Scaling UP! H2O
The podcast where we scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems. Find out why working in Industrial Water Treatment is the best job in the world. Hear industry experts share their knowledge and stories. Learn about technologies, methods, and career journeys. Join podcast host Trace Blackmore, former AWT President, LEED, and CWT every Friday for a new episode.
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360 Unlocking Profitable Sustainability: Winning RFPs and Making a Positive Impact
04/19/2024
360 Unlocking Profitable Sustainability: Winning RFPs and Making a Positive Impact
Ready to uncover how to win RFPs, boost profits, and make a tangible positive impact – all while championing sustainability in your industry? Discover how to demystify sustainability and align your company's practices with environmental, social, and economic goals in the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O. Host Trace Blackmore sits down with , CEO of , to explore practical strategies for water professionals to embrace sustainability. Learn how small changes in energy efficiency, understanding sustainability scopes, and having sustainability data on hand can give your company a competitive edge in RFPs. Discover the economic benefits of environmental stewardship, including tax advantages and improved ROI. With insights from Andy's presentation at the AWT convention, uncover actionable tips for retaining younger employees by showcasing your company's positive impact on the world. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable tools to enhance your company's sustainability outlook and drive long-term success. Join the conversation and discover how sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a pathway to a more resilient and prosperous future for your company and the planet. Tune in now to start making a difference! Timestamps 01:00 - Earth Day 2024 and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 9:00 - Interview with Andy Reimink, Chief Executive Officer at HOH Water Technology 01:03:45 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Our clients, whether we know it or not, care about our sustainability because it affects their bottomline or reputation.” - Andy Reimink “Publicly traded companies have RFPs (Request for Proposal), but it’s going to become commonplace for smaller water treatment companies. I expect it to grow in intensity.” - Andy Reimink “Data centers have a lot of pressure to be as sustainable as possible.” - Andy Reimink Connect with Andy Reimink Phone: 616.901.9769 Email: [email protected] Website: hohwatertechnology.com LinkedIn: Links Mentioned System video courses Books Mentioned by Chris Voss by Matthew McConaughey by Matthew Kelly by Morgan Housel Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re asking ourself, “What If?” What if the acid feed stops working on a cooling tower? What happens if suddenly there is no acid being fed to a cooling tower on an acid-control program? Does something happen immediately? Does something happen gradually? Where within the system could this something happen? How long could this lack of acid feed occur before anyone would find out? How could you determine remotely that the acid feed had stopped working? What alarms could be setup? Once the problem has been determined, should the acid feed be turned back on immediately? Could turning the acid feed back on immediately cause any problems within the system? What should be communicated to the end user about this occurrence? What could be done to prevent it from happening again? Should blowdown be adjusted during the response to the lack of acid feed? How might the other water treatment chemicals be impacted due to the lack of acid? A cooling tower’s water treatment program is an expertly-balanced chemistry. If one part is negatively impacted, it may very well impact the other parts of the chemistry as well. There’s a lot to think about when just one part goes wrong. Knowing the root cause will help prevent you from chasing your tail when trying to get the program back under control. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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359 Visualizing Success: The Power of Creativity and Problem-Solving in Water Treatment
04/12/2024
359 Visualizing Success: The Power of Creativity and Problem-Solving in Water Treatment
Visualization helps water professionals better understand equipment, processes, and problem-solving techniques Often, as water professionals, we breeze past the intricate inner workings of the equipment we handle, missing out on valuable insights that could enhance our understanding and effectiveness. But what if we took a moment to visualize what's happening inside that cooling tower? Through the simple act of visualization, we can unlock a whole new perspective on the systems we work with, gaining profound insights into their operation. Step into the fascinating world of industrial water treatment with host Trace Blackmore and special lab partner, as they embark on a remarkable journey through the heart of a cooling tower. Shrinking down into water molecules, they vividly visualize the processes at play, offering a captivating glimpse into the complex world of water treatment. James McDonald, Director of Technology & Marketing at , founder of Industrial Water Week, and weekly contributor to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, shares his profound insights into the importance of creativity and visualization in engineering. By harnessing these tools, water professionals can deepen their understanding, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and foster better communication within the industry. Join us for this enlightening discussion and discover how visualization techniques can revolutionize your approach to industrial water treatment. Let's unlock the full potential of our creativity and imagination, together shaping a brighter future for water professionals everywhere. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares fun facts about the IRS during this tax return season 05:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 13:30 - Interview with James McDonald, CWT, about the importance of visualizing systems 33:09 - Shrinking down and going inside a cooling tower 01:06:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 01:08:00 - The power of visualization Quotes “I like doing visual exercises because it teaches me the gaps in my knowledge so I can learn about those ideas.” - James McDonald "It serves as an excellent learning tool, offering a dynamic approach to problem-solving by providing a visual representation of the situation." - James McDonald Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Connect with James McDonald Website: Industrial Water Week: Read James’ Industrial Water Week Jokes and Comics at LinkedIn: Read or Download James McDonald’s Press Release Links Mentioned Episode Drop By Drop with James Today we’re thinking about safety. Working around steam, hot water, high pressures, moving parts, confined spaces, hazardous chemicals, pathogenic organisms, extreme environments, deep water, and even people, there are hundreds of ways we could get hurt or worse every single day. Of course, there are guidelines, regulations, laws, safety programs, engineering controls, training, and so forth to help keep us safe, but the ultimate thing in charge of our safety day to day is ourselves. If we don’t follow the rules, learn from the trainings, are unaware of our surroundings, and/or circumvent engineering controls, we are much more likely to get hurt. So be both smart and aware when you are performing your industrial water treatment duties. You’re probably NOT the only one relying upon you returning home safely. A personal example of when I encountered an unsafe condition is from when I was brand new in industrial water treatment and was being trained on boiler inspections. My manager and I were just about to enter the mud drum of a watertube boiler when steam started coming out of the manhole. My manager and the plant manager both looked at each other and were a little white in the face. An operator had blowndown one of the nearby boilers, and steam had backed up into the one we were literally just about to enter. If we had climbed in just a little sooner, we could have suffered steam burns and worse. Neither lockout/tagout nor proper communication had been conducted. Lessons were learned quickly very early in my career. I’ve heard stories of people dying in confined spaces due to the space being filled with nitrogen or argon. Proper confined space entry procedures had neither been established nor conducted. I’ve heard stories about water hammer blowing elbows, valves, etc. apart and injuring people. I once had a colleague who had live steam blown inside his work boot. Never have I ever seen blisters that big in my life. I’m sure too many of you may have scary stories to tell as well. So please, today and every day, think about the safety of yourself and those around you. Your safety matters to you, your family, your coworkers, and your colleagues. Your safety matters to both Trace and me as well. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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358 Safety First: Practical Tips, Big Results in Water Treatment
04/05/2024
358 Safety First: Practical Tips, Big Results in Water Treatment
Did you know that integrating safety practices into your organization's culture can lead to significant improvements in employee engagement and overall performance? Step into the world of safety excellence alongside two industry leaders, Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison, in this enriching episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. As seasoned experts in their respective fields, Michael and Reid bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of safety practices in the water treatment industry. With over two decades of experience in insurance, is no stranger to the intricacies of risk management. As a partner at , he has played a pivotal role in providing businesses with tailored insurance solutions and strategic risk management advice. His insights into the importance of leading by example and fostering a culture of safety within organizations are invaluable. , the COO of , carries on a proud family legacy in the water treatment sector. With a lineage that spans three generations, Reid brings a deep understanding of the industry's nuances and challenges. His emphasis on proactive safety measures, team engagement, and the integration of safety practices into organizational culture resonates throughout the episode. In this educational and uplifting discussion, Michael and Reid share practical tips, real-life anecdotes, and actionable strategies for enhancing safety practices in water treatment facilities. From the significance of starting small and being proactive to the crucial role of continual improvement, listeners will gain valuable insights into building a robust safety culture that safeguards businesses and empowers teams. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the industry, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you scale up your safety game. Join Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison on this enlightening journey towards safety excellence and discover how you can create a safer, more resilient future for your organization. Tune in now to Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and embark on your path to safety success with insights from two industry expert guides! Timestamps 00:01 - Trace Blackmore shares what it means to be a CWT and where to find FREE Industrial Water Week and Legionella Resources 04:00- Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 08:00 - Introducing returning guests Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison 14:40 - Interview with Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison on the Water Treater’s Blindspot, Safety 59:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Safety isn’t compliance, an afterthought, or a box you check, you need to find ways to make it relevant to the team to get the attention and engagement it deserves.” - Reid Hutchison “If you're excited about growing your business, begin to put some thought into how you're going to grow the culture around safety in your company. As you grow and scale whatever vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or issues grow as well.” - Reid Hutchison “Talk about the WHY - it’s about truly developing a team where you care about each other. Employees watch leadership and when they see leaders take initiative on wanting to protect the team, it shows what the leadership cares about - safety. Safely for each and every person and ensuring they go home safely as possible.” - Michael Highum “Safety. It takes time and effort, but you’ve got to start somewhere. The need is not going away. There's no better time than today to start the safety process. It’s not just employee safety, it's customer site issues, employee injury, vehicles - it's up to leadership to enable and empower people.” - Michael Highum “Lead by example. No matter where you are in the organization, you are responsible and accountable to each other.” - Michael Highum Connect with Michael Highum Phone: 317.490.2322 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Connect with Reid Hutchison Phone: 847.702.1708 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Links Mentioned with Mike ke video courses Books Mentioned by Charles Duhigg Drop By Drop with James Today’s segment is a “What If” and the topic is about boiler bottom blowdown. What if an operator opens and closes the boiler bottom blowdown valves in the wrong order? What will be the impact? Will this impact be felt immediately or long term? What is the logic of why boiler bottom blowdown valves are opened and closed in a certain order? Is there logic? Is there any additional wear and tear on the valves based upon the order opened? What if a valve starts to leak through and needs to be repaired? Which valve would be easier to repair possibly without requiring the boiler to be taken offline? Are the bottom blowdown valves of the same design or different design? Why? The boiler manufacturer’s operations manual should be followed when determining the proper order to open and close the bottom blowdown valves, of course, but if the boiler operator asked you, would you know how to answer? 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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357 Essential Leadership Skills for Water Professionals: A Guide by Dr. Andrew Temte
03/29/2024
357 Essential Leadership Skills for Water Professionals: A Guide by Dr. Andrew Temte
How does a high school dropout go on to earn a Ph.D. from the University Of Iowa and become the host of one of Apple Podcast’s Top 15 shows on Management? mission is to Teach, Coach, Mentor, and Inspire, and today, the Scaling UP! H2O podcast is honored to feature him. In this transformative interview, Andrew discusses the foundational elements of building company culture, emphasizing that it starts with leadership. He shares valuable insights on why companies should prioritize defining their purpose before diving into marketing strategies. Additionally, Andrew explores the concept of leadership as stewardship and offers guidance on identifying core values while ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued. Discover the Value of People in Business: Emphasizing the importance of supporting and empowering employees, the conversation delves into how people are the most valuable asset in any organization. The need for leaders to embrace diversity of thought and opinion to create a culture where every voice is valued is highlighted. Explore Leadership Mindset: The transition from directive to non-directive leadership styles is discussed, emphasizing the importance of fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected. Embrace a Stewardship Mindset: Advocating for adopting a stewardship mindset as a leader, the discussion focuses on the long-term success of both the business and its people, rather than personal power or ego. Learn about Compassionate Leadership: The concept of compassionate leadership is explored, which involves empathizing with employees and taking proactive steps to address their needs and concerns. Key Takeaway: Discover the importance of purpose and adopting a stewardship mindset, especially in cross-generational leadership, as highlighted in this insightful conversation. Everyone knows what it’s like to work for a horrible boss, but what could your life look like if you had a great boss - one who viewed you as the greatest asset in the company, ensured everyone's voice was heard, and lived out the company values in their daily lives. A leader with empathy is what every team wants. If you're eager to enhance your leadership skills and empower yourself and your team in the water industry, join us to uncover essential insights on making your team flourish, regardless of the challenges you may face. