This Newsletter is published quarterly, March, June, September and December by the B. C. Ground Water Association. For more information please contact: Secretary Treasurer, Joan Perry, 1708 - 197 A Street, Langley, B. C. V2Z 1K2 Phone or Fax: 604-530-8934

Archived Newsletters:

Click here for the BC Government Document: NEW STANDARDS TAKE EFFECT FOR PRIVATE WELL OWNERS

Click here to download the PDF file of an important update on Ground Water Protection Regulation (GWPR) from the BC Ministry of Environment. (updated Sept 17, 2007)

Click here to download a PDF brochure for an intensive two-day short course on Aquifer Testing For Improved Hydrogeologic Site Characterization August 26 & 27 2008.

June 2008 Newsletter

President’s Address

Remi’s Ramblings – I’m doing my best and learning a lot!

There are a lot of things happening and I am now appreciating what my predecessors went through. I am on the phone with David Slade frequently – probably more than he would like. Maybe we can coerce him to come back. Mike Wei, Vicki Carmichael and Lindsay Macfarlane at the BC Ministry of Environment in Victoria have also been very helpful.

We certainly have not lost any momentum since the last newsletter was printed. Your association has been working with the BC Ministry of Environment to re-apply to the BC Real Estate Foundation for funding to continue some of the on-going programs that we work together on, in this case to sustain the entering of well record data into the Water Resource Atlas and WELLS Database. We are also planning to apply for more funding from Agriculture Canada.

Working with the British Columbia Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and the American Groundwater Trust (AGWT), plans are almost complete for a couple of workshops in the lower mainland in September. The plan is for AGWT to host a well field management workshop in Langley on September 15 and for the BCWWA to host an information session on groundwater under the direct influence (GWUDI) the following day (the 16th). Both of these 1-day sessions will cover current and highly relevant topics in our industry and I strongly encourage you to attend. Representatives from our association will be actively participating on both days. We are hoping, through the involvement of AGWT and BCWWA to reach a larger audience than our focused group of drillers, hydrogeologists and pump installers – hopefully more system owners and regulators than otherwise would come to a BCGWA event.

I am especially looking forward to putting on “the gloves” on the 15th and going toe-to-toe with David Slade to debate contractual issues between consultants and drilling or pump installation contractors. The issues at hand are things like payment terms, lump sum items, liability on site and for quality of work, etc. Feel free to volunteer some ideas for discussion to David or myself, but keep in mind we have allocated only about 45 minutes for such a discussion at the event. Thom Hanna from Johnson Screens will be the referee. This will be a trial run for Thom as I hear he intends on doing something similar at the NGWA Expo in Las Vegas in December.

Specifically, with regards to the BCWWA, we are trying to foster a mutually beneficial relationship, which will allow us to deliver the “groundwater gospel“ to a larger audience on a regular basis through their Watermark Magazine. In return, we have invited BCWWA to regularly contribute to our newsletter. You could say that that these upcoming workshops are like a first date and we will see if the chemistry is there. I am optimistic.

BCGWA is also regularly attending meetings with other water-related associations and participating with local governments and the Province on many groundwater initiatives. For example, David Slade and/or myself have attended meetings with the Small Water Users Association of BC, Sustainable Infrastructure Society, Co-operative Committee of BC Water Associations (CCWA) and the Water Supply Association of BC – to name a few.

On another note, with the ever-increasing size of our organization, Bruce Ingimundson is looking into potential liability issues.

I hope to ask at least one question in each newsletter and my first question is this, “What do you think is best for a bedrock well, either a PVC liner with glued joints or a machine-slotted liner with threaded joints so it can be removed if well redevelopment is needed?” I ask the question as there are now well rehabilitation methods that use a high energy air blast or air surge to enhance development. I am told that even thick walled PVC cannot withstand such pressures. Furthermore, what if you wanted to hydro-frac such a well?

I still haven’t heard from any of the regional directors regarding plans for regional meetings. These are important so please don’t forget. I am looking forward to getting out on the road and meeting more people at such meetings.

