467 From PhD to Pump Rooms: Jake Elliott on Wastewater, Efficiency, and Saying “Yes” Wisely
Release Date: 03/13/2026
475 Inside the Boiler: Inspection, Failure Analysis, and Photography with Cheryl Heiser
Scaling UP! H2O
A boiler failure can create pressure quickly: production is down, emotions are high, and the water treater may be the first person blamed. of . joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to walk through a more disciplined way to evaluate boiler issues by looking beyond chemistry alone. Why Boiler Failures Need a Broader Lens Cheryl brings field experience from the OEM boiler side, conventional water treatment, and purified tannin boiler treatment. Her perspective is rooted in the idea that no two boilers are the same. Design, operating conditions, fuel, history, circulation, steam...
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474 Questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about Trace
Scaling UP! H2O
Every career in industrial water treatment is shaped by decisions, mentors, credentials, systems, and the willingness to keep learning. In this special mailbag-style episode, Trace Blackmore, CWT, answers questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about how he entered water treatment, why he started the podcast, what professional credentials have meant to him, and what he is still working to improve. This conversation gives water professionals a practical look at the habits behind a long career in the industry: getting involved early, documenting customer conversations, building strong...
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473 From Oil to Water: How the Water Midstream Sector Was Born with John Durand
Scaling UP! H2O
Industrial water professionals often think about water in terms of treatment, compliance, reuse, and operational risk. John Durand brings a different but closely connected view: water as infrastructure, water as a managed resource, and water as a strategic part of energy development. , one of the early pioneers of the water midstream sector and CEO of Magnificent Desolation, LLC, joins Trace Blackmore to explain how produced water moved from a disposal challenge to a large-scale infrastructure opportunity. From Disposal Model to Managed Resource John describes how...
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472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab
Scaling UP! H2O
"Document everything." Spring startup season exposes more than operational stress. It also reveals what happened months earlier when systems were laid up poorly, maintenance steps were skipped, or warning signs were documented but not acted on. In this episode, Trace Blackmore connects that reality to a broader infrastructure problem: hidden damage inside pressure piping systems that operators often cannot see until a leak, rupture, or budget crisis forces action. Why hidden pressure pipe problems are so expensive , CEO and President of , explains why pressure pipe...
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471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer
Scaling UP! H2O
Biofilm is not a fringe issue in cooling systems. As Dr. Jeff Kramer explains, it is a given. That matters because biofilm affects heat transfer, contributes to corrosion, and can serve as a reservoir for Legionella in treated systems. In this conversation, Trace Blackmore and Dr. Kramer examine what experienced water treaters should be looking for when choosing and evaluating a microbiological control program. Biofilm as an operating problem Dr. Jeff defines biofilm as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and held together by an external polymeric matrix. From there,...
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470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online
Scaling UP! H2O
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 , 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...
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469 ABMA: The Oldest Association Meets Today’s Challenges
Scaling UP! H2O
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. and explain how 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...
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468 Born into Water Treatment: Tom Brandvold on AWT’s Origin Story and a Life in the Industry
Scaling UP! H2O
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 . 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...
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467 From PhD to Pump Rooms: Jake Elliott on Wastewater, Efficiency, and Saying “Yes” Wisely
Scaling UP! H2O
What happens when a water chemist leaves the lab and heads to the pump room? knows firsthand. A former PhD researcher who studied resource recovery from trade‑waste customers, Jake now manages accounts at 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...
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466 Stories, Math, and “Never Again” Moments: Inside AWT Technical Training with Dan Merritt (Part 2)
Scaling UP! H2O
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 —National Sales Manager at 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 rewrites courses every year. Instructors refine content, delivery and demonstrations, not for novelty’s sake, but because...
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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 really the perfect package, definitely for me and for people like me.”
Connect with Jake Elliott, PhD
Email: jakeelliott91@hotmail.com
Website: https://hydroflow.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydro-flow/
Guest Resources Mentioned
AS / NZS 3666 Air-Handling and Water Systems of Buildings - Western Australia
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Audible audiobook)
Dropbear (Paperback) by Evelyn Araluen (Author)
The Winner's Mindset Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged Shane Watson (Author, Narrator)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Words of Water with James McDonald
Today's definition is the curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube, such as a graduated cylinder. 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.