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the second quarter of 2024, a good time to review your goals and make a plan for the next quarter 07:00 - The Hang is coming up April 11, 2024 and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:30 - Interview with Dr. Andrew Temte 48:00 - Lightning round questions 59:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Values and behaviors go together like peanut butter and jelly. Values are the nouns that you are creating for the overall structure of what you want your business to be. Behaviors are the verbs, they are the actions, they are the ‘how’ we should show up each day in the business. Don’t shy away from that work, engage in that work, and pay it the attention that it's due.” - Dr. Andrew Temte “Far too many leaders leave the business world and take all of their accumulated knowledge with them; maybe it gets disseminated to a small group of folks, maybe they do a little teaching and coaching on the side. I wanted to do something much bigger than that. I wanted to reach a much larger potential audience.” - Dr. Andrew Temte “Go to the Gemba - where the work happens and how teams interact. Listen to the people who interact with your customers. Set your ego aside and go to where the work happens, and listen to where the work is going on.” - Dr. Andrew Temte “As a leader, you need to create clarity. Clarity for everybody involved: your customers, your vendors, your people, your investors, your stakeholders.” - Dr. Andrew Temte “As a compassionate leader, you need to hear the successes and the pain points across the organization.” - Dr. Andrew Temte “Compassionate leadership is Empathy + Willingness and the ability to do something about it. You are putting yourself into the shoes of your people, and you are pledging to make their work better.” - Dr. Andrew Temte Connect with Andrew Temte Phone: 608.385.9050 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Links Mentioned Add a link to Andy’s podcast show, Listen to Episode 109 of The Balancing Act Podcast with Trace Blackmore video courses Books Mentioned by Andrew Temte by Andrew Temte by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer by Gino Wickman by Jack Skeels by Dave Bookbinder by Robert Brown 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu. Drop By Drop with James Today’s topic is Reverse Osmosis data normalization. Over time, RO membrane performance changes. The quality and quantity of permeate water produced and the energy required to produce it will vary. In , , author of the book “,” said, “There are six things that affect membrane performance: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration.” I really like that succinct list: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration. The impacts of each of these are interrelated and complex. Changes in one of them can either hide or exasperate the effects of another. For example, dropping temperature may reduce the permeate flow rate while increasing pressure may increase it, thus canceling out the effects of each. This makes it next to impossible to determine the true performance of an RO system by simply looking at the raw data. So, what’s the solution? If we lived in the world of scifi, we could take today’s RO membranes, put them into a time machine, activate the flux capacitor like in “Back to the Future,” travel back in time, and install those membranes in the RO machine at the same time they were started up, replaced, or even cleaned so you could measure how they would perform under the exact same conditions as the baseline. The same pressure, same temperature, and same water concentration. I keep saying the word “same,” but that is key here. How would today’s membranes perform in yesterday’s machine under the same baseline conditions? Then you could eliminate the influences of changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration and figure out the real impacts of fouling, scaling, and membrane degradation. Simple, right? Now where did we put that flux capacitor? It’s got to be around here somewhere. Oh, wait. Flux capacitors don’t actually exist yet. Dang it! Now what? That’s where normalization comes into play. Normalization is a fancy way of saying you are going to MATHEMATICALLY take those membranes back in time and adjust for changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration. This will allow you to make an apples-to-apples comparison of permeate flows by calculating the normalized permeate flow (NPF) of today to compare to the permeate flow at the baseline conditions. The same goes for normalized pressure differential (NPD) and normalized salt rejection (NSR). Your next logical question may be, “Well, where do I get these miraculous normalization equations?” While there are ASTM standards for such calculations, your easiest route is probably to visit your RO membrane manufacturer’s website to download their normalization tool. It may be as simple as an Excel worksheet. If you manage an RO system, it is worth your time to learn how to use these tools to normalize your RO data so you know when it is time to clean the membranes and to find problems as they occur.
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356 Unlocking the Future: Collaborative Water Management
03/22/2024
356 Unlocking the Future: Collaborative Water Management
Collaborate strategically, embrace AI innovations, and champion data access, and scale up your knowledge to conquer industry challenges. - Dragan Savić FREng On this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we're diving into the future of water management with our distinguished guest, , the CEO of and Professor of Hydroinformatics at the . With over 30 years of experience in numerical optimization and AI tools, Dragan Savić has been a driving force in reshaping the water sector. As an engineer and the leader of KWR, he's at the forefront of collaborative efforts, bringing together computer scientists, water technologists, and PhD students to tackle real-world water challenges. What you’ll learn: Collaborative Mastery: In this episode, learn the first secret of successful water professionals – collaboration. Dragan Savić shares how collaborating with diverse experts, including computer scientists and environmentalists, can unleash your collaborative superpower. Be the hero who bridges gaps and solves water industry challenges through the strength of working on challenging problems together. AI Innovations: Explore how numerical optimization and AI tools like evolutionary computing and genetic algorithms can be your allies in designing resilient water systems for the future. As a Professor of Hydroinformatics, Dragan unveils his in-depth knowledge of AI tools, including numerical optimization, evolutionary computing, and genetic algorithms. Learn how these technologies have been harnessed to solve real-world challenges, offering practical insights for professionals navigating the complexities of water infrastructure. Championing Data Access: Having access to all the data, not part of it, leads to better decisions. It’s time to advance data democratization, and remove data silos that so frequently exist within water utilities. Gain insights into the digital transformation of data, empowering professionals to access and utilize information efficiently. The future of water is data platforms to house all the data to make things better and avoid duplication which decreases costs and gives everyone involved with the water the ability to analyze and utilize the data. Tune in to Scaling UP! H2O and embark on a transformative adventure with Dragan Savić. Remember, water heroes collaborate strategically, embrace AI innovations, and champion data access and scale up your knowledge to conquer industry challenges. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to submit a show idea 03:45 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 19:00 - Interview with Dragan Savić FREng Quotes “Data needs to be accessible and understandable to everyone in the same company. With data platforms to host, the data you avoid duplication, doing the same work or collecting the same data, so you get cost efficiency and also the ability to analyze and utilize more of that data.” - Dragan Savić “The water industry is conscious about cyber security. Water engineers are looking at what could go wrong.” - Dragan Savić “We have to work with younger generations because those are the ones that will grow through the ranks and become the next experts, professors, or people who are implementing the new scheme.” Dragan Savić Connect with Dragan Savić Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Dragan Savić FREng’s Press Release Links Mentioned video courses Drop By Drop with James In this week’s episode, I offer up another challenge to you. This week’s challenge is…to send handwritten notes to those who have helped you. I mean truly handwritten notes. In this digital world we live in with emails, voicemails, text messages, social media posts, and so forth, actually taking the time and effort to handwrite a sincere note to someone takes on a lot of meaning. I’m a note writer. I’ve handwritten notes to my employees telling them how much I appreciate them. I’ve handwritten notes to mentors and those who have influenced my professional and personal development over the years. I’ve handwritten notes to operators for doing a good job or taking the extra time to help me. I’ve handwritten notes of condolences to those who have lost loved ones and congratulations to those who have brought new life into the world. I’ve handwritten notes on Christmas cards so it’s more than just a pretty card with a signature. I once had a customer pull me into his office and gesture at all the tins and boxes of cookies and treats he had been sent at Christmas from various vendors. He sincerely told me that all of that didn’t mean as much to him as my handwritten Christmas card hanging on his wall. I was once on assignment in Puerto Rico for three months and sent a handwritten postcard back to one of my customers. That postcard hung on their bulletin board above their testing area for 15 years. Even better, I’ve gotten handwritten notes back. I still have many of them because they remind me of that person, that event, those times, or all of the above. You never know when your kind, sincere words may be just what that person needs to get through that particular day or week. Words mean things. Actions mean things. Handwriting a note to those who have mattered to you combines both words and actions. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality
03/15/2024
355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality
“Why is the water weirdly blue? Why does it smell bad? Why does it taste bad? The culprit is frequently Backflow.” - Kalpna Solanki Delve into the mysteries behind strange-tinted water, unpleasant odors, and off-putting tastes – all signs pointing to an all too common culprit: Backflow. Uncover the shocking narrative of over 50,000 residents enduring weeks without water due to industrial chemicals infiltrating their drinking supply in Ontario, Canada. Join , President and CEO of the , on a mission to safeguard our drinking water. In this episode, Kalpna Solanki delves into the concealed dangers of Backflow, the inadvertent reverse flow of harmful substances into water systems. Through gripping case studies, she paints a vivid picture of the potential consequences of backflow incidents, emphasizing the critical need for proactive prevention measures. Kalpna shares insights on emergency response teams, navigating legislative challenges, and the ongoing commitment to professional development in ensuring water safety. Immerse yourself in the latest Scaling UP! H2O episode, where Kalpna Solanki, as a water quality advocate, exposes the unseen threat jeopardizing our drinking water – Backflow. As the dynamic leader of the Environmental Operators Certification Program, Kalpna narrates real stories from the front lines of water treatment, underscoring the paramount importance of backflow prevention. Episode Highlights: Backflow Unveiled: Kalpna guides listeners through the unexpected dangers of Backflow, shedding light on instances where the safety of our water supply teeters on the brink. Explore the indispensable role of Backflow prevention devices and the unsung heroes, Environmental Operators, dedicated to ensuring these guardians of clean water fulfill their duty. Importance of Emergency Response Teams: Kalpna discusses the need for emergency response teams to address issues related to extreme weather events and climate change. Highlighting the importance of contingency plans and teams in industrial water treatment facilities, she provides insights on working with legislators to formulate a plan before disaster strikes. In the Trenches: Real Backflow Incidents: Listeners will be captivated by narratives of actual Backflow incidents, where the absence of prevention measures led to contamination crises – stories that underscore the urgency of our collective responsibility. A Path Forward: Kalpna and her team have developed resources to help water professionals learn about Backflow, partner with local legislation to improve public drinking water, and enhance safety through education, maintenance, and laws. Kalpna's passion for water quality and preventing water disasters is contagious, and these stories resonate with the heart of every water professional and concerned citizen. Join the episode to become part of the solution, unveiling the hidden threats to our most precious resource. Tune in now to Scaling UP! H2O and stand as a defender of clean water! Timestamps 01:00- Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:00- Interview with Kalpna Solanki 46:10 - Lightning Round Questions 56:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “This industry is recession-proof. There will always be a need for environmental operators. It's a career with lots of opportunities. You can work anywhere because everyone needs people to take care of drinking water and wastewater management.” - Kalpna Solanki “Knowledge is never wasted.” - Kalpna Solanki “You are putting the public’s health at risk when you don’t have the proper systems in place.” - Kalpna Solanki “I would love people to find out about Backflow, what exactly it is, why it's important, and why lawmakers should be paying more attention to this so that we don't have these incidents of people accidentally, literally, being poisoned via their drinking water because it is completely preventable. That's the thing about it. It is completely preventable, and it's not a big ticket item.” - Kalpna Solanki “There's a finite amount of water on this planet, and we really need to spend a bit more time looking at not just water conservation, but water treatment, water reuse and the circular water economy.” - Kalpna Solanki Connect with Kalpna Solanki Phone: 778.688.9196 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Kalpna Solanki’s Press Release Links Mentioned Read Kalpna’s Publications on video courses Books Mentioned by Bonnie Garmus by Clayton M. Christensen by Rose George by Wes Byrne 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu. Drop By Drop with James In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about reverse osmosis. In particular, we are thinking about the dissolved solids and some of the things that influence their passage through the RO membrane. More than simply filtration, reverse osmosis is a diffusion process through a semipermeable polymer membrane. That sounds fancy, I know, but it can be more than simply size that matters for dissolved solids trying to pass through the RO membrane. One of my go-to books for RO is written by Wes Byrne and is called “,” 2nd edition. I have not read it cover to cover, but drop by drop as I have questions or needs. It’s a good, well-written, practical book that makes a complex subject digestible. Right in the very beginning, it sneaks in some important concepts, on pages 8 through 14 in particular, that opened my eyes more as I thought about them. First, it talks about the size versus apparent size of atoms and molecules trying to pass through the RO membrane. When you think of sodium or calcium atoms, you probably think of just a single sodium or calcium atom floating around the water solution. However, as we learned in last week’s episode of Drop by Drop, we know water molecules are sticky because of hydrogen bonding. Sodium and calcium are charged ions, and they will be surrounded by water molecules hydrogen bonding to them, making an ion group with a larger apparent size. Did you hear that? The apparent size of the sodium and calcium ions are bigger than their individual sizes because of the entourage of water molecules attracted to them. This is called ion hydration. The higher the charge of the ion, the greater the number of water molecules attracted to it, and the more difficult it is for it to diffuse through an RO membrane. Now, before I had read this part of the book, I had heard that the higher the ionic charge the higher the percent rejection typically was, but I had never considered the role that water’s hydrogen bonding played in that rejection. That’s one more reason to love hydrogen bonding. I’m not done yet, however. A second concept that this book drove home for me can be found on page 9. It mentions that the water solutions we commonly deal with are neutrally charged with no charge imbalances overall. Sure, there are positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, but they will tend to stay close together, resulting in a net neutral charge. This also means that you will not have a cation passing through an RO membrane unless an anion or anions of EQUAL charge quantity passes through as well. Your plusses must equal your minuses of what passes through. Woah! Now not only do dissolved solids have a larger “apparent” size because of ion hydration, but there is a balancing act of what can pass through an RO membrane based upon their charges as well? Yes, and it is FASCINATING! The example given is of sodium sulfate or Na2SO4. When it dissolves in water, we will have sodium ions with a +1 charge and sulfate ions with a -2 charge. They'll both be surrounded by water molecules making their apparent sizes bigger. The sulfate ion with its larger -2 charge will have an even larger apparent size than the sodium ion, so the sulfate will have a much harder time getting through the RO membrane. One would think the sodium ion, with only its +1 charge, might sail on through, but hold your horses. Because the total charges of what passes through the membrane must balance out, if the sulfate can’t go, then the sodium won’t go either. Now that’s loyalty! However, if we add some calcium chloride or CaCl2 to the water, things change. Now you have positively charged calcium ions with their +2 charge and negatively charged chloride ions with their -1 charge. Chloride’s -1 charge is smaller than sulfates -2 charge, so its apparent size will also be smaller, and it will more readily pass through the RO membrane. Now, the charges passing through the membrane will be balanced as both sodium (+1) and chloride (-1) pass through as calcium and sulfate stay behind. The entire dynamic changed! Man! That’s a lot! I hope I made it somewhat understandable and did the topic justice. You might have to rewind to listen again because this water’s deep. I’ve just had these bits of RO information rattling around in my brain for years and have seen many “Aha” moments when sharing them with others.
