421 The Benefits of Tagged Polymers in Water Treatment with Gary Garcia
Release Date: 05/23/2025
431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!
Scaling UP! H2O
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...
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430 PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta
Scaling UP! H2O
“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 , Director of Marketing and Product Development at , about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds. ...
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429 The Life and Career of Jim Lukanich
Scaling UP! H2O
“You can’t learn it all in one year. You can’t even learn it all in ten.” That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode. Returning to the for the first time since Episode 10, joins host to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to leading technical innovation at Buckman Laboratories, ChemCal, U.S. Water, and Kurita, Jim has been a force for mentorship, learning, and raising the bar in technical excellence. Building a Career, One Problem at a Time Jim...
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428 Innovations in Water Treatment with Dr. Jasbir Gill
Scaling UP! H2O
What happens when a nuclear chemist pivots into industrial water treatment? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore is joined by , President at Water Energy Solutions Inc, whose career spans five decades of breakthrough innovations in water chemistry and sustainability. From developing predictive modeling systems to creating new polymer standards, Dr. Gill shares how scientific rigor and practical experience came together to shape tools still used today. “We were not just saving water—we were calculating the true cost of energy and environmental impact.” From Nuclear Chemistry to...
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427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty
Scaling UP! H2O
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” - Patrick Henry Honoring Innovation, Freedom, and Small Business on the 4th of July In this special Independence Day episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore brings you a rich blend of patriotism, professional insight, and entrepreneurial spirit. Opening with reflections on July 4th traditions—from fireworks to parades—Trace sets the stage for a compelling conversation with Jack Clark, Owner and Founder of 180 Water. As the water industry faces growing demand and generational turnover, Jack offers a bold solution: a replicable...
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426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change
Scaling UP! H2O
In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back , Chairman of the Board, , to reflect on what it really takes to step out of day-to-day leadership—and do it well. As a multi-decade leader in water treatment, Tom shares the personal, professional, and organizational insights that shaped his transition from CEO to chairman and what it means to lead a business into its next generation. From early succession conversations to the unspoken anxieties of staff, Hutch offers a rare look behind the curtain of legacy-building in industrial water treatment. And as private equity plays a growing...
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425 Smart Technology in Water Treatment with Kevin Kuhne
Scaling UP! H2O
“You don't have to transition your entire business. You just need to start. Small beginnings are okay.” Revolutionizing Water Treatment Through Smart Tech In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes , Founder and President of , for a deep-dive conversation on the emerging role of smart technology and artificial intelligence in water treatment. With decades of experience leading tech-driven innovation, Kevin unpacks how intelligent systems, edge computing, and real-time data processing are reshaping operations in the field—from cooling towers to...
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424 Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson
Scaling UP! H2O
A Lifelong Exploration into Chlorine Dioxide In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, Trace Blackmore welcomes Greg D. Simpson, a recognized authority on chlorine dioxide and a long-time researcher, writer, and technologist in the industrial water treatment space. With decades of hands-on experience and a personal archive of thousands of technical papers, Greg brings unmatched depth to this essential conversation. From Field Trials to File Cabinets Greg takes us through his early career, from being tasked to explore chlorine dioxide as an alternative disinfectant on the...
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423 Pushing the Boundaries: Jacob Deak on Innovating Water Treatment Systems
Scaling UP! H2O
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore interviews , Marketing & Inside Sales Director at , for a deep dive into how innovation is born—not in labs, but in the field. Jake shares the story of Pyxis Lab’s rapid evolution from a lean, hands-on team to an industry leader in developing smart, user-informed water treatment technology. Building Solutions from Real-World Problems Jake Deak's journey began during the pandemic, stepping into a role shaped by both legacy and urgency. Working closely with his father and the Pyxis team, he reveals how their approach...
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422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis
Scaling UP! H2O
In this milestone episode, host Trace Blackmore welcomes of and current President of the . Together, they explore the strategic evolution of AWT and announce an exciting new partnership that officially makes Scaling UP! H2O the association's podcast partner. This conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look into how AWT operates, from board decisions to training initiatives, and what the future holds for water treatment professionals who want to lead, grow, and make an impact. Behind the Boardroom: How AWT Operates at the Top John Caloritis gives a full picture of how the...
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“Keep it simple because the more complex things get, the less people will do it” - Gary Garcia
For years, water treatment professionals have relied on PTSA tracers to estimate system performance, but emerging technologies are offering clearer, more direct answers. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcome once again returning guest Garret "Gary" S. Garcia of Masters Company, now a business unit of MFG Chemical to explore how fluorescent tagged polymers are revolutionizing the way water treaters monitor system health and chemical performance. With decades of expertise, Gary offers practical insights into this game-changing technology.
Why Tagged Polymers Matter
Trace and Gary discuss the limitations of relying solely on PTSA tracers, a method that only indicates product presence rather than active ingredient performance. Gary explains how fluorescent tagged polymers, by chemically bonding the fluorophore to the polymer backbone, provide a direct and reliable measure of active polymer concentration, helping water treaters make more informed service decisions.
Instrumentation and Integration Challenges
Listeners will gain a practical understanding of how to implement tagged polymer technology. Gary outlines how existing probes and meters compare, what calibration and integration may look like, and whether both PTSA and tagged polymers can be used together. He also explains why tagged polymers are especially useful in systems impacted by iron, cationic biocides, or inconsistent load demands.
Real-World Applications and Benefits
Tagged polymers make it possible to move beyond "set-it-and-forget-it" dosing practices. Gary discusses how accurate polymer monitoring can reduce overfeeding, optimize chemical performance, and improve system health. For both QC in manufacturing and daily service checks, these tools offer better visibility into what’s really happening inside the system.
The Simplicity of Switching
Gary highlights the ease of adopting tagged polymers – often a direct drop-in with no reformulation needed. For water treaters, that means minimal disruption and an immediate opportunity to upgrade their programs.
Conclusion
Fluorescent tagged polymers are not just another tool in the toolbox; they represent a critical step forward in water treatment precision and reliability. As Gary notes, understanding and adopting these technologies allows professionals to elevate their programs, save resources, and better serve their customers.
Continue advancing your technical expertise. Explore additional Scaling UP! H2O episodes, stay updated on innovations in water treatment, and connect with leaders like Gary Garcia who are shaping the future of the industry. Visit scalinguph2o.com to access more resources and educational discussions.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:55 – Trace reflects on last week’s episode of Ben Frieders’ talking about fire safety advice.
08:03 – Water You Know with James McDonald
09:33 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:01 – Interview with returning guest Gary Garcia of Master’s Company
15:39 – Volunteering and Career growth through AWT
18:22 – Differences between PTSA and fluorescent tagged polymers
28:43 – Misconceptions about single-parameter testing with PTSA
34:01 – How to learn more and connect with experts like Gary Garcia
Quotes
“For every ounce of effort you put in, you get 10, 20 ounces back in return.” Garcia
“We're the good guys. We're helping people save water, energy, helping the environment.”
“When you’re measuring for the fluorescent tagged polymer, you’re actually measuring for the active ingredient.”
“You gain more information; you gain more expertise. No one person has it all.”
Connect with Garret S. Garcia
Phone: 16302389292
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.masterscoinc.com
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
314 2023 Water Industry Updates
206 The One That’s All About Customer Solutions In A Drum
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What field test is used to measure how likely a water source is to foul reverse osmosis membranes due to suspended solids?
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.
