The 2008 Pacific Northwest Ground Water Exposition, hosted by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), took place Feb. 1-2 in scenic, albeit chilly, Portland, Ore. Attendees had the opportunity to take in more than 80 exhibits, and choose from a slate of informative workshops.

Sessions on everything from product selection to boosting business acumen were available. A mini-drilling fluids short course, which covered drilling fluid basics, the appropriate use of polymers and additives, the difference between engineered fluids, as well as how to use these products to maximize efficiency, was presented by representatives from Wyo-Ben Inc., CETCO Drilling Fluids and Baroid IDP. There were segments on proper drill bit selection and on variable frequency drives. The busy Roger Renner, MGWC, from E.H. Renner & Sons, demonstrated NGWA’s drilling and pump installation cost calculators. Requirements and regulations for cargo securement, driver qualification and local well construction were covered, and Joseph Hogan from The Hartford Insurance Group conducted seminars on emergency planning and common loss claims in the water well industry. Certification exams also were administered.

Contractors who attended this two-day event no doubt came away very well informed.  
ND