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354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2
03/08/2024
354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2
“Don’t shortcut boiler safety. Do it once, do it right, and don’t put your life or someone else's life at risk.” - Barry Higgins Happy days are here again! Dive deeper into the realm of steam boilers with Part 2 of our exclusive interview with the brilliant from . If you enjoyed last Friday's episode, get ready for an even more profound exploration into the intricacies of boiler management. In this episode, Barry takes us on a journey through advanced topics crucial for every water treater and industry enthusiast. Discover the significance of pH management, from its intricate relation to alkalinity to the cautionary notes on caustic demand above pH 11. Barry emphasizes the importance of precise pH meter calibration, advocating for separate probes in high pH ranges and the use of single-use cells for calibration. Explore the nuances of the blowdown system as Barry stresses the effectiveness of short, pulsating blowdowns for optimal sludge removal. Uncover the distinctions between bottom and top blowdowns and the potential pitfalls of leaving the blowdown open for extended periods. Safety measures take center stage as Barry shares a personal account, highlighting the critical importance of regular checks on low and high-level probes, weekly boiler checks, and alarm tests. Water level monitoring becomes a fascinating topic, discussing variations due to steam density, the significance of steady levels, and the importance of checking sight glasses for signs of corrosion. Barry wraps it up with insights into boiler water sampling, offering guidance on ideal sampling locations and considerations when a sample cooler is unavailable. Join host Trace Blackmore as he continues his conversation with Barry Higgins, unraveling advanced boiler checks and sharing invaluable wisdom. Get ready for a knowledge-packed episode that elevates your expertise in industrial water treatment. Happy days, indeed! Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to share your water resources with others 03:40 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 08:30 - Interview with Barry Higgins, Boilers Part 2 34:30 - Lightning round questions 40:00 - Closing thoughts with Trace 48:15 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Do it once, do it right, and don’t put your life or someone else's life at risk. It’s not worth your life. Don’t shortcut boiler safety. Get the steam properly in one hour, not two minutes.” - Barry Higgins “You have to check all your levels and check all your probes and make sure all these alarms are working.” - Barry Higgins “Jump in, you’ll love working with water. If you like to solve problems this is a job for life. You will never have two days that are exactly the same.” - Barry Higgins “I'm a water treater, I'm not a Magician.” - Barry Higgins “Advice for water treaters on day one: Be bold. Make hard decisions that come your way, don't be scared of them. It’s gonna be a roller coaster. It's gonna be up. It's gonna be down, but just go with the flow and learn. If you get a knock get back up again and and learn learn from why you failed and just keep going” - Barry Higgins Connect with Barry Higgins Phone: +353 87 987 8606 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Barry Higgins’ Press Release Links Mentioned Ep Ep Books Mentioned by Kathleen Edelman by Kathleen Edelman by Kathleen Edelman by Kathleen Edelman by Michael Harding Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we are going to talk about one of water’s absolutely amazing properties. We are going to talk about hydrogen bonding, one of my favorite types of bonding in the atomic world. Yeah, I’m weird that way. Water is H2O or two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The two hydrogen atoms are not stuck to each other but are stuck to the oxygen atom instead. It’s HOW they are stuck to the oxygen atom that makes all the difference in the universe! They are NOT stuck directly across from each other on the oxygen atom at 180 degrees like the buns on Princess Leia’s hair. No buddy. That would have been disastrous for life as we know it! We would have had no hope. Instead, they are stuck at an angle; at approximately a 104.5 degree angle. Think Mickey Mouse with his two ears representing the two hydrogen atoms and his head the oxygen atom. THAT is water. This kink of an angle leads to a very important superpower. Because the hydrogen atoms are small and only have 1 measly electron, they’re easy to push around and take their electrons. The much bigger oxygen atom only needs 2 more electrons to fill its outer shell and be in a state of nirvana, and it gets these from the two hydrogen atoms. Because the water molecule looks like Mickey Mouse with the hydrogen atoms more on one side of the molecule than the other, you end up with a partial positive charge on the more hydrogen side and a partial negative charge on the more oxygen side. We’ve all heard that opposites attract, and that’s true in the world of chemistry as well. The partially positive side of one water molecule is attracted to the partially negative side of another water molecule, making water “sticky.” This, my friends, is called hydrogen bonding. It doesn’t just end with water molecules sticking to each other, though. Water molecules will also be attracted to other positively and negatively charged ions, too. For example, this explains why table salt or NaCl dissolves so easily in water. The positive sodium ions are attracted to the partially negative oxygen side of the water molecule while the negative chloride ions are attracted to the partially positive hydrogen side. Hydrogen bonding leads to all kinds of unique properties of water. Water is a liquid at room temperature. That may sound like a “duh” comment, but when one considers that other molecules of similar or heavier weights are gasses at room temperature, such as methane, propane, and butane, it suddenly seems a little more amazing. Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it takes more heat to raise the temperature of water and especially to make it change phases from solid to liquid to gas. We use this property every day in industrial water applications with boilers, cooling towers, etc., and it’s all thanks to hydrogen bonding. There are more examples, but it should suffice to say that hydrogen bonding is one of water’s primary super powers that influences our industrial water lives in so many ways every second of every minute of every day. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1
03/01/2024
353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1
“It’s my nature, I want to help people and solve their problems.” - Barry Higgins Happy days! We're excited to welcome industry expert of to Scaling UP! H2O for a special two-part series unraveling the complexities of boilers. In Part 1, Barry meticulously explores the essential checklist for professionals engaged in boiler treatment. Gain profound insights into water treatment as Barry discusses pretreatment, feed water samples, condensate samples, and the crucial role played by steam traps. Delve into a comprehensive comparison of boiler standards between the US and the UK, offering a global perspective on industry best practices and regulations. Barry generously shares solutions for common issues like softener malfunctions, steam trap leaks, and optimal boiler maintenance during low periods and sudden demand spikes. This episode is an invaluable source of knowledge. Join us on this enlightening journey into the world of boiler water management, where you'll acquire practical insights to elevate your understanding of industrial water treatment. Barry's expertise, shared generously, ensures that our listeners gain actionable takeaways applicable to their daily operations. Prepare for an episode packed with knowledge, exploring the intricacies of boilers and delivering valuable lessons for water treaters and industry professionals. Happy days, indeed! Timestamps 00:01 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to think about your next step and to follow your passion 04:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 10:00 - Interview with Barry Higgins, Boilers Part 1 53:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Boiler Joke: Q: How do you stop a runaway steam boiler? A: With a steam trap 😄 Quotes “I love the variety of water treatment, the characters we serve, and that we get to go somewhere new and learn new things every day.” - Barry Higgins “The point of doing tests is to get data points and improve things for your customers. You want to show your customers how they are wasting or saving money.” - Barry Higgins “Customers see the value of you putting the extra effort in and going the extra mile for them and let them know why you’re doing it and how you’re saving them money.” - Barry Higgins “It’s my nature, I want to help people and solve their problems.” - Barry Higgins Connect with Barry Higgins Phone: +353 87 987 8606 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Barry Higgins’ Press Release Links Mentioned (using your five senses) (Boiler) video courses
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352 Scaling UP! Your Cash Flow
02/23/2024
352 Scaling UP! Your Cash Flow
Like you, we all want our water business to be profitable. Embark on a journey to make your water business not just successful, but wildly profitable! While many believe that sales alone can solve all challenges, the truth lies in understanding the intricate dance of profitability and cash flow. In the wise words of Stephen Covey, "No margin, no mission." We all share the conviction that a thriving business is one that can afford to invest in its people and resources. Even for non-profits, the bottom line remains crucial — successful organizations, whether for-profit or not, need to pay their bills and ensure sustainability. Sales are undoubtedly a driving force, but the misconception that more sales always mean more success can lead businesses astray. Ever witnessed a company sell itself out of business on Shark Tank? It happens when the demand exceeds the capacity to deliver due to a lack of cash flow. Enter the eye-opening world of Profit and Loss statements and explore your business through the lens of the Eight Cash Flow Drivers, outlined in the groundbreaking Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) by Gino Wickman. These drivers — Price, C.O.G.S. (Cost of Goods Sold), Margin, Ancillary Sales, Service Time, Errors, Compensation/Labor Costs, A/R Days, and G&A Expenses — form a strategic roadmap to enhance your water business's cash flow and profitability. This new Scaling Up H2O episode unravels the secrets behind these drivers and shows how implementing them can transform your business landscape. Don't miss the chance to elevate your company's profitability starting tomorrow — tune in now to scale up your financial success knowledge! Your friend as you drive from client to client, Trace Blackmore, CWT Timestamps 01:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 04:40 - How to know if a conference is worthwhile to attend 05:30 - Showing up with a full cup mentality 10:45 - Trace Blackmore invites you to Scaling UP! Your Cash Flow 39:23 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes "Sales for sales’ sake can put you out of business" - Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics "No margin, no mission." - Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Links Mentioned video courses Books Mentioned by Stephen Covey by Gino Wickman by Gino Wickman Drop By Drop with James In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about what happens when a large steam user in a facility suddenly starts using steam. What happens inside the boiler? How is the steam pressure impacted? How does the water level change in response to this suddenly large steam demand? When is feedwater triggered? What is the impact of this cooler feedwater upon the hotter water inside the boiler? How could this impact steam output rate? Could it cause boiler carryover and why? How could low level alarms be triggered if the high demand continued long enough? The answers are actually very interesting and interrelated. Spirax Sarco has a nine-part series on YouTube called “The Inside Story.” This is a CLASSIC series that every industrial water treatment professional should watch. They actually let you view inside the boiler as steam is being produced and show what happens at low pressures, high pressures, increased demand, etc. If you’ve already seen the series, they are worth watching again. If you haven’t seen it, get your popcorn and pocket protector, because you’re in for a treat! Part 6 addresses the topic of today’s Drop by Drop episode on increased demand. I’ll be sure to get the links to Trace so he can hopefully include them into the show notes for this episode. Otherwise, if you search for “steam boilers the inside story” in your favorite search engine, you are likely to find the series. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony
02/16/2024
351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony
“Pre-treatment is the key to everything.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher Learn about the profound impact of cutting-edge technology on the realm of industrial water treatment, accompanied by the insights of esteemed reverse osmosis specialist, from . With over three decades of dedicated experience in the water industry and a distinguished background in chemistry, Dr. Zeiher shares invaluable insights into the transformative synergy between advanced technology and the pivotal role of water treaters. At the heart of our conversation is Dr. Zeiher's revolutionary technology, AROS (Aqueous Reuse Optimization System), a groundbreaking solution allowing for multiple cycles of water usage, unlocking unprecedented opportunities in water treatment efficiency. Join us as we delve into how this winning duo of technology and water treaters is redefining standards in equipment health, water optimization, and overall sustainability. This data-driven water episode illuminates the global demand for water and the challenges tied to shortages, despite Earth's abundant water resources. Dr. Zeiher explores how variations in water usage and availability underscore the critical need for sustainable water management. Discover the concept of a "water footprint" and its implications, showcasing the amount of water required to produce everyday items like gasoline, steel, cars, cell phones, and data. Delve into the challenges of water management, particularly in cooling processes for industrial applications. Dr. Zeiher introduces a patented process designed to recycle and reuse water efficiently, addressing the challenge of liquid discharge in industrial settings. The episode emphasizes the importance of respectful communication with customers, understanding their specific challenges, and presenting tailored solutions. Learn about quick wins for water treaters, focusing on chemical treatments to maintain system health, control scale, fouling, and corrosion, along with implementing pre-treatment strategies. For water treaters seeking to enhance their expertise and contribute significantly to sustainable water usage, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in for a journey into the future of water treatment, where technology and the expertise of water treaters harmonize to maximize water's potential. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to read Daniel Pink’s book, Drive and introduces you to the three concepts from the book: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose 05:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 8:30 - Interview with Dr. Kelle Zeiher of Garratt-Callahan 45:00 - Trace’s challenge to you: write and present a technical paper 48:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “Pre-treatment is the key to everything.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher “I help industries save money and keep their equipment in better health over the long haul. I help keep all of the water in our world safer and more readily available for people to use and enjoy.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher “When it's a large system, there are costs and benefits everywhere.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher “We cannot always get to zero, but we can try.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher “Yes, it’s going to cost you money - all solutions cost money, but are you spending the money wisely, and what are you getting for it?” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher Connect with Kelle Zeiher Phone: 630.660.3457 Email: Reverse Osmosis email: Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Kelle Zeiher’s Press Release Check out Kelle’s mystery, romance, and adventure books: Links Mentioned directed by Steven Soderbergh () created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady () Books Mentioned by Kelle Z. Riley Drop By Drop with James It’s in the middle of winter. It’s cold. You’ve had a long day as an industrial water treatment professional battling scale, corrosion, unwanted microbiological activity, and inefficiencies. You’re tired. You just want to go home, kick your feet up, relax, and get warm. You forget to take your test kit out of the car. You wake up in the morning, drive to the next industrial water system, open up your test kit, and it is FROZEN SOLID! What do you do? Do you run around in circles? Do you sit the test kit as closely to a boiler as you dare to thaw it out? Do you dunk it in hot water? The first thing you should do is learn your lesson and never let your test kit freeze again. Ever. I’ll admit, I learned this lesson the hard way. Next, I consulted with a trusty test-kit manufacturing expert, and his suggestion was to allow it to thaw at room temperature. He said do NOT artificially heat it, even in hot water. Most reagents are likely to recover. To be safe, you should compare your test results to new reagents or another rep’s results. Personally, I found my iodide/iodate titration solution used in the sulfite test was never the same after it froze and gave me low readings. You could also just replace all your reagents, but I understand that could get expensive. Another thing to consider when a test kit freezes is the impact upon testing equipment such as the pH probe, which may have cracked or broken as its internal solution froze and expanded. Plus, plunging a cold pH probe into a warm solution may induce cracking as well. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment
02/09/2024
350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment
Welcome to another enriching episode of "Scaling UP! H2O," your go-to education podcast created by and for water professionals. Join us as we learn together with lab partner and three-time guest, , Vice President of Water Additives at . In this episode, discover valuable insights and expertise from Mike, a seasoned professional who has been working extensively in water since 1986. In today’s interview, Mike shares insights on his recent technical paper titled “” Explore copolymer innovations, unraveling the complexities and gaining a deeper understanding of their multifunctional applications. As we scale up on knowledge, Mike guides us through the past, present, and future trends in polymer technology. Join the community of water professionals seeking growth, learning, and connection in the best industry in the world – water. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your understanding of copolymer innovations in water treatment on "Scaling UP! H2O." Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to celebrate our 350th episode! 04:00 - AWT’s technical training offerings 10:50 - Interview with Mike Standish about his paper: ”” 46:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald Quotes “The one point I would make is that since the 1980s, everything has been a variation on the same theme. What we use today, it doesn't matter what brand of product you use: Copolymer, Terpolymer, Tetrapolymer, or whatever - it's all a variation on the theme of carboxylate-sulfonate and then potentially the addition of the nonionic monomer as the enhancer.” - Mike Standish “At least 80 % of the copolymers that you're going to see out there are going to contain AA/AMPS as the monomer.” - Mike Standish “Systems that can impart very, very different properties to the polymer, so you need to engage with your supplier and really, you know, kind of ask those next levels of questions because you know Polymer A is not the same as Polymer B.” Connect with Mike Standish Phone: 423.316.9877 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Mike Standish’s Press Release Links Mentioned video courses Media Mentioned () () () Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about the cooling tower conductivity setpoint. Picture it, if you will. The cooling tower is running like normal. As water flows, recirculates, and evaporates, we see the conductivity continues to increase. Then it happens. The conductivity reaches its setpoint on the controller. Then what? Seriously, what literally happens next? Does the controller immediately send a signal to the blowdown valve to open up? How does the controller’s deadband or differential or whatever your controller manufacturer chooses to call it come into play? The controller uses a deadband so the blowdown valve does not try to chatter open and close as the conductivity fluctuates from being EXACTLY on the setpoint to NOT being exactly on the setpoint. Such chatter trying to open and close the valve could very quickly wear a valve out as well as the relays in the controller itself. Plus, the valves may not even be given enough time to reach their minimum energize times. Does the deadband sandwich your conductivity setpoint or is it a one-way setup where it starts at the setpoint? For example, if your conductivity setpoint is 1,000 microsiemens and your deadband is 100 microsiemens, would your blowdown valve first open at 1,000 or 1,050 microsiemens? This will depend upon your setup in the controller and the options the manufacturer has made available to you. Another point to consider is whether any biocide lockout timers are currently active which would prevent the cooling tower from blowing down during a biocide application. Once your blowdown valve is actually open, though, does the cooling tower conductivity start to drop IMMEDIATELY? Have you ever thought about this before? The answer is, actually, it probably does NOT start dropping immediately. The conductivity may even continue to rise until enough water has been removed from the system to drop the level low enough to trigger the makeup water valve to open. As fresh makeup water starts flowing, it will dilute the cooling tower water, and THIS is when the conductivity will begin to drop. Next, how low will the conductivity drop until the controller closes the blowdown valve? This is where the deadband or differential will come into play again. In our previous example of a conductivity setpoint of 1,000 microsiemens and a deadband of 100 microsiemens, when the conductivity drops to 900 microsiemens, the controller closes the blowdown valve, and the overall conductivity pattern repeats itself. As you can see, the control of conductivity in a cooling tower is not as simple as opening and closing a valve. There are design considerations to limit the wear and tear on the blowdown valve plus the reality of having to trigger makeup water flow as the water level lowers for the conductivity to actually start to drop. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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349 Defying Fouling Challenges: A New Frontier in Industrial Wastewater Solutions
02/02/2024
349 Defying Fouling Challenges: A New Frontier in Industrial Wastewater Solutions
“Traditionally, the Achilles’ heel of using membrane technology with wastewater, especially industrial wastewater, is the irreversible loss of performance due to fouling.” - Chris Drover Welcome to Scaling UP! H2O, the go-to resource for professionals in the extraordinary world of industrial water treatment. In today's episode, we're excited to unveil a revolutionary ultrafiltration technology that promises to redefine wastewater treatment. Our guest, , CTO & Co-Founder at , introduces us to their groundbreaking Zwitterion-based filtration technology, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional membrane systems. Discover the unique hydrophilic properties of Zwitterions that make these membranes resistant to fouling, a common challenge in industrial wastewater treatment. Unlike traditional membranes, ZwitterCo's technology excels at removing oil, grease, organic biopolymers, algae, viruses, and bacteria, positioning it at the forefront of ultrafiltration solutions. If you're grappling with issues related to uptime, cleaning costs, or seeking a more sustainable water treatment solution, this episode is tailor-made for you. Uncover the answers to pressing questions such as: What sets ZwitterCo's technology apart? How does it compare to traditional water treatment methods? What percentage of oil and emulsifiers can it handle in wastewater? Learn about the frequency of membrane cleaning with bleach, real-world applications, and the strategic balance between economic and environmental considerations. Whether you're dealing with landfill leachate, meat processing, or navigating the complexities of water treatment, join us to gain invaluable insights into a transformative technology designed for industrial water treaters. Scale up your knowledge today to ensure your system scales up efficiently. Tune in and stay ahead of the curve in industrial water treatment innovation! Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for being part of the global Industrial Water Treatment Community 05:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:15 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 12:00 - Interview with Chris Drover, the CTO & Co-Founder at ZwitterCo, Inc. 45:30 - Lightning Round Questions 53:00 - In memory of a water professional we lost not that long ago, Rob Ferguson of WaterCycle, please become a mentor in 2024 and pour your knowledge into the next generation of water professionals Quotes "What Zwitterions do for membranes is by building these membranes out of zwitterionic materials, we can give them this really hydrophilic property that makes them virtually immune to the type of fouling, that permanent absorption of oil and organics into the pores of a membrane." - Chris Drover "A neat thing about Zwitterions is that oils and other organics have a really hard time sticking to them and absorbing them because they're just soaking up water." - Chris Drover “Traditionally, the Achilles’ heel of using membrane technology with wastewater, especially industrial wastewater is the irreversible loss of performance due to fouling and keeping them performing for long enough to recoup the investment, that's what our market focuses on unconventional waters that have a lot of challenges with membrane fouling.” - Chris Drover Connect with Chris Drover Phone: 508.562.9916 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Links Mentioned video courses Books Mentioned by Kim Stanley Robinson by W. Brian Arthur Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a useful little quote from the 2021 edition of the “” (catchy title!) by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or ASME. It says, “Where a choice is available, the reduction or removal of objectionable constituents by pretreatment external to the boiler is always preferable to, and more reliable than, management of these constituents within the boiler by internal chemical treatment, which involves boiler blowdown and chemical feed to the boiler system.” Chew on that for a minute. “Where a choice is available, the reduction or removal of objectionable constituents by pretreatment external to the boiler is always preferable to, and more reliable than, management of these constituents within the boiler by internal chemical treatment.” As vital and important as internal chemical treatment is to a boiler, consider all the ways it could fail. Would you rather manage hardness in your boiler with internal chemical treatment or by using pretreatment such as a water softener? Think about the benefits of other pretreatment as well. I’ve always considered this one particular line within these guidelines to be a very powerful sentence. I’ve used it to help justify my pretreatment recommendations as third-party support for softeners, reverse osmosis, etc. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella
01/26/2024
348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella
“Credentials have been one of the most important ways to help promote public health and safety and prevent disease, dismemberment, or death.” - Christoph Lohr Elevate your expertise in water treatment by diving into this enlightening episode, where we explore the realm of certifications and their profound impact on the water treatment community. Join , Vice President of Technical Services and Research at , an advocate for education and collaboration, as he unravels the world of credentials, codes, and the driving force of litigation in shaping cutting-edge water system designs. Discover the wealth of educational opportunities offered by IAPMO (The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials) and how pursuing certifications like (Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel) can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Christoph delves into the nuances of several certifications, shedding light on their significance for water treaters. Unravel the debate on pronouncing ’s (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) "12080" correctly—hint: it's "twelve thousand eighty." Gain valuable knowledge on the ASSE 12080 certification process, how plumbers and water treaters can learn from one another to improve public health, how to become involved with standards, the buffet of options for plumbing design and installation plumbing codes, and preventing water-borne illness through collaboration. Furthermore, this episode touches on IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator replacement for Hunter's Curve and its profound impact on pipe size, stagnation, biofilm, and the factors contributing to Legionella growth. For industrial water treaters, this episode serves as a treasure trove of information, guiding them in selecting certifications aligned with their career aspirations. Christoph's expertise illuminates the importance of certifications in building a knowledgeable workforce for water management programs, ultimately contributing to enhanced public health. Tune in, scale up your education, and embark on a journey towards a more impactful and informed career in water treatment. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore encourages you to get your CWT in 2024 06:25 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 09:35 - Interview with Christoph Lohr, Vice President of Technical Services and Research at IAPMO, about the importance of credentials for water professionals 55:00 - A bit more about IAPMO (The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials) Quotes “The true benefit of a certification is that it gets everyone speaking the same language. The real strength is that it gets everyone on the same page.” - Christoph Lohr “The plumbing industry needs industrial water treaters and industrial water treaters need the plumbing industry. It's a really symbiotic relationship.” - Christoph Lohr “One of the biggest misnomers that people think about plumbing codes is that they are restrictive. We have to realize when it comes to plumbing design and installation, that plumbing codes are more like a buffet of options than a restrictive methodology.” - Christoph Lohr Connect with Christoph Lohr Phone: 248.736.4940 Email: Get involved with IAPMO: IAPMO Website: LinkedIn: Listen to the The Authority Podcast: Plumbing and Mechanical on your or on Read or Download Christoph Lohr’s Press Release IAPMO Links Mentioned Get involved with IAPMO - [email protected] Organizations and Articles Mentioned Dr. Janet Stout’s Other Links Mentioned of the video courses Books Mentioned by Peter Gleick by Richard Rumelt by Seth M. Siegel Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. My challenge is… to test for phosphate in your makeup waters. You may be very surprised by what you find. Municipalities frequently add phosphate-based products for corrosion, scale, and staining control. Unknown sources of phosphate can certainly throw a boiler or cooling tower program out of control. Start with the orthophosphate test. If polyphosphates are used, you may need to run a digestion procedure or have your lab do it. Lastly, calling your municipality to ask if they use phosphate-based products in their water may actually be the first place to start. Don’t let an unknown phosphate source throw your water treatment program out of control. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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347 Ripple Effect: How Utah's Water Strategies Impact Us All
01/19/2024
347 Ripple Effect: How Utah's Water Strategies Impact Us All
"With water, everybody loses or everybody wins." - Emily Lewis Embark on a transformative journey into the intricate world of water management with on the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. Join us as Emily, Director and Shareholder, Co-Chair of ’ , unravels the complexities of water law, making it not just informative but relevant to your daily life as a water professional. In this episode, Emily shares her wealth of expertise, garnered from advising a diverse clientele, including individual water right owners, municipalities, and mining companies. As the Manager and host of the podcast, Emily brings a unique perspective that transcends the confines of Utah, offering insights that resonate with water professionals nationwide. Delve into the future of water management as Emily discusses regulations, permits, and laws related to groundwater and water access. No need for legal jargon; Emily breaks down the role of water attorneys, offering practical insights into water laws, discharge and runoff permits, and the delicate balance between water quality and quantity. This isn't just theory; Emily addresses the real challenges you, as water treaters, face daily – from increasing water demands and population growth to the pressing need for innovative water management strategies. Gain the tools to have meaningful conversations with customers, stay abreast of local water legislation, and empower yourself to contribute when water laws are on the table in your state. Emily shares real-world examples, such as the Utah Water Banking Project, showcasing how a drought-stricken state overcame water challenges with inventive marketing strategies. Learn from a century of water management in Utah and understand the unique water challenges faced by water management of the Great Salt Lake. Discover collaborative efforts between industrial water treatment teams and legal experts, providing you with a roadmap to shape effective water policies. For Emily, water access is not just about wins and losses; it's about collective victories and shared successes. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares the best unexpected Christmas gift he got 06:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 12:30 - Interview with Emily E. Lewis the Director and Shareholder, Co-Chair of Natural Resources and Water Law at Clyde Snow & Sessions Quotes “The ability to drop a well and get more water is getting more and more limited, and physically the water is not there, and then legally it's a heavily regulated space these days.” - Emily E. Lewis “With water, everybody loses or everybody wins.” - Emily E. Lewis “In the West, we are in an acute water crisis. We do not have very much water and we have ballooning populations and ballooning needs. As we grow, where are we getting the water to support our new growth?” - Emily E. Lewis “In Utah, 70% of our water is used by agriculture and so we are working hand in hand with our agricultural partners to try and figure out ways to make those operations as efficient as possible because we really want to also keep our agricultural community. You know the solution is not to dry up Ag. The solution is to work with Ag.” - Emily E. Lewis Connect with Emily E. Lewis Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Emily also teaches at the University of Utah Listen to Ripple Effect – A Podcast Putting Water in Context Read or Download Emily Lewis’ Press Release Links Mentioned - - Industrial Wastewater Treatment Solutions in Atlanta - Former Director of the United States Geological Survey video courses Books and Articles Mentioned by Mark Dawidziak by Betz Laboratories by Paul Krugman by Robert W. Adler by Margaret Mitchell by Wallace Stegner by Wallace Stegner Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about the carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate distribution as a function of pH. Now, I sometimes have the memory of a goldfish, but this is one time I get to claim to have a photographic memory by saying, “Oh yes, that is found in the graph on page 6 of the 9th edition of the ‘Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning.’” I don’t know why the exact page number has always stuck with me, but I cut my teeth on this book, and apparently parts of it adhered to my brain. Anyway, as gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves into water, it reacts with the water molecules to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid can depress the pH of the water, but being a weak acid, it won’t lower the pH below 4.3 by itself. If we raise the pH of the water, you will see the carbonic acid gradually start to transform into bicarbonate ions or HCO31-. This transformation is complete at a pH of about 8.3. If we keep raising the pH, we see this bicarbonate then transforms into carbonate ions or CO32-. By simply adjusting the pH of the water up and down, these three species of carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate can be converted from one into the other. Now, alkalinity is the acid absorbing property of water, and as we just heard, these bicarbonate and carbonate ions are absorbing acid. Typically, when we talk about alkalinity, we are talking about bicarbonate and carbonate ions, although there are other ions that can impact alkalinity as well, such as hydroxide. You may have recognized the key pHs I mentioned previously: 4.3 and 8.3. Those just happen to be the pHs where the Total Alkalinity and P-Alkalinity endpoints are, respectively. These are two of the tests you use to measure alkalinity in water. All this is shown in that graph I mentioned before found on page 6 of the 9th edition of the “Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning.” It’s found in Figure 1-2, actually. I’ll be sure to share a for Trace to include in the show notes of this episode. Understanding the carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate distribution as a function of pH is important for many reasons, such as when trying to reduce alkalinity with a degassing tower, troubleshooting why carbon dioxide is found in RO permeate, understanding how alkalinity impacts scale forming potential, and more. 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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346 Revolutionizing Legionella Management: A 2024 Kickoff Special
01/12/2024
346 Revolutionizing Legionella Management: A 2024 Kickoff Special
Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of Scaling UP! H2O, where we delve into the innovative world of Legionella pneumophila management in evaporative cooling water systems. of , joins our host Trace Blackmore to unravel the complexities and share valuable insights from her technical paper titled: “.” The challenges of combating Legionella in cooling water systems are vast, but Loraine introduces us to a game-changing on-site, on-line, rapid genetic test method for Legionella and an ingenious plasma disinfection system (PDS). These advancements not only address the longstanding issues of ineffective biocide treatment strategies but also provide timely Legionella test results. In this educational interview, Loraine guides us through the results of a comprehensive laboratory study conducted on a model cooling tower. She discusses the application of the on-site, rapid genetic test method for Legionella and shares findings from a subsequent study conducted on a cooling tower at a corporate headquarters of a medical device company. The documented validity of the results highlights the practical value of these innovative approaches. Tackling key questions, Loraine provides practical insights into Legionella growth techniques, testing methods, biofilm management, and effective treatment strategies. Delving into the specifics, she addresses fundamental queries such as how to measure biofilm, assess treatment method effectiveness, determine Legionella testing frequency, and manage challenges like low flow or dead legs. Throughout the conversation, Loraine maintains a positive and educational tone, offering not only valuable information but also actionable advice for water treaters worldwide. Her expertise shines as she shares conclusions drawn from her research and provides insightful recommendations for biofilm management and Legionella risk mitigation. Curious about the key takeaways from Loraine's study? Join us on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast to uncover the groundbreaking discoveries and practical applications that will reshape your approach to Legionella management. Tune in today for a journey into the future of water treatment. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore challenges you to set annual goals this January 08:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 13:45 - Interview with Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC about her technical paper titled: “Managing Legionella Using an Innovative Bacterial Control System and Rapid Genetic Legionella Testing.” 44:12 - Lightning round questions Quotes “If you don’t have biofilm, you don’t have Legionella.” - Loraine Huchler “Biofilm is insulating; it’s 4-5 times more insulating than calcium carbonate.” - Loraine Huchler “I was surprised by the efficacy of the nonthermal plasma.” - Loraine Huchler “Dead legs are a known hazard for Legionella.” - Loraine Huchler “Biofilm causes a lot of health problems and increases your electrical costs.” - Loraine Huchler Connect with Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC Phone: 609.865.8151 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Twitter: Read or Download Loraine Huchler’s Press Release Published Articles by Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC by Loraine Huchler Loraine will be presenting her paper, Design Guide: Compatibility of Materials of Construction for Evaporative Cooling Water Systems, at the 2024 Annual Conference and CTI Expo in Houston, Texas. To register, go . Links Mentioned Ep Ep video courses 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu. Books Mentioned by Loraine Huchler by Tom Clancy by Reuben Job by Stephen Covey by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington by Jane Kucera by Vivek Ramaswamy Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re asking “What if?” What if a cooling tower’s blowdown valve gets stuck open. What would happen? Sure, the conductivity would probably start to drop. Would the cooling tower basin be completely drained? Why or why not? What is the size relationship between the makeup water line and blowdown line? Is there one? What could cause a cooling tower blowdown valve to get stuck open? How could you diagnose this problem remotely? How could you be alerted to this problem remotely? What would you recommend to recover from this situation? What would be the impact upon the water treatment program if the blowdown valve for a cooling tower got stuck open? Are some valves more susceptible to failure than others? In the event of an electrical failure, should a cooling tower valve be chosen that fails open, closed, or last position? These are some things to think about when asking yourself, “What if?”
