402 Game-Changing AI Tools: Matt Montellione's Insights
Scaling UP! H2O
“It’s not that different than when smartphones came out.. Everything’s overwhelming when you first try it, but with just a little bit of effort, it just becomes second nature.” - Matt Montellione Dive into the transformative world of AI with Scaling Up H2O! In this episode, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Founder of , to explore how cutting-edge AI tools are reshaping the water treatment industry and beyond. Discover how platforms like Notion and Fireflies can serve as your "second brain," automating tasks, organizing data, and driving efficiency. Whether...
info_outline
401 Kick Off to 2025!
Scaling UP! H2O
Welcome to 2025! Episode 401 of the Scaling Up H2O Podcast is here to help you kick-start the new year with valuable insights, energy-saving tips, and strategies for personal and professional growth. Host explores how small changes, like switching to LED lighting or investing in solar power, can save energy and cut costs for National Cut Energy Costs Day. He also dives deep into effective planning methods, the importance of relationships, and how to maximize your potential in 2025. National Cut Energy Costs Day Learn practical ways to reduce energy usage at home and work, from...
info_outline
400 Celebrating 2024 and 400 Episodes!
Scaling UP! H2O
"Take a victory lap today and celebrate all the wonderful things you've done this year." – Trace Blackmore In this milestone 400th episode, host reflects on the podcast’s incredible journey and the achievements of 2024. From personal accomplishments to listener engagement and standout episodes, this celebration highlights the growth of the Scaling UP! Nation. Scaling UP! H2O by the Numbers: What 2024 Taught Us Trace shares how the podcast grew across countries like Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand while continuing to top charts on Apple and Spotify. Personal Triumphs: From...
info_outline
399 Pinks and Blues: The Science of Serial Dilution
Scaling UP! H2O
Having a product does not mean it’s going to work well. Having a product and having the experience to use it properly, that’s the determining factor. - Trace Blackmore Dive into one of ’s favorite formats: the "Pinks and Blues" episode! In this special installment, Trace tackles real-world questions from water treatment professionals like you, offering clear, practical solutions rooted in chemistry, strategy, and years of experience. From mastering serial dilutions to making the most of leftover competitor products, this episode is all about equipping you with the tools to excel in...
info_outline
398 Water Treatment Project Success: Essential Steps for New Facilities and Expansions
Scaling UP! H2O
"Don’t be afraid to ask questions early and often when working with engineering firms or general contractors on your water treatment program... Getting it right the first time is the easiest and least painful way to a long-term successful water treatment program." – Walker Burnette In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore sits down with , Water Treatment Consultant at to explore the importance of early involvement in water treatment projects for new and expanding facilities. Together, they uncover essential lessons, challenges, and best practices that can make...
info_outline
397 Pinks and Blues: How to look at your tests
Scaling UP! H2O
“Your test kit is your tool, and you are the master of that tool. “- Trace Blackmore In this insightful episode of Scaling Up! H2O Podcast, host delves into the critical topic of understanding and optimizing water treatment tests. This episode is designed to equip water treatment professionals with practical knowledge to enhance their test-taking techniques and interpretation skills. The Concept of Pinks and Blues Trace shares the origins of the term “pinks and blues,” coined by his father, and explains its significance in water testing. He stresses the...
info_outline
396 Navigating Carbon Capture: Water Demands and Wastewater Solutions with Steve Russell
Scaling UP! H2O
“Learning how to learn is essential. “- Steve Russell In this week’s episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we’re excited to share a deep dive into the complex world of carbon capture and water treatment with , Senior Process Engineer at . Host Trace Blackmore and Steve explore the challenges of treating wastewater in carbon capture facilities, including the need for innovative approaches to meet environmental and operational standards. Navigating Carbon Capture: A Process Engineer’s Perspective Carbon capture is a hot topic in today’s industrial landscape,...
info_outline
395 A Career Flowing with Purpose: Five Decades of Water Wisdom with Bob Cunningham
Scaling UP! H2O
Here we go! We have the privilege of collaborating with our lab partner , of , a true water industry expert whose journey flows through five decades of dedication, transformation, and insight. Starting his own company 35 years ago, Bob has navigated the currents of change in the field, sharing the lessons that come from a lifetime of experience. For those new to the water industry, Bob’s story will inspire you to write your own chapters with integrity and resilience; for seasoned professionals, it’s a reminder of the profound impact a lifelong commitment to this work can make. What Was...
info_outline
394 Visibility and Value: Enhancing Sustainability in Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O
By highlighting cost savings, clients can see how efficient water treatment impacts their bottom line. Sustainability isn’t just a trendy term—it’s about implementing practical practices that protect our planet for current and future generations. By adopting sustainable strategies, we can conserve resources, cut costs, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and our client’s businesses. In our latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with , CWT, LEED AP of an advocate for water sustainability, who shared actionable insights on how...
info_outline
393 High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO): Expert Guidance on Optimizing System Performance
Scaling UP! H2O
We’re focusing on High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO) with insights from , Director of North America Application & Sales at . With over 40 years of experience in membrane technology, Ken sheds light on how HRRO is transforming water treatment and tackling industry challenges. Here are the key highlights from our conversation. What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)? Ken describes reverse osmosis as a method for rejecting dissolved minerals and macro-organics from water. He stated, “Today's systems, most of them are using what they call a thin film composite membrane, which are categorized into...
info_outline
"Take a victory lap today and celebrate all the wonderful things you've done this year." – Trace Blackmore
In this milestone 400th episode, host Trace Blackmore reflects on the podcast’s incredible journey and the achievements of 2024. From personal accomplishments to listener engagement and standout episodes, this celebration highlights the growth of the Scaling UP! Nation.