In closing, I encourage you to regularly visit the BCGWA website at www. bcgwa.org. Thanks to Gilles Wendling’s tireless efforts over the last few years, the site contains a surprising amount of practical information as well as very good links to other sites. Please take the time to provide feedback, so we can make the site an invaluable tool for you.

Take care everyone and take some time off this summer. All work and no play means you need to service your rig more often.

Remi Allard President

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Small Steps

Summer is vacation season. Instead of venturing to some exotic, foreign land, try unlocking the mysteries of your home province. With nearly 1,000,000 square km, BC is larger than any of the US states, except Alaska, and is four times larger than Great Britain. Vacationing within the province can reduce carbon emissions often associated with long-haul, international traveling.

David Suzuki

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Users Can No Longer Afford to Take Water for Granted

Longer, drier, hotter summers. More demand for water. Wetter winters that bring periods of heavy rainfall and flash flooding, but not the constant wetness needed to replenish our groundwater.

Water is a vital component to our lives, and right now it flows easily from every tap. So easily, in fact, that it can be taken for granted.

But the earth’s climate is changing, and if we fail to protect our water supplies now, that resource may be much less readily available, and much more expensive, in the years to come.

“How do we translate this into action? Business as usual is no longer adequate,’ said Professor Hans Schreier of the Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability at UBC. “We need to come up with adaptation strategies and we need to start now, not five years from now.”

Langley Township, in partnership with the provincial government, is seeking to do just that with the creation of a Water Management Plan.

B.C. is the only jurisdiction in Canada with almost no legislation to protect its groundwater from overuse, and for the Township, whose residents derive more than half of their water supplies from groundwater, ensuring the sustainability of that resource makes sense environmentally and economically, especially in light of current reports on climate change.

According to a recent report released by Environment Canada, the effects of global warming are already being seen. It is expected that coastal B.C. will face longer, drier summers, followed by warm, wet winters with more intense rainfall events. That means a decrease in snow pack and less storage for the extended summer months, when the demand for water is the greatest.

There will be less change for groundwater to replenish in the winter, as intense rainstorms run off the surface of the earth and don’t recharge groundwater like slow steady rain does, said Schreier.

Adding to the problem is the fact that land use changes on top of aquifers compact the soil, making it more difficult for rain to penetrate.

And Schreier said, we are using the groundwater at a rate that can’t be recovered.

“We are pumping out more than is going in,” he said. “Unless we undertake some very aggressive demand management , supply can’t be sustainable.”

There are indications in the Township that groundwater levels are already declining. A provincial observation well in central Langley has shown a decline of more that eight metres over the past 40 years. Wells in south Aldergrove also have shown steady decline.

“We get quite a few calls from residents in the summer who have had their well go dry,” said the Township’s groundwater specialist, Antigone Dixon-Warren. “And right now, there is not much we can do to help them, aside from referring them to a well driller.”

“With only so much groundwater that can be used, and population on the rise, it is critical that we reduce our consumption now,” Dixon-Warren added.

The Township’s Water Management Plan is meant to ensure the local groundwater is sustainable over the long-term by encouraging people to think about how they use their water, and to use only what they need – for everyone’s sake. How we manage groundwater will not just affect those who have wells, but everyone who relies on water systems in the municipality.

While there are alternate water sources available, they are very expensive. Local groundwater, according to Brad Badelt, the Township’s manager of water resources and environment, costs about one-third that of Metro Vancouver water. In the next 10 years, Metro Vancouver – which allocates a set amount of water to each municipality – is expected to double its water prices.

While there are plans in the works to bring Metro Vancouver water supplies to Aldergrove, where groundwater levels are dropping, there are no long-term plans to extend water mains to many of the rural areas. Water mains, along with the cost of related infrastructure, cost at minimum $500 per metre, said Badelt. That price doesn’t include the individual connection costs.

Other options, such as using Fraser River water, would require expensive treatment and the construction of costly water mains. Getting water from new sources, such as Harrison Lake, or desalinating, would be costly on many levels.

Using alternate water sources or piping municipal water throughout the Township are extremely costly endeavours – and unnecessary if measures are taken now to regulate and maintain groundwater, a source that is relatively inexpensive and, with proper management, readily available.

