468 Born into Water Treatment: Tom Brandvold on AWT's Origin Story and a Life in the Industry
Scaling UP! H2O · R. Trace Blackmore, CWT, LEED AP: Water Treatment Enthusiast, Trainer and Consultant
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Show Notes
Tom Brandvold, CWT, has lived industrial water treatment from the inside out. In this conversation, he traces that path from sweeping floors and running sample bottles as a kid to leading Premier Water and Energy Technology and serving as a former president of Association of Water Technologies (AWT). The result is not just a career story. It is a useful look at how credibility, collaboration, and standards are built over time in this industry.
How Association of Water Technologies (AWT) was formed
One of the most valuable parts of this discussion is Tom's explanation of how Association of Water Technologies (AWT) began. The association did not start primarily as a training platform or networking group. It grew out of a business crisis in the 1980s, when independent water treaters were struggling to secure product liability and pollution coverage at prices that would not put them out of business. Tom explains how that pressure led a small group to create an insurance-focused structure that eventually required an association. From there, the collaborative side of AWT expanded into education, technical papers, meetings, and broader support for the independent water treater.
Why Association of Water Technologies (AWT)'s culture feels different
Tom also gives language to something many professionals have experienced but may not have fully defined: AWT members often compete in the same field while still sharing technical knowledge freely. He points to relationships as the reason. Trust, geography, and the practical reality of how accounts are won reduce the sense of technical knowledge as a threat. That helps explain why AWT has become a place where mistakes, lessons learned, and operating insight can be shared in ways that genuinely help other professionals improve.
Why the CWT is changing
A major focus of the episode is the next chapter of the Certified Water Technologist designation. Tom explains that AWT is pursuing ISO-aligned process work and ANSI recognition so the CWT carries stronger independent, third-party credibility. He walks through why that matters, what the CWT commission is doing, how the current process may change, and why he believes ANSI recognition will help the credential gain broader acceptance with customers, spec writers, government authorities, and technical institutions.
What this means for professionals now
This conversation lands on a practical point: the CWT is meant to distinguish serious professionals without making the credential feel inaccessible. Tom is clear that those already preparing should not wait. He also underscores that AWT technical training supports the body of knowledge, but it does not teach to the exam. For leaders, owners, and technical professionals, this episode is a strong reminder that industry standards matter most when they improve confidence, sharpen judgment, and strengthen trust in the field.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
00:46 — Trace explains why AWT matters so much to industrial water treatment professionals.
03:37 — Trace shares the story behind the "magic button" and how it helps people connect at industry events.
07:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:05 - Words of Water with James McDonald
13:20 - Interview with Tom Brandvold, CWT, President at Premier Water and Energy Technologies and former president of the Association of the Water Technologies
18:18 - Tom explains the origin story of AWT
24:05 - Tom talks about volunteering within AWT over the years
34:14 - The conversation shifts to the CWT designation
37:01 - Tom explains why AWT is pursuing ANSI recognition for the CWT
48:11 - Tom and Trace discuss how ANSI-recognized CWTs could matter in legislation and water safety language
49:00 - Tom talks about the biggest challenge in the accreditation process: ISO 17024 conformance
53:35 - Tom makes an important distinction: AWT training does not teach to the exam
55:03 - Tom explains why professionals should pursue the CWT
Quotes
"The association ah was founded so that those who joined could have access to this captive insurance market where we were self-insuring so that all of us could stay in business."
"The veil of threat is removed, and you share very freely."
"We are committed as a trade association to add prominence to the CWT certification."
"If you want to distinguish yourself from everyone else out there, this is the way to do it."
"My magic wand would ensure that everybody has safe drinking water"
Connect with Tom Brandvold, CWT
Email: [email protected]
Website: CRB Water | Safe, Sustainable & Data-Driven Water Treatment Solutions
LinkedIn: CRB Water: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
ANSI / ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation
AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual
AWT CWT Exam Candidate Handbook
Kelly: More Than My Share of It All by Clarence L. Johnson
Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything by Kevin Cook
A.J. Foyt - Volume 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend Hardcover by Art Garner
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
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154 The One With AWT President, Tom Brandvold, CWT
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127 The One With Tom Hutchison
Words of Water with James McDonald
Today's definition is a thin barrier that only permits passage of certain particulates or compounds to pass through but inhibits others. It is a semi-permeable skin of which the pass-through is determined by the size or special nature of the particles or compounds. Can you guess the word?
2026 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.