Scaling UP! H2O

Shawn Powell has built a following by doing something wastewater operators have needed for a long time: making practical technical education easier to access. In Episode 470, he explains why that matters, how he built The Wastewater Enthusiast, and what the industry still gets wrong about training, certification, and knowledge transfer. From test prep to true understanding A major thread in this conversation is the gap between passing an exam and actually understanding plant operations. Shawn reflects on his own early experience with certification prep, where classes helped him recognize test questions but did not always help him understand what was happening inside a real activated sludge system. That gap became the foundation for his channel. He makes the case that operators need more than memorization. They need visuals, process context, and practical explanations that help concepts stick. For professionals responsible for training staff, succession planning, or improving plant performance, that distinction matters. What real operations look like on the ground Shawn also brings credibility from the plant floor. He describes his work as chief plant operator in Avila Beach, California, where a small facility still demands close attention because of its biological complexity, membrane bioreactor operation, and chemical dosing requirements. A story about foam erupting from an aeration basin becomes more than a war story. It shows how biology resists quick fixes and why operators have to think in time horizons measured in MCRT cycles, not minutes. The conversation also touches on shock loads, public misuse of sewer systems, and the daily balance between observation, testing, automation, and operator instinct. That practical perspective keeps the discussion grounded for listeners who live with process variability every day. Why free knowledge matters One of the strongest sections centers on Shawn's idea of the "democratization of knowledge." He argues that critical wastewater education should not be locked behind paywalls or trapped in the heads of reluctant gatekeepers. That point expands into a broader discussion about generational turnover, operator shortages, and the risk of losing hard-earned plant knowledge as experienced professionals retire. Shawn also explains how monetization entered the picture without changing the mission. Training workshops, webinars, YouTube revenue, and memberships have started to support the project, while his core educational content remains open to everyone. Exam strategy, content strategy, and long-term value The episode closes with practical advice for certification candidates. Shawn stresses long preparation windows, disciplined use of official study materials, and a simple but critical reminder: read the question completely. He also shares how he chooses content, responds to viewer needs, and uses real plant events to teach beyond the textbook. For leaders, trainers, and operators alike, this is a useful conversation about how technical knowledge gets shared, preserved, and improved. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Boiler performance rarely depends on a single decision. It depends on design, controls, maintenance, workforce capability, and, as this conversation makes clear, the quality of water treatment. Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson explain how American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) is addressing those realities by connecting manufacturers, representatives, suppliers, and field stakeholders around education and practical guidance. Why ABMA still matters in a changing boiler market ABMA has been in place since 1888, but this discussion is not about preserving old structures for their own sake. Scott and Shaunica describe an association that has expanded beyond traditional manufacturer membership into a broader supply-chain view of the boiler room. That includes boiler, burner, deaerator, and economizer manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers, consultants, and manufacturer representatives. That broader view matters because boiler performance does not begin and end with the vessel itself. Decisions made across installation, controls, service, and water treatment shape efficiency, reliability, and long-term asset life. Education that reaches the people actually running boiler rooms A strong theme throughout the conversation is education. ABMA is reaching beyond its own meetings to speak with healthcare engineers, food processors, facility engineers, and other sectors that rely on boilers every day. Scott outlines the practical angle of that work: what operators should be doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis to keep boiler rooms safe and efficient. Shaunica adds that ABMA is building toward a larger resource center, on-demand materials, and expanded access to white papers and best-practice guidance. They also discuss partnerships with trade schools and Maritime Academies as part of a larger workforce strategy. For water professionals, that matters because better-informed boiler operators create better conditions for treatment programs to succeed. Water treatment is not a side issue One of the clearest takeaways is that water treatment remains central to boiler performance. ABMA's work with the Association of Water Technologies is helping align deaeration and chemical treatment perspectives into a single, co-branded guidance document. That effort is meant to reduce finger-pointing, improve technical clarity, and give end users a more unified message. Scott is direct about the operational stakes: poor water treatment drives scaling, damages equipment, and undermines efficiency. The discussion also pushes back on outdated assumptions about boiler rooms, highlighting gains in efficiency, modern controls, remote monitoring, retrofit options, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen, dual-fuel, and hybrid systems. Boiler systems may be longstanding infrastructure, but the thinking around them cannot stay static. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:18 - Trace introduces ABMA, explains its relevance to water treaters, and previews the upcoming ABMA Expo 03:11 - Trace gives a concise history of boilers, from early steam vessels to modern high-efficiency systems 07:36 - Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson join the show and introduce themselves and their roles at ABMA 08:18 - Scott explains how ABMA has evolved from a manufacturer-focused association into a broader industry organization spanning the full boiler supply chain 10:27 - Shaunica outlines ABMA's four membership categories, including manufacturers, associate members, consultants, and manufacturer reps 33:18 - The discussion shifts to the ABMA–AWT partnership and the co-branded water treatment guideline 34:58 - Scott explains why deaeration and water treatment need to be addressed together to produce useful technical guidance 36:31 - Shaunica shares what ABMA learned from attending the AWT conference and why the partnership helps reduce finger-pointing between disciplines 38:19 - The conversation moves to Boiler Expo, including why ABMA launched it and how it is designed to serve the full boiler community 40:49 - Shaunica explains the co-location with the Biomass Conference & Expo and highlights ABMA's BUILT and WIBI communities 45:18 - Scott and Shaunica close with their key takeaways: the boiler industry is evolving, and ABMA is a resource for the field 53:50 - Words of Water with James Connect with Shaunica Jayson Email: [email protected] Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) LinkedIn: Shaunica Jayson | LinkedIn Connect with Scott Lynch Email: [email protected] Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) LinkedIn: Scott Lynch, CAE | LinkedIn Quotes "Our official mission is to lead, advance and provide solutions to the boiler industry." "Our vision is boilers are recognized for advancing energy sustainability and powering people's lives." "The boiler industry continues to evolve and inn

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 ISO/IEC 17024:2012 AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual AWT CWT Exam Candidate Handbook Kelly: More Than My Share of It All by Clarence L. Johnson

What happens when a water chemist leaves the lab and heads to the pump room? Dr. Jake Elliott knows firsthand. A former PhD researcher who studied resource recovery from trade‑waste customers, Jake now manages accounts at Hydro flow in Melbourne, working with cooling towers, boilers, chemical dosing rigs and wastewater treatment systems. He joins host Trace Blackmore to discuss how rigorous research, regulatory compliance and process automation translate into practical field work for industrial water treatment professionals. From PhD Research to Industrial Practice Jake's academic background informs the way he approaches operations. While completing his PhD he investigated how to recover resources from wastewater permits, synthesizing municipal data with bench‑scale testing. Today he draws on that experience to design treatment systems and advise customers on cooling‑tower and boiler chemistry. He emphasizes long‑term efficiency: spending a little extra time or money now can save much more later. This mentality helps him balance the competing demands of design, installation, sales and service, and underscores Hydro flow's support for continuing education. Balancing Service, Sales and Efficiency No two days look alike for Jake. One week he is calibrating pH probes, inspecting cooling towers and designing dosing skids; the next he is troubleshooting filtration systems or negotiating wastewater discharge limits. To stay ahead of his schedule, he deliberately "drags things as early as possible" and completes visits well before month‑end. Jake uses the iPhone Reminders app to tag tasks by site, service type and system; location triggers ensure he never forgets critical parts. He advocates automating routine reports and allowing generative AI to massage field notes into professional correspondence, provided every line is double‑checked for accuracy. Even at the end of a long day, tools such as ChatGPT help him strike the right tone in customer emails. Regulation, Training and Risk Management Jake contrasts cooling‑tower regulation in Australia with the more fragmented approach in the United States. In Victoria every tower must be registered, documented and sampled on a schedule; non‑compliance leads to fines. The risk management plan – the term used in Australia for what many Americans call a water management plan – is a comprehensive document containing details of the cooling tower, associated chillers and a unique registration number. Australian practitioners follow the AS/NZS 3666 standard, and third‑party RMP reviews and audits are annual requirements. Jake notes that an equivalent certification does not yet exist for international candidates seeking the Certified Water Technologist designation, although metric‑based exams may be under consideration. Sales, Communication and Mentorship Serving existing customers often means identifying the real decision drivers. Jake categorizes site priorities – cost reduction, profit increase, ease of use and product quality – and tailors proposals accordingly. He maintains open communication with influencers while gently probing approval limits, sometimes splitting quotes so that local managers can sign off without escalating requests. Mentorship is both a given and a goal: Hydro flow holds monthly meetings where technicians, account managers and production staff share problems and solutions, allowing juniors to benefit from seasoned expertise. Jake encourages newcomers to simply "do it" – the blend of hands‑on work, autonomy and flexibility makes industrial water treatment a rewarding career. In his lightning‑round advice he urges his younger self to be selective about commitments and to automate early. Dr. Jake Elliott demonstrates that a rigorous scientific background and a passion for efficiency translate into better service, improved compliance and happier customers. His tips on process automation, risk management and sales communication help water professionals navigate a complex landscape while maintaining work–life balance. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:14 - Trace Blackmore notes the conclusion of the 2026 AWT Technical Training (Session 1) and then shares his doctor's office story 09:15 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:45 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 15:32 - Introduction with Jake Elliott, PhD, Senior Account Manager at Hydro Flow 18:47 - Jake's Advice for those taking a Doctorate Degree 23:19 - How Jake came to work at Hydro Flow 44:24 - Tips from Jake Quotes "Very happy to spend a little bit of extra time or money now to save a lot of time or money later." "If you can get some of your thoughts down and then let ChatGPT massage that into something that is good communication, again, double check it before you send it." "I would tell myself to be selective in what you say yes to … automate hard, automate early." "Autonomy, flexibility. It's real

AWT's in‑person technical training is a keystone for developing competent water treaters. Yet classroom knowledge only matters when it survives the drive home and emerges later in the field. In this second conversation with Dan Merritt, CWT—National Sales Manager at CH2O Inc. and head of AWT's education committee—Trace Blackmore uncovers how stories, math, and memorable mistakes turn theory into intuition. Why training keeps evolving Dan explains that the Association of Water Technologies rewrites courses every year. Instructors refine content, delivery and demonstrations, not for novelty's sake, but because boilers and cooling towers rarely behave like textbook examples. Recognizing that multiple chemical reactions operate simultaneously helps prevent chasing the wrong problem. Updated program design and operations classes now bridge the gap between fundamentals and advanced topics. Specialized modules for sales, membrane/softener maintenance, ASSE 1280 compliance, and a two‑tier wastewater curriculum ensure that attendees can match coursework to their experience and role. Lessons from experience: paperwork, PPE and people Anecdotes ground the theory. Dan recounts losing his Certified Water Technologist status for five years after assuming an office manager filed his recertification paperwork. He re‑sat the exam in 2016 and now tells every candidate: verify your own paperwork. Another incident involved a sulfuric acid injection line that still held pressure; a line blew while he was replacing a fitting, covering his jeans in acid—his apron protected his torso, but he still had six‑inch holes in his pants. "Wear your PPE" is his first piece of advice to new technicians. Beyond safety, Dan highlights that water treatment careers demand communication and management skills. Technical strengths don't automatically translate into leadership; becoming a mentor and training others brings lasting fulfillment. Developing a growth mindset For new practitioners, Dan recommends learning from whoever will teach you and embracing the "nerdy" parts of the job—math, chemistry and calculations translate directly into customer value. After the first year it's easy to plateau, so he urges veterans to intentionally take on new technologies such as wastewater treatment or chlorine dioxide and to share knowledge with younger colleagues. This industry can't be automated or offshored; field troubleshooting will always require hands‑on expertise. Even in sales roles, success comes from offering solutions grounded in a deep technical foundation. Looking ahead The episode closes with a call to prepare for AWT's upcoming training seminars (March 10–13 and November 11–14). Attendees should bring system data and be ready to teach one takeaway to their teams when they return. Scaling Up! H2O encourages listeners to invest in their careers, meet peers and instructors, and approach each technical challenge as an opportunity to raise the bar for the entire industry. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:35 - Trace Blackmore shares a reminder for listeners about the AWT Technical Training on March 10-13 04:12 – Words of Water with James 09:20 - Transition to Interview Recap 11:24 - Second part Interview with Dan Merritt, CWT 12:40 - Losing CWT Certification 20:49 - ASSE 12080 Training 22:49 - Wastewater Training Expansion 38:22 - Sulfuric Acid Incident Quotes "Failure is not the failure. Quitting is the failure." "The water treatment industry is not something that you can do remotely. There is always going to be the need for people to troubleshoot water systems." "Being a mentor is a great way to take that experience that we have and translate it—to give it away to those in our company." "Don't worry about making mistakes. We all make mistakes, and that's how you learn." "I swore up and down that I would never be a salesman. Now I'm the sales manager because I realized that selling solutions grounded in technical knowledge isn't about pushing products—it's about helping people." Connect with Dan Merritt, CWT Email: [email protected] Website: .https://www.ch2o.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-merritt-cwt-18413819/. Guest Resources Mentioned Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek (Paperback) The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods, AI Thought Leadership The Accidental Superpower: Ten Years On by Peter Zeihan (Narrator, Author) The Shattering Peace: Old Man's War, Book 7 by John Scalzi (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher) Education Offerings – AWT Become Certified – AWT Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT Technical Training - Registration 2026 AWT Technical Training Schedule Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Wor

Industrial water training only works when the knowledge transfers. That means the material lands with the audience, survives the drive home, and shows up later in the field when decisions get made. Dan Merritt, CWT, Sales Manager at CH2O, brings a rare perspective to that problem. He started as a teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics), entered industrial water treatment on February 5, 2002, and later became part of the AWT training team. This conversation follows the path from classroom instruction to boiler rooms and cooling towers, then uses that journey to examine what makes technical training "stick" for working professionals. From educator to water treater, then back to educator Dan shares how leaving graduate study, teaching high school and community college, and stepping into service work shaped his approach to explaining technical concepts. The throughline is simple: the instructor owns the clarity. When someone in the room does not understand, the response is not frustration. The response is translation. Bridging the knowledge gap without dumbing it down Trace and Dan describe a common failure mode in technical instruction: experts answering correctly, but not helpfully. They frame the goal as closing the gap between what the instructor knows and what the audience can realistically absorb in the moment, especially for attendees building competence over time. Stories and demonstrations as tools for retention The episode highlights why AWT trainers lean on stories and physical demonstrations, from an Archimedes fountain to static electricity experiments. Dan explains how the "light bulb moment" is the reward of teaching, and why trainers adapt when a method fails (including what humidity can do to a demo in a room full of people). Keeping the CWT exam in proper context The conversation also draws a firm boundary: training supports growth, but it does not replace the CWT experience requirement and recommendations. Dan and Trace emphasize accurate language around the credential and reinforce what the training can and cannot do. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:38 — Setup for a two-part series to help listeners prepare for AWT Technical Training 02:24 — AWT Technical Training logistics: March 10–13 in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) 03:10 — Trace shares why AWT Technical Training matters personally (mentorship, community, support) 05:51 — "Desert Pete" story: why instructors "fill the bottle" by giving back through training 11:53 — Words of Water with James McDonald: definition + answer ("flow rate") 14:13 — Events mentioned for water professionals 18:42 — Trace introduces the guest: Dan Merritt (CH2O) and their history through AWT 19:39 — Dan's background: 24 years in water treatment; former teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics). 22:44 — Dan's entry into water treatment: Industrial Water Engineering ride-alongs + first field impressions 26:49 — Move to Pacific Northwest + start at CH2O (service tech) and why that timing mattered 31:40 — How Dan and Trace connected through AWT training; Dan begins teaching (service tech reporting). 34:17 — Dan's AWT involvement expands: education committee + Intro to Water Treatment online course task force 35:31 — Dan asked to teach the chemistry class; Trace frames "know your audience" and confidence gap 36:50 — Teaching tools and learning from misses: demos (Archimedes fountain, static electricity + humidity issue) 37:49 — The key teaching principle: "you're the instructor; it's your job to explain it clearly" (adult learners) 41:31 — Bridging the knowledge gap: why brilliance can miss the audience, and why training must translate 44:48 — Why a math/calculations class helps: making the "bang, there's your answer" steps teachable 50:19 — Troubleshooting reality: many forces in boilers/cooling towers; deeper understanding improves diagnosis 52:00 — Field story lesson: softener cleaning foam incident (why stories stick and prevent repeat mistakes) 56:19 — CWT clarification: training helps, but it cannot replace required experience and recommendations 58:31 — CWT wording matters: it's an "exam," not a "test" (Trace mentions Angela Pike's correction) Quotes "It's your job to explain the material in a way that we can understand it." "It's our responsibility to take this information, to package it in a way so you, not me, you can understand it." "Math is the only known axiom that we have. And it kind of quiets the chaos." "And again, it's not a test. Do not say that it's a test. It is an exam." Connect with Dan Merritt, CWT Email: [email protected] Website: .https://www.ch2o.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-merritt-cwt-18413819/ CH2O, inc.: Overview | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned Education Offerings – AWT Become Certified – AWT I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Associat

