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Inside: The Source The official magazine of the Ontario Ground Water Association

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FALL 2026

Our 2026 Distinguished Driller award winners Greg Smith, left, of Pontil Drilling Services of Mount Albert, Ont., and Loren Braun of Paddock Drilling Ltd. of Brandon, Man., are our newest Distinguished Driller award recipients.

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FALL 2026 Vol. 52, No. 4 Annex Business Media P.O. Box 530, Simcoe, Ontario N3Y 4N5 (800) 265-2827 or (519) 429-3966 Fax: (519) 429-3094 Reader Service Print and digital subscription inquiries or changes, please contact Customer Service Administrator | Angelita Potal Tel: (416) 510-5113 | Fax: (416) 510-6875 apotal@annexbusinessmedia.com Mail: 111 Gordon Baker Rd., Suite 400, Toronto, ON M2H 3R1 Editor | Mike Jiggens mjiggens@annexbusinessmedia.com (519) 429-5184 Advertising Manager | Sharon Kauk skauk@annexbusinessmedia.com (519) 429-5189 Account Coordinator | Kathryn Nyenhuis knyenhuis@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-6753 Audience Development Manager | Shawn Arul sarul@annexbusinessmedia.com (416) 510-5181 Media Designer | Alison Keba akeba@annexbusinessmedia.com Group Publisher & VP, Content Strategy | Michelle Bertholet mbertholet@annexbusinessmedia.com CEO | Scott Jamieson sjamieson@annexbusinessmedia.com Publication Mail Agreement #40065710. Printed in Canada, All rights reserved. ISSN 0383-7920 Subscription Rates Canada - 1 Year $22.28 U.S.A. - 1 Year $63.65 CAD Annex Privacy Officer: Privacy@annexbusinessmedia.com Tel: 800-668-2374 Occasionally, Ground Water Canada will mail information on behalf of industry-related groups whose products and services we believe may be of interest to you. If you prefer not to receive this information, please contact our circulation department in any of the four ways listed above. No part of the editorial content of this publication may be reprinted without the publisher’s written permission © 2026 Annex Business Media. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the publisher. No liability is assumed for errors or omissions. All advertising is subject to the publisher’s approval. Such approval does not imply any endorsement of the products or services advertised. Publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising that does not meet the standards of the publication.

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Departments

4 6

EDITORIAL A pleasing site visit by Mike Jiggens

INDUSTRY NEWS

32 WATER EDUCATION

Features

THESE DRILLERS ARE ‘DISTINGUISHED’ Greg Smith and Loren Braun are Ground Water Canada’s ‘Distinguished Driller’ award winners for 2026

16 THE SOURCE

News and views from the OGWA

24 DRILLING DEEPER

How to protect your paycheque, your crew and your future

28 SPEAKING UP

FOR THEIR WATER Community groups in Quebec want their groundwater reserves properly assessed and protected

ON THE WEB: Prince Albert council told options to resolve city’s discoloured drinking water are limited The city has limited options to resolve its drinking water woes, council has been informed. High turbidity levels in the North Saskatchewan River is largely attributed to the discolouration of water coming from residents’ taps. PANow report Quebec drilling equipment supplier wins 2026 NGWA equipment design award Simon Massé of Saint-Samuel, Que.-based Nordic Drill is the winner of the National Ground Water Association’s 2026 equipment design award. NGWA report

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FALL 2026 | GROUND WATER CANADA 3

EDITORIAL

A pleasing site visit Tour of drilling company’s home base was enjoyable and informative

f you’ve flipped ahead to page 8 of this issue, you’ll see that Ground Water Canada is honouring two individuals as our 2026 Distinguished Driller award winners. We’re pleased to recognize Loren Braun of Paddock Drilling in Brandon, Man. and Greg Smith of Pontil Drilling Services of Mount Albert, Ont. I had the pleasure of speaking with both individuals in August. Realizing that Pontil was headquartered in Mount Albert – a short distance by Mike Jiggens away from where I would be vacationing during the next couple of weeks following our online meeting – I thought maybe I could make a side trip there and take a photograph of Greg for the cover of this issue. Unfortunately, he was taking a vacation of his own that coincided with mine and he wouldn’t be available. Nevertheless, he graciously invited me to pop by Pontil’s facilities for a tour of the business and to get a better scope of the operation. As a rule, I prefer not to “work” while on vacation, It was clear that Pontil’s but since I was going to be in the neighbourhood, I thought employees were happy perhaps a diversion for an hour or so could prove educational. It to be working for this would also be my first-ever visit to a drilling company’s home company base. My tour guide was Paulo Santos, Pontil’s director of operations. He showed me virtually every square inch of the company’s facilities, from the yard where Pontil’s rigs were parked to the staff lunchroom, and everywhere in between. Needless to say, Pontil is a healthy-sized operation, employing 35 people. Interestingly, I learned Paulo and I set out on our professional lives on the exact same path. He, too, is a journalism school graduate, albeit one who completed his studies two decades after I finished mine. We swapped war stories of our 4 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

Paulo Santos, director of operations at Pontil Drilling.

early experiences on the job, including our ordeals of getting by on our respective meagre entry-level paycheques. That was the impetus, as it turned out, to convince Paulo that a career change might be in his best interests. I had the privilege of meeting other Pontil staff, including the company’s chief mechanic who was in the midst of fabricating a vital component. I could sense that Pontil was a well-organized operation and a major player in the industry. Based on my interview with Greg and my site visit with Paulo, it was clear that Pontil’s employees were happy to be working for this company. Greg had previously mentioned that his staff repeatedly “show up” and “work hard.” Congratulations to Greg and Loren for the important contributions you’ve made to the water well drilling industry. Your recognition as our 2026 Distinguished Driller award winners is well deserved. groundwatercanada

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NEXT ISSUE: The next issue of Ground Water Canada will recognize the 75th anniversary of the Ontario Ground Water Association.

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INDUSTRY NEWS The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), in collaboration with the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), have announced a new industrial research chair for the in situ treatment of soil and groundwater contaminated by persistent and emerging pollutants. The initiative, launched with the support of TechnoRem, a subsidiary of ABS, aims to address one of Québec’s most pressing environmental challenges: the sustainable remediation of contaminated sites. Contaminated soil and groundwater have been deemed a considerable environmental liability for Québec. Municipalities, government agencies, and developers must contend with complex contamination issues, emerging pollutants, and limited – particularly financial – resources. In situ treatment technologies, which allow decontamination to proceed directly on site, offer an ecological, cost effective, and context appropriate solution. Under the leadership of INRS Professor Richard Martel, a recognized expert in hydrogeology, the chair’s team will develop new knowledge and strategies to improve in situ treatment methods and identify new applications. “In today’s environmental context, in situ decontamination of soil and groundwater is critically important,” he said. “The easiest sites to decontaminate are already being treated, but persistent contaminants – buried deep underground or located beneath infrastructure – are stubbornly hard to get at and remove. With this chair, we aim to address Québec’s needs by working with industry to develop innovative and sustainable approaches capable of treating these pollutants directly at the source.” The research chair will receive $3.5 million in funding from MELCCFP and ABS TechnoRem over the next five years. The chair brings together professors, engineers, and field specialists around a common goal: accelerating the development of workable and effective in situ decontamination solutions adapted to Québec’s realities. At INRS’s Centre Eau Terre Environnement, a multidisciplinary team will leverage its expertise in site remediation, environmental biotechnology, industrial bioprocesses, modelling, and engineering in collaboration with other universities, including Polytechnique Montréal and UQAT (Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue). The partnership with TechnoRem adds vital operational expertise to test and validate new solutions under real world conditions 6 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

