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:

NEW! BCGWA PLANNING SESSION SUMMARY REPORT - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

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)

June 2009 Newsletter

This Newsletter is published quarterly, March, June, September and December by the B.C.
Ground Water Association. For more information please contact: Executive Secretary, Joan
Perry, 1708 – 197 A Street, Langley, B. C. V2Z 1K2. Phone or Fax: 604-530-8934.
BCGWA Website address: www.bcgwa.org
BCGWA e.mail address: secretary.bcgwa@shaw.ca

________________________________________________________________________

President’s Report

Greetings to all. I hope this newsletter finds you busier than earlier in the year. My discussions with various members in the last few days suggest this is so.
I have to start by saying that we are very lucky to have Joan and Bruce dealing with the day-to-day affairs of the Association. Getting Bruce on board was the best thing we have done in the past year. Joan has basically run this organization for many years and we would be lost without her. On that note, I am not sure who is learning more from whom – either Bruce from Joan or vice versa. The only problem I now have is that it is difficult to find something to talk about in each newsletter that Bruce has not already written about.

The second best thing for our organization this year has been to complete an internal review and start on a strategic plan for the future. As a result, there are many initiatives which we are considering. Bruce has touched on the two highest priority action items, which are to maintain or build our membership and to maintain or enhance our relationships with provincial regulators. We have already taken steps to enhancing our relationship with the province by requesting a candid meeting with the Minster of Environment. Regarding membership, the concept is being discussed to create some membership categories to promote, for example, more participation from water purveyors.

Another initiative in the infancy stage is to develop a more formal process for our organization to deal with issues raised by our members. Historically, we have not been very effective in appropriately voicing the concerns of the organization - nor in following through to an end result. I believe our executive needs to demonstrate more accountability and transparency to our membership. At a bare minimum, I believe we need to effectively represent the position of our membership through the drafting of position statements on issues of consensus.

Furthermore, we need to send these position statements to the relevant government ministries and to the stakeholders involved. I give as an example, the issue raised by David Slade regarding his concern about the proposed injection of storm water and residential runoff into an aquifer that is also used for potable water supply. Such an activity, does not comply with the intent of the Groundwater Protection Regulation and could potentially contaminate a groundwater supply. My initial thoughts on how this process would work is firstly for David to send an official request to the Executive on what the issue is and how he feels we should respond. In turn, the executive should discuss and decide on a course of action, document the decision, follow up with the chosen action and provide details regarding the request, chosen action and outcome in the BCGWA newsletter and website.

In the end, the trick will be in clearly identifying the issue and for the Executive to reach consensus on how to word the position statement. Of course, I would be interested in feedback from anyone on how this process might best work.

We are also very busy planning for our 2010 Convention, which is our 40th anniversary. We are trying to assemble a speaker and technical program that is of interest to everyone. In the recent past, we have tended to be more focused on academics and regulations, whereas our membership has clearly stated that they want more practical presentations on the hands-on and day to day aspects of our industry. We are also planning to acknowledge those individuals that have contributed towards the great success of the organization over the years.

I better stop here, or Bruce will be complaining that I am stealing all of his ideas. As usual, feel free to call me anytime. Please note that I am out on my own now and can be reached at 250-765-2225.

Remi Allard,
President, BCGWA

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From the Desk of the Managing Director – September 2009

For those of you who were light on work this spring, I trust things have improved with more work and for those of you who were overloaded, I trust things may have lightened up a little so you had some summer time to spend with family and friends.

Your executive was very busy during late May and June preparing for the June 20, Strategic Planning Seminar. The purpose of this Planning Session was for our Association executive and directors to take a long, hard look at where we are after 40 years and where we would like to go in the near and far future. To assist in this process BCGWA retained the firm of Compass Resource Management Ltd. (CRML) to facilitate the one day workshop and to lay the groundwork for the on-going development of a strategic plan for the growth and development of our association. The planning seminar was developed by and led by Michael Harstone, Principal of CRML.

