Climate Change and Domestic Wells
Climate Change and Domestic Wells
Canada has an abundance of water for its size. Canada has 0.5% of the world’s population. From a global perspective, we are in a good spot.
According to Maclean’s in 2018, Canada is in a vulnerable spot from aging infrastructure climate change, floods/droughts, cyber-attacks, transboundary conflicts with the United States, contamination and the sale of water to foreign markets.
Canada has long-term boil water orders in many indigenous communities and domestic rural homes across the prairies because the water standard has changed in the last 40yrs. According to the Federal Government of Canada Municipality Infrastructure Report (2016), costs to repair aging infrastructure water systems would be $51 billion CAD. This figure does not include just first nation communities it includes all communities with aging and struggling water systems. Many rural families across Saskatchewan have yellow, brown, black and even red water at their tap.
Rural communities have a shrinking tax basis accompanied with labour shortages of qualified personnel to assist in repairs of current water systems, increased the challenge for Saskatchewan communities.
Severe water restrictions have happened in Saskatchewan both Regina and Moosejaw, accompanied with massive algae blooms in Buffalo Pound Lake being limited in the ability to treat water with products available at a rate that Regina and Moosejaw required. Treating current water is a serious concern, and algae blooms will likely increase over time.
Low rainfall levels account for a moratorium on new water licenses in the southern Saskatchewan River basin since 2006. This is a phenomenon that is seemingly replaying in many parts of central/southern parts of western Canada.
“Canada is losing his cool” according to McLean’s (2018). I personally don’t mind less snow if we still have precipitation in either the form of rainwater, or snow runoff and spring. Both types of precipitation can improve and recharge aquifers.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?
Manage our current water systems better.
Monitor current water sources, watching mineralization. As water evaporates it becomes more mineralized and depending on your livestock. Poor health of your herd can be detrimental to your livelihood. An additional source of water may be required.
Reduce contamination of our current water systems through increased well standards, pressurized grouting with a tremie line, and decommissioning old and unused wells when appropriate.
In areas prone to drought, better water storage is required.
Policies encouraging domestic water wells can provide opportunities to utilize water bearing aquifers a rural municipalities and cities are unable to make use of. Therefore, taking off the overall demand on a town’s and city’s current ageing infrastructure.
Independently owned water wells are generally very well managed water systems. Water treatment can be suited to fit individual needs.
Wolverine Drilling Inc. services and drills all styles and types of water wells. When it comes to water well drilling it is important to understand the local aquifers. Wolverine Drilling Inc. is a year-round water well drilling company and has fine-tuning their expertise since 2003, proudly serving the residents and municipalities all over Saskatchewan.
Wolverine Drilling Inc. is dedicated to working with you throughout the drilling process to ensure clear and concise measures are taken for both long-term well sustainability and overall investment costs.
We are experienced water well contractors and have vast amounts of experience drilling wells across all of Saskatchewan.
Please contact us directly at 306-682-4647 to discuss your options and the best process to follow for the decommissioning of your water well.
