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:

BCGWA PLANNING SESSION SUMMARY REPORT - CLICK TO DOWNLOAD

NEW! LOW STREAM FLOW ADVISORY - THOMPSON/NICOLA - 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)

December 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

From my wife Pina and myself, I extend warmest wishes to our members and their families for the upcoming holiday season and the very best for 2010. This year has been very challenging for most of us in the groundwater industry and the holidays will hopefully allow us time for reflection and to recharge for a new and prosperous new year. Personally, I still have a few things to get done.

Dave Mellis and myself are going to the NGWA expo in New Orleans where we intend on spending time with other executives from provincial and state groundwater associations to find out more about how they operate and what their biggest challenges are. I will report on what we find in the next newsletter.

Best wishes for a warm and happy holiday season.

Remi Allard,
President

Convention Update!

We are really excited about our upcoming Convention from March 15th-19th, 2010. We are back in Kelowna this year at the Delta Okanagan Grand Resort and Conference Centre. The tentative schedule and biographies of our speakers are listed later on in this Newsletter.

Please plan to attend our “40th” convention. We are honouring our past-retired drillers and their wives at the Banquet to show appreciation for their input to our industry. We are hoping to have some memorabilia from the last 40 years. If you have any pictures or stories that you would like to pass along, please send them to the office by January 15th. All items will be returned so make sure you have your name on anything that you send. The Annual General Meeting will be on March 19th, 2010 from 9:00 am-12:00 pm.

URGENT NOTICE

IF YOU OWN OR OPERATE A CRANE THAT CAN LIFT 10,000 LBS (or more) OR CAN REACH 25 FT. (or more) YOUR TIME IS RUNNING OUT

If you have not done so already, you have until Dec. 31, 2009 to get registered as an incumbent operator and book an appointment for skills assessment.

This applies to everyone who operates a crane of the size mentioned above as part of their work. Once registered with your assessment booked you will have until Feb of 2011 to pass the skills assessment and become a Crane Safe certified operator as REQUIRED by Worksafebc.

If you miss this deadline of Dec. 31, 2009, you will face additional costs and obstacles to becoming certified as a crane operator. Also if you or your employees operate a crane requiring certified operators, and you have not registered by the deadline, you may risk fines and prosecution if you are involved in an accident involving a crane.

For more information, google Cranesafebc, or visit www.fulford.ca/cranesafe

The BCGWA is planning to host a Crane Operators Workshop at the annual conference & trade show in Kelowna this March. It will be an 8-hour course, and will take place the day before the start of the convention. The cost will be between $200 and $300 depending on the number of registrants.

THERE WILL ONLY BE SPACE FOR 20 PEOPLE. If you would like to register one or more people for the Crane Operators Workshop, please email secretary@bcgwa.org and request an Expression of Interest form. The first respondents will be given first chance when convention registrations are sent out in the New Year. A maximum of 4 seats will be reserved per company

YOUR ASSOCIATION WORKING FOR YOU……………….

From the desk of the Managing Director - December 2010

Early “Season’s Greetings” to all.

Since our last newsletter in September there has been a lot of activity around the office, most of it done by Joan, I might add.

You may recall that one of the two primary strategic issues that came out of our June Strategic Planning Workshop was to do what we can to market our association as the voice of groundwater in our province, and develop a growth strategy for expanded membership.

As a beginning, we signed up for a booth at the UBCM Convention in Vancouver in late September. This is probably the largest annual gathering of federal and provincial government staff, as well as civic staff (mayors, directors and managers) in the province. Joan Perry, Rick Cronin and I, attended the booth in the Municipal Market trade show area. We were very pleased with the response we received from many delegates, mostly mayors and operators of independent water utilities many of whom were unaware of our existence. Well now they know and we look forward to assisting them and others where possible and returning to the UBCM trade show next year.

From October 20th to 22nd on behalf of our organization Remi Allard and Dave Mellis along with Thom Hanna, (hydrogeologist with Johnson Screens) presented a three day workshop in Teslin, Yukon in cooperation with the Yukon College. The workshop covered three basic topic groups;
• Aquifers, Wells & Pumps, including Well Design, Construction and Development, (Hydrogeology 101);
• Well Yield, Aquifer Evaluation, Well Monitoring, Maintenance and Closure;
• Water Systems; Wells and Pumps.