and support their transfer to end users. “In situ decontamination is essential for rehabilitating polluted sites and ensuring they can be used safely,” Jean-Marc Lauzon, principal director with ABS-TechnoRem, said. “For over 35 years, our commitment has been to improve quality of life for Quebecers. This new chair is a reflection of our pride and our drive to innovate. With the vision and expertise of our partners, we will strengthen Québec’s leadership in remediation solutions and continue to develop cutting edge approaches to meet tomorrow’s challenges.” Research activities will follow a complete development pathway: laboratory research, intermediate scale testing in 2D and 3D sand tanks, and then pilot scale field trials. The chair is committed to driving innovation in in situ treatment.

TACKLING THE MOST WORRISOME CONTAMINANTS The research will focus on substances of particular concern, including per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), petroleum hydrocarbons, dioxins, furans, perchlorates, brominated flame retardants, plasticizers, and selected pharmaceutical products. These contaminants enter the environment following accidental spills or as a result of earlier industrial practices. They are persistent and toxic to human health and ecosystems and require treatment methods adapted to Québec’s colder climate and the remoteness of some of its treatment sites.

BIG BENEFITS FOR QUÉBEC Treating contaminants directly at the source will sustainably reduce Québec’s environmental liability while avoiding offloading the problem to landfill sites. Less excavation and transportation of contaminated soil will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and related nuisances. Local communities will enjoy reduced exposure risk without need for relocation and with no disruption to surface activities. Economically, the chair will contribute to the development of a Québec in situ treatment industry while fostering innovation and creating specialized jobs, particularly in remote regions. INRS will also play a central role in training the next generation of scientists to meet the growing need for sustainable decontamination. The chair is aligned with the MELCCFP’s 2023-2029 Action Plan, which seeks to foster innovation and sustainable rehabilitation methods.

PHOTO CREDIT: © ILLUST-MONSTER / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

RESEARCH PROJECT TO REMEDIATE QUEBEC’S GROUNDWATER AND SOIL

INDUSTRY NEWS FIRM SELECTED TO HELP PROTECT TORONTO’S WATERWAYS DURING WET WEATHER

PHOTO CREDIT: © REDTEA / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS

Design and engineering firm Stantec has been selected by the City of Toronto to provide design and construction administration services for the city’s new High Rate Treatment Facility (HRTF). The project will help reduce combined sewer overflows and improve water quality in the Lower Don River, TaylorMassey Creek, and along Toronto’s Inner Harbour. The facility, to be located on the new landform at the Ashbridges Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, will be a key component of Toronto’s broader wet weather flow management program. Known as the Don River and Central Waterfront Wet Weather Flow System, the program is the largest and most significant wet weather flow management program in the city’s history. The HRTF will be one of the final pieces of the puzzle, helping Toronto achieve the environmental protection benefits of the broader program. The 600-million-litre-per-day treatment plant will provide primary treatment for excess flows captured during wet weather events. The project builds on a network of tunnels and infrastructure that manages combined sewage and stormwater flows across Toronto. Once complete, the facility will play a vital role in reducing combined sewer overflows during wet weather events, helping to protect the environment, support recreation, and improve the health of the city’s waterways. “Toronto is making an important investment in protecting its waterways and preparing its infrastructure for the future,” Jeff Berg, vice-president and project manager at Stantec, said. “We’re pleased to work with the city to provide a solution that enhances water quality, safeguards public health, and strengthens climate change resilience.” Stantec will work with the city and construction team through a collaborative delivery model, the construction manager at risk method, which brings the construction manager into the project early to provide input on design, constructability, scheduling, and cost management. The work is currently in the design and engineering phase, with construction scheduled to be completed in 2036.

QUEBEC DRILLING SUPPLIER WINS NGWA AWARD Simon Massé of Saint-Samuel, Que.-based Nordic Drill is the winner of the National Ground Water Association’s 2026 equipment design award. The award will be formally presented in December during the association’s Groundwater Week gathering in Las Vegas. Nordic Drill, a drilling equipment supplier, was born of a water well drilling company that uses dual rotary technology daily. Massé and Nordic Drill were the lone Canadian recipients among the NGWA’s award winners. Awards of excellence, sectional awards and outstanding groundwater project awards were also recognized.

PM SPEAKS OF CLEAN DRINKING WATER’S IMPORTANCE ON NATIONAL INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY Prime Minister Mark Carney included the importance of clean drinking water access during his address about National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21. His remarks come after the announcement of the First Nations Clean Water Act “Through the Spring Economic Update 2026, we announced more than $4 billion to improve access to health care, culturally relevant education, and nutritious food in Indigenous communities, and over $4.6 billion to protect clean drinking water in First Nations communities across Canada,” he said. “We are also moving forward on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ Calls for Justice, and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. “Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of Canada’s lands and waters since time immemorial, mapping this continent thousands of years before the Europeans arrived. After generations of laws, policies, and institutions that tried to suppress and marginalise Indigenous Peoples, today, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis are shaping their own futures, and therefore Canada’s future.” Carney noted the day is a celebration of the resilience of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. “We continue to build a better future in partnership – a future where First Nations, Inuit, and Métis children grow up connected to the cultures, languages, and traditions of their ancestors and with access to the full promise of Canada; a Canada where truth leads to reconciliation; where all Canadians learn from our past to build a better country, together.”