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345 Scaling UP! Relationships: Navigating the Waters of Connection
01/05/2024
345 Scaling UP! Relationships: Navigating the Waters of Connection
On this special episode of Scaling UP! H2O, your host Trace Blackmore takes a detour from our usual industrial water treatment discussions to delve into a profound topic that resonated deeply with him in 2023. Join Trace as he shares insights from the game-changing book, "The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships" by the esteemed Dr. John Gottman. Discover the transformative power of understanding and combating the "4 Relational Horsemen": Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. Trace unpacks these destructive communication patterns and reveals how they can erode the fabric of relationships, whether personal or professional. In this episode, you'll gain timeless tools to douse the flames of relational friction before they become an uncontrollable bonfire. Dr. Gottman's principles aren't just about salvaging troubled relationships; they're a compass for building stronger connections with those in your circle. As we step into 2024, Trace guides you through practical applications of these principles, ensuring that your most important asset—your relationships—flourish and thrive in the coming years. Tune in, and embark on a journey towards healthier, more fulfilling connections. Because when we invest in our relationships, we're investing in a successful and rewarding 2024 and beyond. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore asks you to reflect on 2023’s victories and plan for this year with the 12 Week Year 04:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 14:15 - The purpose of relationships and inspiration for this episode 18:30 - Reminders about what we’ve learned about relationships from Kathleen Edelman, Major Dick Winters, and Tim Fulton 21:12 - Introduction to “The 4 Relational Horsemen” from Dr. Gottman: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling Quotes “Our life is all about the relationships we have.” - Trace Blackmore “We need to diffuse situations, acknowledge what people are going through, and ultimately make the relationship better.” - Trace Blackmore “Stop and think: how do I take responsibility and not shift the blame to the other person?” - Trace Blackmore “The Temperaments is one of the best things I’ve ever done to understand myself and every key relationship in my life.” - Trace Blackmore “Today is a great day to build relationships and to make this year a year of kindness, a year of building relationships.” Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Links Mentioned r - Communicate Better with Others - Power of Kindness Ep - 2001 Miniseries video courses Books: by James McDonald by Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington by Kathleen Edelman by Kathleen Edelman by John M. Gottman by John M. Gottman by Stephen R. Covey by Franklin Covey by Dick Winters 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu. Drop By Drop with James McDonald In today’s episode, we’re wandering through a reverse osmosis unit. Starting after the pump just when the water enters an 8” RO membrane element itself. Imagine it, if you will. Imagine the water flowing into the feed channels between the membrane envelopes themselves. Imagine the pressure. Think about how suspended solids could behave at this entry point, if they made it beyond the prefilters. How might any suspended solids interact with the feed spacer material or surface of the membrane? Think about where any chlorine allowed into the RO system would start to impact first. What damage could it do? How soon? We have not passed through the RO membrane itself yet. No, we continue to flow down membrane elements, passing from one to another still on the feedwater side of the membrane. As our journey continues, we slow down a little as pure water passes through the membrane, and there’s less and less water on our feedwater side. The speed probably picks up as we move from one stage of the array to the next, with a lower number of membrane housings to ensure proper velocity and turbulence to help keep the membrane surfaces clean as we press onward to navigate around the feed channel spacer material. Although we are flowing between the membranes, we may be tempted to flow around the membrane elements themselves, out by the membrane housing. What could stop us, right? But something does. What is that thing? Is it the brine seal? Something we haven’t paid much attention to until now is that our water chemistry is changing. It is becoming more concentrated. When does this become a problem? Where does it become a problem? How does it become a problem? As we wind our way through the RO array’s stages, membranes, and piping, we finally reach our point of exit where we are called reject or concentrate. From here, we are either sent down the drain or sometimes captured and reused in other applications with less restrictive water quality requirements.
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344 Toasting Triumphs: Reflecting on A Year of Water Wisdom
12/29/2023
344 Toasting Triumphs: Reflecting on A Year of Water Wisdom
As we bid farewell to 2023, let's come together for a joyful celebration on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast with your host, Trace Blackmore, in this special year-end episode, "Toasting Triumphs." Take a deep dive into the ocean of water treatment wisdom and growth that characterized the past year. In this episode, we unravel the highlights, explore your favorite episodes, the invaluable lessons learned, and extend heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional listeners, the generous podcast guests, the CWT graduates thirsting for growth, and every remarkable personal milestone achieved throughout 2023 – a year truly worth celebrating. Embark on this journey of reflection, appreciation, and insight, delving into the fascinating world of water treatment! Join us as we clink glasses to the triumphs and lessons of the past year, paving the way for an even more enriching 2024. Cheers to the shared passion for knowledge and growth in the best industry in the world, water treatment! Timestamps 1:00 - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 3:00 - Thank you to Mike Standish, our Sponsors, and James McDonald 7:50 - Sneak peek of James McDonald’s 2023 podcast episodes 9:00 - Celebrating our most popular episodes 15:00 - Submit a show idea for Legionella Month 18:30 - Launching the Scaling UP! H2O Academy and the CWT Prep Course 23:00 - Thank you to new CWTs in 2023 24:00 - Take advantage of our Events page 27:00 - Trace’s Personal Achievements and Milestones 42:00 - Encounters with Influential Individuals: Jane Kucera, Andy Stanley, Kathleen Edelman 52:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 57:21 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Periodic Water Table With James McDonald # 51 Why and how is cobalt used in industry water treatment? What products do you use with cobalt in them? Can cobalt ever precipitate out of solution and cause problems? Under what conditions can this happen? Can cobalt in a product become a foulant or degradation catalyst for an RO membrane if used? Periodic Water Table With James McDonald # 52 With everything happening during Industrial Water Week on the podcast, we didn’t have room for that week’s edition, but don’t worry, because the 52nd and last Periodic Water Table with James topic is none other than… Water or H2O or dihydrogen monoxide or even oxidane, the IUPAC-compliant name for water. There are many names for water. It has inspired art, poetry, music, architecture, comics, inventions, love, and more. It has helped both create and destroy civilizations. It is at the very heart of what you and I do every day as we practice the noble profession of industrial water treatment. It is water. How much do you know about water though? Why is water a liquid at room temperature when other molecules of similar or even heavier molecular weights are gasses? How does its density change with temperature? How conductive is pure water? Is water a stable molecule or does it ever disassociate? Have you taken out a steam table lately and looked at the trends as pressures and temperatures change? Take this opportunity to dig in and learn more about water…drop by drop. Our listener’s favorite 2023 episodes: Links Mentioned - the best motivational speaker of our generation - influencer in my style of podcast shows - using kind words video courses Take Special Pathogen’s Lab 3-day training and get certified to the Episodes Mentioned - Communicate Better with Others - Power of Kindness - Customer Experience Engine - Keep Employees Happy - Lead a Successful Multigenerational Company - Carryover - Flow Meters - Career Possibilities in Industrial Water Treatment - Reverse Osmosis Books Mentioned by Dick Winters - 2001 Miniseries by Kathleen Edelman - Kathleen Edelman Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: 2024 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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343 Master Water Marketing with Adam Tank
12/22/2023
343 Master Water Marketing with Adam Tank
Dive into the world of water professionals with a seasoned thought leader, , co-founder of , as he guides you through the maze of marketing challenges in the water sector. In this episode, Adam brings over 15 years of industry expertise to unravel the complexities of building an online presence for water companies. Feel the tug of limited time and budget? Adam Tank understands the struggle. Join us for a candid conversation infused with humor and anecdotes as we explore Adam's water journey. Whether you're just starting your online presence or a marketing enthusiast in the water treatment industry, Adam shares practical insights on the dos and don'ts of marketing, the impact of social media, and effective budgeting and communication strategies. This episode promises more than just knowledge; it's a journey toward clarity in your marketing strategies. Adam's powerful wisdom unfolds as he declares, "Social media, used properly, is the most powerful network building and brand building tool that has ever existed in the history of the world." Don't miss the chance to gain a unique perspective and elevate your approach to marketing in the water treatment realm. Tune in for a wealth of actionable insights and discover the secrets to authentic engagement. Enhance your marketing strategies with Adam Tank's expertise, and let's navigate the waters of the industry together. Timestamps 1:00 - Trace Blackmore emphasizes continuous learning to prevent burnout 8:00 - Call to action: Leave reviews, like, and subscribe to the podcast 12:18 - Upcoming events for water treatment professionals 23:00 - Introduction of Adam Tank and discussion on mentorship 29:55 - Importance of digital presence and advice for starting marketing 32:00 - Customer engagement and rules for creating a message 38:00 - Consequences of not investing in marketing 41:00 - Exploring different social media types and content strategies 50:00 - Advice on budgeting for marketing 52:00 - Humorous stories about dealing with online critics 58:00 - Reflection on the impact of positive feedback from fans 1:02:00 - Lightning round questions 1:07:00 - Closing thoughts and a sneak peek of James McDonald’s 2024 podcast episodes Quotes “The internet is an amazing vehicle for serendipity. Start small. Don’t overthink it. Share about your day and go from there.”- Adam Tank “People want to connect with people. People want to connect with people who they like and trust.”- Adam Tank “Authenticity. Authenticity is key when using social media platforms.” - Adam Tank “Social media, used properly, is the most powerful network building and brand building tool that has ever existed in the history of the world.”- Adam Tank “Going viral isn’t the goal, the goal is to find a tribe of people online.” - Adam Tank “Start with a single post. Start with a single reshare. Write a couple of sentences, put it out into the world, and see what happens.” - Adam Tank Connect with Adam Tank Phone: 913.940.4381 Email: [email protected] Website: Podcast: LinkedIn: Read or Download Adam Tank’s Press Release Links Mentioned Podcast video courses Episodes Mentioned - Social Media Water Geeks - Water We Talking About Hosts Books Mentioned by Jim Lauria by Timothy Ferriss by by Nassim Nicholas Taleb by Napoleon Hill Periodic Water Table With James McDonald First off, what is BCDMH? Is it considered an oxizider or nonoxidizer? In what form is BCDMH available? How is BCDMH fed to a system? What are its reaction byproducts with water? How is its concentration in the system measured? How is it controlled? Is it fed continuously or intermittently? Does pH have any impact upon BCDMH? Water temperature? What’s its chemical formula? Elevate this holiday season by giving and helping () 🌈: Grant wishes for foster children and be the reason behind their smiles. Your generosity can make a lasting difference in their lives. Salvation Army’s Angel Tree() 🎄: Share the joy of the season by providing gifts to children in need through the Angel Tree program. Every donation brings warmth and happiness to a child's heart. () 💌: Fulfill holiday wishes by sending gifts and letters to Santa, making this season magical for families in need. Your support can create cherished memories for them. () 🎁: Support the Marine Corps Reserve in their mission to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children. Your contribution can make a child's Christmas brighter. () 💖: Combat loneliness with love by sending heartfelt cards to people in nursing homes. Your words can brighten someone's day and remind them they are not alone. () 🌈: Spread joy and magic by writing cards for children in the hospital. While doctors provide medicine, your cards provide hope, joy, and a touch of magic to brave young hearts. () 🇺🇸: Stand in solidarity with military families by supporting Soldier Angels. Discover ways you can make a difference and bring comfort to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom. 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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342 Beyond Compliance: Empowering Water Experts with In-Depth ELG Insight
12/15/2023
342 Beyond Compliance: Empowering Water Experts with In-Depth ELG Insight