The short course was very well received and we have been invited to present this again in the future. This is the first project on continuing education presented by the BCGWA, since this was established at our Strategic Planning Workshop as a needed focus of our association. Congratulations to Remi, Dave and our friend and colleague, Thom Hanna for their work, much appreciated by all.

In October our association was asked to join an organizational group to assist the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport (MHLS) and the Health Authorities of Vancouver Island, Fraser and Vancouver Coastal in creating a workshop to introduce the new draft guidance document. The document pertains to Ground Water Under the Direct Influence of Surface Water and elsewhere drinking water may be at risk from pathogens. The draft publication, is called the GWUDI Guidance Document, pronounced “G...WUDI” or “GUDI”, if you wish.
The one day workshop was hosted by BCWWA on October 20, at Sandman Hotel, Vancouver Airport. Presenters were Al Kohut, Vicki Carmichael and Doug Geller. A total of 50 delegates attended, which was the limit of the room capacity. Since some had to be turned away, plans are in the works to run the program again. All in all, a very successful event. For further information an “Overview” of the guidance document follows the remainder of my report.

In addition to the upcoming Christmas events, it is also the season (a little later than usual), for our annual Regional Meetings. The first meeting was held in Langley on October 24 for the Fraser Valley members. The meeting was organized and run by Jim Clark, and as usual never short of conversations and story telling. There was a good turnout of approximately 20 members and numerous topics were discussed with audience feed back. A very interesting PowerPoint presentation was provided by Michele Lepitre of the MOE on an update to the provincial government groundwater legislation and other items. This presentation was repeated by other MOE staff in the following regional meetings. I was fortunate to partake in this meeting.

The second meeting was held on November 28 in Prince George for the Cariboo area members. John Vlchek organized and chaired the meeting. Again approximately 20 members attended and the MOE presentation was given by Lori Lyons from the Kamloops MOE office, with assistance provided by Kirsten Helsop from the MOE Prince George office. Several issues were discussed with very active input from the participants. Those included surface water extraction permits for drillers and probably the most controversial issue hotly debated was the requirement for some members to acquire continuing education units (CEU’s) and not other members.

To explain, members registered as a Qualified Well Driller or Qualified Pump Installer in BC, (who wrote the CGWA exam and used the CGWA certification as your means of qualification); to remain an active membership and certification, must obtain continuing education units (CEU’s) and submit proof annually to the CGWA. However members that were qualified by “Grandfathering” are not required to obtain CEU’s at this time. This issue is presently very controversial within our association membership. The issue arose as a result of the provincial MOE amending the Ground Water Protection Regulation to institute the TILMA agreement between BC and Alberta. Further information on this is presented elsewhere in this newsletter. As with Langley, I was again fortunate to be actively involved in this meeting.

The third regional meeting was held on December 4 in Penticton for the Okanagan regional members. The meeting was chaired by Regional Director Doug Geller, with support from Remi Allard. I look forward to reporting the results in our next newsletter.

The next regional meeting will be held in Nanaimo on December 12 for Vancouver Island regional members, with Paul Anderson chairing and the final regional meeting will be held December 17 in Cranbrook for the Kootenay area members with Mike Bombardier chairing. I will have the good fortune to attend both remaining meetings.

My grateful thanks to Joan Perry for all her work and support in helping towards the success of these meetings.

Moving on….

A reminder, that the next CGWA conference “CANWELL 2010” will be held in Winnipeg from May 26 to 29. The sponsors promise all the snow will be gone by then. I hope to see many of you there.

Speaking of CANWELL, the CGWA executive has accepted our offer to host CANWELL 2014, in BC.

One final item of interest is our sustained effort to have a meeting with the Minister of Environment Barry Penner on the issue of groundwater legislation delay and other association issues. On August 30 we sent a letter to Minister Penner outlining our issue (printed in our September Newsletter) and received a response on October 8, (click here to download and view PDF copy of the letter) accepting our request for a meeting. Minister Penner has delegated our issue to John Slater, MLA for Boundary-Simikameen, who is the new Parliamentary Secretary of Water Supply and Allocation. The meeting with John Slater and Lynn Kriwoken, (Director, Water Stewardship Division) will be held on January 22 at the Provincial Legislature in Victoria.

In closing my best wishes to you and your families for the up coming holiday season, drive safe – enjoy! See you in the new-year.