A total of 14 of the 16 directors (including executive) attended as well as the 2 BCGWA staff.

The following is a brief summary of the event; a copy of the SUMMARY REPORT from CRML is presented in this newsletter.

Prior to the session, CRML reviewed the structure and history of our association, policy issues, planning objectives/actions and strategic priorities, in addition to determining the need for post session development of the strategic plan.

A series of 6 planning steps were established for detailed discussion, these were;
• Strategic Planning Overview
• Situational Analysis
• Strategic Issues
• Planning Objectives
• Identification of Actions and Strategies
• Next Steps

Probably the most interesting aspect of the session was the development of a total of 16 objectives for our association to approach over the next three years. These were then weighted by votes assigned by each attendee. Interestingly, of the 16 objectives only 6 received significant endorsements with only 2 having strong endorsement, these two (tied votes) were;
• Maintain and build an active membership; and
• Maintain and enhance relations with provincial regulators.

The latter being a surprise to me, considering the amount of grumbling I have received lately about our provincial government and lack of support on issues such as regulatory enforcement.

As noted earlier the full text is in this newsletter, it is not long and will be of interest to active members. I encourage you to read it.
On other matters;
• Members of our Executive along with Thom Hanna of Johnson Screens will be presenting a brief workshop on groundwater training, certification and related issues in Whitehorse, Yukon in early October;
• BCGWA has joined BCWWA along with the MOE, MHLS*, VCHA and FVHA committee to develop a single day workshop on the upcoming Ground Water Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water guidance document. We hope to hold one of these workshops at our 2010 conference in Kelowna in March. [*Ministry of Healthy Living & Sport].

Bruce Ingimundson,
Managing Director

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Canadian Ground Water Association

I regret to inform everyone that Francis Gale (current President of the CGWA) passed away last week after a long battle with cancer. I first met Francis about 7 years ago and found him to be energetic, honest and a most positive individual. He was a relentless advocate of both ground water protection issues and the industries which depend on it. He was the owner and general manager of a drilling/gw consulting company (Atlantic Drilling & Blasting) based in Newfoundland. He had long served as both the President of the Newfoundland/Labrador GW association and as a director/executive on the CGWA Board.

The family held a private service.

I will be attending a CGWA meeting in Amherst, NS on October 15, where John Friesen (current 1st Vice President – CGWA) will likely step up as interim CGWA President. I will be sure to extend condolences to the Gale family on behalf of the BCGWA.

Jim Fyfe
CGWA

Fellow Ground Water Professionals

I wish to call attention to a disturbing, if not alarming situation regarding a threat to our precious Ground Water Resource.

Ground Water protection is dear to the hearts of most of us, and protection of this resource was part of what inspired the creation of the BC Ground Water Association 40 years ago. It is no surprise then, that most of us welcomed and embraced the Ground Water Protection Regulation when it was introduced, and have worked diligently to live up to the letter and the intent of the new laws.

In consideration of the above, I was first horrified, and then outraged to learn that there seems to be no law to prevent the dumping of unwanted, untreated and unfiltered surface waters directly into aquifers.

Here are the specifics of a site on Vancouver Island.

In an area dependant on Ground Water, where all new wells are being installed with surface seals as per the regulation, there is a 30 ft to 50 ft clay cap covering and protecting the aquifer. There is a developer who wants to place 36 homes on 4 acres of this land. The developer has access to the local water system, which gets its water from wells several miles distant from the site. Access to the local sewer system has also been granted. The developer has been told by local authorities that no storm water from the development is allowed to leave the property via ditches or local riparian drainage courses. The plan developed by the owners’ engineers is to drill wells, or dig trenches which will penetrate the 30 ft. clay cap, and channel all of the rooftop, driveway, street, and yard runoff directly into the aquifer formation. This will deliberately channel into the aquifer; animal waste, dead creatures, hydro-carbons (gas and diesel), antifreeze, soaps, detergents, pesticides, herbicides, and any unwanted chemicals and liquids such as solvents and paint thinners that unknowing or uncaring residents care to dump in the storm drains or ditches.

