Across Canada, 2025 was a year defined by momentum. Project teams pushed to build faster, dig deeper, and deliver safely under growing pressure from schedules, regulations, and urban constraints. From coast to coast, construction did not slow down. And on every site, water, whether groundwater, surface runoff, or construction discharge, continued to demand active management, regardless of timelines or site conditions.
For contractors, developers, and engineers, success in 2025 depended on one critical factor that rarely makes headlines: certainty in water management. At WJ Canada, that reality shaped everything we did this year. From early planning to final system decommissioning, our focus remained the same: helping projects move forward with confidence by controlling groundwater risk before it controls the schedule.
This is a look back at the year that was, the challenges our clients faced, and how engineering excellence made the difference.
Building Under Pressure: The Reality of 2025
Construction across Canada accelerated in 2025. Dense urban developments, major infrastructure upgrades, hospital expansions, and long-term industrial projects all moved forward at once. At the same time, expectations increased.
Projects faced:
- Deeper excavations in tighter footprints
- Year-round construction, including winter installations in extreme conditions
- Stricter environmental oversight and discharge requirements
- Greater scrutiny around safety, reliability, and sustainability
Water management sat at the intersection of all these pressures. When groundwater is not properly controlled, the impact is immediate and costly. Delays compound. Safety risks increase. Environmental compliance becomes harder to maintain.
Throughout 2025, clients came to us with a clear need: systems that worked in real conditions, not ideal ones.
A Growing Footprint Across Canada
This year marked a meaningful expansion in where and how WJ Canada supported projects. Our teams executed work across multiple regions, reflecting both geographic growth and increasing trust in our capabilities.
In 2025, projects were delivered in:
- British Columbia
- Ottawa and Eastern Ontario
- Montreal and across Quebec
- The Greater Toronto Area
Each region brought its own geological realities, regulatory frameworks, and operational challenges. From river-adjacent testing programs to dense downtown excavations, no two sites were alike. What connected them was the need for tailored groundwater solutions designed around local conditions.
This national presence allowed us to bring consistent engineering standards while adapting to site-specific demands, a balance that defined our work throughout the year.
Projects That Defined the Year
Several projects stood out in 2025 for their complexity, visibility, or technical demands. Together, they represent the breadth of WJ Canada’s experience and the trust placed in our teams. Here are a few highlights:
Pont de l’île d’Orléans Pump Test
This project pushed technical boundaries with pump testing conducted from a floating barge. Working on moving water introduced unique challenges around stability, access, and precision. The successful execution demonstrated not only drilling expertise but also adaptability in non-traditional environments.
ATSSE Intervention Relief Wells
Relief well systems require precision and reliability. At ATSSE, our team delivered a solution designed to manage groundwater pressures while protecting surrounding infrastructure. Careful monitoring and system design ensured long-term performance under demanding conditions.
Jane Portal Dewatering
Urban sites leave little room for error. The Jane Portal project required close coordination with site teams and a dewatering strategy that evolved alongside excavation stages. Clear communication and responsive system adjustments kept progress steady.
Ottawa Hospital Phase 4 Dewatering
Healthcare infrastructure brings heightened expectations for safety, reliability, and compliance. Our work on Phase 4 of the Ottawa Hospital project focused on maintaining dry, stable conditions while minimizing disruption to adjacent operations.
Darlington Nuclear Power Plant
Few environments demand greater precision than nuclear facilities. Work at Darlington required rigorous planning, robust contingency measures, and strict adherence to regulatory standards. This project reflected the level of trust placed in WJ Canada to deliver under the most demanding conditions.
Each of these projects, as well as others not highlighted, reinforced a key lesson from 2025: groundwater control is not a commodity. It is a critical engineering discipline that directly affects project outcomes.
Engineering Solutions Built for Unique Sites
One theme ran through every project this year: no off-the-shelf solutions. Every system was designed to reflect the reality of the site.
Across 2025, WJ Canada delivered:
- Ejector well systems for challenging soil conditions
- Deep well and wellpoint systems adapted to excavation depth and footprint
- Advanced water treatment solutions aligned with discharge requirements
- Monitoring systems that provided visibility as conditions evolved
Design decisions were informed by data, experience, and constant feedback from the field. This approach allowed systems to remain effective even as ground conditions, weather, or construction sequencing changed.
When groundwater was under control, projects stayed predictable. That predictability mattered.
Expanding Capabilities and Innovation in 2025
2025 was also a year of meaningful capability growth for WJ Canada. New services and equipment expanded what we can offer clients and how we support projects from start to finish.
Key additions included:
Frac Tank Rental Services
The introduction of frac tank rentals provided greater flexibility for water management and treatment operations, helping sites manage volume efficiently without unnecessary delays.
Permanent Water Treatment Solutions for Condominiums
We expanded our ability to design and implement permanent treatment systems, supporting long-term compliance and responsible water discharge for residential developments.
Well Decommissioning with In-House Grouting
By adding our own grouting pump, WJ Canada now performs well decommissioning internally. This improves quality control, reduces reliance on third parties, and ensures proper closure at the end of a project’s lifecycle.
Floating Barge Drilling
The Pont de l’île d’Orléans project marked a milestone with successful drilling from a floating platform, opening new possibilities for projects near or on water.
New Drilling Equipment
The addition of a Mincon drilling mast strengthened our drilling fleet, improving efficiency and expanding the range of conditions we can address.
Each of these developments reflects a broader commitment to continuous improvement and long-term value for clients.
A Consultative Approach That Made the Difference
Technology alone does not solve groundwater challenges. Throughout 2025, clients consistently pointed to communication, planning, and trust as critical factors.
Our consultative approach meant:
- Early engagement to understand project constraints
- Clear explanations of risk and mitigation strategies
- Ongoing coordination as excavation progressed
- No surprises when conditions changed
By staying closely aligned with contractors, engineers, and owners, our teams helped projects adapt without losing momentum. This partnership mindset remained central to how we worked across all regions and project types.
Sustainability Embedded in Every Project
Environmental responsibility continued to shape groundwater management decisions in 2025. Regulatory expectations rose, but so did awareness of the long-term impact construction has on surrounding communities and ecosystems.
WJ Canada supported sustainability by:
- Designing systems that reduced suspended solids and contaminants
- Supporting cleaner discharge and regulatory compliance
- Minimizing environmental disruption through efficient system design
- Integrating monitoring to ensure accountability throughout operations
Sustainability was not treated as an add-on. It was built into how systems were designed, installed, operated, and eventually decommissioned.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As 2025 came to a close, one thing was clear: Canada is building bigger, faster, and more densely than ever. With that growth comes increased complexity below the surface.
Groundwater challenges will continue to intensify as projects push deeper, timelines compress, and environmental expectations rise. The need for precision, foresight, and dependable engineering will only grow.
At WJ Canada, we enter 2026 ready to support what comes next. With expanded capabilities, a growing national footprint, and experience drawn from thousands of projects worldwide, we remain focused on one goal: helping clients build with confidence by managing what lies beneath.
If your upcoming projects demand certainty below the surface, our team is ready to support you.
About WJ Canada
WJ Canada provides engineered groundwater control and water management solutions for construction projects across the country. Combining global expertise with deep local understanding, we deliver dewatering, water treatment, and environmental compliance systems tailored to each project’s unique conditions. From urban high-rises to major infrastructure developments, we bring clarity, control, and confidence to every site.
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