"Don't be afraid to say I don't know. - Will Ritter" Corrosion is expensive, relentless, and easy to underestimate—until a "lasagna battery" turns aluminum foil green and reminds you what electrochemistry can do in the real world. This conversation reframes corrosion coupons as what they actually are: a repeatable field test that can sharpen your decisions—if you treat the process with consistency. Respect the coupon, protect the data Trace breaks down why coupons became non-negotiable in his systems: they turn guesswork into usable corrosion-rate intelligence. Will Ritter of MetaSpec (formerly Pacific Sensor) explains the fundamentals—pre-weighed coupons, exposure time, cleaning, and calculating corrosion rate in MPY (mils per year). The point isn't that the coupon is your pipe; it's that the coupon becomes a reliable, relative gauge over time when variables are controlled. The "five things" that make results repeatable Will outlines practical failure points that quietly ruin comparisons quarter to quarter: alloy selection (and staying consistent), surface area (and what happens when hardware covers the coupon), surface finish (including why scratches and pits matter), weight accuracy (and why kitchen/postage scales don't belong in the workflow), and protective VCI packaging that prevents premature corrosion in storage and transit. Brand building, trade shows, and getting comfortable saying "I don't know" Will shares his path from Pacific Sensor to MetaSpec and what it looks like to merge brands intentionally heading into 2026. The discussion also moves into trade show presence and digital marketing, plus a simple confidence framework: get comfortable saying "I don't know, but I can find out," and build communication reps—he points to Toastmasters as a low-stakes way to do that. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace sets the stage: why corrosion coupons matter as diagnostic data 04:05 — What a coupon is (size, pre-weighed precision) and why tiny changes matter 06:14 — Trace's "four things" water treaters manage (and what microbial control is not) 07:07 — The "lasagna battery": anode/cathode/electrolyte/path in a real-life example 08:50 — Defining corrosion (ISO 8044 and NACE definitions referenced) 09:50 — Corrosion cost perspective: "2.5 trillion" and "3.5% of global GDP" (as cited) 10:53 – Words of Water with James 12:38 – Events for Water Professionals 14:56 — Will Ritter introduction and why the podcast helped him understand the industry 18:30 — How Will got into coupons: Pacific Sensor, mentors, and early AWT exposure 24:36 — Trade show mindset: don't be afraid to say "I don't know" 27:50 — Toastmasters as a practical system for better speaking and confidence 31:25 — Pacific Sensor → MetaSpec; co-branding and planned transition "starting in 2026" 34:06 — Coupon basics and MPY explained in clear operational terms 36:51 — The big misunderstanding: coupons as a relative gauge (not "the pipe") 40:06 — The "five key characteristics" behind usable coupon data 58:10 — Best-practice takeaway: treat coupons like a lab test brought into the field 01:06:35 — Close: why Trace "owes a lot" to that "little slip of metal" Quotes "Use the coupon as a relative gauge of the corrosivity of the system." - Will Ritter "Surface finish is critical… a change in surface finish is going to impact corrosion results." - Will "Treat your coupons… like you are taking a laboratory test and bringing it into the field." "It's not a piece of metal. It's very special. Treat it as such." "Digital marketing is free… small businesses need to take advantage of free resources." Connect with Will Ritter Phone: (713) 882- 1427 Email: [email protected] Website: Pacific Sensor - Buy Corrosion Coupons and Test Specimens LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamryanritter/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-sensor/about/ Guest Resources Mentioned Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway (Audiobook) Steel Isn't Hard (To Learn) by Shane Turcott (Paperback) The Goal: 40th Anniversary Edition: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M Goldratt (Author), Jeff Cox (Author) Toastmasters International Pacific Sensor Corrosion Coupon Installation Guide Water Treatment Flyer- Pacific Sensor Metaspec Capabilities Presentation NACE SP0775-2023 Preparation, Installation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Corrosion Coupons in Hydrocarbon Operations ASTM-G1-25 Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens TP25-18 The Impact of Metal Surface Roughness on Corrosion Monitoring Water Treatment Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Submit a Show Idea Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses The Rising Tide Mastermind 304 Pinks and Blues: Corrosion Coupons 075 The One that's All About Corrosion Coupons AWT Guidel

"If you say something over and over often and enough, it becomes true because perception is reality." Paul O'Callaghan has built a career at the intersection of water science, wastewater realities, and the practical question every operator and executive eventually faces; what actually moves innovation from idea to adoption. As Founder and CEO of BlueTech Research, Paul explains how his team helps decision-makers put capital to work more efficiently in water by reducing uncertainty and separating signal from noise. He describes patterns he's watched repeat across water entrepreneurs, pilots, and product market fit, and why "innovation" often breaks down simply because utilities, investors, and founders are using the same word to mean different things. Capital, fit, and the language gap Paul unpacks what it takes to align an investor's expectations with a technology's true pathway to scale. He contrasts different "types" of innovation and why matching the right investor, entrepreneur, market, and timeline matters as much as the technology itself. The conversation also highlights why solving a problem someone has today is often a safer starting point than betting everything on a problem that might arrive tomorrow. Regulations as a driver and a risk Regulation matters in water and wastewater, but Paul cautions against building an entire business on the hope that rules will create a market on schedule. He walks through timing risk, enforcement uncertainty, and why tracking policy momentum matters as much as tracking the text of the regulation itself. He also notes a shift toward more "aspirational" regulation focused on reuse, regeneration, and systems-level outcomes. Storytelling that changes adoption From Brave Blue World to Our Blue World, Paul shares what he learned about making water personal and compelling without reducing it to doom-and-gloom narratives. The stories he tells connect to a core professional challenge: technologies enable outcomes, but adoption accelerates when people can see and want the "better" future those outcomes create. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:33 - Trace's message on finding "your next love" through learning 09:25 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:25 - AWT connection and the importance of being challenged by community 13:06 - Industrial Water Week dates for "this year" (Oct 5–9) 14:02 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 19:15 - Interview with Founder & CEO of BlueTech Research, author of The Dynamics of Water Innovation, Executive Producer of Brave Blue World and Our Blue World 22:20 - Pivot moment into water as a career (Malaysia, Edinburgh course, "living machines") 25:15 - What BlueTech Research does (reducing uncertainty, helping capital work efficiently) 27:50 - How startups connect with BlueTech and why storytelling matters 30:09 - Matching investors, entrepreneurs, and markets (alignment and "different languages") 33:00 - The role of regulations (timing risk and market realities) 35:15 - How BlueTech keeps up (themes, emerging areas, and using AI for tracking legislation) 36:30 - Paul's book: The Dynamics of Water Innovation (why he wrote it and who it's for) 40:49 - Documentary storytelling origin and Discovery Channel experience 44:22 - How celebrities got involved and why the outreach worked 45:30 - Why they made a second film and the goal of making water personal 48:03 - Viewer feedback, education impact, and grassroots screening stories 50:08 - "Water 2050" video game inspired by the films 51:21 - Additional ripple effects and "halo" projects (curriculum, photography competition, water walks) 53:06 - Where water innovation is going (desirability, storytelling, and "leaving water") 56:07- Advice for people with ideas (talk to people, generosity of the sector, ikigai, long-term view) 58:08 - Ostara / Crystal Green story (finding the operator's "today problem") 59:54 - One point Paul wants to leave: "It's a journey, enjoy it." Quotes "We do our best to help people put capital to work more efficiently to solve water challenges." "Try and find a problem that someone has today, ideally." Connect with Paul O'Callaghan Email: [email protected] Website: BlueTech Research – Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence braveblueworldstudios | Instagram | Linktree LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/o2environmental/ Guest Resources Mentioned The Dynamics of Water Innovation: A Guide to Water Technology Commercialization by Lakshmi M. Adapa (Author), Paul O'Callaghan (Author), Cees Buisman (Author) Watch Brave Blue World: Racing to Solve Our Water Crisis | Netflix Braveblueworldstudios | Instagram | Linktree "Dynamics of water innovation: Insights into the rate of adoption, diffusion and success of emerging water technologies globally" – Wageningen University & Research "Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: The Livi

Industrial water work rewards people who can move between precision and practicality. Katie Holliday brings both. She started as a lab chemist, then transitioned into field service with Apex Water and Process, where much of her work supports healthcare facilities and high-accountability programs. Lab habits that protect your tools and your data Katie describes the first surprise of field work: a central plant is "very dirty," and the job demands good technique without chasing lab-level perfection. She shares a couple of simple practices that prevent expensive problems. Use proper lab wipes on glassware instead of shirts or paper towels, which can scratch surfaces and compromise readings. Keep pH probes wet with the correct storage solution, because once they dry out, they often stop working. Healthcare water: SPD work and Legionella prevention About 90% of Katie's accounts are healthcare. She defines SPD as the sterile processing department and explains why expectations shift compared to boilers and cooling towers. SPD work is cleaner, more controlled, and typically includes additional components such as endotoxin filtration and UV. It also involves more testing and stricter standards that tie directly to patient safety. Alongside SPD, she emphasizes Legionella prevention as a constant priority, from cooling towers (including secondary disinfection) to domestic water, because facilities want to reduce risk to patients. Water chemistry reality check: Phoenix versus "everywhere else" Katie explains how Arizona water changes the operating window. She notes high hardness and high chlorides, which can limit cycles of concentration and force conservative targets compared with places like Atlanta, where Trace describes running much higher cycles. The takeaway for experienced pros is familiar: operating limits are local, and "what good looks like" depends on the incoming water and the constraints that matter most at that site. Mentorship, representation, and field readiness systems Katie shares what it meant to be the first woman account manager hire in a long-running operation, and her advice is practical: recruit intentionally, then train people in the field, not from the sidelines. She credits her mentor, Bernie Peacock, for accelerating her learning curve, and she now passes that on by responding fast, following through, and providing steady backup to newer teammates. She also describes how she built mechanical confidence, using manuals, YouTube, phone video, and a OneNote playbook that captures account contacts, access details, sampling points, and "where things are" notes for clean coverage when someone else is on-site. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:14 - Trace Blackmore shares "first day" intimidation and learning curve in water treatment 08:55 - Words of Water with James McDonald 12:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:48 - Interview begins: Katie Holliday introduced (Apex Water and Process) 15:55 – Lab to Field transition and technique 20:27 – Representation and Mentorship 26:42 – Culture and Water Stewardship 33:31 – Healthcare work, SPD, and Legionella 35:56 – Mentoring and "give it back" 39:22 – Mechanical Confidence, Tools, and Documentation Systems Quotes and Key Takeaways "What do I not know that I don't know?" "Everyone needs a Bernie Peacock" "Field accuracy doesn't require lab perfection, but it does require clean technique." "The most effective mentoring is responsive and practical." "Documentation scales your value" Connect with Katie Holliday Email: [email protected] Website https://teamapex.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-holliday-9b6977246/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-water-process/ Guest Resources Mentioned The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose Under the Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey AAMI ST108 Compliance in Sterile Processing High hardness in Phoenix ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety certification Navajo Nation water access Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the upward flow of water through a resin bed to clean, expand, and reclassify the bed. 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.

Corrosion rarely announces itself as a "big water problem." It shows up as leaching at the tap, residual loss in the field, premature equipment replacement, and the slow, expensive erosion of decision-quality. Pat Rosenstiel (CEO) and Wolf Merker (chemist/Chief Science Officer) of Great Water Tech lay out a system-wide view of corrosion control—starting with what changed in Flint from a technical standpoint and moving into why many utilities still struggle to meet expectations when standards and risk assumptions shift. System-wide corrosion control starts with chemistry and consequences A source-water change can shift corrosivity fast. If corrosion control does not adjust proactively, the downstream effects show in metal release and public exposure. Wolf stresses the distinction between the technical problem and the political challenges, then points to corrosion control as a solvable technical matter when it is treated as a system condition—not a single asset issue. Why "phosphate-only" isn't the end of the story Trace frames what most operators recognize: many municipalities use phosphate inhibitors to form a tenacious film and reduce corrosion. Wolf argues phosphates are "a little bit of old news" in practice and explains the approach Great Water Tech discusses with their German partners—using phosphates and silicates together in the right amounts to create a tighter separation between water and metal. Barriers, biology, and the disinfection tradeoff Wolf breaks corrosion drivers into three sources: chemical, biological, and electrochemical (dissimilar metal corrosion). He also ties corrosion to cascading operational decisions—especially disinfectant strategy. If residual loss pushes a system from chlorine to chloramine, Wolf warns that corrosivity can increase dramatically, and that corrosion can amplify the formation of disinfection byproducts as chlorine reacts with what is in the water. What industrial water treaters should listen for Pat connects the same barrier logic to industrial priorities—CapEx, OpEx, and lifecycle extension in closed systems (cooling towers, closed chilled loops, boilers). Wolf clarifies that closed systems require different product "flavors," while keeping the core concept consistent: the combined silicate/phosphate approach remains the best path he is aware of. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace sets the tone for the episode: decision-quality improves when you "rethink the way that you think you know things," especially around tests and procedures 08:20 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 18:22 - Interview with Pat Rosenstiel, CEO of Great Water Tech & Wolf Merker, Chief Science Officer of Great Water Tech 23:00 - Flint technical breakdown 27:30 - Corrosion control options 32:20 - Scale vs. Corrosion 43:40 – Algae Control Pivot Connect with Pat Rosenstiel Website: Great Water Tech | Water Treatment Solutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-rosenstiel-a148952/ Great Water Tech LLC: Overview | LinkedIn Connect with Wolf Merker Website: Great Water Tech | Water Treatment Solutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolf-merker-a1b95284/ Great Water Tech LLC: Overview | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 — Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals: Health Effect NSF — Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals Certification (NSF/ANSI/CAN 60) (how certification works) ANSI Webstore listing (official standard access/purchase) EPA — Lead and Copper Rule (regulation hub) EPA — Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) (final rule page) EPA fact sheet — Tap Monitoring Requirements (LCRI) (sampling protocol changes) Great Water Tech Folmar (Great Water Tech) — corrosion inhibitor (phosphate + silicate blend) Algae Armor (Great Water Tech) — nutrient-binding tool for ponds/lakes EPA Distribution System Toolbox — Pigging fact sheet (PDF) (removing biofilm/scale/sediment from mains) U.S. Bureau of Reclamation report page (chlorine vs chloramine impacts incl. corrosion/leaching discussion) AWWA Opflow article (main cleaning techniques incl. pigging): AWWA's utility-facing perspective on cleaning options Silicate corrosion inhibitors Historical context for silicate–phosphate combinations Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT Technical Training (March 2026) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Ep 422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis Hach Water Analysis Handbook Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the smallest functional unit of a cooling tower that contains its own heat exchange section, fan or air-moving system, water distribution system, and drift eliminators. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've

Boilers can feel intimidating the first time you step into a boiler room—the heat, the noise, the pressure gauge, and the weight of knowing that mistakes can be costly. Trace Blackmore opens with a reminder that boilers deserve respect, not fear—and that learning fundamentals is how you replace mystique with clarity. The talent gap behind the boiler room door Eric Johnson, Founder and CEO of Boilearn, explains why boiler expertise is becoming harder to replace. He points to the shrinking pipeline of boiler-trained technicians—historically strengthened by Navy steam training—and why companies can't rely on "tribal knowledge" and informal shadowing alone to develop the next generation. Training that scales past the 2–3 day class Eric shares what pushed him to build Boilearn: technicians and operators need structured, repeatable competency systems—not just scattered classes and a "shotgun approach" to on-the-job training. He lays out why fundamentals can be taught effectively online when it's done well, and why travel-heavy training models often spend a large share of the budget on logistics instead of learning. Troubleshooting that starts with fundamentals Troubleshooting is where boiler work can feel like a mystery—until you understand fundamentals and sequence of operations. Eric explains how technicians can isolate problems faster by knowing what should be moving (or not moving), testing one theory at a time, and using electrical diagrams as a practical roadmap when formal sequence documentation isn't available. Better partnerships between boiler techs and water treaters The conversation closes with practical steps that reduce friction and finger-pointing: take photos during inspections, package observations clearly in service reports, communicate directly when possible, and over-communicate inspection schedules so the water treater can prepare the program before the boiler is opened. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace Blackmore sets the stage on boiler fear vs. Respect, learning boilers from a Navy-Trained mentor 09:20 - Words of Water with James 10:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:20 - Interview with Eric Johnson of Boilearn 16:30 – Eric's Path: HVAC school – Boiler Service Tech – Founder 19:10 – What Boilearn Does 22:10 – The lost "lifeline" problem 33:20 – Electrical Troubleshooting 44:20 – Coordinating Boiler Openings and Inspections Quotes "I've learned that boilers are something you definitely need to respect, but definitely not fear." "There's a career behind boilers. There's a career behind water treatment and not enough people talk about it." Connect with Eric Johnson Email: [email protected] Website: Boilearn I The Foundation of Boiler Training LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjohnson2020/ Boilearn: Overview | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned Boilearn Boilearn mission and origins Boiler operator roles and skills Common steam‑boiler problems Safe boiler operation guide Boiler start‑up and maintenance Safer operation manual Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT Technical Training Seminars Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is water lost from a cooling tower as liquid droplets are entrained in the exhaust air. 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.