FALL 2026 | GROUND WATER CANADA 7

PROFILE

THESE DRILLERS ARE ‘DISTINGUISHED’ Greg Smith and Loren Braun, drillers from Ontario and Manitoba, respectively, are Ground Water Canada’s 2026 ‘Distinguished Driller’ award winners

pair of veteran water well drillers have been honoured by Ground Water Canada as the 2026 recipients of the publication’s annual “Distinguished Driller” award winners. Greg Smith, owner of Pontil Drilling in Mount Albert, Ont. and Constable Water Wells in nearby Bradford, and Loren Braun, longtime driller for Paddock Drilling in Brandon, Man., have been recognized for their experience, work ethic, business acumen and leadership skills. Smith is the third Distinguished Driller award recipient from Ontario while Braun is the first from Manitoba to be honoured. by MIKE JIGGENS

GREG SMITH Greg Smith is a graduate of the drilling and blasting and heavy equipment technician programs at Lindsay, Ont.’s Fleming College and started his drilling journey in the summer of 1995 through a co-op placement with a geotechnical drilling company. Upon his college graduation, he gained further experience in Australia before returning to Canada to work in the geotechnical environment in Ontario and doing consultant work. His global travels also took him to Botswana, where he taught welding, carpentry and electrical skills for four months at a local trade school. In 2007, Smith founded Pontil Drilling – a geotechnical and environmental drilling company – and purchased his first drill rig. Beginning with only a helper, he built his business over the years to 35 employees, guiding it to become Ontario’s largest geotechnical company. Additionally, he purchased Bradford, Ont.-based Constable Water Wells five years ago when its owners retired. The acquisition’s timing proved fruitful as Pontil had been fielding several calls, asking if it

8 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

drilled water wells. Constable employs five people. Smith said he’s been able to leverage Pontil into the water well industry. “We’re trying to expand into the water well world,” he said. “It’s a very competitive market, and we’re competing against a lot of legacy employers.” Smith has built a young, functional team using Pontil’s resources for expansion. He said a skills shortage currently exists in water well drilling, “and I feel giving my younger drillers that are with me at Pontil into that space and learning those skills from the older generation is very critical so that we can utilize that skill knowledge and competently do wells into the future.” He acknowledged the water well industry isn’t youth-dominated, but he has a strategy to help its future advancement. “I’m trying to get that next generation set up and at least learning that skill so that we can make a big impact into the future.” When looking to hire new employees, Smith said it’s advantageous to find candidates with drilling and mechanical experience, “but a lot of the time

PHOTO CREDIT: GREG SMITH

Greg Smith is owner of Pontil Drilling in Mount Albert, Ont.

I’m just looking for someone who’s nice, works well with others, and is willing to show up and do quality work every day. Everything else, we can teach them. It’s very hard to be able to train someone to be nice to others.” The company’s services are largely contained to Ontario with a rise in work being done in the province’s northern regions. Among Pontil’s more notable projects was work done with the expansion of Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport. Smith said he has seen significant changes in the industry – most for the better – over his three decades in drilling. During his early years in drilling, the job

was physically demanding, but greater attention to health and safety has helped to reduce drilling’s labour intensity. “It isn’t the best for the long-term health for most people, but we’re now starting to see ways to making the job easier. It’s still a hard job. There’s no two ways about it.” The methodology of drilling has also improved over the years, he said. “We used to do a lot of auger drilling, and now almost two-thirds of our footage is fluid-based.” Smith said he suspects the next drill rig he purchases could be remote controlled which would allow the driller to be positioned a safe distance away. With such

automation, “you’re not beating up your body as much as we once did.” The future of the drilling industry looks good, he said. “I think we have a great potential to get new people into this industry. It’s promoting the industry and being proud of what we do.” Being selected as a Distinguished Driller award recipient isn’t the only accolade Smith and Pontil earned this year. The Ohio-based National Drilling Association has bestowed its NDA Safety Award to Pontil in recognition of its commitment to workplace safety and excellence within the drilling industry. The award was presented in September at Drill Expo 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. FALL 2026 | GROUND WATER CANADA 9

PHOTO CREDIT: LOREN BRAUN

PROFILE

LOREN BRAUN

Loren Braun of Paddock Drilling has been drilling “off and on” for 40 years.

Loren Braun has worked “off and on” in drilling for 40 years and was honoured last year by his employer, Paddock Drilling, for 20 years of service. During some of his years of service, he has worked part-time in addition to agricultural work. He was an employee at Esso when he first began work in the water well drilling industry. At the time, Paddock’s regular employees were laid off during the winter months. “When we weren’t busy at Esso during the wintertime, I would go and drill wells with them,” Braun said. He said he liked working outdoors and enjoyed seeing other parts of Manitoba. His training came on the job from former company owner Lyle Paddock. Most of Paddock Drilling’s work is done in southern Manitoba with some projects taking crews to Winnipeg and to the Saskatchewan municipalities of Prince Albert and Coronach. The company’s further travels are generally for commercial well projects while most domestic wells are drilled more locally. Braun said the challenges in drilling depend on the location in Manitoba. “Some places, there’s not much rocks, and some places, there’s quite a bit of rocks. We have a bucket that will cut into rock. It doesn’t cure all of the problems, but it has worked well.” Paddock drills 40-inch holes and installs

30-inch casings. Before a well is drilled, the soil is read and a five-inch test hole is drilled with augers. This determines if there is adequate sand and gravel to provide the water the customer requires for agricultural purposes. Braun said he has drilled for several agricultural projects, including potato irrigation wells, over the past 15 years. “There’s a special aquifer here in our area which produces tons of water.” Drilling larger-diameter holes involves the movement of more dirt which costs more money, but Braun said there is a place for both larger-diameter wells and those that are five-inch. “They both have a place in our province.” Some five-inch holes will be drilled 200 feet deep. Paddock will drill up to 120 feet with its large-diameter drills. Braun said five-inch wells are cheaper to drill, but storage capacity is an advantage with larger-diameter wells. “If the water only comes in at a gallon a minute, and you have 20 feet of stored water, that, by far, beats a five-inch well that only produces a gallon a minute and has no storage capacity.” Several changes in government regulations have come about over the years, Braun said, noting some are good while others “make it harder for us to

10 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

do our job.” Licensed well drillers in Manitoba are responsible for filling out drilling reports and sending them into the provincial government. Drilling companies can look online to assess the water table in any given area. “Then, we’ll have a good idea of how much water we can expect out of a hole and to what depth we have to drill.” A new rig purchased by Paddock in 2012 has given the company more options. In recent years, the company has enhanced its safety protocols which has eliminated the risk of collapsed wells. Braun said customers had requested their wells to be deepened, but, on such occasions, the wells often collapsed. He said it was determined that starting a new project was a better option than deepening an existing well. At Paddock, the aim is for crews to work no longer than a 10-hour day when possible. “With our type of well, once we start it, we have to finish it.” If days are longer than anticipated, workers will be given time off accordingly. Braun noted water well drilling isn’t a one-man show, adding three to four workers form a crew. “It takes a crew to drill a well, not just one person. It also takes a good mechanic – which we have – to help maintain the equipment.”

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DRILLING

DRILLING PREP

What to prepare before, during and after a drilling project

t face value, well drilling projects sound as simple as showing up and digging a deep hole in the ground. But it’s important to learn more about how to drill a water well because it isn’t just setting up the rig. In fact, drill site preparation starts before the team arrives at the jobsite, and details continue to adjust throughout the project. So, where should a water well drilling team start? Make sure to have all the required tools to help ensure a water well drilling project runs smoothly. It helps to have a mobilization checklist with an overview of the items that might be needed throughout the drilling process. A checklist is a great resource when preparing for a project and deciding what to take to a drilling site. Some manufacturers offer a comprehensive kit with basic necessities to keep a water well project running smoothly. This kit can include: • four-inch casing flush tool • four-inch casting slips • quarter-inch hollow braid rope • hoist bracket bailer tripod assemblies • PVC bailer • hard hats • A toolbox – pipe joint compound, grease gun, wrenches, nuts and bolts Once all the tools have been gathered, it’s time to set up a detailed logbook to record information about the drilling process. A drilling logbook allows the team to record the location of the jobsite, weather conditions, soil conditions and more. The presence of a logbook on-site reminds the drilling team to pay attention to soil conditions and drilling mud throughout the process. Failure to pay attention to these aspects of the project can lead to borehole collapse, which often requires a new borehole to 12 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

The first responsibility the team has at the jobsite is to set up the water well drilling area. Once the site is marked, find dry, even ground to set up the tools and equipment.