“Nothing is easy. To be environmentally friendly is a tough job,” said Schreier. “But it’s not too late, if we do it right now,”

Langley Advance April 2008

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Help Wanted

Work, live and play in the Cariboo! Two (2) Canadian Licenced Ground Water Pump Technicians needed. Five (5) years experience. Call toll free: 1-877-249-5292 or e.mail: cyclestop@uniserve.com

Lloyd Ingram Ingram Well & Pump Service Quesnel, BC

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Saying Good-bye to a Grand Lady! Ethel May Hamelin – 1914-2008

It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a dear friend. Ethel passed away peacefully on May 27, 2008 in Vernon. Finally, reunited with her loving husband Arnold, she will be sorely missed by her sons Robert & Glen, daughters-in-law Cathy and Faye and 5 grandchildren, Jason, Rory, Michelle, Jasmine and Michael.

Born in Edmonton on November 22, 1914, she lived for many years in Calgary and Vancouver and leaves behind a host of friends who will fondly remember her wonderful sense of humour and loving nature. In this life she gave more than she took.

Arnold Hamelin was one of the founding members of the B.C. Water Well Association in 1970 which became known as the B.C. Ground Water Association. He worked tirelessly for the Association as the Secretary/Manager and ran a successful drilling company. Ethel was always at his side and helped in any way she could. She was a permanent fixture for many years and she still attended conventions after Arnold died. She was the original “mother” and “grandmother” to our Association.

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Membership Changes

M&S Division:

Flexcon Industries New fax #: 519-489-1481

Hydro Pacific Pumps Inc: e.mail: hygrfs@gmail.com

Associate Members:

Bloomfield, Gary GeoTility Geothermal Installations 200-1649 Cary Road Kelowna, B. C. V1X 2C1 Ph: 250-762-5776 Fax: 250-762-0206

Devine, Shawn Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. 5052 Hartway Drive Prince George, B. C. V2K 5B7 Ph: 250-962-9041 Fax: 250-962-9046

Lintott, Joshua Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. 5052 Hartway Drive Prince George, B. C. V2K 5B7 Ph: 250-962-9041 Fax: 250-962-9046

London, Kevin Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. 5052 Hartway Drive Prince George, B. C. V2K 5B7 Ph: 250-962-9041 Fax: 250-962-9046

Martin, Ethan Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. 5052 Hartway Drive Prince George, B. C. V2K 5B7 Ph: 250-962-9041 Fax: 250-962-9046

Ongman, Jake Geotech Drilling Services Ltd. 5052 Hartway Drive Prince George, B. C. V2K 5B7 Ph: 250-962-9041 Fax: 250-962-9046 Upcoming Events

September 15, 2008 American Ground Water Trust Workshop – Coast Hotel & Convention Centre, Langley, B.C. (see attached sheet for details and registration.)

September 16, 2008 GUDI Wells – Information Sharing and Discussion Forum, presented by BCWWA and BCGWA. (following September 15 AGWT Session). More details to be announced. Visit: www.bcwwa.org/Seminars.php for more information and registration. Sarah Vaughan, Communications & Projects Coordinator

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Congratulations CanWell 2008 Committee!

Edmonton, Alberta was the host city for CanWell 2008. This was the most successful national convention ever held. The attendance rose to more than 800 delegates. Twelve different seminars were presented. There were 117 booths, 14 drilling rigs, 2 flat tank water trucks and one mud system displayed at the trade show. An outdoor drilling demonstration took place in Stony Plain.

In 2 years time, Winnipeg, Manitoba will be hosting this event. They know they will have a hard act to follow but at the same time will benefit because Alberta has left a great model to follow.

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Ryan’s Well

This year, it was decided that in lieu of “speaker gifts” at our convention that we would make a donation of $500.00 to Ryan’s Well Foundation.

We were pleased to hear back from them telling us a little bit about what is happening these days.

They were very pleased that we had contributed to their water and sanitation projects in developing countries. They were excited to report that they have now built 365 wells in 14 countries providing clean water to 531,942 people.

