“Water is our most precious resource – particularly our groundwater,” shared Gordon Check, hydrogeologist at the Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change with the Province of Nova Scotia, at the recent 2025 Groundwater Expo in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Check highlighted the importance of water quality when it comes to wells and making sure the water is tested properly and to the frequency needed. In Nova Scotia, 40 per cent use a private water source and the only way to understand what is in the water is to test it. More than 50 per cent of private well owners cannot remember or have never tested the chemical quality of their well water.
“Testing your water leads to safer water and knowing potential issues that users might be unaware of,” states Check. There are a variety of resources that can be used to access water testing. It is suggested by the Nova Scotia government to test well water every six months for bacteria, and every two years for chemical parameters. Nova Scotia has a drinking water interpretation tool to help understand what the test results mean.
Planning ahead
Over the two-and-a-half-day conference, held at the Best Western Truro – Glengarry from March 20-22, 169 attendees participated in educational seminars, networked, and walked the trade show floor.
The first day, which was more like a half day, included an evening welcome reception sponsored by E.M.S. Water Systems. During the reception, attendees came together and enjoyed appetizers and drinks at the bar, while networking with vendors and fellow water treatment technicians.
The second day of the event began bright and early with a breakfast, sponsored by Ecowater Canada. Following opening remarks, Stephen Bleizeffer, account executive at BrokerLink, presented on “Are you Properly Insured?” As he shared during his presentation, “Things happen even when you are safe… You are never going to alleviate insurance,” states Bleizeffer.
One example he gave during his presentation involved an Ontario contractor who had done everything he could to ensure that he was working safely. Unfortunately, someone came driving around the bend in the road and pinned him between his vehicle and the passenger vehicle. The man is currently in a coma and will be waking up with one less arm, pins in his legs, and a pelvis that will need to be rebuilt.
“It is going to be paid for whether or not it is out of your own pocket or the insurance company’s,” said Bleizeffer. “Try to make sure that it’s the insurance company’s.”
He suggested that people should not be buying insurance based on price, “Do you hire lawyers based on price?” Instead, he suggests that companies should take the extra time the next time your policy renews and make sure that your company has the coverage the company needs.
Canadian politics
The next presentation of the day was given by Kyle Power, legal counsel and regulatory affairs at First Lake Solutions, and Rob LaForte, president of First Lake Solutions. Their presentation focused on the political climate. They also announced that the Canada Water Agency officially had a president as of March 2025. Mark Fisher, previously the president and CEO of the Council of the Great Lakes Region, is the new president. “He is someone that takes a balanced approach with environmental and consumer protection, with business needs in mind,” shared Power.
They focused on three main points: first was the upcoming federal election, second was tariffs, trade, and Trump, and lastly, was the view from Atlantic Canada. From the standpoint of the federal election, they shared that party leaders are working with their staff and teams to start working on an election campaign. Most campaigns are focused on what the others are doing poorly rather than on what they are doing well.
Currently, the Liberals are the front runners for winning the federal election, according to polling. There has been a huge uptick in popularity for the federal Liberals when Justin Trudeau resigned on Jan. 6.
This has also started a large collapse in support for the NDP in the past few months. “Not surprising because it is likely strategic voters that weren’t a fan of Trudeau are now looking to Liberals.” In addition, Jagmeet Singh is likely losing popularity due to his partnership with Justin Trudeau.
The trade war between the United States and Canada has brought interprovincial trade barriers into the spotlight. Nova Scotia has introduced revisions to Nova Scotia Free Trade and Mobility within the Canada Act to now include “goods manufactured and produced in a reciprocating province or territory will be treated the same as those produced locally in Nova Scotia.” Service providers and licensees that are properly certified or licensed in another province will now also be recognized as if they are licensed in Nova Scotia.
Workgroups
The afternoon was filled with breakout sessions; two presentations were made concurrently. To start, attendees were able to listen in on Kevin Matthews’, director of sales for Eastern Canada at Canature WaterGroup, presentation on “95 Multi Tank System – Teardown,” or Alexandre Gravel’s, general manager of structural tubing and pipe Canada at Nova Tube, presentation on the production of steel.
A few other sessions that were helpful during the afternoon included Dr. Sean MacIsaac of Dalhousie University on UV LED and Joe Treen, OHS director of Safety Services Nova Scotia, on “What businesses need to know about health and safety.”
The second day of the event was a short one, ending at noon. The morning started with breakfast until attendees broke out into session groups. The trade show floor was open the entire morning for attendees to explore the various booths.
The Groundwater Expo is anticipated to run on a two-year cycle, with the next event running again in the Maritimes, likely in Moncton, New Brunswick or Halifax, Nova Scotia.