Industrial water professionals are increasingly pulled into conversations about scarcity, resilience, and "where the next gallon comes from." Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva, CEO and Co-founder of Waterloop Solutions frames water reuse as an implementation challenge more than a technology gap—and explains where the practical starting points are when the scope feels overwhelming. Moving reuse forward when the technology already exists Waterloop Solutions was founded to accelerate implementation: clarifying end-use quality, identifying post-treatment needs on the back end of existing plants, and building risk management plans that fit real operational and regulatory expectations. The conversation stays grounded in what slows projects down (time, permitting, funding, and public acceptance) and where progress can be made without reinventing the toolbox. Centralized vs. decentralized: why "less regulated" can move faster Europe's agricultural reuse regulation (noted as coming into effect in June 2023) created shared minimum requirements, but also uncertainty around permitting and responsibility at the local level. In contrast, decentralized reuse is described as an "early adopter" space—often driven by innovative building projects (gray water separation, rooftop rain capture) and, in some cases, easier implementation from scratch than retrofits. What matters to industrial listeners: partnerships, autonomy, and distance For industrial teams, Dr. Veronika points out opportunities for synergistic partnerships with municipalities and agriculture—balanced against the realities of infrastructure distance and cost. She also makes the case for industrial autonomy: decoupling from conventional sources through internal reuse to protect future production when municipal needs take precedence. Communication and the "toilet to tap" problem Public perception remains a stubborn barrier. Dr. Veronika calls out the long-lasting impact of "toilet to tap" framing and why first impressions can derail technically sound reuse projects. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 03:58 - Trace Blackmore shares how "Pinks and Blues" questions get chosen—and where listeners can submit them 05:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 07:42 – Words of Water with James McDonald 11:47 – Meet Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva and why Trace invited her from LinkedIn insights 12:20 — Veronika's path: UMD → Colorado School of Mines → PhD at Technical University of Munich 15:40 — Why Waterloop Solutions started: progress is slow, but implementation support is missing 19:40 — Decentralized reuse: why interest is rising, and why it can be easier to implement in buildings 20:20 — EU agricultural reuse regulation (June 2023): minimum quality, crop types, and risk plan uncertainty 23:40 — Unique barriers by sector: municipal timelines, industrial ROI, and the difficulty of reaching farmers 33:20 — Lowest-hanging fruit: municipal reuse for street cleaning and parks; industrial autonomy via internal reuse 45:00 — Women and young professionals: visibility, role models, and why the sector's willingness to help matters 47:20 — Where to learn more: US EPA resources, EU work underway, and Australia as a reuse leader Quotes "It's okay to ask questions." "But actually, all the technology needed for it already exists." "What I think is awesome in the US, for example, that you guys are really pursuing this direct potable reuse now." "I think these are all valid options to have kind of in the water management portfolio on a local level and also on a regional level." Connect with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva Email: [email protected] Website: Home – Waterloop Solutions LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vzhiteneva/ Waterloop Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Paperback) European Commission's Water reuse: New EU rules to improve access to safe irrigation Intermezzo Paperback – by Sally Rooney (Author) Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott US EPA State Water Reuse Resources US EPA Water Reuse Information Library US EPA's "A Framework for Permitting Innovation in the Wastewater Sector Report" US Department of Energy's About the BuildingsNEXT Student Design Competition The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) Water Reuse Europe Policy and Regulations Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT Technical Training Seminars Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a device for removing condensate from a steam line without allowing the steam to escape. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every eve

"Stay curious. And you only have one reputation. Guard it with your life." Hiring for judgment, not just rehearsed confidence Industrial water treatment is full of decisions made with incomplete data—on sites, with customers, and inside the business. JD Roth (Managing Director and Co-owner of Guardian Chemicals) builds his hiring around that reality. His aim is straightforward: protect the team and the culture by selecting people who can think, collaborate, and lead under pressure. JD frames the organization as a group of people choosing to work toward a common goal: building a better future for communities, the environment, and staff. That priority shows how Guardian hires, who they keep, and what becomes a deal-breaker. If a candidate is misaligned with core values, JD is clear: performance elsewhere won't override that mismatch. The "Hiring Olympics" structure For a high-bandwidth, project-based role (their Graduate Business Analyst program), Guardian needed a way to evaluate many strong candidates without consuming 40–50 hours of team time. The result is a four-hour, multi-station day that includes: Core values interviews (two-person format) Competency interviews (horsepower and capability) An individual case study (primarily math/business-oriented) A collaborative case study (decision-making and team dynamics) The collaborative case study is the centerpiece. Candidates work with peers who are also competitors for limited roles, using real cases built around business decisions—often with imperfect or incomplete information—so the team can observe how candidates break down problems, delegate, support others, and present recommendations. How decisions get made afterward After candidates leave, the interview team convenes for a group decision. JD starts by looking for any "vetoes," especially around core values to fit (he references an EOS-style standard of meeting 5 out of 6 core values most of the time). From there, the team compares notes across competency, core values, and observed collaboration behaviors. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 – Trace Blackmore shares part of a real-world service routine and ongoing professional improvement 05:35 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:00 – Words of Water with James McDonald 13:52 – Fun Fact about 1903 from this day 14:28 – Interview with JD Roth, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Guardian Chemicals 15:20 - "A company is people" 19:00 – First solo site lesson: ask for help vs. pretend 25:10 – The GBA Program (Graduate Business Analyst) 27:50 – Hiring Olympics format + Efficiency 33:30 – "Ping pong balls in a jumbo jet" example 39:10 – Selection rules: Core values veto + EOS bar + Values list Quotes JD:"And if you've got great people and you take care of great people, they take care of your customers, and your customers take care of you." JD: "There really isn't a company. There is just a whole bunch of people who have decided to work together towards a common goal." Trace: "I can only imagine how empowered your team feels because they're so involved in this process and you're involving everybody" Trace: "I love the fact that we're diving deeper into the most important thing, and that's protecting and enhancing our culture." Connect with JD Roth Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.guardianchem.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-david-jd-roth-58714113/ Guest Resources Mentioned Entrepreneurs' Organization Verne Harnish 'Scaling Up' About Verne Harnish Harvard Business Review Case Studies Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT Technical Training Seminars Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen. R. Covey Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg Charles Duhigg — "The science behind dramatically better conversations" (TEDxManchester) 12 Week Year Plan 457 2026: A New Year with New Intentions Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is an ion with a net positive charge, formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons. Can you guess the word or phrase? 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.

Trace Blackmore opens 2026 with a practical reset: how to plan with urgency, sharpen the fundamentals that make troubleshooting easier, and use the tools around this podcast to keep your development moving all year. The 12-Week Year: urgency you can use Annual goals often feel "far away" until December forces focus. The 12-week year flips that dynamic by treating each quarter like a year—creating urgency sooner and giving you four chances to reset and improve. Trace walks through the structure: start with a vision (he uses a three-year example), then choose 3–5 tactical goals for the next 12 weeks, so you don't overload and quit. He also ties it to a water treatment reality: quarterly customer touchpoints are simply more productive than an annual "re-introduce everything" meeting. Trace points listeners to planning support and easy on-ramps: the book link: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyear the planning guide PDF: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyearplan and an Audible option (free month + free book mentioned in the transcript). Mailbag: how the show is made—and what's changing A listener asks how an episode goes from spark to air. Trace lays out the workflow: idea sourcing, research and pre-production, guest outreach, scheduling, outline creation, recording discipline, post-production with audio engineer Sean, then show notes, graphics, social posts, scheduling, and promotion. He also shares a key quality upgrade: guests now receive equipment prerequisites (including budget-friendly mic options) because the Scaling Up Nation can hear the difference. On what's new for 2026, Trace shares a major personal commitment: he's pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration, including research, data collection, and defending a thesis—with an intent to involve listeners through future surveys. Skills to build in 2026: foundation, communication, and technology Trace's recommendations land in three buckets: Strengthen fundamentals (chemistry, products, and the "why" behind test kits), improve communication and relationship-building (including temperament-based communication concepts he references), and Learn what's available in data and technology so you can show up to accounts better prepared—and avoid time-wasting return trips. He closes with a direct action: browse the ScalingUpH2O.com events section and pick learning opportunities you can attend (especially those nearby), then build a 12-week plan that helps you justify bigger conferences by clearly stating what value you'll bring back. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:38 - Welcome to 2026 and what this "first show of the year" is designed to do (reset, tools, and a mailbag). 07:30 – 12 Week Year Planning format 21:09 – Dive Into The Scaling UP! H2O Mailbag 30:54 – What Is New for 2026 for Trace Blackmore 38:05 – Words of Water with James 40:15 – Trace's Favorite Food 46:42 – What Are The Top 2 to 3 skills Water Treaters Should Focus On Quotes "Now the reason I really like the 12-week year is because it puts the urgency of not having a full year of time, only having a smaller amount of time to work for you." "It also gives you 4 chances a year to reset and improve, not just one." "Everybody in water treatment should focus on developing skills around a solid foundation." "That leads me to my third skill that I want to talk to you about, and that's learning what's available to you when it comes to data and technology." Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Audible Book - The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months 12 Week Year Plan Episode 100 The 100th One Episode 117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman Episode 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others AWT – The Analyst - Library I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman HACH Water Analysis Handbook Words of Water with James McDonald Definition: Today's definition is the ratio of the dissolved solids in a system's circulating water to the dissolved solids in the makeup water. Can you guess the word or phrase? 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.

A year-end recap is more than a highlight reel—it's a practical reset. In this New Year episode, Trace Blackmore walks through 2025 using a "12 Days of the Scaling Up Nation" format, tying together performance, community growth, listener engagement, and the sponsor support that keeps the podcast and its companion tools available at no cost. Year-end by the numbers Trace explains how he used to track every stat closely—and how that shifted into an unhealthy measure of self-worth—so the team now uses numbers as feedback, not validation. He notes the show released 56 brand-new episodes in 2025 (including the additional releases during Industrial Water Week) and explains why the data still matters: it helps confirm what the community is using, such as discussion guides and other tools, and what needs to be improved. Most-downloaded episodes and what listeners leaned into Trace shares the three most-downloaded episodes of 2025: Episode 405 — cooling water innovation using treated wastewater Episode 418 — maleic acid (with Mike Standish) Episode 424 — chlorine dioxide (the most downloaded episode of the year) Engagement that keeps learning moving The episode highlights growth in the Scaling Up Nation across newsletter subscriptions, discussion guide downloads, and an expanding LinkedIn community. Recognition, partners, and momentum into 2026 Trace acknowledges milestones including AWT naming Scaling Up H2O the official podcast of the Association of Water Technologies, and he thanks the sponsors who make the podcast's free content possible—19 sponsoring partners in 2025. The episode closes with a direct invitation for listeners to share what they want to learn next, who they want interviewed, and what stories could help the industry keep "raising the bar." Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:50 — Show open and New Year framing: a reset point for leaders and operators heading into 2026 03:10 — Why the retrospective exists: improve the next year and celebrate what the Scaling Up Nation achieved together 05:00 — The format revealed: "12 days" of highlights built from what happened in 2025 08:40 — The final 2025 "Water You Know" question: hydroxide ion formula—and the answer reveal 16:30 — The top three downloaded episodes of 2025 29:00 — Signature segments and field lessons: community participation, Detective H2O, and "quicker is not better Quotes "Slow is smooth and smooth is fast." "It's not going to take somebody's job away because of AI, but somebody who knows AI or is familiar with AI over somebody that is not familiar with it and refuses anything with AI, that person will probably take that other person's job." "Lift others as you rise." Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability 418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish 424 Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson 420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing 422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis 423 Pushing the Boundaries: Jacob Deak on Innovating Water Treatment Systems 446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish 447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the molecular formula for hydroxide ion? 2025 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.

"So one thing I never do is try to start giving remediation or advice before I truly have understood and diagnosed the problem." Mentorship and certifications don't replace experience—but they can accelerate it when paired with the right mindset and a disciplined approach to learning. Nella Fergusson, CWT (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan), lays out what "growing up" in industrial water treatment actually looks like: repeated exposure to real problems, strong diagnostic habits, and a willingness to keep learning long after year one. Learning that keeps you employable Water treatment evolves. Nella contrasts today's challenges with what she faced 15 years ago and explains why complacency is the fastest path to getting left behind. She describes water treatment as industry-specific by nature—food processing cooling and commercial real estate operations don't behave the same, don't shut down the same way, and can't be serviced the same way. Diagnosing before prescribing Her troubleshooting process starts with questions: the system's history, what changed, when symptoms appeared, and how critical the impacted use is. She emphasizes water sampling across different times of day and refuses to offer remediation before a proper diagnosis—because misdiagnosis creates extra problems instead of solving the original one. Career decisions, culture, and the 80/20 risk Nella shares a candid career detour: leaving Garratt-Callahan for GE Water/Suez, then realizing quickly what she lost—support, resources, and "family"—before returning. She frames many job moves through an 80/20 lens: chasing a missing 20% can cost the 80% that already works, especially when recruiters' incentives don't align with yours. Credentials that signal competence—and protect end users Nella explains why she pursued the CWT: an industry-agreed benchmark that reflects years of varied problem-solving. She also discusses ASSE 12080 recertification and why correct sampling, shipping, labeling, and interpretation matter—particularly in Legionella and water safety work. Customers may fear testing; she argues the goal is to find risk where maintenance is weak, then build site-specific procedures that facilities can actually sustain with their staffing. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:22 - Trace message: CWT prep course + planning for 2026 09:17 - Water You Know with James McDonald 10:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:49 - Interview with Nella Fergusson, CWT, (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan) 16: 27- Ongoing education + how the industry has changed 21:06 - Nella's troubleshooting approach: history, what changed, sampling, impact, don't prescribe before diagnosing 31:00 - Nella's 80/20 rule for deciding whether to leave a company 34:22 - Why she pursued CWT + value of certifications in the industry 40:15 - Getting results immediately + confidence while testing Connect with Nella Fergusson Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.garrattcallahan.com/ LinkedIn: Nella Fergusson, CWT | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned ASSE 12080 Certification – ASSE International Why ASSE Certifications Matter – Garratt‑Callahan Impact of Cooling Tower Downtime in Food & Beverage Operations – Aggreko Scheduling Off‑Peak HVAC Maintenance – Facility Response Group Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds, Third Edition Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT - Value of Certification Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the piece of equipment called that is a heat exchanger placed in the gas passage between the boiler and the stack designed to recover exhaust gas heat into the boiler feedwater? 2025 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.