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we delve into the intricacies of the Steam Electric Generation Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs). In this enlightening conversation, our esteemed guest, of , an authority in the field, imparts invaluable insights into this pivotal aspect of environmental regulation. Our journey begins with a fundamental question: What are the Steam Electric Generation ELGs? Bill systematically demystifies these guidelines, clarifying that they are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations specifically tailored for the electric power generation industry, profoundly influencing wastewater treatment technologies. Why are ELGs of significance to water professionals? Bill eloquently underscores their criticality, emphasizing that beyond regulatory constraints, these guidelines embody technology-driven limitations. They serve as instrumental benchmarks propelling the application of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment technologies, steering the industry towards sustainable practices. But it's not a one-way street. Bill encourages active participation from water treatment professionals to play an active role during the EPA’s revision period, stressing the tangible impact of their contributions. Yes, your input matters! Learn how to actively engage in shaping these guidelines and extend your involvement beyond official input periods. Feeling inundated by the myriad rules and regulations? Bill has a solution: Stay informed. Immerse yourself in industry groups, attend conferences, and keep an eye on reputable publications. It's through continuous learning and engagement that water professionals can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of regulations. In a fascinating twist, Bill scrutinizes the nuanced distinction between pollutants and constituents of concern. Drawing parallels with daily life, he illuminates mass loading and concentration-based limits, urging us to discern between what truly poses a risk and what is a vital element in our environment. Join us in this intellectually stimulating episode where we unravel the intricacies of the Steam Electric Generation ELGs. Bill's wealth of knowledge and practical advice empowers water professionals not only to comprehend regulatory frameworks but also to actively contribute to shaping the trajectory of water treatment. It's a journey beyond compliance — towards forging a sustainable and resilient future for water management. Tune in now to scale up your understanding and take your career in water to new heights! Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore ponders, ‘Why do we procrastinate and put off shopping for Christmas gifts?’ 09:15 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:00 - Interview with Bill Kennedy of Stantec about Steam Electric Generation Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) 30:45 - IWC and the importance of mentoring and training for emerging professionals 41:10 Lightning Round Questions 48:45 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “Go ask a question, you may not get the answer right away, but if you keep asking, and you keep pursuing, you'll connect the dots, and it will make sense one day. Knowledge is good!” - Bill Kennedy “ELGs are technology-based limits for various effluent streams that would come from an industry, and are one of several criteria that permit writers must consider when they're putting a discharge permit together for that facility. or the steam electric industry.” - Bill Kennedy “Empirical data trumps theory, every time.”- Bill Kennedy “Pay it forward and mentor young professionals in this industry.” - Bill Kennedy “Safety and ethics need to be at the forefront of any mentoring and training for emerging professionals.” - Bill Kennedy Connect with Bill Kennedy, PE Phone: 980.721.7626 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Bill Kennedy’s Press Release Links Mentioned – January 11, 2024 Books Mentioned by Sam Kean by James Stejskal by by Periodic Water Table With James McDonald What is ACH used for? What is its chemical formula? Does it have a single chemical formula? Would it be classified as organic or inorganic? What impact could it have on sludge production based upon other similar chemicals? What form or forms does it come in? Solid, liquid, or gas? How is ACH used outside of industrial water treatment within the world we live in? 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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341 Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems
12/08/2023
341 Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems
Tune in as lab partner , Global OEM Relationship Manager at , delves into the critical realm of water treatment, focusing on the often-overlooked yet potentially perilous components of water systems: Dead Legs and Legionella. As the overseer of large OEM customers at Global Water Solutions, Richard sheds light on the risks associated with these factors and underscores the importance of understanding and addressing them to ensure water safety. Richard challenges our conventional thinking, urging us to consider the entire water system rather than just its components. Thermal expansion tanks, often neglected in our surveys, take center stage as Richard guides us through their significance in maintaining water flow and preventing stagnant pockets within the system. Our gratitude goes out to Richard for compelling us to broaden our perspective and rethink our approach to water systems. This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to better educate themselves, viewing water systems holistically. From abandoned sinks to capped-off systems, every inch without water flow becomes a potential breeding ground for Legionella. Join us as we explore the urgency of eliminating Dead Legs, whether by removing abandoned pipes entirely or introducing innovative solutions like the Flow-Thru device. In safeguarding against Legionella, we are not merely addressing water components but fortifying our communities against hidden dangers lurking within our water systems. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and let's collectively drive water safety to the forefront of our consciousness. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the National Handwashing Week 07:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 10:20 - Interview with Richard Philip Beckett of Global Water Solutions about Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems 41:05 - Detective H2O in “The Case of Seeing the Dead” 54:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “A Dead Leg is basically anywhere on a water system where the water is not flowing… What happens in there if the temperature is correct, you will get microbial growth and legionella bacteria growing where a Dead Leg is.” - Richard Philip Beckett “Flow-Thrus are essential to prevent micro bacterial growth in Dead Legs in thermal expansions.” - Richard Philip Beckett “There is no reason whatsoever why everybody in the world should not be fitting Flow-Thrus on every single hot water system to prevent Legionella.” - Richard Philip Beckett Connect with Richard Beckett Phone: +44 7775 510330 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Richard Beckett’s Press Release Links Mentioned video courses Periodic Water Table With James McDonald What should we do with all my chemistry jokes? Barium. How could barium cause issues in a water system? Does barium combine with carbonates, sulfates, or other groups to cause potential problems? How do you test for barium in water? Have you analyzed a water sample for barium? At what concentrations could barium cause issues? If barium is an issue, what tools do you have available to control it? 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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340 Pinks and Blues: Alkalinity, Part 2
12/01/2023
340 Pinks and Blues: Alkalinity, Part 2
Welcome to another insightful episode of Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast created exclusively for industrial water treaters. In this episode, our knowledgeable host, Trace Blackmore, answers listener-submitted questions and takes a comprehensive analysis of the familiar and critical topic of alkalinity in water treatment. For our dedicated audience of industrial water treaters, this episode offers invaluable insights into: Crucial Role of Alkalinity: Understand the pivotal role alkalinity plays in water chemistry and its significance in neutralizing acids, ensuring your systems are resilient against pH fluctuations. Ion Composition Deconstructed: Gain clarity on the composition and behavior of alkaline ions, including carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxyl ions, providing a solid foundation in water chemistry. pH-Alkalinity Dynamics: Explore the intricate relationship between pH and alkalinity, enabling you to predict and manage water conditions more effectively in your industrial processes. Tailored Monitoring Approaches: Learn how to tailor your monitoring approach based on the specific needs of your systems, whether it's focusing on carbonate and bicarbonate in cooling systems or hydroxyl in boiler systems. Addressing System-specific Concerns: Delve into practical insights on addressing alkalinity concerns at different pH levels, such as avoiding condensate grooving in boiler condensate lines below pH 4.3. Efficient Testing Methods: Optimize your testing methods by embracing the titration method, and discover the importance of regular cleaning and calibration for accurate and reliable results. Proven Field Tips: Benefit from field-tested tips, including using phenol failing to verify system flushing and ensuring the proper care and calibration of pH meters, saving you time and resources in real-world scenarios. This episode is a reservoir of valuable insights that empowers industrial water treaters with the information they need to enhance their understanding of alkalinity, streamline their testing processes, and proactively address challenges in their systems. Tune in to elevate your expertise and make informed decisions in the dynamic world of industrial water treatment. Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to December, the most productive month of the year 03:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 05:00 - Answering listeners’ Alkalinity questions 41:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “Alkalinity is a measure of the ability of a solution to neutralize acids. It's a property of water and other substances, and it's usually expressed in terms of equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate, in milligrams per liter, or parts per million. alkalinity is a crucial parameter in water chemistry and is often associated with the presence of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxyl ions. In simpler terms, Alkalinity reflects the water's capacity to resist changes in pH when an acid is added.” - Trace Blackmore Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Isothiazoline or isothiazolone. Is there a single molecular formula or is there a family of chemistries available? What is isothiazoline used for? Can you test for it? Does pH have an impact? What dosages are recommended? What microorganisms is it effective against? How much contact time is required for isothiazoline to be effective? What is the mode of action for isothiazoline? What systems is it used in? Is isothiazoline ever blended with anything else? Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Links Mentioned video courses 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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339 Jane Kucera's Reverse Osmosis Masterclass
11/22/2023
339 Jane Kucera's Reverse Osmosis Masterclass
Oh Boy! We are scaling up our Reverse Osmosis knowledge with expert guest , the brilliant mind behind the book "" and the Senior Technical Consultant-Industrial at . Hold onto your hats, folks, because this episode is the ultimate deep dive into the intricacies of RO! Discover the ins and outs of Reverse Osmosis, from its applications to why it's chosen over other filtration methods. Jane spills the secrets on sizing RO systems, explores the market's different membrane types, and demystifies the challenges of water recovery using reverse osmosis. Ever wondered if you can clean in less than 12 hours, and how to know when it's time for a cleaning? Jane's got you covered! But that's not all—tune in to unravel how water value influences RO adoption and hear her forecast about emerging water technologies. Jane even shares insights into the next generation of RO developments, making this episode a must-listen for water treatment enthusiasts. And wait, there's more! Jane reveals common mistakes she encounters during her consulting adventures and shares what to do when you encounter something you’ve never tackled before. With her wealth of knowledge and passion for RO, this episode is your one-stop-shop for all things reverse osmosis. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just dipping your toes into the water treatment world, this episode is your golden ticket to understanding reverse osmosis. So, why settle for anything less when you can learn from the person who quite literally wrote the book on it? Tune in now! Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore challenges you to be intentionally grateful this Thanksgiving week 05:50 - Thank you to the Rising Tide Mastermind Members for bringing a full cup mentality to each meeting 08:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:15 - Interview with Jane Kucera from NALCO and IWC, about Reverse Osmosis (RO) 42:03 - The International Water Conference (IWC) 49:50 - Lightning Round Questions 58:00 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “In a nutshell, Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a separation process where you remove dissolved ions and solids like sodium, chloride, calcium, and things that are dissolved in water from the water. In RO, you have one influent stream coming in, a product water stream that's very low in minerals, a high concentration stream that's low volume but very high concentration of dissolved solids, and it's a pressure-driven process. You use pressure to force the water through the membrane and the membrane retains the minerals and dissolved solids.” -Jane Kucera “There are six things that affect membrane performance: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration.” -Jane Kucera Jane Kucera’s advice for success: “Be proactive. Be your best advocate. Nobody's going to do it for you and if you wait around for somebody to do it for you, it's not going to happen. You need to speak up for yourself and do the best you can to try and move yourself forward.” Connect with Jane Kucera Phone: 815.258.6418 Email: [email protected] LinkedIn: NALCO Website: IWC Website: Read or Download Jane Kucera’s Press Release Books by Jane Kucera Articles by Jane Kucera in Peer-Reviewed Journals in Membranes in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology in The Encyclopedia of Membrane Science and Technology Links Mentioned by Eric Hoak and Asim Ghosh by Asim Ghosh, Byeong-Heon Jeon, Xiaofei Huang, and Erik Hoek video courses Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Its chemical formula is C3H12NO9P3. It is a phosphonate. What is AMP used for? Is it synergistic with other ingredients to improve its corrosion inhibitor abilities? What is the impact of oxidizing biocides upon AMP? How does AMP compare to other phosphonates? What is its calcium tolerance? When would one choose to use AMP? Can it help control calcium sulfate precipitation? 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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338 The PFAS Playbook: Essential Knowledge for Water Professionals
11/17/2023
338 The PFAS Playbook: Essential Knowledge for Water Professionals
