Water Well Journal

February 2021

Water Well Journal

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T he February 2021 issue of Water Well Journal focuses on drilling bits, tips, and techniques and contains a feature article every water well contractor should read. Authored by Senior Editor Mike Price, the cover story "Preventative Maintenance for the Next Generation" on page 21 focuses on teaching young employees how to maintain equipment. David Baker, owner of Apex Drilling LLC in Burley, Idaho, shares how he's teaching his mostly younger drilling crews to tackle preventative maintenance tasks. Baker, who worked as a maintenance mechanic prior to enter- ing the water well industry, is all about cultivating a mindset towards maintaining equipment. His goal is to eliminate rig downtime by maintaining it so the rig can continue to operate and make a profit. Price speaks with others in the industry on this important topic, including National Ground Water Association President-Elect Brian Snelten, PG, project manager at Layne Christensen, A Granite Company, in Aurora, Illinois. Snelten details his com- pany's nationwide rollout of its new preventative maintenance program that began in January 2021. WWJ Editor Thad Plumley caught up with Keith Jackson, the international sales director for Infinity Tool Mfg., for this month's Water Well Journal Q&A on page 26. Infinity Tool, which is based in Benton, Illinois, manufactures a complete line of PDC bits, downhole bits, horizontal directional drilling consumables, and drilling accessories for the water well, geothermal, horizontal direc- tional drilling, geotechnical, and oil and gas drilling markets. Jackson and Plumley discuss what Jackson is currently hearing from water well contractors, bit factors contractors overlook at times that can hamper success on jobs, significant challenges today, and Jackson's outlook for 2021. Price also concludes his three-part series "Workforce Development in the Water Well Industry" on page 28 with the final part covering how to retain em- ployees. As each company knows, the life of the water well industry depends on the next generation learning the skilled trade and making it their profession. The industry is long known for its welcoming and close-knit family feel. That's why conference trade shows at the state and national levels resemble family re- unions. The industry has many traits that help attract and retain employees. Price shares how companies approach the vital task of employee retainment. National Ground Water Association CEO Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC, is the author of a guest editorial that highlights a new platform that can be used by groundwater professionals wanting to better their industry skills and knowledge. In "NGWA University Delivers the Education You Need" on page 8, Morse discusses the NGWA University e-learning platform that can be found on the Association's website. NGWA University was designed to be a resource with the goal of providing outstanding online and on-demand educational opportunities to groundwater professionals. It hosts hundreds of hours of online classes, product demonstrations, on-demand videos, and state certification trainings that will allow industry professionals to continue their education and earn CEUs from anywhere in the world. The monthly installment of Safety Matters by columnist Alexandra Walsh focuses on everyday work habits to ensure employees are practicing safe work habits. Titled "The Benefits of Behavior-Based Safety" and beginning on page 34, the column explains the merits of incorporating a behavior-based safety (BBS) program at a company and how to set one up. A BBS program positively reinforces safe behaviors while providing corrective feedback when risky behaviors are observed. Its guiding principle is helping employees perform a job safely as the product or end result of a series of safe behaviors. A BBS program helps determine why at-risk behavior occurs on the job and what steps are necessary to convert the at-risk behaviors into safe behaviors. Disclaimer Water Well Journal and the National Ground Water Association provide information for guidance and information purposes only. This publication is not intended to provide investment, tax, or legal advice. The issues addressed in Water Well Journal have been identified by NGWA as being pertinent to its mission, but the decision to address any particular issue should not be interpreted as an indication that such an issue is more or less important to the industry than other issues. Water Well Journal and NGWA cannot guarantee as to its accuracy, completeness, and validity of the information contained herein and cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions. All information contained herein should be independently verified and confirmed. Water Well Journal and NGWA do not accept any liability for any loss or damage howsoever caused in reliance upon such information. Readers agree to assume all risk resulting from the application of any of the information provided by Water Well Journal and NGWA. NGWA is funded in large parts by member dues, advertising, and donations and is not finan- cially able to full explore all issues impacting the groundwater industry. NGWA assumes no duty to its members or any party to investigate, evaluate, or disseminate information regarding any issue within the industry. Trademarks and copyrights mentioned within Water Well Journal are the ownership of their respective companies. The names of products and services presented are used only in an education fashion and to the benefit of the trademark and copyright owner, with no intention of infringing on trademarks or copyrights. No endorsement of any third-party products or services is expressed or implied by any information, material, or content referred to in the Water Well Journal. Advertising Disclaimer Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for all content (including text, repre- sentation, and illustrations) of advertisements printed and also assume responsibility for any claims arising therefrom made against the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising that is believes is not in keeping with the publication's standards or is deemed unsuitable or misleading. Subscriptions/Back Issues For questions, changes or problems with your subscription call (800) 551-7379 and ask for customer service. Subscriptions: Water well con- tractors and other qualified groundwater industry personnel in U.S. and Canada — free; others in U.S. and Canada — $115 per year; $15 per copy. International: $150 per year; $35 per copy. Sub- scriptions available through NGWA offices only. We reserve the right to refuse subscriptions to anyone not directly engaged in the groundwater industry. Claims for missing issues must be made in writing within three months of publication and will be subject to the availability of back issues. In this ISSUE facebook.com/WaterWellJournal WWJ February 2021 n 7 Terry S. Morse, CAE, CIC Keith Jackson

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