PHOTO CREDIT: LONE STAR DRILLS

BEFORE THE PROJECT

by JOE HAYNES

be started. When the team arrives at the jobsite, record the borehole location as well as a description of the soil. The drilling team will use this document to track how long the rig is drilling, what changes are seen in both the soil and the cuttings, and to note changes in the soil. The drilling log prepares crews to adjust the drilling mud and recognize when an aquifer has been tapped. Setting this up before the process starts means the crew will be prepared to document the project and make adjustments during drilling.

AT THE JOBSITE The first responsibility the team has at the jobsite is to set up the water well drilling area. Rope off the area with enough room for the crew to easily move around the drill. This keeps the area clearly marked and prevents onlookers from getting too close to the drill rig while digging is in progress. Once the site is marked, it’s time to unload. Find dry, even ground to set up the tools and equipment. If a crew is using a mud rotary drill, they should position four 55-gallon drums near the drill site and fill each with water. This

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DRILLING Some manufacturers offer a comprehensive kit with basic necessities to keep a water well project running smoothly.

PHOTO CREDIT: LONE STAR DRILLS

is where they will mix the drilling mud (bentonite or polymer) and fill the pits. Five feet away from the drums, dig two pits: one settling pit and one suction pit. These pits are essential in keeping mud clean and collecting the cuttings created throughout the drilling process. The pits should be large enough to hold three times the volume of the borehole that will be drilled. If the soil is sandy, these pits might need to be lined with plastic to protect the water from sand contamination and from soaking into the ground. Then, dig a six-inch-deep channel from the well guide hole to the first pit. Once that’s ready, it’s time to set up the drill. Refer to the operator’s manual for instructions for each drill model.

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT PROJECT Site preparation and organization is easier if equipment is well maintained. First, keep an eye on grease points to make sure everything is well lubricated and continues running smoothly. Refer to the operator’s

manual and follow recommendations for greasing and other maintenance steps. This will help in the long run by preparing equipment for the next project. Contact the drill manufacturer with any

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: STAND TALL. DO IT RIGHT. I want to talk to our members – and to every groundwater professional working across Ontario – about something that is critical to the future of our industry: Take pride in what you do. There is work in Ontario. There is opportunity. We have wells to drill, service and abandon, water systems to maintain, customers to educate and groundwater resources to protect. For the most part, our industry is steady and peaceful. We are not facing a drought or a shortage of work. So, what are we waiting for? It is time for us to stand tall in our profession. There is a difference between being nice and doing the job right. As contractors and groundwater professionals, we want to be accommodating. We want to be competitive, and we want to win the job. But sometimes being “nice” means saying yes when the correct answer is no, lowering a price because we are afraid of losing the work, or compromising on something we know should be done properly. That might make the customer happy today, but it may not do the well owner any favours tomorrow. When we compromise on proper construction, materials, testing, sealing, disinfection, records or other professional practices, we can create problems that someone else will eventually have to fix. More importantly, we risk affecting the quality of our wells and the protection of Ontario’s groundwater resources. Do the job right – even when it isn’t the easiest answer. Stand behind your quote. Explain why the work needs to be done. Don’t apologize for charging what it costs to do the job properly. Your equipment costs money. Your 1

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Speak up when something isn’t right. Explain your recommendations. Challenge assumptions that don’t match what you are seeing in the field. We are the experts in the field. Act like it. Never be swayed by emotions.

OGWA IS MOVING – AND WE NEED YOU WITH US

KYLE SMITH, President employees cost money. Training, insurance, fuel and experience all have value. And let’s be blunt – price and conduct your work like the professionals you are. We cannot complain that our industry isn’t valued while simultaneously undervaluing ourselves. We are the Experts Groundwater consulting has also changed. We are seeing new consulting engineers and technicians enter the field with limited practical experience in well construction and field conditions. Some have not had the opportunity for hands-on training and may need to take information back to a senior engineer before decisions can be made. This can mean more questions, more layers of review and longer timelines. This isn’t a criticism of consultants. Good consulting relationships are incredibly valuable. But it reinforces an important point: Our field experience has value. If you’ve spent 10, 20, 30 or 40 years working on the ground, you have knowledge that cannot be learned from a textbook. You know what works, what doesn’t and what it takes to build a good well in the real world. Own that expertise.

The same message applies to OGWA. The association is making some big moves to stay relevant, useful and exciting for our members. We are expanding our engagement opportunities, building our Continuing Education program with new courses and growing our partnership with Fleming College. We also have some great opportunities coming up. Our 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament is moving to Springfield Golf & Country Club on Sept. 25. It’s a great opportunity to get out of the office, connect with other members and support scholar-

INSIDE THE ISSUE

HEALTH AND SAFETY REPORT Updates for OGWA members

A NEW ONLINE HOME FOR OGWA What’s New on Our Website

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER A Year of Progress for OGWA

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2027

75 Years of Connection, Collaboration and Commitment

ships for the next generation. And then there is our 75th Anniversary. We are celebrating this milestone with a joint convention with the CWQA at the Brookstreet Hotel March 30 - April 2, 2027. It is a big moment for OGWA, and we want our members to be there. But here’s the catch: We need you to show up. We can build the courses, organize the events and create opportunities to connect – but an association is only as strong as the people who participate. Come to an event. Bring your employees. Take a course. Join a committee. Bring someone new into the industry. Tell us what you want to see. Get involved.

WHERE IS THE WORKFORCE?

And finally, we need to ask the big question: Where is everyone? We need new people entering groundwater. We need young people to see this as a skilled, technical and rewarding career. We need experienced professionals to mentor and teach the next generation. And we need to advocate for our industry so that governments, educators and workforce organizations understand the important work we do. We protect one of Ontario’s most important natural resources. We provide safe and reliable water to thousands of Ontarians. We work across geology, drilling, construction, engineering, environmental protection and skilled trades. This is a profession worth being proud of. So, stand tall. Take pride in your company, your trade and your people. Know your value. Price your work accordingly. And when you’re faced with the choice between doing what is easy and doing what is right, remember what is at stake. Don’t just be nice. Be professional. Be confident. Be accountable. Do it right. And while you’re at it, show up. Even if you’re reading this from the cottage with a coffee in one hand and a fishing rod in the other, don’t disappear on us for too long. Things are getting exciting. Let’s keep the momentum going. I’ll see you out there.