Industrial cooling is one of the biggest levers industrial facilities can pull on water use—and it's getting harder to ignore as data centers and other high-heat operations grow. Returning guest Dr. Kelle Zeiher (Project Manager at Garratt Callahan) breaks down what water reuse looks like when you move past slogans and into the realities of pretreatment, concentrate management, footprint, and cost. Cooling water reuse: the scale of the opportunity Dr. Zeiher reframes "drought" beyond rainfall, emphasizing aquifer recharge and the limits of focusing only on household restrictions. She contrasts domestic use (~12%) with the much larger share tied to cooling (~50%), then connects that to why optimizing industrial cooling matters—especially when operations sit in arid, desert-like regions with limited water availability. She also shares a data-center statistic that puts "the cloud" into physical terms: ~53 gallons of purified water per gigabyte of data stored to keep environments cool enough for microchips. Higher cycles, RO blending, and the concentrate question The conversation moves into practical tower strategy: driving cycles up as far as the water and metallurgy allow. Dr. Zeiher describes a case moving from three cycles to six with RO blending and pretreatment, resulting in millions of gallons saved annually. From there, the engineering problem becomes unavoidable: higher cycles create a concentrated cooling-water stream, and RO adds its own waste stream. The key operational question is how to manage both streams without trading water savings for disposal and reliability issues. Minimal liquid discharge, and the AEROS approach "Zero liquid discharge" (ZLD) remains a theoretical target, but Dr. Zeiher is clear about the realities: ZLD can require large equipment and high energy demand. She shares a cost example where a 20 gpm ZLD concept came in at nearly $8 million in capital. Her team's approach focuses on minimal liquid discharge (MLD)—recovering roughly 80–90% of water rather than 98–99%, while reducing energy intensity and footprint. She introduces AEROS (Aqueous Recovery Optimization System): rapid precipitation/conditioning, followed by sequential mechanical and membrane filtration, then an RO polishing step to return purified water. Industry wisdom: proof-first projects, relationships, and AI You'll also hear Dr. Zeiher's "proof-first" pathway—bench-style testing, then a 5–10 gpm flow-through evaluation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (with BioLargo)—plus a process guarantee framework and how credits can apply toward a final system. She closes with leadership lessons on documentation, continuity of customer care, and practical guidance for working with AI: feed it strong technical inputs, then apply human critical thinking before recommendations reach customers. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:40 — End-of-year reflection becomes a professional challenge: keep learning fast enough to keep systems stable and clients confident. 05:50 — "Dry December" as a discipline story—used to tee up Trace's broader point: habits beat calendar-based resolutions. 12:00 — Water You Know 13:10 — The events page pitch: planning early protects training time and reduces last-minute operational fire drills. 17:00 — Dr. Kelle Zeiher returns after Episode 351; AWT Louisville hallway energy turns into a deep dive on reuse. 18:40 — Mystery novels as technical storytelling: The Cupcake Caper, real lab practices, and a pen name built for a non-scientific audience. 20:50 — Data centers and water: 53 gallons per GB stored reframes "the cloud" as heat management with real resource costs. 23:40 — Macro water math: 50% of U.S. water use tied to cooling vs. 12% domestic—why industrial optimization moves the needle. 27:50 — "Pretreatment is everything": RO's tiny flow channels make debris control and scale prevention non-negotiable. 30:10 — Cycles example: 3 to 6 cycles with RO blending/pretreatment, plus the caution that RO-softened blends can increase corrosion risk. 31:30 — ZLD vs. MLD: energy-heavy evaporation/distillation compared to a lower-energy recovery target that still returns most water. 33:50 — AEROS explained: rapid precipitation + filtration + RO polish, with solids handling designed to keep water moving back to the front end. 37:00 — Customer pathway: bench demos → Oak Ridge pilot (5–10 gpm) → engineered system; upfront testing credits toward purchase. 43:20 — Performance accountability: process guarantee includes refund/take-back if promised performance can't be met. 47:40 — Trust and continuity: plant presence, documentation, and relationship handoffs prevent "solution drift" when people change roles. 54:40 — Working with AI: feed it strong data, then apply human critical thinking so recommendations don't outpace experience. Quotes "Water is not a limitless resource. It's a finite resource, and we simply purify it and reuse it over and

Industrial water professionals sit at the intersection of risk, regulation, and community trust. In this episode, Dr. Annette Davison ("the water risk doctor") joins Trace Blackmore to show how disciplined governance, clear supply chain thinking, and community engagement can turn fragmented water systems into coherent, defensible risk management frameworks. Water risk from source to customer Annette starts with a simple question most customers never ask: "Where's your water coming from?" She walks through a conceptual supply chain from source to end point—collection, transfer, treatment, distribution, and customers—then layers governance on top. Who holds custody at each handover point? Are water quality objectives clearly defined and documented? What happens when something "stuffs up," and how is that communicated downstream? For leaders, it's a practical reminder that risk isn't just about treatment performance; it's about clearly assigned responsibilities along the entire chain. Governance, ISO 31000, and the Water31K framework Drawing on her background in microbial ecology and environmental law, Annette explains why "you can't do a good risk assessment unless you've got the context right." She describes how ISO 31000 inspired the Water31K framework—an approach that is jurisdictionally agnostic and capable of spanning drinking water, recycled water, and recreational water guidelines. Using Water31K, her team walks into any jurisdiction and systematically maps stakeholders, legal and formal requirements, reporting lines, and internal obligations so utilities can see their governance landscape clearly before they start scoring risk. Critical control points, AI, and learning from incidents Critical control points may have started in the food industry, but Annette shows how they can be sharpened for water. Her test— "would a computer understand this?"—forces teams to close logical gaps and define thresholds and responses precisely enough to be automated. She also explores how AI and "agents as a service" could help analyze incident data, while warning that AI is useless if utilities haven't done the basics: monitoring the right things, at the right place, at the right time, with a firm grasp of supply chain risk. Her mantra: never waste a good incident; dissect it and make sure it doesn't happen again. Regulations, public–private contracts, and community projects Using Australia as an example, Annette unpacks the complexity of layered laws—Commonwealth, state, local—and the different regimes governing public, metro, and private utilities. She shares a five-part checklist for public–private contracts (quantity, quality, maintenance, ownership, operations) and explains how weak agreements can undermine water quality objectives and monitoring. In parallel, she talks about social initiatives like One Street and One Creek, community-led work on Rocky Creek, and bringing STEAM (not just STEM) into high schools so the next generation sees water as a diverse, creative career path. Strong water risk governance isn't just about compliance; it's about making better decisions for customers and communities over decades. This conversation gives leaders language, frameworks, and examples they can use to tighten their own systems and engage people beyond the plant fence. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:15 — Trace reflects on the end of 2025, recap planning, and how goal setting shapes a stronger 2026 for sales and learning. 11:12 — Introducing lab partner Dr. Annette Davison and her diverse day-to-day across mediation workshops, field work, and high school outreach. 12:10 — The Risk Edge Group mission: protecting people, processes, and the planet from contaminated water with documents, templates, tools, and audits. 13:14 — "Incidents Online" as a free learning resource and how sharing real events helps others protect themselves. 14:10 — Becoming Australian Water Association's Water Professional of the Year and launching the One Street and One Creek social initiatives. 15:29 — From microbial ecology and contaminated sites to environmental law and a career focused on water quality governance. 19:47 — Training as a core "case study": lighting up operators and directors by finally explaining the "why" behind procedures and funding. 22:00 — Walking the water supply chain from source to end point and identifying governance handover points and quality objectives. 24:22 — Strategy-to-operations workflow: from planning and design to commissioning and operations, and why design must serve operators. 24:45 — Critical control points, space diarrhoea origin-story, and the discipline of defining CCPs so clearly "a computer would understand." 30:30 — How Water31K creates a common language for teasing out complex legal and regulatory structures across jurisdictions. 33:03 — The multi-layered Australian governance example: Commonwealth guidelines, state acts, and differing regimes for local

Entamoeba histolytica nearly ended Ron Blutrich's scientific career. Instead, it pushed him to rethink how we protect people in multi-family buildings, senior facilities, and dense urban centers from invisible microbiological risks in their drinking water. In this episode, he joins host Trace Blackmore to unpack what whole-building UV can (and can't) do for Legionella, biofilm, and real-world water safety. When One Bad Cup of Water Redefines a Career In the middle of his PhD in molecular genetics, Ron drank from an under-sink reverse osmosis tap at an Airbnb and contracted Entamoeba histolytica. The infection triggered more than three years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms and a 100-pound weight loss, despite being "clinically cured." That experience—and the lack of clear answers—led him to dig into how governments, utilities, and buildings actually manage microbiological risk in water. He discovered that even in urban centers, there is "a lot left to be desired" in monitoring, guidelines, and the epidemiology of waterborne disease. UV at the Point of Entry: Why Medium Pressure Matters Ron explains why he chose UV as the primary disinfection tool for CLEAR's whole-building solutions. He contrasts conventional filters (carbon, RO, media) that remove contaminants but do not kill biology with UV systems that directly target DNA and other cellular structures. He walks through the differences between low-pressure and medium-pressure UV, including temperature independence for hot water recirculation and the broader wavelength spectrum that can damage DNA, proteins, membranes, and even DNA repair enzymes. That same technology is being used for multicellular control in marine environments, ballast water, and mollusk control, and Ron argues it is uniquely suited to domestic hot water systems facing Legionella and biofilm. Legionella, Biofilm, and the Limits of "Good Enough" Drawing from CLEAR's field work, Ron describes how often Legionella shows up in single homes, condos, and new buildings, and how standard practices typically focus on remediation and short-term clearance instead of long-term prevention. He highlights the gap between ASHRAE 188's recommendations for hot water temperatures and real constraints in senior housing, where anti-scalding concerns keep tanks too cool to reliably control Legionella. He also shares stories of property managers and public agencies reluctant to test because they lack cost-effective treatment options or don't want to confront what the data might show. Scaling UV from Towers to Single Homes Ron walks through why conventional media and RO systems don't scale well to large towers—footprint, cost, and pressure loss—and how CLEAR instead installs inline UV systems at the point of entry. These systems can handle up to roughly 2,000 gallons per minute, require minimal head loss, and are designed as a single point of installation and service. From there, he explains how his team layered on monitoring and a tenant-facing dashboard so that properties can see UV dose, transmittance, and flow in real time, and service can be triggered based on performance instead of fixed schedules. He also discusses emerging opportunities in UV LEDs and next-generation media that could make fully comprehensive point-of-entry treatment feasible in more buildings. For leaders responsible for building portfolios, senior living, or high-density residential properties, this conversation offers a rigorous look at what it really takes to move from "we hope the water is fine" to a defensible, data-backed stance on microbiological safety. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 04:59 - Trace talks about skipping turkey and ham this year and explains his usual turkey-stock "ice cube" tradition 13:59 - Trace introduces today's lab partner, Ron Blutrich of Clear Inc., and sets up the UV-in-buildings topic 13:03 – Events page shout out 10:57 - Water You Know with James McDonald 16:21 – Drinking from an under-sink RO line at an Airbnb, contracting Entamoeba Histolytica 19:15 - Why unmaintained RO and carbon filters can increase microbiological risk 23:27 - UV to keep post-UV systems cleaner 34:51 – Installation 40:23 – Cyanotoxins, Great Lakes algal blooms, and using medium-pressure UV to denature toxins, not just microbes 43:31 – Ron's current habits 48:08 – Future Opportunities: UV LEDs 49:04 – Multi-spectral UV LED arrays Quotes "And what I learned really changed my life, because what I understood is that even in urban settings, not just in remote communities, there's a lot left to be desired when it comes to water quality, water quality treatment, guidelines, monitoring" - Ron Blutrich "I think that in general, we need to understand with our eyes open exactly what it is that we do when we treat." - Ron Blutrich "So generally, there's a lot left to be desired in terms of what we're trying to do for Legionella. It turns out that Legionella is extremely susceptible to UV. Le

What happens when you build a company around one niche, listen obsessively to customers, and never stop improving? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore finally sits down for a full-length conversation with Frank Lecrone, Founder, President, and CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific. What started in a small 60' x 60' space in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with three employees, maxed-out credit cards, and endless Staples runs has grown into a 300+-person organization serving industrial water professionals around the world. Frank shares how AquaPhoenix became "the booth everyone wants to be next to" at AWT, why they built their entire business around industrial water treatment instead of trying to be everything to everyone, and how a simple continuous improvement system now generates hundreds of ideas a year from frontline team members. He also pulls back the curtain on acquisitions and private equity, explaining EBITDA in plain language, how to think about "add-backs," and what owners should understand long before they think about selling. Whether you're leading a growing company, running a route, or thinking about your own "second chapter," this conversation is a masterclass in culture, courage, and caring deeply about the people you serve. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace Blackmore shares a recap from the recent 2025 AWT Conference, The Hang, and a Blood Donation Story 14:02 - Water You Know with James McDonald 15:20 - Upcoming Conference for Water Professionals 18:16 – Introduction of Frank Lecrone, CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific (eight years in the making) 24:52 – Why Hanover? 26:59 – Supporting AWT 37:38 – Color-coded caps & QR Codes 42:30 – Learning from mistakes 45:31 – Core Values 48:26 – Acquisitions and Culture 1:03:32 – Valuations and EBITDA Quotes "We didn't grow by doing everything for everyone. We grew by doing exactly what one market needed and wanted—and then doing it better every year." "The lack of information is almost always interpreted negatively. That's why you have to over-communicate, especially during acquisitions." "EBITDA equals freedom. The more EBITDA you have, the less anybody can tell you what to do with your own company." "We're not perfect. We screw things up like everyone else—but we fix it, and we fix it quickly, and we make doing business with us as easy as possible." "I don't want to be the smartest person in the room. I want great people around me, giving ideas and pushing things forward, so I'm not the bottleneck." "Business is like standing in a bathtub while the water rises. It feels fine until it reaches your mouth. The trick is noticing when it's at your knees and fixing the bottleneck then." "We give a darn. We have 'GAS'—Give a #$%@—and if we can make it right and do it better, we absolutely will." Connect with Frank Lecrone Email: [email protected] Website: Water Quality Testing Products | AquaPhoenix Scientific LinkedIn: Frank Lecrone | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned AquaPhoenix Scientific Aliquot – AquaPhoenix's Water Management Software QR-coded Custom Test Kits (AquaPhoenix EndPoint® ID) Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind American Red Cross Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What industrial water treatment word is derived from the Greek word meaning "claw?" 2025 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.

"The More You Know" - Robin Deal A million-gallon-a-day perspective, distilled into actionable steps. Robin Deal, AquaPure Product Manager at Hubbard-Hall unpacks how seasoned pros can squeeze more performance—and less sludge—out of industrial wastewater systems without compromising compliance or plant uptime. From "clear water in a jar" to stable discharge in the field Robin details a practical jar-testing workflow: start from upstream processes, target pH using hydroxide/sulfide solubility curves, choose the right coagulant (aluminum, iron, calcium, lanthanum, or organics), and validate against metals/COD/BOD/phosphorus before scaling. The test bench isn't the finish line; it's the feasibility gate when you're treating 150,000+ gpd. Lean wastewater: cost center or controllable system? Commodity choices (lime, alum, ferric) can generate 70–85% more sludge than optimized blends—driving hazardous waste hauling, clogging lines, and shortening pump life. Robin reframes the "penny-per-pound" price war into a total-system economics conversation: sludge recyclability, maintenance cycles, and realistic break-even targets. PFAS: remove now, plan to destroy For hex-chrome platers and other industrial dischargers, Robin shares near-term and emerging options: carbon filtration for immediate removal, evaporation/condensation where capital exists, and destruction pathways under evaluation—advanced oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, "thermobotic agglomeration," and ball milling—with an eye on evolving limits and cost realities. One Water thinking for manufacturers "Water is water." Robin introduces the One Water mindset for plant leaders: tighten internal loops, reduce community draw and discharge impact, and align non-contact, potable, and wastewater under one stewardship model. It's not a club—it's a decision framework that's already influencing global brands and drought-stressed regions. Treat each round of testing as a hypothesis check, each chemical as a system lever, and each gallon as a shared resource. That's how leaders turn compliance into predictable results. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 16:45 - Trace Blackmore shares insights on current industry events, an upcoming conference, the "magic button" idea for user-friendly wastewater control and announces The Hang to build community engagement 17:50 - Water You Know with James McDonald 23:04 - Interview begins: Robin Deal introduced as AquaPure Product Manager, origin story and family context 28:12 - First Jar Test Story 32:17 - Jar testing Workflow 42:34 - One Water concept 54:12 - Regulations Quotes "Just say yes to the job." "Lime is not a lean." "Best available technology does not mean best economic." "So just deep breath, stay calm and do the best that we can do and wait for those regulations to come out because they are coming" "Turn off the water in the polymer tank." Connect with Robin Deal Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robin-deal https://www.linkedin.com/company/hubbard-hall-inc./ Guest Resources Mentioned The Wandering Inn: Book One in The Wandering Inn Series by pirateaba Water Reuse Organization American Water Works Association Water Environment Federation Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Start With Why Simon Sinek TedTalk The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick M. Lencioni James McDonald's Be Like Water Series Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the device called that is installed on the effluent line of an ion exchange unit to prevent resin from ending up downstream where it doesn't belong? 2025 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.