Scaling UP! H2O by the Numbers: What 2024 Taught Us
Trace shares how the podcast grew across countries like Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand while continuing to top charts on Apple and Spotify.
Personal Triumphs: From Scuba Diving to Off-Roading Adventures
This year wasn’t just about podcasting. Trace shares personal milestones, including certifying his 1,000th scuba diver, losing 20 pounds, and embracing off-roading adventures in his wife’s Jeep.
Behind the Mic: Guests, Stats, and Records
With 51 guests in 2024, 35% were women, and 65% were men. This diverse lineup included highlights like the Women of Water (Episode 380) and Legionella Awareness Month series. The podcast also broke a record with six guests in a single episode.
From Legionella to Boilers: Most Shared Episodes of 2024
Episodes like Are Legionella Cases Truly on the Rise? (Episode 376) and Steam Boiler Essentials (Episodes 353 & 354) delivered actionable insights that sparked industry discussions.
AWT Innovation Award: A Shared Honor
This year, Scaling UP! H2O was honored with the 2024 AWT Innovation Award at the AWT Annual Conference. Recognizing the podcast’s impact on advancing the water treatment industry, this award is a testament to the dedication of the Scaling UP! Nation.
The Timeless Impact of Episode 179
Kathleen Edelman’s Temperaments episode remains the most downloaded in podcast history, offering lasting lessons on improving communication and relationships.
The Scaling UP! Nation Community: More Than a Podcast
More than a podcast, Scaling UP! H2O is a movement driven by its listeners. With 10,000 LinkedIn followers and a growing global presence, the Scaling UP! Nation continues to make waves in the water treatment industry.
A Look Ahead: What’s Next for 2025
Trace teases what’s to come, including new contributions from James MacDonald and an even greater focus on delivering high-quality content for water treatment professionals.
Powered by Our Partners: Sponsors Who Believe in the Mission
This podcast thrives thanks to sponsors who believe in its mission. Their support ensures the production of valuable, high-quality episodes.
Here’s to the Next Chapter, Together
Trace thanks everyone who made this milestone possible, celebrating 400 episodes as a shared achievement with the Scaling UP! Nation. Together, we’re shaping the future of water treatment.
And as always, we’re scaling up knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems.
Timestamps:
01:10 - Trace reflects on the podcast’s journey, shares gratitude for the Scaling UP! Nation, and highlights achievements while offering forward-looking insights.
04:25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:39 – Trace shares his personal milestones from 2024
09:22 – Drop by Drop with James McDonald
14:49 – Trace delivers the Podcast Highlights of 2024
43:44 - Gratitude for Sponsors, Guests, and Listeners
45:18 – A Look Ahead to 2025
46:21 – Episode Wrap-Up and New Year Wishes
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
The Rising Tide Mastermind
World Vision Global 6k
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella
350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment
351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony
353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1
354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2
355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality
376 Are Legionella Cases Truly on the Rise? Insights on Legionella Trends and Prevention
380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry
390 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 1
391 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 2
Drop by Drop with James
In today’s episode, I have a quote. The quote is, “The lines are painted wrong.” Who said that and what did this person mean? That was my Dad. He used to tell us that as kids. You see, my Dad took pride in his driving abilities, and when he would not park the straightest in a parking space, we kids would take great delight in pointing it out to him. His reply was always, “The lines are painted wrong.” Oddly enough, we LOVED this answer! We would argue back, “No they aren’t! You parked crooked!” He would just shake his head, smile, and calmly insist, “The lines are painted wrong.” In my career as an industrial water treatment professional, this quote has always stuck with me. There are most certainly times when the lines are painted wrong. The control ranges may be wrong, too tight, or too broad. The lines are painted wrong. The expectations from a client or manager may be unrealistic. The lines are painted wrong. The finger often gets pointed at the water treatment professional first when things go wrong with water-related equipment, even when it’s not our fault. The lines are painted wrong. While it would not have been appropriate for my Dad to repaint the lines in a parking lot, it can be appropriate for us to repaint the lines at times in industrial water treatment. Control ranges can be appropriately adjusted. Expectations can be diplomatically realigned. Blame can be diffused or redirected with listening, discussion, facts, and patience. Sometimes, it takes a little thinking outside the box to realize when the lines are painted wrong. I have my Dad to thank for helping me see this at such a young age, and I can’t wait to tell him that now tens of thousands of people have just learned from him, too.
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.