Bruce Ingimundson

Dear Friends and Colleagues

I am writing to inform you that I have resigned my position with Ground Water Canada magazine on September 23. I have accepted a position with a local marketing firm, Marketing, Strategies & Solutions in London, Ontario and I am looking forward to my new career.

Of course I wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye to the many friends I have made in this industry. I appreciate the time many of you have devoted to helping me during my 12 year career with the magazine. I have enjoyed representing this industry and I value the friendships that have been forged over the years.

Yes, this is a special industry, because of people like you.

All the best!
Chris Skalkos

Overview of the GWUDI Guidance Document

Abstract

The guidance document was prepared to assist public health officials, water suppliers, professional engineers and geoscientists in investigating and assessing situations where ground water is at risk of containing pathogens. While surface water sources are generally regarded at risk of containing pathogens and require treatment for drinking water supplies, the situation with regard to ground water sources in not always evident. Where ground water sources are close to and hydraulically connected to surface waters, ground water may or may not be at risk of containing pathogens depending upon several factors. Ground water under direct influence of surface water (GWUDI) is defined herein, as ground water that is

(a) hydraulically connected to nearby surface waters and,
(b) is susceptible to contamination from pathogens.

The approach followed in this guidance document has been adapted in part following a review of similar protocols utilized by other jurisdictions in Canada and the United States to determine whether a ground water source is under direct influence of surface water. The procedures outlined follow a staged approach from initial screening of a ground water source to preliminary and more advanced hydrogeologic investigations to assist Drinking Water Officers in determining, where necessary, appropriate treatment requirements for ground water supplies.

The determination procedures encompass four main stages namely:

Stage 1: Screening Tool;
Stage 2: Preliminary Hydrogeological Investigation;
Stage 3: Advanced Hydrogeological Investigation; and
Stage 4: Long-term Water Quality Monitoring.

Drinking Water Officers may deem a ground water source to be at risk of containing pathogens upon reviewing the results of any stage of the investigation, the available evidence at the time and any other known factors or uncertainties. Determining whether a ground water supply source is at risk of containing pathogens is not regarded as a one-time investigation but is subject to the results of continued long-term monitoring of the water supply system and water sources as conditions in an aquifer or watershed may change with time.

SURFACE WATER EXTRACTION PERMITS ARE HERE

Thanks to the efforts of Mike Wei in the Ministry of Environment, we now have the ability to obtain surface water extraction approvals. This is true on Vancouver Island at least. These permits which are called “Section 8 Approvals” are good for 1 year, and are at the discretion of the local Regional Water Manager.

In our case, the permit cost $600, and applies to multiple units at multiple sites with a total allowable extraction of not more than 1000 gallons per vehicle per day, with a combined total of not more than 3,000 gallons per day for multiple vehicles. We are not allowed to extract more than 30% of the water flowing in any stream. We must take measures to prevent pumping up fish and other aquatic life by use of a suction strainer, and we must keep a log of our time, date, place and volume of water extracted. But apart from that, we are pretty much allowed to pull water for the purpose of well drilling from any pond, lake, river or stream on Vancouver Island.

There is some hassle, and there is some expense, and it is likely that there will be more restrictions in the Interior of the Province on where, when and how much water may be extracted. But if you want the opportunity to legally extract surface water for the purpose of well drilling, you may want to pursue this issue.

For more information contact Front Counter BC in your area and ask about Section 8 approval for “short term use of water”, or contact your local Regional Water Manager.
Thanks again to Mike Wei of the MoE.

Sincerely
David Slade,
Drillwell Enterprises

To all Provincial Associations

In July, the Manitoba Water Well Association invited its sister organization the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance to co-sponsor CanWell 2010. This merger allows us to use resources that were previously unavailable. One such resource comes in the form of a new event coordinator who is able to work full time on the remainder of the convention planning. Inez Miller, Executive Director of the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance will be taking on the role of Event Coordinator. Her contact information is Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance (MGEA) 1980-B Main Street Winnipeg, Manitoba R2V 2B6 Phone: 1-204-470-6447 Fax: 1-204-334-5239.

Please join me in showing your continued support by wishing Inez great success going forward with CanWell 2010.

Sincerely,
Wendy Myers
Past Event Coordinator CanWell 2010

CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR DRILLERS & PUMP INSTALLERS

The Ministry of the Environment has introduced an amendment to the Groundwater Protection Regulation that may affect your ability to remain registered as a Qualified Well Driller or Qualified Well Pump Installer in the Province of BC. This change is part of the efforts to institute the TILMA agreement between BC and Alberta.

