ABOUT watkins drainage

Watkins Drainage is the response to a need; a need for farm improvement and farm drainage in the
areas around Haldimand.

In the late ‘90s, Ken Watkins assumed the family hog farm and proceeded to expand, clear, and improve the farm at that time. With limited funds, fence rows were cleared, and swamps were drained. Eventually it became apparent that tile drainage was the obvious next step, so a tractor drawn tile plow was purchased and learning began. Many years and farms followed, and what became apparent was that landowners in the area were not investing in farm drainage at the same rate as farmers in other parts on Ontario. As the hog business tightened, a move was made to diversify into farm drainage for neighbouring operations. Eventually, it became clear there was more opportunity in farm drainage as a business, and Watkins Drainage became a full time enterprise.

One of the milestones that greatly influenced the success of the business was the adoption of new technology. GPS equipment was added to the tile plow early on, and this set the stage for rapid expansion We currently run 3 complete GPS systems, in the plow, the survey vehicle, and excavator. Currently we are using our 4th tile plow, a BRON self-propelled, incorporating state-of-the-art systems and technology. We also maintain a heavy excavator, and heavy dozer for land clearing, ditching, demolition, or fencerow removal. Laser levels, radio-detection equipment, satellite imagery, and topographic design software are all tools we use to properly evaluate, assess, and design jobs. We have equipment that can locate and trace old tile lines, which makes it possible to incorporate them into a new tile drainage system. Every job is completed with an as-built GPS map of the installed tile. This is a critical feature of our projects. The map, signed by a licensed Farm drainage installer, is proof to a realtor that the farm was tiled professionally. The map is worth over $1000/acre when it comes time to sell the property.

Our service area has expanded to include Niagara, Haldimand, Brant and Norfolk counties. We basically operate within an hour of Cayuga Ontario.

Lastly, our business would be nothing without a great team. Our crew is very experienced with the processes we employ, which means the projects are done quickly. Our team makes it look easy.

What People Are Saying

While our workmanship is beyond compare, some of our clients still
want to say a lot of nice things about us:

“EXCEPTIONAL DRAIN TILING WORK BY KEN AND TEAM

I RECENTLY HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH KEN AND HIS TEAM ON A DRAINAGE PROJECT FOR MY EXCESSIVELY WEST FARM FEILD. I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER WITH THE RESULTS. FROM START TO FINISH, THEIR EXPERTISE AND DEDICATOIN TO THIS TRICKY PROJECT WAS EVIDENT. THE END RESULT WAS A FIELD THAT WENT FROM WATERLOGGED TO OPTIMALLY DRAINED. THANKS TO KEN AND HIS STAFF FOR A JOB WELL DONE!”

- TIM MINOR - MINOR BROTHERS

“KEN AND HIS TEAM HAVE VAST KNOWLEDGE , EQUIPMENT AND EXPERTISE TO GET THE JOB DONE RIGHT. WE HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH KEN AND HIS TEAM ON ALL OF OUR DRAINAGE PROJECTS”

— BRETT SCHUYLER - SCHUYLER FARMS

“KEN WATKINS AND HIS TEAM TILED 80 ACRES FOR US THIS FALL. THEY WERE VERY EFFICIENT, QUICK AND TIDY. HIS QUOTE WAS DEAD ON, NO SURPRISES! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM IF YOU NEED SOME DRAINAGE WORK DONE!”

— JIM ATKINSON - J&J ATKINSON FARMS INC

“WE RECENTLY HAD WATKINS DRAINAGE TILE A FARM FOR US. THEY WERE VERY PROFESSIONAL AND COMPLETED THE JOB IN A TIMELY FASHION FOR THE QUOTED PRICE. IT WAS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH KEN AND HIS CREW AND WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM”

— Dave Mcelhone - MCELHONE FARMS LIMITED

“IT WAS A PLEASURE TO HAVE THE TEAM OF WATKINS DRAINAGE DO WORK FOR US. BEFORE WE STARTED, THE ENTIRE PROJECT WAS MAPPED OUT ALLOWING US TO MAKE OBJECTIVE, MEASURABLE DECISIONS, GETTING US THE MOST VALUE FOR OUR TILE DRAINAGE DOLLARS. KEN’S “MAKE IT HAPPEN” ATTITUDE MEANS THAT THERE WAS A WORKABLE AND PRACTICAL SOLUTION TO EVERY CHALLENGE THTAT WE FACED, GETTING OUR PROJECT COMPLETED.”

— JOHN HOMAN - ONTARIo

“ WE WERE EXTREMELY SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES PROVIDED BY WATKINS DRAINAGE. KEN AND HIS TEAM WERE COURTEOUS AND RESPECTFUL TO THE FARM BUSINESS AND ANY STAFF THEY ENCOUNTERED. THEY WORKED HARD AND GOT THE JOB FINISHED EVEN DESPITE THE WET WEATHER.”