Ryan and his adopted brother Jimmy are in for a new adventure. They have both been awarded scholarships in the Class A float program where they will complete a year of high school aboard a tall ship. In February, Ryan ended the land based part of the program and flew to Salvador, Brazil. From there he traveled on the Tall Ship “Concordia” going to places like Buenos Aires (Argentina), Tristan da Cunha (UK), Cape Town (South Africa), Walvis Bay (Namibia), St Helena (UL), Natal and Belem (Brazil), Bahia de Samana (Dominical Republic) and Hamilton (Bermuda). While on his journey he continued to spread the word of the importance of clean and safe water.

For more updates on Ryan’s journey you can visit their website at www.ryanswell.ca.

Friends of Ryan’s Well Foundation

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City of Prince George Goes Green

The City of Prince George, which has a population of 77,000, has committed itself to reducing total community emissions to 2% below 2002 levels by 2012. It is a project that is estimated to cost $825,000.

An immediate area of concern that prompted the municipality to engage in energy-reducing projects was a perceived reduction in air quality in Prince George. Large factories and businesses that conformed to outdated environmental legislation were now seen to be emitting excessive quantities of pollutants to the detriment of the local environment. As local concerns mounted, wider global preoccupations with climate change and social responsibility also became more pressing.

According to data gathered by the City, Prince George produced 1.237 million tones of GHG (greenhouse gases) in 2002, of which 7,080 tonnes were emitted by the City of Prince George’s operations and facilities. If the City were to continue emitting at this level without doing anything, emissions were estimated to grow to 1.352 million tones by 2012. Clearly something needed to be done.

Since taking the decision to reduce energy consumption and emissions, Prince George has embarked on a Community Energy System where water will be heated at a central plant before being supplied to city buildings. Individual boilers will fast become redundant, which will see an immediate decrease in buildings’ energy consumption. Furthermore, the central plant will be fuelled by renewables, such as biomass, which will reduce the level of GHGs and pollutants being emitted.

The City of Prince George is also the first in Canada to pilot an energy-saving streetlight system. The project involves testing light-sensing controls in 170 streetlights. During off peak hours when there are few pedestrians and vehicles around, the streetlights will be dimmed. The City expects to reduce its energy use and costs by approximately 40% through this system.

Both projects, funded in part by the BC Hydro Power Smart Energy Managers program, will play an important role in helping the City reach the targets it has set for itself. In addition to these two projects Prince George is looking to become a leader in energy efficiency in their own facilities.

As energy management coordinator for the City, Energy Advantage will use its total energy and environmental management approach to find efficiency opportunities and create a sustainable program to reduce energy usage. Solutions can range from building energy awareness and an energy conservation mentality, to retrofitting lights, to developing optimized operational and maintenance procedures or simulating building design. It will also develop plans that allow employees to implement and sustain ongoing energy efficiency practices.

For more information, e.mail: dan.morel@energyadvantage.com Environmental & Science Engineering Magazine – January 2008 Day of Mourning

Every year on April 28, we honour the memory of Canadian workers who have lost their lives due to a work-related injury or occupational disease. The annual Day of Mourning is an opportunity to remember those fallen workers and re-commit to creating safer workplaces.

Work-related fatalities claimed the lives of 139 B. C. workers in 2007. Of these, 71 deaths – more than half – were a result of occupational diseases, mainly due to exposure to asbestos; six deaths involved young workers aged 15 to 24; and 23 deaths were from motor vehicle accidents.

Every life lost is devastating and simply unacceptable. WorkSafeBC is determined to continue working with employers, workers, unions, and industry associations to make workplaces safer across the province.

WorkSafe Magazine March/April 2008

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Drivers Grumble, But Don’t Protest Gas Prices!

British Columbia’s beleaguered drivers seem resigned to a future of escalating prices as this week’s carbon tax price hike that pushed prices at the pump past $1.50-a-litre elicited a more subdued response than when gas broke the $1 a litre mark.

The average price for Vancouver now is $1.50 per litre-that is an amazing price for people-it is unheard of and it is a bit of a psychological barrier.

It gets to the point you are so fed up with it you stop complaining. Nobody is staging mass protests against the government or whoever to do something.