The changes do not affect people who qualified under the “Grandfathering” provision of the regulation. However, if you wrote the Canadian Groundwater Association exam, and used that CGWA certification as your means of qualification, you will be required to maintain that Canadian Groundwater Association certification.

In order to accomplish this you will have to remain an active member of the CGWA. This can be accomplished by maintaining membership in the BC Groundwater Association. In addition you will have to obtain Continuing Education Units (or CEU’s), every year, and submit proof of that continuing education to the CGWA.

Continuing education can be in the form of courses such as first aid, WHIMS, or confined space entry, or from attending meetings (Regional Meetings for example) or conferences and trade shows such as the annual BCGWA Conference in Kelowna next March, or the Canadian Groundwater Convention (known as CanWell) in Winnipeg next May. 14 hours per year are required.

If you have questions about how to obtain or document your continuing education units, how many units will be required, or what qualifies as continuing education please contact the CGWA at www.cgwa.org.

Cirque Founder’s Space Trip called ‘Poetic Social Mission’

The Canadian founder of Cirque du Soleil blasted off in a faultless launch in a Russian Soyuz spaceship from Kazakhstan to become the world’s seventh space tourist.

Billionaire Guy Laliberte, the 50-year-old former fire-breather, paid more than $35-million for a seat on the spaceship as part of a three-man crew.

Mr. Laliberte planned a two-hour webcast linking fourteen cities across the world to draw attention to the importance of access to clean water on Earth. “I needed it to be the right time and for the right purpose,” he was quoted as saying. “This is the time. And the purpose is clear: to raise awareness on water issues to humankind on planet Earth.”

A Message from the Canadian Ground Water Association

The Canadian Ground Water Association’s Executive Directors met on October 17, at Amherst, NS, in conjunction with the annual Atlantic Water Well Convention. The meeting was attended by President John Friesen, 1st Vice President Kevin Constable, Past Presidents Jim Fyfe and Bill Kyte, along with me and Executive Assistant Valerie Rogers. Items on the agenda for discussion included, but were not limited to:

- The acting structure of the Association following the passing of our President, Francis
Gale.
- Updates on our arbitration case with the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition
- The purchase of a Pump Installers Training Course for the CGWA
- National Certification issues (old and new)
- Inter-provincial labour programs
- CGWA insurance programs
- First Nations programs and issues
- Ground Water Canada magazine (Chris Skalkos’departure)
- CanWell 2010 update (Winnipeg)
- NGWA update (New Orleans)
- Dug Well Training Course (Atlantic Canada)
- Certification Committee – future meetings (Toronto 2010)
- Future CanWell locations
The executive group met for approximately five hours and held discussions on the Agenda as well as future plans and ideas for new training and certification for our Canadian members, including our members who construct geothermal wells and loops.

The CanWell 2010 Committee was discussed. John Friesen briefed the group on the planning to-date and a partnership with the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance who will provide assistance, as well as additional delegates and trade show participants. Les Connors has taken the Chairmanship for the Manitoba Water Well Association, Inez Miller of the Manitoba Geothermal Energy Alliance will be the Event Coordinator and John Friesen and his company will chair the outdoor demos. I believe we will be treated to a super show at Winnipeg in May.

On a very sad note, I must report on the passing of our President Frances Gale, who lost a six-year battle with cancer in August, 2009. Francis was a wonderful person who worked tirelessly for the Canadian Ground Water Association since he first joined the Board of Directors in 2003. Francis will be remembered for his wit, his honesty, his knowledge, and steadfast determination to keep everyone on a level playing field. On behalf of all of our Canadian members, I would like to extend our condolences to Mamie and the Gale family.

If we may be of assistance, contact Val or me at the Canadian office at your convenience.

Wayne C. MacRae,
Executive Director,
CGWA

Water Plan Set for Legislation

Langley Township is on the cusp of pioneering recommendations that will be embodied in the first provincial legislation to manage and regulate groundwater in B. C. The Township’s Water Management Plan (WMP) is one of several pilot projects intended to culminate in the legislation over the next few years.