HEALTH & SAFETY REPORT 1) If there is a possibility that a hard hat can become dislodged, chin straps or some other form of securing a hard hat must be in place. This comes into effect on July 1, 2027. See Ontario Regulation 112/26: S.1(3) It shall be manufactured in accordance with and meet the design, performance and test requirements of Type 2 protective headwear in the CSA Standard Z94.1, Industrial protective headwear – Performance, selection, care and use or Type II protective headwear in the ANSI Z89.1 Standard, American National Standard for Industrial Head Protection. (5) If the conditions on a project may cause protective headwear worn by a worker to dislodge, a chin strap or other retention system shall be used to prevent dislodgement. 2) WSIB has decided to withdraw the Second Injury Enhancement Fund aka SIEF. This is a detriment to employers’ premiums and I am writing to the Premier, Minister and the WSIB President to argue that this was not an appropriate decision for them to make. I am not the only person engaged in this battle. Please wish us luck! 3) On another note, and I need to be very clear about this: if you have a workplace injury, you ‘should’ be covered by the WSIB. In order to be paid by the WSIB, you must pay the WSIB premiums. If you do not pay WSIB premiums, you will not receive monies. It is the law in Ontario that if you (the employer) hire someone, you must pay premiums! There are other caveats, but I won’t be getting into that here. Now. If your WSIB premium payments lapse, you cannot get money from the WSIB. There are other forms of insurance available to you, for example, disability and critical illness insurance: Disability insurance replaces a portion of your monthly income if you cannot work due to an injury or illness, while critical illness insurance provides a one-time, lumpsum cash payment if you are diagnosed with a specific severe medical condition. Both are “living benefits” designed to protect you financially while you are alive, but they trigger under different circumstances and pay out differently. Disability insurance acts as a safety net for your pay cheque. If a physical or mental health issue prevents you from performing your job duties, this policy helps you cover recurring lifestyle expenses like your mortgage, groceries and utilities. Critical illness insurance is designed to ease that immediate financial shock following a major health diagnosis. This payout is triggered strictly by the diagnosis of a specified illness, regardless of whether you miss work or make a full recovery. Relying on just one insurance type can leave financial gaps. If you have a heart attack, Critical Illness provides immediate cash to pay for experimental drugs or sudden lifestyle modifications. Concurrently, Disability Insurance steps in to pay your regular bills month after a month while you take the necessary time off work to heal. One never knows when things will go wrong. Be prepared by paying your WSIB premiums or having paid insurance in place. Without these, you will not receive any monies, and this is an additional heavy blow to those who have experienced an injury or illness! 4) The WSIB Excellence program is still here, offering Rebates to members who participate. If you are interested in getting a) up to double your annual premiums back OR b) $2,000 per topic, up to 5 topics (yes, that’s $10,000) then please contact me! Each business will now receive $1,000 to offset provider fees in addition to the Rebates! If you have any questions on any of this, please just give me a call at 905-741-5001 or email me at info@safetyworksconsulting.com. I wish you all a successful Fall!

ELLALINE (ELLA) DAVIES

President, Safety Works Consulting Inc

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A NEW ONLINE HOME FOR OGWA What’s New on Our Website If you’ve visited the OGWA website recently, you may have noticed a appreciate your patience as we fine-tune the new platform and make few changes. We’re excited to introduce our new website and sure it works as well as possible for our members. member portal, powered by Membee. The new platform gives Most importantly, we want to hear from you. If you have a question, members more ways to manage their information, stay connected notice something that isn’t working as expected, have feedback about and make the most of their OGWA membership! your experience, or have an idea that could make the website or member One of the biggest changes is the way members can manage their portal better, please reach out. Your feedback will help us continue to online presence. Companies and organizations now have greater improve the online experience for the entire OGWA community. control over how they appear in the OGWA Membership Directory. Take a look around, update your profile and explore what’s new at Through the member portal, members can log in and update their ogwa.ca! We’re excited to have the new platform in place and look profile directly, including company information, services and other forward to continuing to improve it with your feedback. details they want prospective clients and industry peers to see. The directory is designed to be a useful resource for connecting people with the companies and professionals working across Ontario’s groundwater industry, and members now have more flexibility to make their profile their own. The new portal also provides members with a place to Visit owga.ca manage important membership information and documents. Members who would like their CEC certificates stored on their membership profile will need to upload those certificates themselves through their membership portal. If you require copies of previous certificates or need assistance accessing your records, please contact the OGWA office at admin@ogwa.ca. As with any new system, we’re continuing to work through a few bugs and make improvements along the way. We

OGWA BOARD AND STAFF OFFICERS • Kyle Smith – President • Stephen Bleizeffer – Vice-President • Boyd Pendleton – Treasurer • Matt Wilson – Secretary • Dwayne Graff – Past President BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephen Bleizeffer BrokerLink Phone: 519-579-3330 ext. 3689 Fax: 519-579-1151 Email: sbleizeffer@brokerlink.ca Tecia White My Water Quality Phone: 705-888-7064 Email: info@mywaterquality.ca Curtis Bullock Eades Well Drilling Inc. Phone: 705-934-1317 Email: curtisbullock@outlook.com Ian Gawel Desjardins Financial Security Independent Network Phone: 647-285-1390 Fax: 416-695-1713 Email: ian.gawel@dfsin.ca

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Dwayne Graff Well Initiatives Ltd. Phone: 519-846-8289 Fax: 519-846-8281 Email: dgraff@wellinitiatives.com Bruce Hietkamp, P.Geo. Geo Kamp Limited Phone: 905-825-8007 Fax: 905-825-9006 Email: geokamp@geokamp.com Shawn Hopper SD Hopper Drilling Phone: 519-271-7860 Email: shawn@hopperwells.ca Greg Smith Pontil Drilling Services Inc. Phone: 289-338-1838 Email: greg.smith@pontildrilling.com Todd Ferguson Splash Well Drilling Phone: 613-925-4885 Email: splashwelldrilling1987@yahoo.ca Boyd Pendleton Lotowater Technical Services Inc. Phone: 519-442-2086 Email: boydp@lotowater.com

Rick Pettit Rideau Supply Phone: 519-274-0281 Email: rpettit@rideausupply.com Kyle Smith Aardvark Drilling Inc. Phone: 613-296-8779 Fax: 613-317-1194 Email: ksmith@aardvarkdrillinginc.com Mike Steffen Steffen Well Drilling Phone: 519-531-0355 Email: ex9191@gmail.com Matthew D. Wilson J.B. Wilson & Son Well Drilling Ltd. Phone: 519-269-3364 Fax: 519-269-3552 Email: mwilson@ogwa.ca Bryan Watson G. Hart & Sons Well Drilling Ltd. Phone: 705-887-3331 Fax: 705-887-4788 Email: bryan@ghart.ca STAFF Trish Luty General Manager Phone: 519-245-7194 ext. 1 Email: trish@ogwa.ca Karina Pakalnis Administrative Assistant Phone: 519-245-7194 ext. 3 Email: karina@ogwa.ca | admin@ogwa.ca