When we first saw gas prices go up to $1 per litre in 2005, people were talking about boycotting oil companies and gas stations.

People are becoming desensitized to the price hike. It is becoming a fact of life. People are not as upset as they were in the past.

The July 1 installment of the first of the carbon taxes on gas added 2.3 cents a litre to pump prices that have already been climbing in recent weeks.

Consumers only choice is to reduce their gas consumption, either by biking, taking the bus or driving more fuel-efficient cars. I don’t think protesting will change prices.

The Competition Bureau of Canada, which investigates reports of price fixing and other anti-competitive practices said it hasn’t received any complaints from Vancouver regarding gas prices since the July 1 hike.

Canwest News Service

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Most boat owners name their boats. What is the most popular boat name? Obsession!

How to Avoid the Ten Most Common Mistakes in Bidding

1. Failure to read the documents before setting out to bid
2. Failure to regard a bid as a contract
3. Failure to carefully screen and select jobs to bid
4. Failure to sell full range of your company’s capabilities
5. Failure to “cross all the T’s and dot all the I’s” on the tender form
6. Failure to allow enough time for bid preparation
7. Failure to secure sufficient subcontracts bid
8. Failure to visit the job site
9. If you’re a sub, sub-sub, or supplier, failure to submit your bid or quote to everyone you should
10. Failure to check and double-check all bids.

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Mosquito Control!

Reduce your risk of West Nile Virus by remembering the 4 D’s.

1. Drain your property of standing water
2. Dusk/Dawn. Take extra care. Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn. If you need to be outside, cover up and use insect repellent for extra protection
3. Dress appropriately. Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes, socks, and a hat when outdoors. Light coloured clothing is best because mosquitoes are attracted to dark colours. Loose fitting, but tightly woven materials help prevent mosquitoes from biting through to your skin
4. Defend against mosquito bites by using mosquito repellents wisely. Use only insect repellents that contain DEET or other approved ingredients

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Working Safely in Hot Weather

Hot weather may be enjoyable for those with air conditioning, but can be a potentially serious hazard for those who have to work outdoors. High temperatures and humidity can quickly result in hypothermia or other heat-related illnesses, especially so for those who are not physically prepared or not properly equipped to work in the heat. Some prescription and over the counter medications can make an individual of any age sensitive to the heat. Heart medications, antihistamines, over the counter sleeping pills, and tranquilizers are common medications that can impair your body’s heat-adjusting ability. For those who work in the heat or play in the heat, preparation and caution should be practiced. Obesity; poor physical condition; illness, even a temporary bout of mild stomach flu or diarrhea; use of prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs; lack of sleep; or drinking alcoholic beverages can all contribute to dehydration, as well as your body being unable to adjust to heat changes as the day warms up or as you start working more strenuously. Heat and dehydration can result in the following three types of heat illness for those who do not take proper protective measures.

Heat Cramps: Heat cramps are muscle contractions. Usually those in the back of the calves. The contractions are forceful and painful. These cramps seem to be related to dehydration and poor physical conditioning, rather than lack of salt or other mineral imbalances. The cramps usually improve with rest, drinking water, and a cool environment.

Heat Exhaustion: As the name implies, heat exhaustion feels like you have run out of energy and are exhausted. This is a result of excessive internal body heat and dehydration. Symptoms of heat exhaustion can include paleness, dizziness. vomiting, fainting, and moderately increased temperature (101 to 102F) caused by the internal heating of the body. Rest and water may help in mild heat exhaustion. Ice pack, a cool environment, or even a fan blowing on the patient may also provide some additional relief. More severely exhausted patients may need intravenous fluids, especially if vomiting keeps them from drinking enough water.