It has been a long journey for the Township to reach the point where a series of recommendations has been whittled down to twenty-nine. The final twelve recommendations were approved at the September 9 Council Priorities Committee meeting, and endorsed by council a week later. At the Committee meeting, Kevin Larsen, the Township’s manager of water resources and environment, noted that after several rounds of public consultation there was “strong support for the plan from all sources of community input.” This support embraced the WMP plan for water conservation programs for new development. There was mixed support for expanding water sprinkling restrictions for non-urban use.

Recommendations already approved by the Township include the capping of artesian wells, and one governing the use of pesticides. Pesticide use is already regulated by the government, but the Township wants to strengthen awareness about the risk of cosmetic pesticides, Larsen said. Earlier this year, the Township adopted a position supporting a ban on sale and use of cosmetic pesticides, particularly those chemicals used in lawns and gardens.

There is major concern over the declining level of the Hopington aquifer which has fallen one foot per year for the past 30 years. Among the twenty-nine recommendations, the Township urges the provincial government to:

- Approve a monitoring and study program with a view to residential metering of
municipal water users;
- Impose compulsory sprinkling restrictions for owners of private wells;
- Legislate a ban on new bottling operations that use groundwater;
- Instigate more rigorous inspection and enforcement of existing regulations affecting
groundwater quality and quantity, and
- Place peak flow restrictions on new or altered wells.
Larsen explained that prohibiting new bottling operations would fall under the authority of both the Township (business licences, bylaws) and the provincial government. He added that the residential metering of municipal water users is non-regulatory, meaning that no legislative authority is required. The program would be implemented by and be the responsibility of the Township, not the provincial government, Larsen said.

Among the significant recommendations is a program to encourage the capping of unused wells. Uncapped or unmaintained wells are a potential source for contaminants to enter an aquifer. This pollution can impact the health of humans and livestock, and affect the quality of water in lakes and streams.

Natasha Jones, Langley Times, October 8, 2009

WCB PREMIUMS SET TO INCREASE

In September of this year I was invited to attend a WorkSafeBC information session. I was joined by Bill Tuytel of Downrite Drilling, as well as several people from the Pile Driving and Warf Building sectors.

The reason for the meeting was to explain the rationale behind the rate setting policies used by WCB, and the changes that are coming in the future.

The summary of the presentation was as follows:

Well Drillers, Geo-thermal Drillers, and Enviro/Geotechnical Drillers are all in the same insurance sub-group. The sub-group is shared with Foundational and Directional Drilling. The larger group to which we also belong includes Pile driving, and Pier, Wharf, and Dry Dock Construction.

There are inconsistencies in the larger group that results in some industries paying more, even though their claims histories are less, and thereby having to subsidize others who have a higher “claims made, to premiums paid” ratio. To address this inequity WCB is going to rearrange some of the groups and sub-groups.

The end result is that the Drilling industry will be moved into a group with a slightly higher base rate than the one we currently have. The base rate is the rate per $100 wages paid to WCB; which is not reduced by credit for lower that average claims history, or increased by demerits for higher than average claims costs.

The good thing about this is that it will be easier to earn discounted rates if you have a good safety record, since the median point will be set higher. The bad thing is that on average, all players in the drilling industry will be paying more.

The bottom line is that SAFETY PAYS, and in the coming years, it is going to pay even more, or more precisely, a lack of safety is going to cost even more in the future than it has in the past.

Take the time to take Care.
Sincerely
David Slade

Because Everyone In Canada Lives in an Igloo!

Now that Vancouver has won the chance to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, these are some questions people from all over the world are asking. Believe it or not these questions about Canada were posted on an International Tourism Website. Obviously the answers are a joke; but the questions were really asked!

Q: I have never seen it warm on Canadian TV, so how do the plants grow? (England)
A: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around and watch them die.

Q: Will I be able to see Polar Bears in the street? (USA)
A: Depends on how much you’ve been drinking

Q: I want to walk from Vancouver to Toronto-can I follow the Railroad tracks? (Sweden)
A: Sure, it’s only four thousand miles, take lots of water.

Q: Is it safe to run around in the bushes in Canada? (Sweden)
A: So it’s true what they say about Swedes.

Q: Are there any ATM’s (cash machines) in Canada? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax? (England)
A: What, did your last slave die?

Q: Can you give me some information about hippo racing in Canada? (USA)
A: A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe..Ca-na-da is that big country to your North…oh forget it. Sure, the hippo racing is every Tuesday night in Calgary. Come naked.

Q: Which direction is North in Canada? (USA)
A: Face south and then turn 180 degrees. Contact us when you get here and we’ll send the rest of the directions.

Q: Can I bring cutlery into Canada? (England)
A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.

Q: Can you send me the Vienna Boys’ Choir schedule? (USA)
A: Aus-tri-a is that quaint little country bordering Ger-man-y, which is…oh forget it. Sure, the Vienna Boys Choir plays every Tuesday night in Vancouver and in Calgary, straight after the hippo races. Come naked.

Q: Do you have perfume in Canada? (Germany)
A: No, WE don’t stink.

Q: I have developed a new product that is the fountain of youth. Where can I sell it in Canada? (USA)
A: Anywhere significant numbers of Americans gather.

Q: Can you tell me the regions in British Columbia where the female population is smaller than the male population? (Italy)
A: Yes, gay nightclubs..

Q: Do you celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada? (USA)
A: Only at Thanksgiving.

Q: Are there supermarkets in Toronto and is milk available all year round? (Germany)
A: No, we are a peaceful civilization of Vegan hunter/gatherers. Milk is illegal.

Q: I have a question about a famous animal in Canada, but I forget its name. It’s a kind of big horse with horns. (USA)
A: It’s called a Moose. They are tall and very violent, eating the brains of anyone walking close to them. You can scare them off by spraying yourself with human urine before you go out walking.

Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go? (USA)
A: Yes, but you will have to learn it first.

Web Results

We have started to track our web results. From November 6 – December 6 we received 887 visits to our web site. Now that makes the site worthwhile!

Upcoming Events

National Ground Water Association Expo, New Orleans
Dec-10-13, 2009
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
Contact: Inez Miller
Ph: 204-470-6447 Fax: 204-334-5239

Membership Changes:

Managing Director,
Bruce Ingimundson
new e.mail
managing-director@bcgwa.org

Well Drilling Contractor:

Aqua Pro Drilling Ltd.
new e.mail: aquaprodrillingltd@telus.net

Okanagan Kootenay Well Drilling Ltd.
R. R. #1, 6624 Sidley Mtn. Road
Bridesville, B. C. V0H 1B0
Rep: Dylan Kelly
Ph: 250-446-2195 Fax: 250-446-2194

Peters Well Drilling Pump Sales & Service
8508 Gibson Road
Chilliwack, B. C.
V2P 6H3

Professional & Technical:

Stantec
4370 Dominion Street, Suite 500
Burnaby, B. C. V5G 4L7
Rep: Peter Reid
Ph: 604-436-3014 Fax: 604-436-3752
e.mail: peter.reid@stantec.com
www.stantec.com

Associate Members:

Evans, Dan
821 Fairweather Road
Vernon, B. C. V1T 8T9

Moberg, Glenn
4130 Rainbow Drive
Prince George, B. C. V2M 3W4
Ph: 250-613-8018
e.mail: gm_50@msn.com

Morris, Dennis
Camosun College
2258 Stowood Road
Shawnigan lake, B.C. V0R 2W5
e.mail: denmorris@shaw.ca

Sargent, Nick
Golder Associates Ltd.
929 McGill Road
Kamloops, B. C. V2C 6E9

St Laurent, Dan
Wellmaster Pumps & Water Systems Ltd.
7983 Simpson Road
Saanichton, B.C. V8M 2H3
Ph: 250-652-1941

Speaker Biographies

Technical Talks (A)

Noel Philip, LHG

Well Construction Coordinator, Water Resources Program,
Washington State Department of Ecology

Noel S. Philip is a licensed hydrogeologist in Washington State currently serving the Department of Ecology as the Well Construction Coordinator in the seven counties comprising the Northwest Region. He has experience in the private sector, having consulted on large-scale cleanup remediation efforts in southern California. He studied geophysics and hydrogeology at University of Montana where he received his MS in Geology in 2003.

How to Drill A Ghost – In pursuit of a Well That “Isn’t There”
Strategies in drilling to maximize environmental protection and construct a zero-impact well, utilizing water well drilling best management practices and regulatory construction standards.

Rod Smith, P. Eng.

Senior Hydrogeologist
Schlumberger Water Services (Canada) Inc.

Rod Smith is a Senior Hydrogeologist with Schumberger Water Services (formerly Water Management Consultants). He has over 30 years of experience in groundwater projects, including water supply, slope stability, excavation dewatering, reservoir seepage and water quality. His experience includes mine sites, civil works, and environmental projects in Canada, USA and South America. He has experience in design, implementation and analysis of well tests with a particular focus on interpretation.