Moving Forward Together: A Year of Progress for OGWA and Ontario’s Groundwater Community The Ontario Ground Water Association has experienced one of its most productive years to date. What makes this year particularly meaningful is not simply the number of initiatives underway, but the growing sense of connection behind them. Across advocacy, member engagement, education, and industry collaboration, OGWA is continuing to build an association that is active, responsive, and firmly connected to the people and professionals who make up Ontario’s groundwater community. At the heart of that progress is a strengthened focus on advocacy. OGWA continues to engage with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks on the future of the groundwater industry, the regulations that govern it, and the relationship between regulatory requirements and the realities of modern practice. OGWA is in contact with the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) about the future of the groundwater industry, the regulations that bind it, and how real-world techniques and modern standards meet in regulations. These conversations matter. Regulations are most effective when they are informed not only by policy, but also by the experience of the people working within the industry every day. OGWA’s role is to bring that experience forward, advocate for the profession, and contribute to conversations that support both responsible groundwater management and practical, modern standards. At the same time, we are putting renewed emphasis on something that is equally important: bringing people together. The launch of OGWA’s Professional Engagement Events, beginning with our first event on May 14, reflects that commitment. Designed for both members and non-members, these events create opportunities for professionals across groundwater, drilling, consulting, geotechnical work, and related fields to meet in person, exchange ideas, and build relationships in a more relaxed setting. There is real value in those conversations. Some of the most meaningful professional connections begin informally, through a conversation over dinner, a shared experience, or an introduction between people who might not otherwise have crossed paths. These events are intended to help create that

space and strengthen the sense of community that will be so important to the future of our industry. OGWA is also expanding its reach beyond the traditional boundaries of the association, building relationships with government and industry partners to bring new perspectives and expertise into these conversations. We are exploring opportunities to involve organizations such as the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario in future engagement initiatives, creating more opportunities for our members to connect directly with organizations whose work intersects with our industry. By bringing a wider range of voices into the room, we can encourage meaningful dialogue, create opportunities for questions and knowledge sharing, and continue positioning OGWA as a stronger, more connected voice for groundwater in Ontario. That same philosophy is guiding our approach to membership. Working with the Board, OGWA is exploring more ways to put our members in the spotlight by creating opportunities to showcase their businesses, services, expertise, projects, and accomplishments. Our membership represents an extraordinary depth of knowledge and experience, and we want to make sure there are more opportunities for that expertise to be seen, shared, and celebrated. Membership should be more than receiving information from an association. It should be about having a voice, being part of the conversation, and having opportunities to contribute to and benefit from a professional community. Education is another important part of that work. OGWA is continuing to look at

ways to strengthen educational opportunities for members and contractors while also helping the broader public better understand groundwater and its importance. Building knowledge within the profession is essential, but so, too, is building awareness outside of it. Groundwater may often be out of sight, but its importance is anything but hidden. We are also recognizing the value of working together beyond the boundaries of our own organization. OGWA continues to build relationships with other associations and industry partners, creating opportunities to share knowledge and present a stronger, more united voice across the broader water sector. The planned 2027 convention with the Canadian Water Quality Association is one example of this approach and reflects the value of bringing complementary areas of expertise together. Taken individually, each of these initiatives represents progress. Together, they reflect something larger: an OGWA that is becoming more engaged, more connected, and increasingly focused on creating meaningful value for its members and the groundwater industry as a whole. There is still much work ahead. Regulatory conversations will continue. Educational opportunities will grow. New ways of supporting and recognizing our members will emerge, and partnerships across the water sector will continue to develop. But that is what makes this moment so exciting. We are not simply looking back on a successful year. We are building on that momentum. The future of groundwater in Ontario will depend on knowledgeable professionals, responsible practices, effective regulation, informed communities, and meaningful collaboration. OGWA has an important role to play in each of those areas. Ultimately, our progress is about people. It is about the professionals who do the work, the members who contribute their knowledge and experience, the partners who share our goals, and the relationships that hold the industry together. This has been a year of meaningful growth for OGWA. More importantly, it has created a strong foundation for what comes next. And we are looking forward to building it together. theSOURCE

WHY ATTEND OGWA EVENTS? Building a Stronger Groundwater Community Across Ontario GET INVOLVED THIS FALL

OGWA Golf Tournament | September 25, 2026 The annual golf tournament is another opportunity to connect with colleagues, meet new industry contacts, and enjoy some time together outside the office. Whether you are on the course, sponsoring a hole, or supporting the event, your involvement helps bring our industry community together.

The groundwater industry is built on people. Behind every project, conversation, and solution are professionals sharing their experience, learning from one another, and working toward a common goal: a strong and sustainable industry. That is why engagement matters. OGWA events are more than opportunities to get together. They are a chance to step away from the day-to-day, meet people you may not otherwise cross paths with, exchange ideas, and strengthen the professional relationships that make our

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industry better. Whether you have been involved with OGWA for years or are attending your first event, there is value in being part of the conversation. A strong association depends on an engaged community. When professionals take the time to connect, share knowledge, support one another, and bring new perspectives to the table, everyone benefits. It creates opportunities for collaboration, encourages the exchange of ideas, and helps ensure that the next generation of groundwater professionals has a connected industry to grow into.

Coming This November | OGWA Professional Engagement Event Our Professional Engagement Event series will continue this November with another opportunity to bring professionals from across the industry together. The event will offer a relaxed setting to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and build relationships across groundwater, geotechnical, drilling, consulting, and related fields. More details about the November event will be shared soon. You do not have to attend every event or be involved in everything. Sometimes, engagement starts simply by showing up. Come for the conversation. Stay for the connections. Get involved in the community that supports our industry. We look forward to seeing you this fall!

LOOKING AHEAD TO 75 Years of Connection, Collaboration and Commitment

2027 will be a very special year for the Ontario Ground Water Association as we celebrate 75 years of serving Ontario’s groundwater industry. Since its beginnings in 1952, OGWA has brought together professionals from across the groundwater sector to share knowledge, support one another, build businesses and help advance the industry. Seventy-five years later, that spirit of connection and collaboration remains at the heart of the Association. And what better way to celebrate 75 years than by doing something a little different?

A NEW KIND OF CONVENTION

In 2027, OGWA will join the Canadian Water Quality Association (CWQA) for a joint convention in Ottawa. This will be more than a traditional OGWA convention – it will be an opportunity to bring two water-focused communities together and create a broader experience for everyone who attends. While the two associations will come together for shared keynote presentations, technical education, panels, networking and social events, there will still be plenty of programming specifically designed for the OGWA community. Attendees can expect a mix of joint and OGWA-focused programming, including technical and scientific sessions, manufacturer and supplier discussions, contractor-focused conversations, water treatment education and opportunities to explore issues affecting groundwater professionals today.