SO HERE IS THE QUESTION.

What is the point of a surface seal around ANY well, if surface water can be directed for convenience and profit into protected subsurface aquifers?

WHAT IS THE POINT OF A GROUND WATER PROTECTION REGULATION WHEN NO PERSON OR AUTHORITY WILL DEFEND ITS’ INTENT?

How can we defend the need and the cost of a surface seal to a client, when the developer next door may be dumping all of his unwanted and untreated surface water straight into the aquifer?

I have canvassed the MoE, the local health authority, the regional district and the Department of Highways. All of them feel that it is the responsibility of some other person or agency, and that they are powerless to stop it.

The BCGWA passed a resolution 5 years ago to oppose in principle the practice of storm water or waste water injection into aquifers. This happened after a Home Depot site in Courtenay drained all of their yard and roof runoff, unfiltered and untreated directly into the Quadra Sands Aquifer. To do this required drilling injection wells through the 50 ft. thick till cap which had previously protected the aquifer.

I admit that there will be times when communities are desperate to recharge aquifers that are being depleted. But would we not all agree that this should only be done with the most stringent controls on the quality of that injected water? And would we not also agree that there is a huge difference between a community in need and a developer’s greed?

In closing I feel that we, as an association, need to take drastic action and FORCE the Ministry of the Environment, specifically Mike Wei and the Ground Water Section to take responsibility for ground water protection. If they are unwilling, or unable to aggressively defend this resource, then one must wonder if the whole department and regulation are worthy of support, compliance or enforcement.

Sincerely

David Slade
Concerned Well Driller

******

Regional Meetings!

It’s that time again! Time for the Director’s to arrange their annual Fall Regional General meetings. Directors, you will need to choose a date, possibly on a Saturday, and find a meeting room in your area. You may wish to have a staff member from the MoE attend or call on another speaker. If you need any help please call the office.

******

Why do banks charge a fee on ‘insufficient funds’ when they already know there is not enough money?

Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are almost dead?

The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends – if they’re okay, then it’s you.
B. C. Ground Water to Celebrate its 40th Year!

Plans are in the works to celebrate our 40th convention! The convention dates are March 15th-19th, 2010 at the Delta Okanagan Grand in Kelowna. Rick Cronin and Dan Watterson have come up with a great outline of speakers and potential speakers. The draft schedule follows this report. If anyone has any suggestions on trade/technical topics please send your ideas along.

We are planning events for the 40th and one is to honour all our “elder” trades people that have retired. The Association would like to show their appreciation for their input to our industry and this will include their wives as many of them ran the “business” end of the operation. If you have any suggestions as to who might be included in this group, please e.mail or call the office with the names.

The executive and directors are trying to pull the Association tighter together. Now is the time to show your support and step up to the plate and genuinely support the BCGWA. Without the BCGWA many strange things may come about regarding regulations.

What better place than the Annual General Meeting to voice your concerns! Please plan to attend the Annual General Meeting on September 19, 2010 at 9:00 am.

******

Surface Water Extraction and the Law

With the help of Mike Wei of the MoE in Victoria, I have been pursuing the acquisition of a permit to extract surface water from multiple, un-named sites of Vancouver Island. Mike has kindly spent considerable time and energy talking to the surface water regulators in all of the regions of the Province, and may have made some progress on behalf those of us wanting to”legally”use surface water sources for our well drilling water requirements.

To date, I have sent in an application through “Front Counter BC”, along with a $600 application fee. I have received a letter stating that they have my money, and are considering my application. If granted, the permits allow certain maximum values to be removed from most surface water sources on Vancouver Island. There is likely to be maximum pumping rates and requirements for strainers on the suction inlets, but otherwise it should allow us to get all the water we need on a daily basis for all of our drilling operations for a period of one year from date of issue.

Stay tuned, and I will let you know how things work out as to whether we get the permit, get turned down and get our $600 bucks back.

Cheers, David Slade
Drillwell Enterprises Ltd.

Upcoming Events

UBCM
September 30-October 1, 2010
Vancouver Convention Centre
(BCGWA has a booth at this event)

National Ground Water Association Expo
Dec-10-13, 2009
New Orleans
Ph: 1-800-551-7379
Ph: 614-898-7791
www.ngwa.org/2009expo

B. C. Ground Water Association
“40th” convention
March 15-19, 2010
Delta Okanagan Grand
Kelowna, B. C.
Ph: 604-530-8934
e.mail: secretary.bcgwa@shaw.ca

AWWDA Convention
April 8-10, 2010
Edmonton, Alberta
Ph: 780-386-2335

CanWell 2010
May 26-29, 2010 Winnipeg Manitoba
http://canwell2010.shawwebspace.ca/

Membership Changes:

Managing Director:
Bruce Ingimundson
Ph: 250-480-8832

Well Drilling Contractor:

Clearwater Drilling
Box 6694
Ft. St. John, B. C. V1J 4J2
Rep: Jerry Heal
Ph: 250-785-6818
Fax: 250-785-6825

North Wind Drilling & Pump Service
Box 284
Watson Lake, Yukon Y0A 1C0
Ph: 867-536-2009
Fax: 867-536-2009
Rep: Don Stone
Rep: Shawn Stone
Rigs – 1ct, backhoe & compressors
e.mail: yknstone@northwestel.net

Wild West Drilling Inc.
website: http://wildwestdrilling.ca

Pump Supplier & Installer:

Fraser Valley Pumps and Gas
1900 Eagle Street
Abbotsford, B. C. V2S 3A6
Rep: Steve Markle
Ph: 604-309-1721
e.mail: fraservalleypumpsandgas@
hotmail.com

Ingram Well & Pump
e.mail: ingramwell@shaw.ca

McCrory Electric Ltd.
Box 170
Silverton, B. C. V0G 2B0
Rep: Tim McCrory
Ph: 250-358-2576
e.mail: timmccrory@xplornet.com

Moore’s Well & Pump Service Ltd.
821 Fairweather Road
Vernon, B. C. V1T 8T9

Roto-Rooter Plumbers
817 Allsbrook Road
Parksville, B. C. V9P 2A9
Rep: Terry Kelloway
Ph: 250-248-8743
Fax: 250-248-8414
e.mail: roto-rooter@shaw.ca

M & S Division:

Cubex Limited, Calgary
12126-44 Street SE
Calgary, B. C. T2Z 4A2
Rep: Bill Wilson
Ph: 403-258-1544
Toll free: 1-800-563-5638
Fax: 403-253-0164

Talik Industrial Services Inc.
#102-17910-55th Avenue
Surrey, B. C. V3S 6C8
Ph: 604-575-4023
Fax: 604-575-4025
Toll free: 1-888-535-4033

Traxxon Rock Drills Ltd.
2780 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, B. C. V5B 3A6
Rep: Barry Davis
Ph: 604-437-7625
Fax: 604-437-7624
e.mail: barry@traxxon.com /
cstovell@traxxon.com

Professional/Technical:

E.B.A. Engineering Consultants Ltd.
#1-4376 Boban Drive
Nanaimo, B. C. V9T 6A7
Rep: Shelly Baines
Ph: 250-756-2256
Fax: 250-756-2686

Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd.
Ste 200-4185A Stillcreek Drive
Burnaby, B. C. V5C 6G9
Rep: Mike Nolan
Ph: 604-294-2088

Associate Members:

Agatonovic, Vladimir
Focus Corporation
702 Landmark 11, 1708 Dolphin Avenue
Kelowna, B. C. V1Y 9S4
Ph: 250-980-5506
e.mail: vladimir.agatonovic@focus.ca

Cameron, Greg
Martech Motor Winding Ltd.
1700 Woodland Drive
Castlegar, B. C. V1N 4J4
Ph: 250-365-2115
Fax: 250-365-2102
e.mail: gregc@martechelectrical.com

Ingram, Chelsea
Ingram Well & Pump Service
2601 Norwood Road
Quesnel, B. C. V2J 7C1
Ph: 250-249-5292
Fax: 250-249-5452
e.mail: ingramwell@shaw.ca

Ingram, Mack
Ingram Well & Pump Service
2601 Norwood Road
Quesnel, B. C. V2J 7C1
Ph: 250-249-5292
Fax: 250-249-5452
e.mail: ingramwell@shaw.ca

Kalwij, Ineke
e.mail: ikalwij@gwsolutions.ca

Moberg, Clarence
Moberg Drilling
Box 1635
Fort St. James, B. C. V0J 1P0
Ph: 250-640-6155

* * * * * *

Langley Council Urged to Cap Wasteful Wells

There are ways to save the Salmon River and the Hopington aquifer, and the solutions can be found here in Langley, says Doug McFee of the Salmon River Enhancement Society. The volunteer group acts as steward of one of B.C.’s most important salmon-bearing rivers.

McFee made the comment on June 19 when he and local well driller Jim Clark took a trio of Township council members on a tour of several local, uncapped wells.

Perhaps the most important of these was at Five Corners in Murrayville where a pump house covers an artesian well.

Clark told Mayor Rick Green and Councilors Charlie Fox and Kim Richter that the seemingly small flow of the well at Murrayville’s Five Corners actually amounts to 1.25 gallons per minute or about 670,000 gallons per year leaving the Hopington aquifer.

The Five Corners well once supplied water to the former Municipal Hall and Murrayville Elementary School. The structure around it was built to shelter an electric pump which was eventually shut off in 1982. Still collective in a concrete overflow tank, the water was used by passing cattle and horses.

It is not the only uncapped well in Langley, but is a graphic demonstration of how water is not only wasted but impacts the Hopington aquifer which supplies water to hundreds of residences and businesses.

Aquifers are not only vital to residents living above them, they are the lifeblood of streams and support an abundance of wildlife. Occupying 40 square kilometers within the headwaters of the Salmon River, the Hopington aquifer is inextricably linked to the river’s health. Of the 700 km of fish-bearing streams in Langley, the Salmon River is considered the most important and productive for coho salmon.

The decline in the water level is one of the reasons why the Salmon River is on the list of the 10 most endangered rivers in B. C.

Seemingly defying gravity, water from the artesian well rises to the surface, through porous rock, without the use of a pump. The problem is that this cold, unfiltered water is not only draining the Hopington Aquifer, but it is being wasted, traveling into storm drains and eventually into the Fraser River and out to sea.

“There are hundreds of artesian wells constantly draining the west and north of the Hopington aquifer,” Clark said.

“This is a major part of the reason that the water table in the aquifer has been dropping a foot a year for 30 years.”

Clark estimates that the amount of water leaving the Hopington aquifer is 2,500 to 3,000 gallons per minute more than the amount of rainwater recharging the aquifer.

He pointed out that some of the artesian wells in Langley release more than 100 gallons per minute, and capping even one would save more than 52 million gallons per year.

“Capping artesian wells could be a big part of the solution to the dropping water table,” Clark said.

Township council members were joined by B. C. Ground Water Association executive directors Remi Allard, Bruce Ingimundson and Dave Mellis who were on hand to answer technical questions.

“We need to look at decreasing water usage and infiltrating more rainwater into the ground to recharge the water table,” McFee suggested.