Practical Well Tests – Design and Evaluation
This presentation will focus on field-based methods to design, perform and interpret well tests to better understand and predict well performance. These will include surficial setting and drilling observations as well as conventional well tests.

Mike H. Mehmert, B.Sc.

NGWA Distinguished Lecturer
Dirrector of Sales and Marketing-Well Products
Johnson Screens

Mr. Mehmert’s career, spanning more than 38 years, has encompassed consulting, contracting, and manufacturing-almost entirely in the ground water industry. Mehmert was the project director and contributing author to the third edition of Groundwater & Wells. He served on the Colorado Water Well Contractors Board, the Mountain States Association Board, the NGWA Education Committee, the AWWA Project Advisory Committee, served on the Board of the American Ground Water Trust, and is the past chairman of the Well Screen Manufacturing Division of NGWA. His work has been published in the Water Well Journal, numerous technical bulletins, manuals, technical sales support documents, instructional public and private technical training, and education programs for Johnson Screens around the country.

You Drill a Hole – You Develop a Well
The objective of well development is to correct the negative effects of the drilling process and restore or improve the hydraulic properties at the borehole within the screen zone. We will examine what the negative drilling impacts are, what can cause them, what we can do about them, and the consequences when they are not addressed. Various development techniques will be presented, with the emphasis being on suitability of technique to completion design. We will discuss and attempt to answer the ever present question: “When is a well developed?” The lecture will address both low and high capacity well development issues.

Shelley Bayne, M.Sc.,P.Geo.

Senior Hydrogeologist
EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd.

Shelley Bayne is a senior hydrogeologist with EBA Engineering Consultants Ltd. in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, B. C. Her preferred practice areas focus on groundwater and surface water source protection, groundwater resource evaluation, water supply and hydrogeological impact assessment. She also has experience in evaluating well efficiencies and has contributed towards several well management and redevelopment programs for both municipal and private clients. In 2005, Ms. Bayne presented at the BCGWA-sponsored workshops to introduce the B. C. Groundwater Protection Regulation and currently sits on the Regional District of Nanaimo’s Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Committee. She strongly supports the efforts by the BCGWA to keep the B. C. groundwater industry strong and sustainable.

Presentation-
Either GWUDI Update or Field Techniques for Determining Optimal Well Screen Design.

Trade Talks (B)

Rick Cox

Based in Vancouver and Lower mainland. Certified CSO Safety Professional specializing in occupational health and safety related training programs. Rick spent 30 years with the Ministry of Highways in the field of Health and safety. He was then hired by the B. C. Safety Council for the past 5 years until they ceased operations. Rick has recently started his own company Rick Cox Safety Consulting.

Topic: Tailgate/Toolbox safety meetings…Preparing, Pinpointing, Personalizing, Picturizing, Prescribing, and Participating.

Bob Oliver

Regional Sales Manager – Cetco Drilling Products Group based in Upton, Wyoming. Bob is well known to the BCGWA having done talks in the past at our conventions. Bob is a technical specialist on Drilling fluids and grouts.

Topic: Bentonite Grout materials and their uses. Also test results of different manufacturers grout products.

Dr. Charles Landis

Technical Director, Halliburton Industrial Drilling Products-Houston, Texas
Presented by Talik Industrial Services Inc. Surrey, B. C.

Topic: Baroid Thermal grouts: Functionality and Performance

Allan Zdunich

Pinnacle Drilling Products Inc. – Burnaby, B. C.

Topic: Drilling Company and rig drilling costs focusing on Geothermal drilling also pertaining to water well drilling.

Luncheon Speaker

Linda Reid, MA Conflict Analysis and Management

In today’s age of project development there are various professionals that must work together to meet municipal, provincial and federal rules and regulations. These circumstances can create tensions, frustrations and conflict as different interests and perspectives overlap. Projects can stall because of differences and conflict not to mention government rules and environmental concerns.

As a Conflict Resolution Specialist, I work with various professionals to identify issues and encourage open communications so that greater understanding of other perspectives can be appreciated within the context of moving a project forward. Once communication and understanding is improved, relationship building, trust and respect for others working on a project follows. Ultimately all the pieces of a project must fit and work together. It is vital that all of those from a community level, technical, project development and government level, respectfully understand each others requirements to successfully work together in a collaborative way to move a project forward.