One of the highlights will be a “Well to Tap” panel discussion, bringing together different perspectives from across the water sector. There will also be opportunities to learn from industry experts, researchers and government representatives, while sharing ideas and experiences with colleagues. The convention will also put a greater emphasis on connection and interaction. With dedicated tradeshow time, networking receptions, workshops, round-table discussions and opportunities to connect with exhibitors, the goal is to make the event feel less like sitting in a room listening to presentations and more like being part of a conversation.

MORE THAN EDUCATION

We know that OGWA conventions have always been about more than earning CECs – and the 75th anniversary convention will be no different. The new format will create more opportunities to connect with colleagues from across Ontario and Canada, meet professionals outside of our traditional groundwater circles, discover new products and technologies, and build relationships that can continue long after the convention ends. For those bringing family or partners, a companion program is also being planned, giving everyone an opportunity to enjoy the Ottawa area while the technical programming is underway. And, of course, we will still make time to celebrate OGWA’s 75-year history.

The convention will culminate with the OGWA President’s Banquet, providing an opportunity to recognize the people, companies, volunteers and leaders who have helped shape the Association over the past 75 years – and to celebrate the future of our industry together.

LOOKING FORWARD WHILE HONOURING OUR PAST

Our 75th anniversary is an opportunity to recognize the many people who have contributed to OGWA over the years. From the members and volunteers who have given their time, to the industry partners, educators, leaders and professionals who have helped move groundwater forward, our history is built on the people who chose to get involved. But anniversaries aren’t only about looking back. They are also about asking what comes next? As OGWA looks toward the next 75 years, we are continuing to evolve how we connect with our members, deliver education, support the industry and create opportunities for people to get involved. The 2027 joint convention is one example of that evolution. It is an opportunity to step outside our traditional circles, bring new voices into the conversation and experience what can happen when people working across different areas of the water sector come together. We hope you’ll be part of it. theSOURCE

WELL, HERE’S THE THING… A NEW QUARTERLY FEATURE FROM OGWA – and we want you to help shape it! Let’s be honest: there’s a lot happening in Ontario’s groundwater industry. Regulations change. New technology shows up. Best practices evolve. Questions come up on the job site. And sometimes you hear something and think, “Wait… is that actually how this works?” That’s where Well, Here’s the Thing… comes in. We’re introducing a new quarterly feature in The Source designed to tackle the questions, issues, ideas and conversations that matter to Ontario’s groundwater professionals. The goal is simple: short, useful and relevant information without making you dig for it.

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WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

For our first issue, we’re turning the tables and asking you. What’s something you’ve always wondered about? • A field challenge you keep running into? • A new technology you’re curious about? • A regulation that needs some explaining? • Maybe you have a great field tip that others could benefit from. Maybe you’ve run into a situation that made you think, “There has to be a better way to do this.” Send it our way You don’t need to write an article or prepare anything formal. Just send us the question, topic or idea and we’ll do the digging.

Help us make this useful This feature is for you, so we want it to reflect what you actually want to know about – not what we think you should know about. What should OGWA be talking about? Send your questions, ideas, tips or topics to OGWA with “Well, Here’s the Thing” in the subject line. We’ll pick some of the best questions and turn them into future features of The Source. Because sometimes the best industry conversations start with a simple question: “Well, here’s the thing… what if?”

CELEBRATING DEBBIE STOJKOVIC By Anne Gammage

I first met Debbie Stojkovic in 2014, when Darren Juneau, then President of OGWA, and I were looking for someone to take on the association’s bookkeeping. We were looking for someone with not-for-profit accounting experience and an understanding of working with a Board of Directors. After narrowing the search down to two candidates, Debbie was the clear choice. All these years later, we are so grateful that she said yes. Debbie quickly became much more than an excellent Accounts Manager. She became an integral part of OGWA and someone we could always count on to step up, pitch in and figure things out – whatever the challenge happened to be. Over the years, Debbie and I navigated some pretty big changes together, including moving OGWA to a new online membership system and database that incorporated membership, billing and events. It was a learning curve for both of us, but Debbie embraced it. She had an incredible ability to learn new systems quickly while always keeping an eye on what was needed from an accounting perspective. And then there were the annual financial statements. Every year at the AGM, Debbie would stand in front of our members, staff and directors and confidently walk everyone through the numbers. What most people didn’t know was how nervous she could be

Debbie Stojkovic and her husband Gord.

beforehand. She would go over her presentation and the numbers again and again to make sure everything was just right. You would never have known it from the polished presentation she delivered. Of course, OGWA’s calendar never really slows down. Membership renewals, convention planning, the AGM, sponsorships, regional training sessions, the golf tournament – and everything in between – created plenty of opportunities for things to go sideways. There were certainly times when Debbie and I were trying to keep everything

Debbie quickly became much more than an excellent Accounts Manager. She became an integral part of OGWA and someone we could always count on to step up, pitch in and figure things out – whatever the challenge happened to be.

moving while feeling like our hair was on fire! Through it all, Debbie’s wonderful sense of humour could make even the most stressful situation feel manageable. We always found a way to get it done. But what I will remember most about Debbie isn’t her ability to balance a budget or navigate a database. It’s the person behind the work. I have had the privilege of getting to know Debbie personally over the years, and it is very clear that family is at the heart of everything she does. Her children, grandchildren and extended family mean the world to her, and she has always treasured the time and memories they share. Debbie is also a talented scrapbooker – a creative hobby that allows her to preserve memories, celebrate special moments and create beautiful, personalized gifts and cards. She brought that creativity to OGWA events, too. I quickly learned that decorating and crafting were not exactly my strengths, so I was more than happy to let Debbie take the lead! I especially remember a convention in Collingwood where Debbie organized a scrapbooking activity for spouses, complete with all the supplies. It was such a personal touch and a perfect example of the care she brought to everything she did. Debbie is one of the kindest and most caring people I have had the pleasure of knowing. She has been much more than a colleague to me – she has become a friend. As Debbie begins her retirement, I hope she gets exactly what she has been looking forward to: more time with the people she loves most, especially her children and grandchildren, and plenty of opportunities to make new memories together. Debbie, thank you for everything you have given to OGWA, for all the times you stepped up when we needed you, for the laughter along the way, and most of all, for being you. Wishing you a very happy and well-deserved retirement. You will be missed more than you know! theSOURCE

BUSINESS

DRILLING DEEPER

How to protect your paycheque, your crew and your future – 35 years of unleashing your potential on the job site

hirty-five years ago, the Canadian water well industry was a completely different beast. Back in 1991, drilling crews and hydrogeologists relied on old cable-tool rigs, manual paper logs, and handshake deals. As an insurance broker who has spent more than three decades protecting water well businesses, I’ve watched those old ways vanish. Today, we have sonic rigs, downhole cameras, and digital monitoring. by STEPHEN BLEIZEFFER

24 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

Every job site, every drilling crew, and every company succeeds or fails based on the mindset of the people running it, says Stephen Bleizeffer, vice-president of the Ontario Ground Water Association.

succeeds or fails based on the mindset of the people running it. When I first read Awaken the Giant Within, I only wanted a few tips to jumpstart my career. What I actually found was a direct blueprint for the human mind. The tools and the risks change, but the internal battles we fight with ourselves don’t change at all. The same self-doubt, bad habits, and excuses that stopped folks 30 years ago are the exact same ones holding back drillers, helpers, hydrogeologists, owners, and students today. Looking back at more than three decades of defending your businesses and helping secure your financial futures, these 10 simple insights have

been my compass. They prove that while aquifers and insurance policies change, the rules for winning in life never age.

1. THE POWER IS ALREADY IN YOU You don’t need to reinvent yourself or pretend to be someone else to find success. The grit, problem-solving skills, and mental toughness you need are already inside you. Over time, tough jobs, bad bosses, and the habit of just “getting by” bury that drive. Real growth –whether you are a helper pulling slips on the deck or a senior engineer running the project –isn’t about trying to become a different person. It’s about clearing away the bad conditioning and doubt that keeps your natural talent hidden.

But my commitment to this trade isn’t just about watching from the sidelines. For the last 20 years, I’ve served on the board of directors for the Ontario Ground Water Association (OGWA), and I currently serve as vice-president. From that seat, I’ve collaborated right with owners and crews to face every major change hitting our industry. The biggest shift I’ve seen isn’t just the machinery on the truck – it’s the modern legal trapdoors waiting for businesses. Decades ago, your biggest worries were a dropped tool string downhole or a rig tipping over. Today, any data hack can freeze your business, regulatory boards can target company leadership, and a small engineering mistake can trigger a massive lawsuit. On top of that, environmental pollution rules are stricter than ever. It’s not just about insuring the trucks anymore, either. It takes serious, long-term financial planning to protect a business and its people. That means having solid disability and critical illness coverage. In a tough, physical trade like yours, protecting your paycheque and your family when you get hurt or sick is just as important as keeping oil in the engine. But through 35 years of changing rules, claims, and technology, one thing has stayed the same: every job site, every drilling crew, and every company

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BUSINESS 2. A REAL DECISION MEANS BURNING THE BRIDGES A lot of guys confuse a simple wish with a real decision. Saying you “hope” to finish a difficult hole on time or “want” to grow your business leaves the back door wide open for an excuse. The word “decision” comes from an old Latin word that means “to cut off.” When you make a real decision, you cut off any other possibility. You kill the backup plans and the excuses. Closing those exit doors is exactly what forces you to find a way through when you hit brutal geology downhole.

3. YOU CONTROL WHAT THE BAD DAYS MEAN Out in the field, two different drillers can face the exact same nightmare: a collapsed borehole, a snapped bit, or a completely dry hole. One guy will let it ruin his week, sour his attitude, and make him want to quit the trade. The other guy looks at it as a tough lesson, a puzzle to solve, and a chance to prove how good he really is. The bad break itself doesn’t control your future. You control your future by deciding what that setback means to you.

4. WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS WHAT YOU GET Your core beliefs act like an order form for your brain. Whatever you believe about yourself sends a direct signal to your body and mind about what you can actually achieve. If you secretly believe you’ve hit your ceiling or tell yourself you’re “just a helper,” your brain will actively look for ways to prove you right. If you want to change your results on the job site or in your bank account, you must stop and challenge the quiet excuses you run through your head every day.

5. RAISE YOUR STANDARDS, STOP SETTLING Goals are just things you hope to achieve when the weather is perfect and the drilling is easy. Standards are different. Standards are the absolute minimum you are willing to tolerate from yourself and your crew. Real, permanent change happens the second you raise your standards and decide that sloppy fieldwork, lazy safety habits, or ignoring your financial security is no longer acceptable. When your baseline goes up, 26 GROUND WATER CANADA | FALL 2026

you stop cutting deals with yourself, and discipline just becomes second nature.

6. WHERE FOCUS GOES, ENERGY FLOWS Your day-to-day reality depends entirely on where you direct your eyes and attention. In this industry, if you spend all your time complaining about broken parts, tight margins, and annoying insurance paperwork, your brain will keep finding things to be miserable about. But if you focus intensely on finding solutions, learning the trade, and treating clients right, you start seeing opportunities that other guys miss. Tony Robbins put it best: “Where focus goes, energy flows.”

7. PICK YOUR OWN VALUES Most guys walk through life holding onto values they just picked up along the way – whether from old-school field mentalities, a rough upbringing, or old workplace grudges. Operating on someone else’s rules causes frustration and massive burnout. Taking control of your career means sitting down and deciding what matters most to you – whether that’s safety, family, pride in your craftsmanship, or financial freedom. When your daily actions match your personal values, your path gets a whole lot clearer.

8. PROGRESS EQUALS HAPPINESS True satisfaction never comes from just crossing a single finish line. Hitting a big production milestone or landing one major contract only keeps you happy for a few days. Lasting happiness comes from the feeling that you are moving forward. Robbins nailed this truth when he wrote, “Progress equals happiness.” If you are sharpening your technical skills, learning how to run a crew, or taking steps to protect your family’s financial future, you will feel alive and motivated no matter where you start from.

9. YOUR IDENTITY RUNS THE SHOW The strongest force in the human mind is the need to act exactly like the person you believe you are. Willpower, quick fixes, and temporary safety targets will always fail if they go against your core identity. If you view yourself deep

down as a struggling labourer or a contractor who can’t get ahead, you will eventually find a way to mess things up just to match that internal image. To permanently upgrade your performance on the job, you must first change how you see yourself.

10. JUST MAKE THE CALL Deep inside every single one of us is a powerful driving force that can turn a dream into reality. This force doesn’t care about harsh weather, a slow economy, or what the guy next to you thinks. It only needs one spark to start: a firm, unshakeable decision to act. The strongest, most capable version of yourself isn’t a fairy tale. It’s sitting right there waiting for you to stop looking for permission, step onto the deck, and take charge.

THE MODERN URGENCY The water well industry is going to keep moving faster and faster. Automation will change how we run rigs, water issues will bring new regulations, and modern legal risks will keep evolving. But human nature isn’t changing. The need for certainty when things go sideways, the hunger to build a better life, and the pride of bringing clean water to Canadian communities have been the same for thousands of years. What has changed is the clock is ticking. In a fast-moving world packed with new business risks, there is no room for those who are just coasting along. Our trade needs groundwater professionals – from young students and green helpers to veteran hydrogeologists and owners – who are ready to look in the mirror, raise their standards, and make a real decision to wake up. If you want to truly gear up for the next phase of your career, don’t let the age of the book throw you off. Awaken the Giant Within is still relevant. Stephen Bleizeffer is vice-president of the Ontario Ground Water Association and contractor insurance specialist broker at BrokerLink. For questions regarding the OGWA or this article, he can be reached directly at: sbleizeffer@ brokerlink.ca

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