Get stuck in – Michael Bourgeois, CWT How do standards get written in ways that working water treaters can actually meet? In this conversation, AWT Past President, current Related Trade Organization (RTO) Committee Chair, and Chemco Products Company Operations Manager, Michael Bourgeois CWT, explains how AWT's liaisons collaborate with peer organizations, so guidance reflects field reality—operations, risk, and achievable compliance. From Field Bags to Board Rooms: Why RTOs Matter Bourgeois outlines the purpose of AWT's RTO structure: volunteer liaisons track and influence work at groups whose missions overlap with industrial water—CTI, ABMA, ASHRAE, AWWA, ASHE, and others. The aim is simple and practical: make sure member voices are heard so guidance advances health outcomes (e.g., Legionella control) and day-to-day feasibility for service providers and suppliers. Turning Reaction into Proaction Historically, the industry learned about new rules after they landed. Bourgeois details how AWT is shifting to co-authoring cooling-water guidelines with CTI and re-engaging ABMA, so boiler-water limits and methods reflect current technologies and operations. The model: clarify shared goals, contribute content expertise, and formalize collaboration so members get usable documents at member pricing. Concrete Moves: Boiler Water, Healthcare, and More Examples include AWT's role on ABMA's Boiler Expo steering committee (with a focused water-treatment training block) and early conversations with ASHE on pathogen control in building and healthcare water systems. He describes how liaisons feed updates into a formal committee cadence, so the AWT Board and members see progress—not just headlines. When working professionals help write the playbook, outcomes improve clients, operators, and public health—and members stop "reacting" to standards they had no hand in shaping. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 00:02:28 - Trace Blackmore shares his AWT excitement & community shout-outs 00:05:16 - Water You Know with James McDonald 00:06:44 - The magic of the Scaling Up buttons (why & how to use them) 00:20:25 - North Metal Quarterly Magazine (Grab physical copy by visiting Booth 212) 00:27:00 - Interview starts: Mike Bourgeois (Chemco; AWT Past President; RTO Chair) 00:33:58 - What is the RTO Committee and why it exists 00:36:31 - The 10 formal collaborators + 4–6 informal 00:36:43 - AWWA/ASDWA (Joe Hannigan); Premise plumbing link 00:38:19 - ASHE (healthcare engineering) early wins (Reid Hutchinson) 00:38:47 - ABMA (boilers) momentum (Steve Jobin) + Women of Boilers 00:40:28 - CTI (Mike); CDC (Patsy Root); WEF (Brian Liotta) 00:40:46 - AMPP (formerly NACE) (Jay Farmerie); WQA (Chuck Hamrick) 00:41:19 - ASHRAE (Bill Pearson) & the impact on Std 188 00:45:26 - Principle: Be proactive so standards are achievable for members 00:47:34 - Boiler Expo: half-day on water treatment (economics, pretreatment, failures, regs) 00:50:56 - Where to learn about RTO work 00:54:19 - Volunteers needed: attributes of great liaisons 00:58:48 - Breakthrough: ABMA boiler water guideline refresh (toward ASME alignment) 01:01:02 - Potential collaboration with ASHE on pathogen control guidance 01:01:39 - What Mike's most excited to see at the Broadmoor 01:02:22 - Mike's session: new OSHA walk-around rules 01:02:51 - Theme of the conversation: "Get stuck in" (join committees) Quotes "The button is magic—it breaks the ice for you and starts real conversations." "Talk to every single booth. A year from now, you'll remember exactly who can help." "RTO stands for Related Trade Organization—our way to shape the standards that shape us." "Why write a standard no one can achieve? AWT's role is to make it achievable." "If you want to help AWT, get stuck in. Volunteer. It pays back 10 to 100-fold." "AWT's RTO liaisons keep members' interests represented before rules and guidelines are finalized—so they're practical and achievable." "Look for committees aligned with your strengths." Connect with Michael Bourgeois Email: [email protected] Website: Home | Chemco Products Company LinkedIn: Michael Bourgeois, CWT | LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/chemco-products-company/ Guest Resources Mentioned ABMA's Boiler Water Quality Requirements and Associated Steam Quality for Industrial/Commercial and Institutional Boilers Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.) Hardcover – April 21, 2005 by Ayn Rand AWT Committee AWT Get Involved Cancer Ward: A Novel (FSG Classics) Paperback – April 14, 2015 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Author) Cooling Technology Institute (CTI) Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas--Not Less Hardcover – by Alex Epstein Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design Paperback – Illustrated, June 22, 2010 by Stephen C. Meyer WTG-126: The Use of Non-Oxidizing Biocides in Co

Holidays don't usually line up with release day—but this year they did. In this Halloween special, Trace uses the horror-movie trope of the "scary boiler room" to deliver practical, field-tested reminders for safer sampling, clearer thinking, and better decisions in high-heat, low-light spaces. Boiler Rooms, Myths, and Real Risks From Nightmare on Elm Street to Tower of Terror, pop culture loves dim steam, tight corridors, and clangy pipe-labyrinths. Trace contrasts that imagery with what matters to pros: light, ventilation, a stable work surface, and time for observation. He urges listeners to advocate for basics—task lighting, a table, and smarter workflow—so test results are usable, repeatable, and defensible. Sampling That Won't Scare Your Data Sampling isn't the job—thinking is. Trace reviews essentials: collect safely (sample coolers when available), fill bottles with no headspace, cool samples to about "hand-holdable" (~100°F) before running tests, and remember temperature and prep sensitivities—especially sulfite tests that use starch. Poor cooling "cooks the potatoes," skewing readings. Tie every test to a hypothesis about system behavior; use results to prove or disprove what you think is happening. Observation > Automation Don't just grab a bottle and walk. Log pressures and temperatures (DA/FT), verify blowdown practices (including surface blow and any cooling devices), check the sample cooler, and review boiler logs. Pair disciplined observation with testing so numbers have context. Stretch Past the "Butterfly Line" Halloween also prompts a leadership challenge: if you haven't felt "butterflies" lately, are you still stretching? Trace revisits public-speaking growth, previews his AWT presentations (presenting craft, Start With Why, Working Genius, and processes), and encourages pros to reframe nerves as excitement on the way to competence. Make the boiler room less cinematic and more professional. Better lighting, better setup, and hypothesis-driven testing produce better calls—and better outcomes for customers. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 07:05 - Why Hollywood loves boiler rooms 10:10 — Disney's Tower of Terror queue through a "boiler room" and hidden Mickeys 13:31 – Don't just sample – Observe 15:02 - Safety first: sample coolers when available; protect yourself from burns 35:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald 47:05 – Halloween Throwback Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Website: www.scalinguph2o.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalinguph2o/ YouTube: Scaling Up! H2O Podcast - YouTube Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Annual Convention and Exposition 2025 Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Start with Why Ted Talk The Rising Tide Mastermind The Hang Ep 166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween Ep 325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support Ep 427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the pressure of a fluid called that's measured relative to "atmospheric" pressure? 2025 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.

Hiring in industrial water is slow, specialized, and expensive to get wrong. In this conversation, executive advisor Randi Fargen explains how a two-question, 5–7 minute Culture Index survey becomes an ongoing management and coaching system—not just a hiring screen—so owners cut turnover risk, speed onboarding, and improve day-to-day communication. From "assessment fatigue" to a usable language Most teams dread long assessments. This survey takes minutes and measures four primary traits—autonomy, sociability, pace/patience, conformity—plus three sub-traits (logic, ingenuity, mental stamina). Leaders get a shared vocabulary for why projects stall, what information different people need, and where the team is over-weighted in "gas" (vision/growth) or "brake" (quality/process). Objective data where interviews fail Resumes can be embellished, references are curated, and interviews are where candidates most modify behavior. The survey provides objective, EEOC-compliant data to align role demands with how a person is wired—a first pass for "right person, right seat," followed by skills and experience checks. Trace shares a driver-hire example where data prevented a costly misfit and made the interview process smoother and more targeted. Turnover, onboarding load, and the health check Randi highlights research she cites with clients: 66% of employees have accepted roles they knew weren't a fit, and 50% of those left within six months—burning cash and team morale. The fix isn't one-and-done. Teams re-survey every 3–6 months to read dynamic "job behavior" shifts, diagnose disconnects early, and adjust coaching, workload, or process before problems harden. Coaching at scale, not weaponization Culture Index works best when deployed top-down and organization-wide (not just managers). Teams adopt simple practices—e.g., bringing pattern cards to meetings or adding patterns to email signatures—to reduce friction. A guardrail: never "weaponize the dots." Use the data to maximize strengths and support challenges; never to excuse behavior or limit someone's potential. Industry relevance and next steps Because industrial water roles are niche and ramp time is long, using objective behavioral data helps retain talent you've already invested in. Randi closes with a free team diagnostic offer for companies that want to "test drive" the approach and leave with actionable insights—regardless of whether they proceed further. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:01 - Trace Blackmore shares a Legionella Awareness Month recap (most listened yet, high sharing), shout-outs to some guests, note that the CDC recognized Legionella Awareness Month, the origin story from 2020 lockdowns, a call to keep challenging what we "know" 07:52 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:51 - Interview with Randi Fargen, Executive Advisor with Culture Index 13:27 - Randi's self-intro: role and how she helps businesses ("right people, right seats") 17:02 – Hiring Win; interviews get sharper when profiles guide questions 22:13 – Cost of Turnover 33:42 - What's measured: four primary traits (A/B/C/D) + three sub-traits (logic/ingenuity/stamina) 41:06 - Gas vs. brake; turning productive tension into quality control 52:51 - Guardrail: never "weaponize the dots"; use data to support, not to excuse or exclude 01:12:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald Quotes "Fully exploited strengths are a far greater value than marginally improved weaknesses." "Statistically speaking, 98% of the population has less autonomy than you do." "The second this is weaponized; the program is dead within your organization." "This isn't something, it's not a magic wand, it's not a magic bullet… This is a marathon, not a sprint." Connect with Randi Fargen Phone: 1(303) 242 0346 Email: [email protected] Website: www.cultureindex.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-fargen/ Guest Resources Mentioned Culture Index Program Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor) Free Team Diagnostic Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older by Michael Greger Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the molar mass of water? 2025 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.

How do you make "right person, right seat" a repeatable system—not a hope? Fact Water Co's Danielle Scimeca (President) and returning guest Conor Parrish (Chief Growth Officer) share how the Culture Index became a decisive tool for coaching, hiring, and a company-wide restructure. If you lead field service, customer service, or operations in industrial water, this conversation offers practical patterns you can apply the next time a role feels misaligned or a 1:1 stall on surface-level updates. From intuition to instrumentation Trace opens with the origin story and quickly moves to why Danielle and Conor adopted the Culture Index. Conor outlines the survey's core traits (A, B, C, D), EU (energy units), logic, and ingenuity—and how those readings map to daily work. The team now enters 1:1s with data, not guesswork, and uses pattern shifts (e.g., crossing the bell-curve center line) as objective prompts to discuss burnout risk, disengagement, or role fit. Coaching that respects how people actually work Quarterly surveys provide a shared language for conflict and pace. Danielle and Conor show how "high-D vs. low-D" disagreements de-escalate when both sides name the pattern and adjust the level of detail or speed. The same framework helps leaders spot "quiet quitting" signals (e.g., EU changes) early, address them with empathy, and—when necessary—make seat changes with clarity. Hiring with a C-Job—and holding the line For open roles, they build a "C-job" (ideal pattern) and filter applicants by percentage match before reading résumés. That slows the front end but saves cycles by preventing mis-fit first interviews, reduces turnover, and improves team performance. The hardest lesson? When they ignored the pattern and hired outside the profile, they regretted it. Restructure at scale—faster, with fewer re-hires Armed with data, Fact Water accelerated a difficult restructure (significant field and customer-service turnover) and refilled seats against the right patterns. Outcomes included better alignment, happier team members, and fewer escalations. The same insights even improved communication at home—proof the temperament model applies beyond work. Tools don't lead—leaders do. The Culture Index gave Danielle and Conor the transparency and conviction to act sooner and coach smarter. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:24 - Trace Blackmore shares Industrial Water Week recap & #IWW25 highlights 13:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald 14:53 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 21:22 – Interview starts: Danielle Scimeca & Conor Parrish of Fact Water Co 24:46 – Why Culture Index 26:16 - Culture Index Overview 36:11 – Coaching Use: Data-Drive 1:1s and pattern shifts 44:36 – Hiring Use: C-Job Profiles 47:49 – Slower Hiring vs. Lower Turnover: lessons learned 53:46 – Real Example: High- D vs. Low-D communication conflict Quotes Conor Parrish: "High level culture index is a tool that we use. It starts with the culture index survey." Danielle Scimeca: "The program forces you to make tough decisions… you deserve to be in a job that you find fulfilling." Conor Parrish: "HR isn't doing first interviews with 30 people—they're doing first interviews with three to five." Conor Parrish: "There's so much more to it the more you go… I'm learning something new every day" Danielle Scimeca: "If you're not ready to make changes, it might not be the right time to do it." Connect with Conor Parrish Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-parrish-cwt-15208251/ Connect with Danielle Scimeca Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-scimeca-esq-519604279/ Guest Resources Mentioned Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor) Culture Index Program Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT 2025 Convention and Exposition AWT 2025 Business Owners Meeting AWT 2025 Golf Tournament 008 The One with Conor Parrish 186 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1 187 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2 Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind The Hang (November 20, 2025 - 6 PM Eastern Time) Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What do we call the liquid formed after steam does its work and has cooled below its dew point? 2025 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.

Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday brings the celebration back to first principles—mentors, disciplined training, and field diagnostics that go beyond the screen. Trace reflects on the people who invested in his craft, recognizes guest contributors across the week, and issues a practical challenge to invest in one new professional before the day ends. Foundations that Compound A candid mentorship story anchors today's episode. Trace recalls how early-career intimidation turned into decades of teaching fundamentals and math at AWT—proof that asking better questions grows better practitioners. Careers Friday becomes a prompt to text the person who built your foundation—and to be that person for someone else. Fieldcraft Over Flash: A Detective H2O Lesson The Detective H2O case distills high-value diagnostics for cooling systems: TTPC biocide can mask PTSA and fool controllers into overfeeding inhibitor; missing blowdown lockout during biocide feed wastes product; and stabilized bromine can become over-stabilized in long-HTI systems—driving ORP spikes, corrosion risk, and poor microbial control. Technology is essential, but interpretation is the craft. Community Voices and a Career Pledge Careers Friday features greetings from industry professionals and closes with Water You Know, a reminder that water often carries purchased energy (heat, cooling, pressure, flow, pre-treatment) that leaders must account for. The day ends with a clear ask: celebrate your mentors, share your origin story with #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O, and pledge to help one newcomer discover industrial water treatment. Durable careers are built on shared knowledge, thoughtful diagnostics, and intentional mentorship. Use today to do all three. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Opening: Industrial Water Week recap (Pretreatment, Boiler, Cooling, Wastewater) leading into Careers Friday. 03:15 — Community recognition: Scaling Up Nation "20,000+ members" and daily celebration via #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O. 05:20 — Careers Friday actions: take photos with equipment, mentors, or customers; share to celebrate the craft. 05:29 — Team traditions: the Industrial Water Week cake (including the infamous "water cake" anecdote). 09:16 — Mentorship story: meeting Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Jay Farmery; intimidation becomes investment. 13:12 — Writing the Fundamentals program with Mark Lewis to build durable entry-level foundations. 14:18 — Personal note: when Trace's father passed, how Bruce showed up—mentorship beyond the classroom. 16:15 — Careers greetings begin (Lee Bainbrigge, SMS Environmental): be open-minded, keep learning, focus on customer assurance. 18:07 — Episode reference: Lee's prior appearance (Ep. 370) for Legionella perspectives. 18:21 — Careers greeting (Kalpna Solanki): environmental operator roles as purposeful, global, and essential. 21:39 — Detective H2O — The Case of Knowing It All begins. 38:21 — CWT pathway: free prep resource and 100-question practice exam walkthrough . 42:46 — Water You Know with James McDonald 44:38 — Gratitude for James McDonald's ongoing community impact. 45:04 — Careers Friday challenge: thank your mentors; post your origin story with #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O. 46:15 — Final pledge: help one person discover industrial water treatment this week. Connect with Mike Taraszki Phone: 510.368.4549 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wsp.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaeltaraszki/ linkedin.com/company/wsp/ Connect with Kalpna Solanki Phone: 778.688.9196 Email: [email protected] Water Environment Federation (WEF) LinkedIn: in/kalpnasolanki Connect with Lee Bainbrigge Email: [email protected] Website: https://sms-environmental.co.uk/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lbainbrigge/ linkedin.com/company/sms-environmental-ltd/ Connect with James Courtney Phone: +1 443 878 2407 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.csctech2o.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-courtney-cwt-leed-ap-379a6877/ Connect with Laith Charles Phone: 941-301-1309 Email: [email protected] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMuigehZdcquaY14QtGm Connect with Mark Lewis Phone: 704.322.5406 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56 Connect with James McDonald Email: [email protected] Website: chemaqua.com Industrialwaterweek.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcdonald-pe/ Links Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Industrial Water Week Water Cake Recipe 031 The One with Mark Lewis 034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT 062 The One with the Pulsafeeder Guy 112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis 141 The O