The Missing Dollars

Chippenham George worked for the Post Office and his job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses. One day just before Christmas, a letter landed on his desk simply addressed in shaky handwriting: ‘To God’. With no other clue on the envelope, George opened the letter and read:

Dear God,

I am a 93 year old widow living on the State pension. Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $200.00 in it, which was all the money I had in the world and no pension due until after Christmas. Next week is Christmas and I had invited two of my friends over for Christmas lunch. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with. I have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope. God; can you please help me?

Chippenham George was really touched, and being kind hearted, he put a copy of the letter up on the staff notice board at the main sorting office where he worked. The letter touched the other postmen and they all dug into their pockets and had a whip round. Between them they raised $175.00. Using an officially franked Post Office envelope, they sent the cash on to the old lady, and for the rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of the nice thing they had done.

Christmas came and went. A few days later, another letter simply addressed to ‘God’ landed in the Sorting Office. Many of the postmen gathered around while George opened the letter. It read,

Dear God,

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your generosity, I was able to provide a lovely luncheon for my friends. We had a very nice day, and I told my friends of your wonderful gift – in fact we haven’t gotten over it and even Father John, our parish priest, is beside himself with joy. By the way, there was $25.00 missing. I think it must have been those thieving fellows at the Post Office.

George could not help musing on Oscar Wilde’s quote: ‘A good deed never goes unpunished’.

Merry Christmas

From the B. C. Ground Water, we wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and all the best in the New Year. Enjoy your time with family and friends and please remember your local charities. Wishing all of you a successful 2010.

Report from the Ministry of Environment

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year! We hope that everyone is starting to get into the spirit of the season. We would like to take this opportunity to update you on what has been happening since the last newsletter.

Proposed Amendments to the Water Regulation and the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation
The Ministry of Environment is currently working on two legislative proposals of interest to the ground water industry. The first proposal would result in amendments to the Water Regulation that would allow authorized personnel (e.g., a qualified professional, a qualified well driller, or someone working under the supervision of either one) to withdraw water from streams or lakes for use in well drilling, well development, well rehabilitation, and well closure. The amendments would set limits on such matters as the volume of water that may be taken and the location and frequency of withdrawals. Other provisions would protect habitat and other water users. The second proposal would result in amendments to the Violation Ticket Administration and Fines Regulation (under the Offence Act) that would authorize conservation officers to issues tickets for offences relating to ground water and wells and would establish the corresponding fine amounts.

We will keep you updated on any changes to the above regulations and full details will be available on the Ministry’s ground water website (http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wsd/plan_protect_sustain/groundwater/).

WELLS Database Update

In November, Vancouver Island University provided funding for well record data entry for specific regions on Vancouver Island in order to assist with the Vancouver Island Vulnerability Mapping Project. As a result, approximately 276 well records were entered into the WELLS Database. These records are now available to the public through WELLS and the BC Water Resources Atlas.

The partnership between the Real Estate Foundation of BC and the BCGWA for spatially locating water well records continues. The contractor anticipates project completion by the summer of 2010.

Living Water Smart & Water Act Modernization (WAM)
The Ministry of Environment is doing business differently so British Columbia can be Living Water Smart.

As part of Living Water Smart, The Government’s vision and commitment to ensure our water stays healthy and secure, the Ministry is now reviewing options for modernising Water Laws. The existing Water Act was initially passed 100 years ago. The Province has changed dramatically since then and the impacts of climate change, our growing population and expanding economy mean that we need modern water laws to be Living Water Smart.

Reforms to our water laws will focus on:
• Protecting stream health
• Improving water governance
• Flexibility and efficiency in water allocation
• Regulating ground water

The Water Act modernisation process has begun and we want your help to get British Columbia Living Water Smart.

The Living Water Smart blog will provide regular updates on the modernization process and provide a forum for discussion on options and potential solutions. Early next year the Ministry plans to release a public discussion paper and hold a series of regional meetings with First Nations and stakeholders across British Columbia to complement the Blog forum.

Help us be Living Water Smart today - register now for email updates by contacting livingwatersmart@gov.bc.ca or watch our website (http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/) for information about our blog and how you can get involved.

We look forward to hearing your ideas and suggestions!

From The Living Water Smart Team.