“Incentive programs to encourage land owners are the way to go as there is still no provincial Ground Water Act,” he said, noting that B. C. is the only jurisdiction in North America that does not have legislation to protect ground water.

“With Langley in the forefront of water issues in B. C. largely because of the problems with the Hopington aquifer, if something is not done soon we could all end up looking bad as we have been talking about this issue for over 10 years but we have not acted to stop the decline,” McFee said.

“We don’t have much more time as the water table is dropping to the point that there is not much water in the river during dry summer months.”

The sheer volume of water coming out of the pipe at the Five Corners well surprised Green. “It would be the same as leaving the garden hose on,” he said, calling the tour “a real eye-opener.” “We have to take serious steps to deal with the whole uncontrolled well situation,” he said.

Green said that a first step would be to identify all the wells in Langley that are uncapped.

Councillor Fox shares the concern and introduced a notice of motion calling for staff to investigate “an implementation strategy to provide an incentive to encourage residents to cap unused wells.”

(This motion was on council’s July 6 agenda.)

Natasha Jones
Langley Times

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Report from the Ministry of Environment

We hope that everyone had a wonderful summer! Please take the time to read our quarterly update on what’s happening within the Ministry of Environment.

WELLS Database Updates
As mentioned in the last newsletter, the BCGWA has received funding from the BC Real Estate Foundation to help reduce the backlog of water well records. The BCGWA is working in partnership with the Ministry of Environment to help spatially located well records (those without GPS coordinates) from the backlog.

One well data contractor has been hired to spatially locate the wells from the backlog. Since the beginning of March, approximately 2,700 wells have been spatially located.
The graph below depicts the progress made with the backlog of well records from March to September 2009.

Well Alterations
A reminder that when altering an existing water supply well, or if made by drilling, a recharge well, an injection well or a permanent vertical dewatering well that does not have a well identification plate already attached to it, a well identification plate must be attached.

The definition of “alter” in the Ground Water Protection Regulation “means to undertake a structural modification to a well and includes deepening or reaming of the well and replacing or modifying screen assemblies, casings or sealant”.

Well Identification Plates
A reminder that when closing a well that has a well identification plate, the plate must be returned to the Comptroller with the well closure report (Sec 74 (5) of the Water Act).

Plates and well closure reports can be mailed to:
Deputy Comptroller
PO Box 9362 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9M2

Well Closure Reports
When completing a well closure report, indicate the depths and types of sealant and backfill material used as shown in the example below. Closure details should be written in the Observations column.

Schedule 3 of the Ground Water Protection Regulation specifies information that is required on a well closure report. Well closure information is also available in the BC Ground Water Association’s “Ground Water Protection Regulation Handbook”, available online at: http://www.bcgwa.org/BC-Groundwater-Protection-Handbook.htm

2008/09 Compliance Project Results
In the March newsletter, we advised that Ministry staff have been conducting audits of newly drilled water supply wells throughout 2008/09 for compliance with the Ground Water Protection Regulation (GWPR). The purpose of the project was to develop and implement a province-wide project to determine the level of compliance with well construction and identification standards, specifically:
• if the drillers are registered at the time of drilling,
• if the drillers sealing, capping, well identification and wellhead completion practices meet the regulation.

In all, 37 inspections were completed. However, in 12 of the inspections, the surface seal could not be inspected directly. Inspections were focussed in the southern half of BC. Except for the surface seal inspection in which the results were skewed by one driller, all other conditions were found to be met more than 90% of the time. The table below summarizes the compliance levels. Any non-compliance issues that were observed have been addressed.

In addition, staff were able to measure the setback distance of the well from the septic system in 9 cases; in all cases, the setback was greater than 100 feet (30 m).

The project allowed the Ministry to better understand the critical compliance issues and the experience will be used to plan more effective ways to audit compliance under the GWPR in the future. The compliance project was also a good opportunity to inform and educate home owners and drillers of the requirements under the Ground Water Protection Regulation.