Wastewater isn't an endpoint—it's a decision point. On Wastewater Thursday, host Trace Blackmore, CWT sharpens the operator's toolkit with field-tested lessons: dose by mechanism, verify by sampling discipline, and use wastewater's fast feedback to protect quality, cost, and permits. Sampling discipline protects credibility Trace recounts an early-career moment when an inspector sampled the wrong location, triggering alarms. Immediate, methodical resampling—guided by logs and a clear process map—proved the system was in spec. The leadership takeaway: embed verification before escalation. Clear sampling points, time-stamped logs, and a rapid "reproduce the reading" drill turn uncertainty into clarity. Mechanism over myth: coagulant control In a new Detective H2O case, James McDonald explains why overfeeding coagulant collapses floc. When particles swing past neutral, like charges repel again and settling stalls. The fix is not "more chemistry," but right-sizing dose to production and confirming with jar tests at the correct take-off point. From discharge to resource Greetings from past guests reinforce the shift under way. Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac (Veolia Water Technology) frames wastewater as a local, decarbonized resource—with energy-positive plants and reuse as standard practice. Steve Russell (Kiewit) notes supply pressure will push even deeper recycling. Mark Lewis, CWT (Southeastern Laboratories) underscores wastewater's advantage: "If you treat it, you see it." Make wastewater a reliable, fast-feedback control loop—rooted in charge balance, sampling rigor, and reuse thinking. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps: 02:17 — Welcome to Wastewater Thursday and the IWW25 theme: "From foundations to futures." 03:03 — Why wastewater is "the restart": cleaning for reuse and sustainability. 04:24 — "Every drop counts from influent to effluent" — defining the professional mandate. 05:12 — Field story setup: jar testing with Trace's father; early lessons. 06:05 — Crisis call: bad regulatory number traced to wrong sampling location. 08:54 — Guest greeting: Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac (Veolia) on energy-positive, reuse-driven futures. 10:25 — Guest greeting: Steve Russell (Kiewit) on permits, mass balances, and supply-driven recycling. 12:09 — Guest greeting: Mark Lewis, CWT (Southeastern Laboratories) on jar tests and product selection. 14:40 — Detective H2O: The case of too much of a good thing 20:17 — Mechanism lesson: charge neutralization window; like-charge repulsion returns when overdosed. 21:36 — Action: reduce dose; account for residence time; restore performance. 24:29 — IWW25 community prompt: post a safety-approved photo with wastewater equipment; use tags. Connect with Mark Lewis Phone: 704.322.5406 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56 Connect with Steve Russell Phone: 913.689.4533 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.kiewit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-russell-2b0a7960/ Connect with Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac Email: [email protected] Website: www.veoliawatertechnologies.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnaud-valleteau-de-moulliac-9b85353a/ www.linkedin.com/company/veolia-water-technologies/ Links Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 031 The One with Mark Lewis 034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT 112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis 141 The One About Neglected Accounts 149 The One About Some of the Lesser-Used Technologies 382 Leading with Safety: How Veolia Embeds Health into Global Culture 396 Navigating Carbon Capture: Water Demands and Wastewater Solutions with Steve Russell 404 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 1 – Essential Strategies 406 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 2 – Essential Strategies

Cooling Wednesday is about performance, protection, and proof. Trace Blackmore invites the Nation to get hands-on with cooling equipment and share field photos while offering a practical reminder: learn to navigate the chiller's user interface—because it's your fastest route to actionable diagnostics, documentation, and energy impact. Reading the Chiller UI—From Intimidation to Insight Modern microprocessor interfaces reveal real-time and historical data that matter to heat transfer: temperatures, loading, and power trends. If you've avoided the panel out of fear of "shutting something down," ask a chiller tech to walk you through the specific unit on site. Once comfortable, log key parameters on every visit and use the trend history to spot changes before they become outages. Proving Value with Clean Heat Transfer and Measured Energy For new or troubled accounts, record energy use during dirty conditions, then maintain the same measurements as the system is cleaned and stabilized. Month-over-month comparisons at similar loads become hard proof that treatment quality translates to lower operating costs—and that contract value aligns with measurable savings. Cooling Wisdom from the Field Guest greetings highlight real-world lessons: avoid shipping sample bottles in flimsy packaging (they're heavier full than empty), respect the complexity of cooling treatment by breaking it into critical actions, and remember that underfeeding biocides invites biofilm—and problems like foaming—while proper dosing and verification (e.g., dip slides) restores stability. Celebrate—and Document Share your favorite cooling tower or chiller photo with #IWW25 and #ScalingUPH2O. Then, turn celebration into discipline: capture UI data, maintain trend logs, and use the numbers to defend decisions, budgets, and results. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:01 — Kicking off Cooling Wednesday and the #IWW25 photo invite (show your cooling towers/chillers). Why it matters: community learning and pride in craft. 03:22 — Why cooling matters: performance, protection, livability. Why it matters: framing the operational stakes of heat transfer. 03:46 — Willis Carrier's 1902 humidity control origin story. Why it matters: cooling began as a manufacturing quality solution. 09:54 — Guest greeting: Juan Menezes (Nalco Water, an Ecolab company) on a low-pH excursion and recovery. Why it matters: pH control and response discipline. 11:13 — Guest greeting: Michael Lowenstein (QLabs) PSA on shipping Legionella samples securely. Why it matters: sample integrity = valid data. 12:22 — Guest greeting: Mike Standish (Radical Polymers/MFG) on complexity, simplifying actions, and predictive AI. Why it matters: clarity first; analytics next. 17: 11 – Detective H2O: The Case of Unwanted Foam Party 29:20 — Wrap: keep celebrating; post your cooling equipment; Wastewater Thursday is next. Why it matters: momentum through the week. Connect with Juan Meneses Phone: 337.309.9619 Email: [email protected] Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn Connect with Michael Loewenstein Phone: +1 513 207 4943 Email: [email protected] Website: Scientific Consulting for Q Labs LLC LinkedIn: Michael Loewenstein | LinkedIn Connect with Mike Standish Phone: 423.316.9877 Email: [email protected] Website: www.radicalpolymers.com mfgchemical.com LinkedIn: in/mike-standish-7890627 Links Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 014 The One with Mike Standish 176 The One About Tagged Polymer Technologies 350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment 377 Future of Legionella Monitoring: Strategies for Employing qPCR in a WMP 405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability 418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish

Boiler rooms reward clarity: how many BTUs from the flame actually arrive in steam—and stay there to do useful work? For Boiler Tuesday, Trace Blackmore, CWT, treats boiler care as heat-transfer management across the full train, from feedwater and deaeration to distribution and condensate return, with dry steam as the operational benchmark. Heat Transfer Is a Leadership Metric Dry steam isn't a detail; it's throughput. Steam on its worst day carries ~1,150 BTUs while hot water on its best day carries ~180 BTUs. When carryover creates wet steam, production loses energy at the point of use. Treating "BTUs-in-steam" as a shared KPI aligns maintenance, operations, and finance around the same outcome: efficient work. The Steam Train: Protect the Interfaces Trace maps the sequence—pretreatment → feedwater/DA → boiler → steam lines → condensate return—and explains where heat transfer is taxed when fouling or poor practices creep in. Recover condensate BTUs, verify deaerator performance, keep tube interfaces clean, and protect dryness at end users. Each interface preserved is energy returned to work. Field Perspectives & Safety Concise greetings from global practitioners reinforce fundamentals and vigilance. Barry Higgins underscores soft, high-quality water for "fluffy steam." Ivan Morales contrasts OTSGs with conventional boilers and the implications for steam quality. Ben Frieders offers a memorable safety reminder: disciplined restarts and gasket integrity are non-negotiable in steam environments. Boiler Tuesday is a call to manage heat-transfer efficiency, not just chemistry. Protect interfaces, speak in BTUs, and make dryness measurable where the work happens. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Welcome and IWW25 context; Boiler Tuesday focus (why: frame the professional lens for the week). 03:46 — "Heat transfer efficiency managers": defining the water treater's job (why: reframes role beyond chemistry) 08:13 — Technology parity; execution and knowledge as differentiators (why: invest in people and practice). 09:59 — The train: feedwater/DA, boiler, lines, condensate return (why: systems thinking prevents local optimization) 12:52 — Guest greetings begin: international and cross-industry viewpoints (why: broaden operating context). 14:04 — Barry Higgins: soft water for "fluffy steam" (why: pretreatment quality → steam quality). 16:18 — Ivan Morales: OTSG vs conventional cycles and steam quality differences (why: choose tech with eyes open). 17:36 — Ben Frieders: post-inspection restart incident and safety lesson (why: operational discipline in steam). 20:19 — Detective H2O: The Case of Having The Blues 25:07 — Boiler Tuesday call to action: share photos, use IWW25 hashtag (why: community and practice sharing). Connect with Barry Higgins Phone: +353 87 987 8606 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aquachem.ie LinkedIn: in/barry-higgins-bagrsc-59030225 Connect with Ivan Morales Website: www.ecolab.com/nalco-water/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ivan-morales-mba-06793b5/ linkedin.com/company/nalco/ Connect with Ben Frieders Phone: (317) 719-1452 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.getchemready.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfrieders/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/getchemready/ Links Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Industrial Water Week Industrial Water Week Scaling UP H2O Resource Page 353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1 354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2 366 Produced Water: Expert Perspectives and Practical Tips 420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing

Industrial Water Week is here—and Day 1 is Pretreatment Monday. This special episode sets the tone for the week with specific ways to celebrate as a team, sharpen field practices, and share what you do with the people who matter most. Celebrate with purpose Host Trace Blackmore outlines simple, high-signal actions: take a field photo with your pretreatment gear, tag it #IWW25, #IndustrialWaterWeek, and #ScalingUPH2O, and post it today! Inside your company chat (Slack, group text, etc.), mark each day's theme so momentum builds across Boiler Tuesday, Cooling Wednesday, Wastewater Thursday, and Careers Friday. Foundations to futures This year's theme—Water's Industrial Journey: From Foundations to Futures—is a prompt to audit your own growth. Trace describes the shift from "knowing" to "understanding" when fundamentals interlock, and challenges veterans and newcomers to keep learning in an ever-changing field. You'll hear a Pretreatment Monday greeting from Tessa Nge of HOH Water Technology, plus the debut of a new Detective H2O case, The Case of the Singing Canary. Follow along on LinkedIn and guess the guest voices—Trace reveals them on Friday. Whether you bake a cake for your crew or host a brief daily stand-up, make the week visible. The work you do improves reliability, energy use, and water stewardship—worth celebrating and worth doing well. Want to learn more about Industrial Water Week? Visit the free Resources dropdown at www.ScalingUpH2O.com to explore all things Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and Careers in water. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:53 - Trace Blackmore welcome everyone to the Industrial Water Week: Scaling UP H2O as official place to celebrate 05:55 – Field Photo Prompt: Post Pretreatment Equipment Shots; tag #IWW25, #IndustrialWaterWeek, and #ScalingUPH2O 19:29 – Guest Greeting: Tessa Nge (HOH Water Technology) 25:33 – Detective H2O: The Case of the Singing Canary Connect with Tessa Nge Phone: +1 224-545-7870 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaskilton/ Links Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Industrial Water Week Water Cake Recipe Chloride Elution Study Procedure and Data Interpretation Industrial Water Week Resources Page Ep 392 Breaking Barriers: How Diversity and Confidence Drive Growth in Water Treatment

The best leaders are the ones that can hold space for both—care personally and challenge directly. Work never happens in a vacuum. Field calls, customer pressure, travel, and deadlines compound the very real mental load carried by water professionals. In this conversation, Dr. Andy Melton, a professional counselor and executive coach at www.andymelton.com—shares clear, practical ways leaders and teams can recognize mental health warning signs, set the right boundaries, and respond with care without stepping outside their role. Care Personally, Challenge Directly—Inside Clear Boundaries Managers aren't neutral parties, and that matters. Andy explains the built-in conflict of interest when a supervisor probes too deeply into an employee's personal struggles. You still need to check in—but do it in role: use open-ended, performance-anchored questions ("What's been challenging for you lately?"), document observations, and offer resources instead of diagnoses. He also highlights Kim Scott's "Radical Candor" frame—care personally and challenge directly—as a durable leadership posture for tough conversations. Spotting Decline Early—Behavioral, Cognitive, Physical Before missed KPIs and callbacks spike, there are tells: sudden drops in productivity, withdrawal, irritability, rising absence/tardiness, markedly negative self-talk, and physical complaints (fatigue, headaches, stomach issues). Andy shares a simple "dashboard" self-check—sleep and eating patterns—plus trackable 1–10 scales for stress, energy, engagement, and mood stability to catch trends early. When It's Serious—Safe Paths and Resources Anonymous surveys can surface urgent risks—including suicidality. Andy outlines responsible next steps: widen communication, invite follow-ups, and immediately involve a mental health professional or crisis resources. Know the number 988 and your local mobile crisis team information; publish those options prominently so help is never far away. Grounding Under Load—3 Techniques You Can Use Anywhere For anxiety (mind racing ahead) and depression (mind stuck in the past), uniting mind and body in the present increases bandwidth. Andy teaches three job-friendly tools: the four-second "box" breath, a five-senses "sensory scan," and a head-to-toe "progressive muscle relaxation." Each can be done discreetly at a desk, in a service truck, or before a customer meeting. Strong operations require strong people. Build a culture that normalizes check-ins, provides resources, and keeps performance expectations clear. That's how teams protect each other and maintain reliability in the field. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace welcome Industrial Water Week is next week and why it's our "Super Bowl" 11:38 — Water You Know with James McDonald 13: 11 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 15:14 - Introduction for Dr. Andy Melton 15:35 - Andy's background 19:06 - Why mental health is hard to discuss at work; stigma and judgment 21:40 - Cognitive/physical signs: negative self-talk, fatigue, headaches, stomach issues 23:33 — Why self-awareness is hard; "mirror" idea of counseling/coaching 24:21 — Self "dashboard": sleep and eating as early indicators 26:22 — Employer question: caring without crossing the line 31:44 — Impact on teammates and operations; why the talk still must happen 32:06 — Culture: build trust so care is believed 36:12 — Psychological safety: education via outside counselors/coaches; offer EAPs 42:07 — 988 explained; local mobile crisis teams and how they respond 45:06 — Awareness first: listen to body; define "stress" simply 48:27 — Grounding overview: techniques to reunite mind and body Quotes Struggles in mental health still have stigma… but I do think there are ways to handle this sensitive subject in the workplace. It is really challenging as an employer to be a neutral sort of resource in someone's life. Connect with Dr. Andy Melton Phone: 615-669-4105 Email: [email protected] Website: www.andymelton.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymeltonphd Guest Resources Mentioned The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy C. Edmondson Crucial Conversations (Third Edition): Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny (Author, Narrator), Kerry Patterson (Author), Ron McMillan (Author), Al Switzler (Author), Emily Gregory (Author, Narrator), McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio (Publisher) Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler Downloadable materials for workplace mental health presentations Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott Radical Candor | Feedback Training, Coaching & Consulting Mental Health America (MHA) Melton Counseling 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeli

What happens when cities become "networked"—and water systems start telling us what they need in real time? In this episode, Trace Blackmore speaks with Christine McHugh (CEO, White Strand Development) about practical smart-city strategies for water: real-time monitoring, digital twins, and IoT/AI approaches that turn Legionella control from periodic testing into continuous risk management. Christine frames smart water not as gadgets, but as a disciplined, data-driven process that improves human health, operational efficiency, and insurability. Building the "Networked" City: A Practical Definition Christine defines a smart city as a networked one—linking health, energy, waste, and water through technology that measures and correlates across systems. The aim isn't novelty; it's safer drinking water and safer water environments via better data and faster decisions. Digital twins, decentralized treatment, and AI-enabled pattern recognition help teams move from "single point-in-time readings" to persistent trends they can act on. Legionella Risk, Reframed as Strategy Most water programs still sample periodically, waiting days for results. Christine argues the future is pattern-based, proactive control: track temperature, stagnation/flow, and disinfectant continuously; intervene when pattern thresholds indicate elevated risk. This lens aligns water quality, human wellness, and insurance risk reduction, encouraging property insurers and building owners to incentivize water science as part of smart-building operations. From Sensors to Sense-Making: Hierarchy, Data Lakes, and Reporting Adding devices isn't enough. Christine stresses a hierarchy of sensors and data governance so operations, engineering, and ESG teams aren't running conflicting reports from siloed sources (BMS vs. cloud dashboards). Her model: create a data lake with agreed-upon sources of truth and standardized outputs so every stakeholder "sees the same movie." Case Studies & What "Good" Looks Like Christine highlights programs that combined water management plans, continuous disinfectant monitoring, and campus-scale digital twins—reducing manual tests, achieving compliance, and cutting consumption. European hospitals using IoT on hot-water systems report faster compliance and fewer manual interventions. The pattern: real-time insight + trained people + maintenance and reporting contracts = measurable risk reduction. Cybersecurity: Close the Back Doors Smart water raises legitimate cyber concerns. Christine's guidance: encrypt all sensor communications, hire experts to penetration-test your own systems, and watch for unexpected bridges (e.g., HVAC or even "non-critical" devices) into critical networks. OT/IT segmentation, alert transparency, and a culture of continuous testing matter as much as the sensors themselves. Public–Private Partnerships (with Academia) The fastest path to adoption pairs public oversight and access to infrastructure with private-sector technology and capital—and an academic partner for research and validation. Clear performance metrics and maintained as-builts keep pilots honest and scalable. Resilience: Droughts, Floods, and Stormwater Smart networks matter beyond Legionella. Real-time consumption, leak detection, and pressure management minimize waste during droughts; stormwater and wastewater sensors prevent overflows that contaminate receiving waters during floods. Long-running sensor programs abroad show how a single resort area eliminated contamination events by instrumenting the system and responding to alerts. Emerging Tech to Watch From self-healing pipes and biosensors to drone inspections and AI-orchestrated networks, Christine sees water systems becoming more like natural ecosystems—self-regulating, adaptive, and resilient—while humans supervise exceptions and validate performance. For industrial water professionals, the takeaway is clear: treat smart water as an integrated risk-management system, not a pile of devices. Invest in sensor hierarchy, unified data, and team training, and align the work with safety and insurance outcomes. That's how you protect people, performance, and the balance sheet. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:37 - Trace Blackmore kicks off the episode by reminiscing about the TV show Leave It to Beaver and how families used to watch together in the 1950s. 08:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald 09:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:20 - Interview with Christine McHugh, CEO of White Strand Development 13:03 - What Is a Smart City? 15:13 - Risk Reduction as Strategy 16:23 – Real-Time Monitoring: Core Controls 17:06 - Smart Fixtures & "Only When Needed" Flushing 19:28 — Duplication, BMS vs Cloud, Data Governance 25:03 — Case Studies: VT & Copenhagen University Hospital 31:59— Cybersecurity: Water Systems at Risk 40:21— City Resilience: Drought & Flooding 41:59 — Emerging Tech to Watch Quotes "Technology will give us r

Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes Matheus Paschoalino, PhD Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of Solugen, to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they're changing cooling-water programs from the field up. We cover HEDP replacement in light-duty systems, azole enhancement in copper-challenged waters, a second-generation cut for heavy-duty heat flux, and PHC behavior with oxidizers and non-oxidizer biocides. From Bioforge to Basin: How PHCs Are Made and Why It Matters Paschoalino explains Solugen's chemo-enzymatic "Bioforge" approach that oxidizes sugars (corn-syrup feedstock) into PHCs with very high yield and no practical byproducts—a pathway validated as carbon-negative. He outlines how different "cuts" (monoacid-rich vs. diacid-rich) map to different use cases, and notes current manufacturing capacity and adoption across hundreds of towers. Replacing HEDP in Light-Duty Programs For hospitals, HVAC, and other light-duty systems, PHCs have fully replaced HEDP as the anodic corrosion inhibitor while keeping PBTC for scale, enabling lower total phosphorus formulations with equal or better performance compared to status-quo organics. Azole Enhancement, Free Copper, and Real-World Cost Field work showed PHCs chelate metals quickly, protecting azole demand when free copper is present (e.g., after oxidizer flushing) and reducing expensive azole overdosing. One university case dropped an adjunct 8-ppm azole feed by pairing the base 3–4 ppm azole with PHC, yielding both corrosion control and lower discharge costs. Second-Generation PHCs for Heavy-Duty Heat Flux (Toward "Neutral Phosphorus") At higher heat flux and stabilized-phosphate conditions, a diacid-rich second-generation PHC proved more stable, enabling orthophosphate reduction and opening a path toward "neutral phosphorus" programs that leverage background phosphate in municipal make-up. Bench data also show synergy with trace metals (e.g., zinc). Biocide Potentiation and Where It Works Best PHCs remain stable with oxidizers like chlorine dioxide and bleach. Their most compelling synergy shows up with non-oxidizers and peracetic acid (PAA): as a biocide potentiator, PHCs can reduce the need to overdose actives such as THPS, glutaraldehyde, quats, and DBNPA by first complexing interfering metals (e.g., Fe/FeS), letting the biocide perform as intended. Not "Bug Food": Pilot Cooling Towers and Oxidizer Demand To address the industry's biggest concern with bio-based chemistries, Solugen ran side-by-side outdoor pilot cooling towers under identical bleach control. Result: comparable oxidizer usage and consistently low counts versus HEDP—evidence that PHCs don't fuel biofilm. Chelation Mechanics, Polymer Savings, and White Rust PHCs chelate beyond acid-group stoichiometry thanks to multiple hydroxyls and conformational effects—critical for controlling dissolved metals and protecting films. In stressed heat-flux/chlorine conditions, PHCs reduced calcium-phosphate fouling versus HEDP, often allowing polymer dosage cuts. Early data also show promise for white-rust mitigation on galvanized systems, with the diacid-rich cut delivering the strongest reductions. For practitioners, the message is pragmatic: PHCs aren't "lab curiosities." They're fielded at scale, enabling lower-phosphorus programs, protecting costly azole inventories, widening the operational window under oxidizer stress, and potentiating select biocides—while staying compatible with common metals. If you manage cooling assets under cost, compliance, and performance pressure, this episode gives you a clear technical playbook to evaluate. Listen now, review the papers in the show notes, and test a pilot where it counts—on your heat exchangers. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:15 - Trace Blackmore shares a quick personal open: spotting the Goodyear Blimp (100th anniversary), using memories as fuel rather than limits, and a mindset reset around the word "can't." 06:42 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:23 - Water You Know with James McDonald 11:41 - Interview with Matheus Paschoalino, Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of Solugen 12:02 - HEDP replacement in light-duty programs; lower total phosphorus without losing performance 19:13 - Heavy-duty heat flux: second-generation (diacid-rich) PHCs and reducing orthophosphate 20:39 - "Neutral phosphorus" approach 27:42 - Biocide potentiation: synergy with PAA; strongest effects with non-oxidizers (e.g., THPS) 33:03 - "Bug food?" Pilot side-by-side cooling towers (Houston) 37:39 - HEDP systems fouled with calcium phosphate while PHC system showed only minor patching (CTI paper) 41:44 - Early evidence: white-rust mitigation on galvanized systems (seeking field partners) Quo

What if HR wasn't the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Tia Amundson, HR Director at HOH Water Technology, to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. Redefining HR's Role Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH's HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent communication, and culture building. From structured check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days to coaching managers and bridging communication gaps, her approach ensures employees feel supported, heard, and connected. Culture as Competitive Advantage HOH's success story demonstrates how culture directly shapes business outcomes. Tia explains how open-book management, employee engagement surveys, and intentional recognition programs have increased retention, profitability, and trust across the organization. By aligning HR strategies with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), HOH has cultivated an environment where employees thrive and deliver exceptional service. Talent, Retention, and the Future of HR Finding and retaining the right people remains one of the industry's biggest challenges. Tia outlines the importance of a clear employee value proposition, authentic recruiting practices, and a commitment to work-life balance. She also discusses how HR will evolve over the next decade, balancing automation with the irreplaceable human element of caring for people. Dream Management and Employee Growth As a Certified Dream Manager, Tia integrates personal growth with professional development. By helping employees pursue their own dreams, HOH has fostered deeper engagement, loyalty, and breakthroughs that extend far beyond the workplace. Conclusion For leaders in the water treatment industry, this episode challenges you to view HR not as a cost center, but as a powerful lever for long-term success. Strategic HR practices can reduce turnover, build culture, and give your organization a competitive edge. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:28 - Trace Blackmore welcomes listeners, shares personal "sharpen the saw" growth theme 04:53 - Sharpen-the-saw story 08:10 - Water You Know with James McDonald 10:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 13:15 - Interview with a friend and Rising Tide Mastermind member Tia Amundson, HR Director, HOH Water Technology 13:30 - HR as employee connection + leadership alignment, not a "principal's office" 16:32 - From hiring to long-term care 19:14 - Coaching managers 23:49 - Turnover → P&L 33:12 – Recruitment Realities 44:03 – Dream Manager Program 48:11 – Overcoming Skepticism 50:02 – The Future of HR 51:13 – Start/Stop for HR 52:50 – Foundational operating system (EOS) first Quotes "HR isn't about punishment—it's about building trust, culture, and strategic advantage." "Pour into your employees, and they will pour into their work. That discretionary effort is what differentiates great companies." "Open communication and transparency aren't soft skills—they're the foundation of an intentional culture." "We started this interview saying we'd shatter how people think about HR—and I think we've shattered about a dozen things already." "When you engage employees in their personal dreams, you directly impact workplace engagement." Connect with Tia Amundson Phone: +12247721377 Email: [email protected] Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-amundson-shrm-cp/ Guest Resources Mentioned HOH Water Technology EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Gallup Q12 Engagement Survey The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly How to Be a Great Boss: Gino Wickman, René Boer Traction by Gino Wickman Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams by Jim Clifton (Author) & Jim Harter People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture (The EOS Mastery Series) by Mark O'Donnell (Author), Kelly Knight (Author), CJ DuBe' (Author) Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Industrial Water Week Scaling UP! H2O's Industrial Water Week Resources Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What are some reasons for softener resin beads to crack? 2025 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.

With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Jemma Tennant, Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fight against Legionella. Proactive Regulation and Duty of Care The UK treats Legionella as a foreseeable and preventable risk. Jemma explains how laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations require mandatory Legionella risk assessments, temperature monitoring, and written control schemes—even when no cases have occurred. This contrasts with the U.S., where ASHRAE 188 serves as guidance rather than enforceable law, often triggering enforcement only after outbreaks. Jemma shares a case study where a housing association was fined £1.2 million despite no recorded illness, underscoring the UK's proactive stance on protecting public health. Hospitals, Design, and Emerging Challenges From hospital plumbing layouts to new "waterless" intensive care units, Jemma details how design choices can either mitigate or magnify waterborne risk. Scotland's model of involving water safety groups at the design stage provides a proactive example for healthcare worldwide. She also outlines how climate change, net-zero initiatives, and rising ambient temperatures are complicating control strategies across Europe. Raising Standards Through Collaboration As Chair of WMSoc, Jemma is leading efforts to raise industry standards and reverse what she calls a "race to the bottom." She describes partnerships with AWT in the U.S. and LMAG in Australia to share expertise across borders. The episode also explores her pursuit of the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) credential and her vision for adapting the certification for UK professionals. Conclusion This conversation is a call to action for water treatment professionals everywhere: regulations, standards, and collaboration matter. Whether in cooling towers, hospitals, or housing estates, Legionella management requires vigilance, shared knowledge, and a commitment to raising the bar. Listen to the full episode and discover how global collaboration can shape safer water management practices. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:55 - Trace Blackmore introduces the final installment of Legionella Awareness Month 2025 05:30 - Water You Know with James McDonald 07:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:50 - Interview with Jemma Tennant, SMS Environmental, Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc) 15:24 - Jemma's background: growing up in the U.S. and UK, science upbringing, rotifers, and wastewater treatment career. 32:25 - The Water Management Society: structure, training, collaboration with AWT and LMAG 43:00 - Raising industry standards: combating the "race to the bottom" in UK water treatment. Quotes "In the UK, we're prosecuted for the potential for harm, not just actual harm. Legionella is treated as a foreseeable and preventable risk." "It's the transition between just doing the task to understanding the why behind the task." "We're seeing a serious drop in industry standards—a race to the bottom—and that's why raising the bar is so important." "At the end of it, the CWT covers everything. You end up being a complete water treater." "Always be honest when you don't know the answer, then go and learn. That's how you grow." Connect with Jemma Tennant Phone: 447828315336 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-tennant-mwmsoc-2636985b/ Guest Resources Mentioned Water Management Society (WMSoc) LMAG - Legionella Management Advisory Group - LMAG The Women by Kristin Hannah (Author) HTM 04-01 – UK healthcare water safety standards The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH Regulations 2002) Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 UKAS Accreditation ANAB (US Laboratory Accreditation) Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021 for Legionnaires' Disease Risk Management ASHRAE Standard-188-2021, Building Water Management Plans – Summary Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Ep 101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT Ep 203 The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford Ep 370 Unlocking Legionella Solutions: Perspectives on Regulations and Best Practices Water You Know with James McDonald Question: Does Hydroxide Alkalinity in a steam boiler water ALWAYS equal 2P-M? 2025 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.

Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica, Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights from his comparative research on Legionella control. Reframing Legionella Risk Dr. Spica explains why public health data increasingly points to Legionella pneumophila—not all Legionella species—as the primary concern for human health. He shares how pan-European data modeling and peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that broad-spectrum monitoring may overburden systems without delivering proportional safety gains. Cost-Benefit Models and Sustainability Water professionals know that testing and compliance require resources. Dr. Spica discusses cost-benefit analysis frameworks that help decision-makers evaluate where investments deliver the greatest reduction in risk. He also highlights the sustainability implications of over-testing, from lab resources to environmental waste streams. European Regulations and Legal Liability The conversation also explores the European Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, national approaches to Legionella, and how liability shifts when contamination is detected. Dr. Spica's insights illuminate what building owners, operators, and regulators must weigh as they update management plans. Conclusion For engineers, operators, and technical managers, this episode provides a clear framework for thinking about Legionella beyond routine testing. It's about focusing on the pathogen that truly drives disease outcomes, aligning regulatory strategy with science, and applying resources where they matter most. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:24 - Trace opens the episode, welcoming listeners to Legionella Awareness Month and framing the call to action 05:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald 10:04 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:06 - Trace introduces Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica, Head of Public Health at the University of Rome Foro Italico 17:22 - Dr. Spica outlines why Legionella pneumophila is the main pathogen of concern in Europe 35:04 - Dr. Spica explains Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a measure of public health burden 44:08 - Monitoring strategies and how different culture methods affect outcomes 46:16 - The role of water temperature in Legionella proliferation Quotes "Not all Legionella are equal—public health data shows us it's Legionella pneumophila that drives the real risk." "Testing everything may look safer on paper, but in practice, it diverts resources from where they can have the greatest impact." "Risk management should not be a checklist; it should be a strategic allocation of resources aligned with outcomes." "European data models show that a targeted approach can deliver both better safety and greater sustainability." Connect with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica Phone: +39.06.36733247 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: vincenzo romano spica | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned Legionnaires' Disease Surveillance and Public Health Policies in Italy: A Mathematical Model for Assessing Prevention Strategies by Dr. Spica et. al Alessando Cassini's Burden of Infectious Diseases in Europe methodological challenges and opportunities for public health policy NLM's Impact of infectious diseases on population health using incidence-based disability-adjusted life years (DALYs): results from the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe study, European Union and European Economic Area countries, 2009 to 2013 Supplemental information: Impact of UAT Diagnostic Methods on Estimates of Legionnaires' disease Caused by non-pneumophila Legionella Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Scaling UP! H2O's Legionella Resources Library 434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is it called when a valve is closed at the end of a pipeline system causing a pressure wave to propagate in the pipe and a loud banging sound? 2025 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.

"Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time." In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila can save both lives and resources. From Outbreaks to Proactive Policies Patsy unpacks a central truth: most regulations emerge reactively, often after a high-profile outbreak. Drawing on her research from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, she compares different jurisdictions' approaches — from Quebec's targeted testing mandate to New York City's broader species-based rule — and reveals why some frameworks reduce cases far more effectively than others. The Case for Targeted Testing Legionella encompasses around 60 species, but not all carry equal risk. Patsy explains why L. pneumophila — the species most responsible for Legionnaires' disease — demands priority in monitoring and control. Through examples from France, Germany, the UK, and beyond, she demonstrates how focusing on the pathogen itself, rather than all species, leads to measurable public health gains and cost savings. Educating Lawmakers and Industry Beyond technical data, Patsy emphasizes the importance of water professionals engaging with legislators. She outlines how clear communication, evidence-based recommendations, and standards like ASHRAE 188 can guide practical, enforceable rules. Her advice balances science with real-world feasibility, helping both regulators and facility managers protect health without unnecessary expense. This conversation is more than a policy discussion — it's a blueprint for better public health protection through smart, focused water management. Whether you work in compliance, operations, or advocacy, Patsy's insights will equip you to engage in the legislative process with clarity and authority. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:52 - Trace opens with Legionella Awareness Month reflections and the importance of challenging industry assumptions 05:38 - Water You Know with James McDonald 07:13 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:47 - Introduction to guest Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and member of AWT's Legislative & Regulatory Committee. 17:31 - Global comparison of Legionella-related laws and guidelines 27:03 - Understanding Legionella species vs. L. pneumophila 44:42 - Legislative engagement tips for water professionals Quotes "The worst time to write a rule is when you're in the middle of a panic." "Finding Legionella species is not the same risk level as finding L. pneumophila — and the data prove it." "Keep the hot water hot, keep the cold water cold, keep the water moving, and keep a decent disinfectant." "Biology fascinates me — the fact that bacteria can signal each other to come join a good spot is both creepy and amazing." "When lawmakers understand how preventable this disease is, they can become champions for real change." Connect with Patsy Root Phone: 207-523-0835 Email: [email protected] Website: https://www.idexx.com/en/water/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idexx-laboratories/ Guest Resources Mentioned CDC Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program IDEXX Legiolert® Testing Method IDEXX's Why test for Legionella pneumophila to prevent Legionnaires' disease? Data and Case Study of Effective Legionella Regulations by Patsy Root NASEM's Management of Legionella in Water Systems (2019) MD 15161 – 2013 Control of Legionella in Mechanical Systems Assessment of monitoring approaches to control Legionella pneumophila within a complex cooling tower system by Michele Prevost et al The Legionella collagen-like protein employs a distinct binding mechanism for the recognition of host glycosaminoglycans by Garnett et al The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO were published in 2013 by Dufour et al The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO covered by KWR Publication starting on Page 54 – Section 7.4.4. Canada Legionella bacteria control in federal buildings Leveraging regulatory monitoring data for quantitative microbial risk assessment of Legionella pneumophila in cooling towers NYC Data Catalog about Cooling Tower Registrations NYC Health's Cooling Tower Registration and Maintenance Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT's Legislative/Regulatory Committee Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 403 Navigating the New Frontier: Patsy Root on Legionella Legislation Scaling UP! H2O's Legionella Resources Library ASHRAE Standard-188-2021, Building Water Management Plans – Summary Water You Know with James Question: What is the mass balance around a cooling tower? 2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've list

What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn't about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation). Legionella on the Rise Dr. Krause has investigated high-profile Legionella outbreaks and seen firsthand how current prevention strategies often fall short. Despite ASHRAE 188 standards, CMS requirements, and increasing water management plan adoption, Legionella cases continue to climb — often due to infrastructure issues, insufficient monitoring, and a lack of evidence-based guidance. Inside an Outbreak Investigation From the first call at 4:30 on a Friday to the coordination between local health departments, state agencies, and the CDC, Krause explains the rigorous (and sometimes chaotic) process of pinpointing outbreak sources. He also reveals why public communication can make or break an outbreak response. Introducing LIDO Technology Rather than relying solely on chemical disinfection, LIDO uses gas transfer membrane contactors to remove dissolved oxygen from hot water systems. Legionella can't thrive below 0.3 ppm DO — meaning systems treated with LIDO create an inhospitable environment for growth. Krause shares lab results, pilot project findings, and how this approach could extend system life while reducing corrosion and byproducts. The Bigger Picture This episode goes beyond technology — it's about rethinking water management, building better outbreak communication, and challenging industry norms. Whether you're a facility manager, water treater, or public health professional, Krause's insights will shift the way you think about Legionella control. Prevention starts with awareness — and action. Dr. Krause's work shows there's more than one path to safer water systems, and innovation comes from asking better questions. Listen now to discover how Legionella investigations unfold and how LIDO technology could reshape prevention. Download the free discussion guide located at Connect with the Guest section, and start the conversation with your team. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:24 - Trace Blackmore shares an Introduction to Legionella Awareness Month and the value of ANSI/ASHRAE 188, ASSE 12080 certification 08:17 - Water You Know with James McDonald 11:52 - Interview with Dr. David Krause and his background in public health, toxicology, and Legionella Investigations 16:36 - Why cases are rising despite standards, plans, and certifications 21:39 - The significance of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 vs. other species 26:38 - Media influence on outbreak perception and the need for accurate communication 31:15 - Business risks of not having a water management plan 41:48 - How LIDO works: removing dissolved oxygen to prevent Legionella growth 48:41 - Current pilot projects and operational considerations Quotes "Legionella is an obligate aerobe – without dissolved oxygen, it simply can't grow." "An ounce of prevention is worth ten pounds of cure when it comes to water management plans." "Once an outbreak starts, testing becomes your life." "We have so much information on waterborne pathogens – the challenge is making a habit of learning the next thing." Connect with Dr. David Krause Phone: 850-766-1938 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.hc3fl.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidkrause/ Guest Resources Mentioned AIHA – Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Legionella in Building Water Systems (2nd Edition, 2022) ACGIH – Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control (Red Book, Updated Edition) IDSA's 'Increasing Incidence of Legionellosis in the United States, 1990–2005: Changing Epidemiologic Trends' Legionella and the Role of Dissolved Oxygen in Its Growth and Inhibition: A Review by J. David Krause Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Controlling Legionella pneumophila growth in hot water systems by reducing dissolved oxygen levels by J. David Krause CSTE – National Legionellosis Case Definitions (2020) LIDO: A Revolutionary Approach to Legionella Management Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Scaling UP! H2O's Legionella Resources Library ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems) ASHRAE-188-2021-Summary-Technical-Bulletin_01.pdf Water You Know with James Question: Despite all the training, engineering controls, policies, regulations, laws, and direction, at the end of the day, who is most responsible for your personal safety? 2025 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.

"Just because you have a water management plan doesn't mean it's working." That's the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025. Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations, simply checking the compliance box is no longer enough. Matt walks us through the CDC data and ASHRAE findings that make a strong case for active, ongoing water management — not just documentation. Drawing from recent outbreak investigations, he explains why implementation, not content, is often the root failure. Trace and Matt discuss the widespread misconception that water management plans guarantee zero Legionella. They also address the real barriers preventing facilities from taking action — from budget limitations to internal roadblocks — and what water professionals can do to influence smarter, risk-based decisions. Regulatory Pressure, AI Integration, and What's Coming Next With ASHRAE 514, AAMI ST108, and ASSE 12080 gaining ground, the water industry is seeing increased scrutiny, especially in healthcare and hospitality facilities. Matt outlines how these evolving standards are transforming expectations and forcing a shift in accountability. The conversation takes a forward-looking turn as they explore the power of AI and aggregated analytics to optimize pathogen control. With 10,000 buildings in the LAMPS system, HC Info is preparing to offer data that could shape public health outcomes nationwide — a move that could redefine how we benchmark performance and interpret Legionella test data at scale. Culture, Purpose, and Long-Term Vision As a mechanical engineer with an epidemiology background, Matt also reflects on the human side of leadership — from building a values-driven team to embracing his faith as a cornerstone of decision-making. His message for water treaters is clear: "Either do it well or don't do it." For facilities leaders, his advice is to stop fearing complexity and start leveraging the tools available — because water management done right can improve not just compliance, but health outcomes, asset longevity, and operational resilience. Conclusion This episode is a masterclass in how to future-proof your water safety strategy. With actionable insights, emerging technologies, and a clear call to accountability, Matt Freije reminds us that smart water management is both a technical responsibility and a moral imperative. Listen to the full conversation to understand how new standards, digital tools, and intentional leadership are shaping the future of water safety. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 04:50 – Trace reflects on feedback from listeners who learned the origins of Legionella and how re-telling important stories is essential in water treatment education 06:49 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:44 – Water You Know with James McDonald 14:14 – Introduction with Matt Freije returning guest 15:46 – Biggest Challenges in Water Management Plans Today 19:47 – Regulatory Evolution: ASHRAE 514, ASC 12080, and Joint Commission Inspections 44:14 – The Document is Not the Plan: Why Systems Must Be Implemented 48:08 – Impact and Adoption: Why Water Management Plans Truly Matter Quotes "Either do it well, or don't do it. A half-hearted water management plan can do more harm than good." "Most facilities still don't have a water management plan — and many don't even know what one is." "Just because you had the conversation once doesn't mean it stuck. With Legionella, repeating the important things is critical." "Analytics should make the problem obvious — you shouldn't need a PhD to interpret what your water data is telling you." Connect with Matt Freije Email: [email protected] Website: Legionella Water Management Plans LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattfreije Guest Resources Mentioned HC Info ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems) ASSE 12080 Certification: Professional Qualifications for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown John Adams by David McCullough (Audiobook) John Adams by David McCullough (Paperback) Keep Your Love On: Connection Communication and Boundaries by Danny Silk (Paperback) The Bible (KJV) Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Legionella Resources Library ANSI/AAMI

Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella? Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it's still misunderstood by many: Legionella. In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan? Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations Trace opens with the 1976 American Legion outbreak in Philadelphia — the moment the medical and water treatment worlds collided. He explains how the bacteria was identified, how the term Legionella pneumophila came to be, and how Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires' Disease represent two ends of the same pathogenic spectrum. But more importantly, he challenges us to think critically about the language we use. Saying "Legionella" casually — without understanding whether we're referring to the bacteria, the illness, or the implications of a test result — can lead to major breakdowns in communication between service providers and facility managers. A Water Treatment Program Is Not a Legionella Plan Many professionals know how to deliver great chemical treatment. But too often, when a Legionella test comes back positive, the customer assumes the water treater is responsible. This episode explains how that misunderstanding happens—and how to prevent it through proactive, well-framed conversations. Trace walks through why seasonal testing is the bare minimum, what makes a good water management team, and why documentation and pre-approved action plans are essential for clarity and peace of mind when results come in. He also introduces tools like the CDC Legionella Toolkit, ASHRAE 188, and ASSE 12080—resources every industrial water professional should know and use. The Systems at Risk — And Why It's Not Just Cooling Towers Trace breaks down the environments where Legionella thrives cooling towers, stagnant pipes, dead legs, hot water systems with low temperatures, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and spas. He highlights why biofilm protection matters, why heat isn't always enough, and how mixing valves and plumbing design can support both safety and scald prevention. You'll hear how real-world scenarios unfold—and how one positive test, without the right planning, can lead to panic, blame, and liability risk for everyone involved. Legionella isn't just a technical issue — it's a human one. Whether you're in the field, managing accounts, or advising clients, this episode offers practical tools and powerful reminders for having the conversations that count. The professionals who lead these conversations are the ones building trust, avoiding risk, and elevating the industry. Listen to the full episode and explore the Legionella Resource Library at Legionella Resources. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02: 12 – Trace opens the episode with an overview of Legionella Awareness Month 08:47 – Legionella vs. Legionellosis 15:51 – The Miscommunication That Hurts Trust 27:13 – Where Legionella Hides 28:14 – Key Resources 33:22 – Water You Know with James McDonald 34:47– Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals Quotes "Cooling towers are guilty until proven innocent — and that's how the industry sees them." "Legionella is not your responsibility unless you've set the right expectations in writing." "Don't wait until a test is positive to have the conversation. By then, emotions are already high." "ASHRAE 188 doesn't prescribe. It describes it. It's up to us to translate it for each system." "Education isn't just about reading guidelines. It's about knowing how to guide your clients." Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea CDC's "Toolkits" CDC's "Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program" CDC's "Toolkit: Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure" ASHRAE 188-2021 "Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems" CMS Mandates Water Management Programs in Healthcare Facilities CMS QSO 17 – 30 Memorandum ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN Series 12000-2024 (Download) ASSE's Infection Control and Water Quality ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 Water for the Processing of Medical Services CDC's Routine Legionella Testing Figure 1: A multifactorial approach to performance indicator interpretation World Health Organization (WHO) 'Legionellosis' Water You Know with James McDonald Question: Why is barium chloride used in the standard Hydroxide Alkalinity test? 2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treate

"The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS." - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with Brian Liotta, Director of Marketing and Product Development at USALCO, about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds. From Industry Curiosity to Regulatory Urgency Brian candidly shares how he "fell into" the world of PFAS, sparked by client questions and his work with AWT's Wastewater Subcommittee. Over time, he became one of the industry's clearest voices on how PFAS is transforming everything from chemical manufacturing to compliance practices. In this conversation, Brian breaks down the science, the timeline, and the technologies professionals need to understand—whether they're manufacturers, consultants, or field engineers. Testing, Treatment, and Destruction: What's Working and What's Coming Testing for PFAS isn't straightforward. Brian outlines why high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are still standard, despite the lack of affordable, field-ready kits. Then, he walks us through the big three: granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and membrane filtration—explaining how each performs and what their operational limits are. He also introduces lesser-known but emerging strategies like foam fractionation, electrostatic concentration, and supercritical water oxidation—some of which could shape the next generation of end-to-end PFAS solutions. The Legal Front: EPA Rules, State Action, and the Chevron Doctrine The conversation turns toward the regulatory environment: from the EPA's national drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion to individual state actions in California, Maine, New York, and others. Brian unpacks the implications of the Chevron Doctrine being overturned and why this legal shift may slow federal implementation but accelerate state-led policies. What It Means for Water Treatment Professionals Whether you're new to industrial water or managing a large portfolio, Brian delivers a simple but powerful takeaway: understand the regulations, study the technologies, and provide solutions. With PFAS-related services on the rise, the opportunity for technical leadership and business growth is clear—but only for those who do their homework and move early. Conclusion PFAS isn't just a regulatory buzzword—it's a catalyst for innovation. As Brian notes, the most successful professionals will be those who bridge the gap between evolving science and real-world application. This episode equips you with a deeper understanding of what's at stake and how to lead your customers through uncertainty with confidence. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 10:35 – Water You Know with James McDonald 12:52 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 18:06 – Interview with Brian Liotta Director of Marketing & Product Development of USALCO 22:15 — What is PFAS? 26:00 — EPA's new 4 parts per trillion PFAS drinking water standard and what it means 32:06 — Treatment technologies: GAC, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and their pros and cons 37:32 — Emerging innovations: foam fractionation, electrostatic concentration, and plasma-based destruction 42:00 — State-by-state PFAS regulations and implications of the Chevron Doctrine ruling 46:20 — Advice to new water professionals: understand the regulations, then bring the right solutions Quotes "Regulation drives our business. If you're not paying attention, you're not preparing your customers." "PFAS are in our water, our products, even our bloodstream. This isn't hype—it's science catching up." "Some of the smartest people I know ask a lot of questions. Curiosity is how you become valuable." "We're seeing companies build end-to-end treatment trains. That's where the innovation is happening." Connect with Brian Liotta Phone: 15102747326 Email: [email protected] Website: Water Treatment Chemicals - Baltimore, MD | USALCO LinkedIn: Brian Liotta | LinkedIn Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide Guest Resources Mentioned Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC) ITRC Resources Guide ITRC PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) Join ITRC PFAS Team EPA PFAS Resource Center Battelle PFAS ANNIHILATOR® Destruction Technology Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin Brooks: The Biography of Brooks Robinson EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS (2023) Chevron Doctrine Overturn (2024) – Supreme Court Decision EPA Announces It Will Keep Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA