booklet listing and the internet listing. ······ Convention Details A very successful convention was held from March 3-5 at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. We had a larger turn out than expected which is always good to see. On Thursday, Johnson Screen put on a one day seminar discussing well design & chemical cleaning, disinfection and redevelopment of water wells. Speakers were Dr. John H. Schnieders and Mr. Thom Hanna. This course was so interesting that, as one of the drillers pointed out, even the drilling contractors sat for the whole day. That evening the M&S set up table top displays and we had a light dinner and an open bar (for a while) and we had draws and a silent auction taking place. The room was just buzzing with everyone meeting and greeting one another. When most people only see each other once a year there’s always a lot to talk about and of course a lot of drilling to discuss. The Friday seminars were also very informative. Many thanks to Gilles Wendling and Scott Schillereff for arranging all of the speakers and seminars. We have had so much positive feedback from so many people commenting that this was one of the best conventions they have ever attended. We finished off Friday night with a banquet and a comedian that was just hilarious. The Annual General Meeting was held on Saturday morning. The minutes of that meeting are enclosed with this newsletter. We may try out Langley’s new Convention Center and Casino for next years’ convention. We are looking into it. Thank you to the following people for all of their help during the convention: Audrey MacKenzie Kelly Slade Leesa Slade Shirley Schibli Nerissa Schibli Let’s try and get an even bigger turnout for next year’s convention. We will be having a full trade show and maybe the speakers will be even better than this year. Support your Association! ······ What is a Driller? A driller is a paradox – he is an overall executive; he’s a master mechanic; a meteorologist required to accurately predict weather changes at a moment’s notice; a personnel director with grease under his fingernails; a witcher with extrasensory perception for locating all dangers and minerals buried below the surface of the ground; a doctor of medicine specializing in treatment of hay fever, poison ivy, chapped skin, and small bruises and lacerations; he’s a chemical mixologist who combines large quantities of muds, polymers and resins for the purpose of defying the laws of gravity. He manages more capital equipment than most doctors, lawyers and businessmen in the city; he performs all these functions within 100 feet off the back of his truck, while wearing a hard hat, gloves and steel-toed shoes. A driller likes sunshine, cool breezes, good food, auctions, state fairs, his collar unbuttoned, quiet running engines and, above all, a solid, level spot to work from. Drillers are found in fields, on hills, in valleys, along roads, near bridges and sometimes in welding shops. They auger, wash, bore, mud, core, ream, grout, bail, lift, tug, shovel, and learn to curse at an early age. Farmers are sympathetic to them, geologists confuse them, engineers underestimate them, salesmen wait to detain them, but it takes Heaven to stop them. A driller is both Faith and Fatalist – he must maintain faith to constantly meet the challenges that are pressed into his shoulders, amid an ever-present possibility that an Act of God, such as torrential rain, deep snow, electrical storm or soft ground can bring his business to a standstill. You can confine his ability, but you can’t restrain his ambition. He’s not much for deep ditches, tall weeds, pesky insets, muddy fields or helping with the housework. Might as well put up with him – he is our friend, your competitor, your customer, your neighbour, your fellow-worker; a denim-dressed, business-wise, fast-growing statesman of stature. So, when next you take a drink of water, recognize him and recharge his spirits by lifting your glass and saying, “This one’s for you!” Resurrected from the files of a driller! Taken from the Alberta Water Well Drilling Association N/L