Heat Stroke: This is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention by paramedics or a doctor. Heat stroke is life threatening and the most severe form of heat illness. Heat stroke can occur even in persons who are not exercising if the weather is hot enough. Symptoms include warm and flushed skin-without sweating. The exception to the “not sweating” symptom will be an athlete or worker who was exercising vigorously and sweating heavily before the onset of the heat stroke. That individual might still be in considerable danger as they progress into heat stroke. A person with heat stroke usually has a high temperature (106F or more) and may be delirious, unconscious, or having seizures. These patients need to have their temperature reduced quickly, often with ice packs, and must be given intravenous fluids for rehydration. They must be taken to the hospital as quickly as possible, and may have to remain in the hospital for observation as many different body organs can fail as a result of heat stroke. You can prevent heat related illnesses by staying well hydrated, ensuring your body can get rid of extra heat, and by being sensible about exertion in hot, humid weather. Safety supply houses sell a variety of “keep cool” vests, neck wraps, and hard hat liners that are basically chemical ice packs to cool the body when worn. Some employees like them, others do not. Wearing comfortable light-coloured, heat-reflecting, sweat-absorbing clothing can also help. Drink lots of water or sports drinks throughout the day. Salt tablets are not recommended unless approved by your doctor. Taking salt tablets may raise your body’s sodium concentration to hazardous proportions.

Water Well Journal June 2007

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Peanuts?? A tour bus driver is driving a bus load of seniors down a highway when he is tapped on his shoulder by a little old lady. She offers him a handful of peanuts, which he gratefully munches up. After about 15 minutes she hands him another handful of peanuts. She repeats this gesture about five more times. When she is about to hand him another batch again he asks the little old lady, “Why don’t you eat the peanuts yourself?” “We can’t chew them because we’ve no teeth”, she replied. The puzzled driver asks, “Why do you buy them then?” The old lady replied, We just lover the chocolate around them.” Ackkkkkkkkkkk!!

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Ministry of Environment Report

We’d like to take this opportunity to let you know what has been going on since the last newsletter.

Well Records (by Lindsay Macfarlane, Sr. Groundwater Data Technician, Victoria)

The BCGWA received funding through Agri-Food Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Water Supply Expansion program. The BCGWA is working in partnership with the Ministry of Environment to help spatially locate well records (those without GPS coordinates) from the backlog. Two Well Data Contractors were hired in Mid-June and have begun to spatially locate well records in earnest. They will be working at locating the well records until March 2009. We will provide an update on their progress in the next BCGWA newsletter. Thank you, BCGWA for this important partnership!

Our two auxiliaries in the Victoria office have been extended until August 1, 2008. They will continue to work at processing the backlog of well records, Well Closure Reports, and Schedule 2’s.

Well Driller and Well Pump Installer Registries – Reminder to Update Contact Information (by Lindsay Macfarlane, Sr. Groundwater Data Technician, Victoria)

A reminder to all qualified well drillers and well pump installers to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date on the registry. If you need to make any changes to your information please contact Lindsay Macfarlane at: (250) 953-3408 or Lindsay.Macfarlane@gov.bc.ca .

Groundwater Program Update - Vancouver Island Region (by Pat Lapcevic, P. Geo., Regional Hydrogeologist, Nanaimo)

The Ministry of Environment and British Columbia Conservation Foundation have completed a groundwater geochemistry survey of private wells on Salt Spring Island. Between June 2007 and March 2008, 146 wells were sampled for a comprehensive suite of chemical and bacteriological parameters. Our preliminary analysis of the data collected from wells on Salt Spring Island has identified three significant issues in relation to the quality of the groundwater being used by residents for potable water supply. These issues include:

(a) About a third of the wells sampled indicated some presence of bacteria in the form of total coliform >10 CFU/100 mL, some of the wells sampled also showed bacterial contamination - fecal coliform (10% of wells) and E. coli (9% of wells),
(b) Manganese concentrations greater than the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality (GCDWQ) aesthetic guideline of 50 µg/L were measured in 33% of all wells sampled and
(c) Arsenic concentrations greater that the GCDWQ of 10 µg/L was measured in 10% of all wells sampled and concentrations greater than 1 µg/L was measured in 30% of all wells sampled.

The Vancouver Island Health Authority has been providing follow-up visits and sampling to residents concerned about their water quality results. A report on the project is expected to be released in early Fall 2008.

Sylvia Kenny (Ground Water Protection Officer) continues to inspect existing well and drilling sites throughout the region focussing on four situations:
(1) Exposure of the surface seal during the installation of pitless adaptors (Ministry of Environment 2008/09 Compliance Project),
(2) Joint inspections of community wells with the Vancouver Island Health Authority,
(3) Responding to complaints, and
(4) Regional program to visit a work site for each drilling company at least once.

Of the two sites visited as part of the compliance project one was in compliance while at the second site (consisting of 5 new wells) no surface seal had been installed at any of the wells. The registered qualified driller responsible for construction has, at the Ministry’s request, voluntarily retrofitted all 5 wells with surface seals to acceptable standards. However, clearly our initial visits indicate the benefit of this type of audit to help ensure that standards of well construction, which protect public health and the groundwater resource, are maintained. Other inspections of private and community wells indicate that while the majority of wells installed by qualified drillers are constructed to the standards set out in the Ground Water Protection Regulation, many wells (often older wells drilled before Nov. 1, 2005) are poorly capped (pot lids, traffic cones, rocks and worn out sanitary seals are not suitable!), well ID plates are missing or buried, stick-up is less than 30 cm (1 ft), unused wells are rarely closed, and simple well head protection measures are not completed (e.g. grading of soil around the well). We hope to continue to educate well owners regarding good well maintenance and well head protection practices as part of the compliance work.

A number of calls to our offices suggest that septic system to well setback distances may be a common issue. We would suggest that drillers’ best practises should include investigation (by discussing with property owner) the location (or preferred future location and/or possible easements) of septic systems on both the property where the well is to be installed and on neighbouring lots. A minimum of 100 ft (30 m) should be maintained between a well and a possible source of contamination such as a septic field, including septic fields in adjacent properties.

Finally, the Vancouver Island/Gulf Islands regional observation well network has 52 active wells at present, being capably maintained by Groundwater Technician Graeme Henderson, and our B.C. Conservation Corps intern, Katie Warnock. We were pleased to add a new well to the network in April 2008 on Quadra Island. Groundwater level data for Provincial observation wells is available online at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/data_searches/obswell/index.html.

Living Water Smart and Ground Water Protection Regulation Phase 2 (by Mike Wei, P. Eng., Groundwater and Aquifer Science Section, Victoria)

Living WaterSmart, A Plan for Water Sustainability is something the groundwater industry should be aware of. Living WaterSmart was announced by Environment Minister Barry Penner on June 3, 2008 (http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2005-2009/2008ENV0064-000845.htm) and contains 40 actions and targets in a new government-wide plan that will help all sectors, communities and British Columbians keep the province’s water healthy and secure, now and in the future. Living WaterSmart can be viewed at: http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/.

Consultation for Phase 2 of the Ground Water Protection Regulation (Regulation) has been completed. Thank you, BCGWA for providing valuable input. Drafting of Phase 2 of the Regulation is underway.

Brochures
Two new brochures are available for distribution:

• Water Well Disinfection – Using the Simple Chlorination Method: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/wells/factsheets/PFRA_simple_chlorification.pdf

• Finding a Septic Tank: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/septic_tank.pdf

If you would like copies of these brochures, please contact your local groundwater protection officer.

That's all for now, have a great summer! Enjoy the weather, time with family and work safe!

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Groundwater Information Links

Water Stewardship Division Main Site http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/

ECOCAT Report Catalogue – reports, maps and data http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/ecocat/

Groundwater Website http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/index.html

Ministry of Forests Library - reports http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/HFD/library/

Observation Well Network http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/data_searches/obswell/index.html

Well Database – query well records http://aardvark.gov.bc.ca/apps/wells/

AQUIFERS http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/aquifers/index.html

EMS – Environmental Monitoring System – Discrete Water Quality Sample Data EMSHELP@gov.bc.ca

Water Resources Atlas – web mapping application http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/data_searches/wrbc/index.html

GEOBC – access to crown land and resource management information. Discover data/metadata, download data, IMAP http://aardvark.gov.bc.ca/apps/gga/detailHome.do?action=showAboutGeoBCPage

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Recently we got a call to change out a pump. You will find a well in the most peculiar places but this one takes the prize. ~ Central Interior Pumps