Welcome to 'The PFAS Playbook: Essential Knowledge for Water Pros,' where we embark on an illuminating journey into the world of PFAS with our knowledgeable guest, , who serves as the Director of Commercialization, Strategic Marketing, and Business Development at Tonya's passion for PFAS has fueled her career, and she's here to share her expertise with water professionals looking to scale up their PFAS knowledge, know what regulations to be aware of, and debunk common PFAS myths. In this episode, Tonya takes us through the multifaceted landscape of PFAS, from its definition and historical presence to its growing importance in water and wastewater treatment. We'll discuss concerns related to PFAS exposure, including regulatory limits and practical suggestions for minimizing risks. Get ready to explore PFAS in drinking water and strategies for what to do when the water you are treating tests positive for PFAS. For those involved in industrial wastewater treatment, Tonya offers valuable insights into effective strategies and the importance of understanding the treatment process. We'll also dive into the world of point-of-use filters, considering the effectiveness of carbon filters and ion exchange systems, and the limitations of NSF's filter rating 53. Join us for a closer look at upcoming regulatory changes, including CERCLA and RCRA updates, and their potential impact on municipalities and businesses. Uncover the significance of certification and product labeling, as well as ongoing PFAS-related lawsuits and their implications for the industry. Learn about the importance of knowing your products and processes, including labeling for manufacturers 'free of intentionally added PFAS.' We'll share valuable resources, from books to documentaries and websites, to further your PFAS knowledge. And that's not all! Dive into the latest PFAS treatment technologies, including the groundbreaking aqueous electrostatic concentrators developed by Tonya herself, along with supercritical water oxidation and bioremediation. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career in the water industry, this episode is your ultimate guide to mastering PFAS challenges and safeguarding our most precious resource—water. Tune in now and scale up your PFAS knowledge so you can communicate with your customers and teams with confidence! Timestamps 1:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to connect with others because our entire industry benefits when we learn from each other 6:25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 9:15 - What water professionals need to know about PFAS with Tonya Chandler 40:05 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “PFAS is per- or polylorinated Alkaline substances which sounds like a lot of big words, but it really boils down to the compounds that make plastic moldable or bendable. They are what makes components or what makes products grease-proof, what makes them waterproof. They are what help us in the manufacturing process to help things slide evenly through manufacturing or not clog. They're emulsifiers. They're surfactants so they're in a lot of our cleaners. They're in products you may not even know they're in but the reality is they're everywhere.” - Tonya Chandler “Municipally, we're going to have to treat the drinking water (for PFAS). It's coming. We all know this.” - Tonya Chandler “It's in the rainwater. It's in the grass. It's in the food we eat. It's in the air we breathe, so you can minimize your exposure but you're not going to eliminate it. They've found PFAS three feet deep in the Arctic. They found it on the top of Mount Everest, and they found it in the rainforest. It follows the water cycle and it travels. You're not going to escape it completely.” - Tonya Chandler “A misconception is that we can solve all our problems with GAC and ionic exchange. There isn't enough granulated carbon in the world to remove all the PFAS.” - Tonya Chandler “Ask for an ingredients list. Ask the manufacturers of the chemicals you use in the manufacturing process: “Do you have PFAS compounds in your products?”. Arm yourself. Do your testing. Be proactive and work with the municipality to get it (PFAS) out rather than point a finger.” - Tonya Chandler Connect with Tonya Chandler Email: Email: Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Tonya Chandler’s Press Release Links Mentioned EPA Resources Books Mentioned by Allison Cobb by Richard Rhodes Films Mentioned Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Its molecular formula is C6H15NO. What is DEAE used for in water treatment? What is its neutralizing capacity? What is a “distribution ratio” and what is DEAE’s distribution ratio? How does this compare to morpholine and cyclohexylamine? What does distance from the feedpoint have to do with selecting DEAE as a best fit? Are feed limitations placed upon DEAE when used in food production and humidification? If so, what are they? Is DEAE blended with anything else? Why? 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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337 Bursting Nanobubble Myths
11/10/2023
337 Bursting Nanobubble Myths
In the bubbly world of water treatment, we're about to burst some myths and unveil the incredible power of Nanobubbles. Join us as we chat with John Crisman, Senior Water Process Engineer with Moleaer. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Nanobubbles and Water Scarcity: Discover how Moleaer's groundbreaking Nanobubble technology is revolutionizing water and wastewater treatment, offering unique solutions to the ever-growing problem of water scarcity. Pandemic's Impact on Wastewater: Explore the surprising effects of the pandemic, where increased use of disinfectants and surfactants has significantly impacted wastewater treatment processes, potentially leading to unexpected issues. Toxicity Risk Assessments and the Future of Regulation: Learn about the importance of toxicity assessments and the future of regulations in wastewater treatment. Find out how industries may need to adjust their processes to comply with forthcoming requirements. Community Outreach: Understand the vital role of community outreach in educating the public about their actions and their effects on wastewater systems. Discover how simple changes in behavior can make a significant difference. Mitigating Fats, Oils, and Greases: Explore practical tips for both households and industries to reduce the impact of fats, oils, and greases on wastewater systems. Discover how small changes can lead to significant improvements. Certifications and Education: Gain insights into the importance of pursuing certifications and educational opportunities in the water and wastewater industry to advance your career and contribute to solving pressing water challenges. Join us for an engaging and enlightening conversation with John Crisman as he shares his wealth of knowledge and experiences in the water treatment field. Be prepared to unlock the secrets of nanobubbles and their potential to revolutionize water treatment as we know it. Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode that can bring significant value to both your personal and professional life. Timestamps 01:00 - Host Trace Blackmore thanks listeners for helping us get to our global ranking of the top 3% of all podcasts 07:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald 11:00 - Interview with John Crisman, Senior Water Process Engineer with about Nanobubble technology 38:00 - Closing thoughts with Trace Quotes “Nanobubbles have a unique property, different from micro and macro bubbles. They attract certain chemicals like oils, surfactants, fats, and grease. When these tiny bubbles burst, they release the energy that breaks apart these complex compounds.” - John Crisman "Our company and our technology actually work to partially oxidize these types of chemicals before they get to the biological process, breaking them down to a level where they're no longer toxic and instead, they're actually food for the biological process." - John Crisman “With water scarcity we have to deal with these chemicals and not just dilute them. The increased concentrations of waste is going up in industrial facilities as they recycle more of their own water and use less. So really, we have to come up with a solution.” - John Crisman “ Bring in your community. Bring them into your waste water treatment plant to see what's going on and partner with them to reduce surfactants.” - John Crisman Connect with John Crisman Phone: 805.286.6905 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Links Mentioned by John Crisman video courses 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu. Periodic Water Table With James McDonald The molecular formula for magnesium hydroxide is Mg(OH)2. That’s one magnesium atom and two oxygen-hydrogen or hydroxyl groups. How does this compare to sodium hydroxide? In what form is magnesium hydroxide available? What color is it? How do you get magnesium hydroxide into solution? How much mixing does it need? What are its uses in industrial water treatment? Why would one use magnesium hydroxide over sodium hydroxide, lime, or other similar chemistries?
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336 Innovations in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Solutions
11/03/2023
336 Innovations in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Solutions
Sunflower oil wastewater can be a real challenge for water treaters. Explore innovative solutions to the complex problem of oil wastewater treatment in this insightful episode featuring Dr. Swati Sharma. ., a distinguished expert in the field from . Dr. Swati Sharma's credentials are impressive. She holds an engineering degree in environmental and biotechnology with a minor in chemical engineering, specializing in wastewater treatment. Her expertise is backed by groundbreaking research, including her thesis titled "How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process", which she graciously shares with our audience today. Gain insights into electrooxidation processes and valuable advice for aspiring water treatment researchers. Here are five key takeaways from this engaging conversation: The Journey of an Industry Expert: Dr. Swati Sharma shares her remarkable journey into the water treatment industry, highlighting her academic background and the motivating factors that led her to become a lifelong learner. It's a testament to the dedication and commitment of water professionals. Sunflower Oil Wastewater Treatment: Explore Dr. Sharma's groundbreaking research on treating sunflower oil wastewater. Understand the challenges faced by industries, what options are out there, and which process is best for your wastewater. Electrooxidation Processes Unveiled: Delve into the world of electrooxidation processes, including electrocoagulation, electrooxidation, and electrochemical peroxidation. Discover how each process can effectively treat different types of wastewater. Tips for Aspiring Researchers: Dr. Sharma offers valuable advice for aspiring researchers in the water treatment industry. Learn the importance of selecting specific problems to solve, reading existing research, embracing failures, and turning them into opportunities for growth. The episode delves into the heart of Dr. Sharma's groundbreaking research, focusing on the treatment of sunflower oil wastewater—an issue faced by countless industries. As you immerse yourself in this enriching conversation, you'll not only enhance your understanding of wastewater treatment but also gain inspiration from Dr. Sharma's expertise and unwavering commitment. Timestamps [01:00] - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [06:45] - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [09:00] - Introducing Swati Sharma Ph.D [15:15] - Exploring Dr. Swati Sharma’s Thesis “How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process” [41:00] - Trace Blackmore encourages you to write your own technical paper and present your findings at an upcoming conference Quotes “You need to use different chemicals for different kinds of waste removal.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “I found that each Wastewater was so different in its characteristics, that each of these three treatments behaved completely differently. Electrocoagulation (EC) was really good with the canola oil, whereas I found that Electrooxidation (EO) was a better process for sugar beets, which are really high in organic loading.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “Sometimes your hypothesis doesn’t match your findings and it’s hard. You dedicate so many hours of your life to your study and you are so passionate about this, and it's demotivating at times. But you have to learn what has failed and why it has failed. Find the reason behind your failure and it will lead to your success. That's what I believe in.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “Wastewater is like math, it’s like a game. You have to understand it and enjoy doing it. It’s a puzzle, you need to connect the dots to make a beautiful picture.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “It’s not about the addition of chemicals, it’s about understanding the characteristics of your wastewater. Ph, temperature, composition, where is it coming from and where is it going - all of these matters matter. Understanding how these work is important.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “Advice for all water professionals: Ask for help. We hesitate to ask for help, but we are one nation. It's not necessary for you to know everything. We are all together in this. Be there for everyone else and also seek help and guidance from everyone else. I'm so proud to be a part of this industry as a whole because, not only do I enjoy doing what I do, and I get to learn so much every single day. It's a new learning opportunity for me every single time. I just cannot be happy enough to be in this industry.” - Dr. Swati Sharma Connect with Dr. Swati Sharma Phone: 402.624.2286 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Dr. Swati Sharma’s Press Release Links Mentioned “” - Thesis by Dr. Swati Sharma Books Mentioned by Inc. Metcalf & Eddy Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis Periodic Water Table With James McDonald How soluble is calcium phosphate? Is it more or less soluble than calcium carbonate? How could the degradation of other water treatment chemicals lead to formation of calcium phosphate in a system? How could the inclusion of phosphate-based chemistry in the incoming makeup water, such as city water, impact the formation of calcium phosphate, especially if you aren’t checking for such chemistry? How do you clean calcium phosphate scales? What is the impact of pH and temperature on calcium phosphate scale formation? Can you predict the solubility of calcium phosphate? How do you prevent calcium phosphate scale? When would you actually WANT to produce calcium phosphate precipitation in a water system? 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu.
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335 Pinks and Blues: Enhanced Chiller Tubes
10/27/2023
335 Pinks and Blues: Enhanced Chiller Tubes
Welcome to Scaling Up H2O, the podcast that empowers water treatment professionals like you to level up their knowledge and systems. I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and in this educational "Pinks and Blues" episode, we're unraveling the fascinating world of Enhanced Chiller Tubes. The Basics Enhanced Chiller Tubes are engineered marvels, designed to turbocharge heat transfer while keeping fouling at bay. Think of them as elite athletes for your chiller system, ensuring unparalleled efficiency. Unveiling the Benefits Discover how Enhanced Chiller Tubes can supercharge chiller efficiency, leading to energy savings, reduced downtime, and enhanced reliability. We'll explain how they make your clients happier and your bottom line healthier. Exploring Types Explore the diverse universe of Enhanced Chiller Tubes, including microfin, rifled, low-finned tubes, and more. Learn how each type offers distinct advantages tailored to different applications. Challenges and Considerations We'll address potential challenges, such as increased pressure drop and fouling concerns, providing insights on how to mitigate these issues for optimal performance. Maintenance Maintaining Enhanced Chiller Tubes is crucial for sustained efficiency. We'll discuss cleaning methods, surfactants, dispersants, and other strategies to keep your system in top shape. Success Stories Discover real-world success stories where Enhanced Chiller Tubes transformed heat exchanger efficiency, leading to smaller footprints and impressive results. The Future Peek into the future of Enhanced Chiller Tubes, where nanotechnology and innovative coatings promise even greater efficiency gains. The future is bright, and we're ready to push boundaries. Join us on this enlightening journey to scale up your knowledge and keep your water treatment systems at their peak performance. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your expertise in industrial water treatment! Timestamps [01:00] Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [10:00] Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [12:00] Answering Listener questions about Enhanced Tubes Understanding Enhanced Chiller Tubes Benefits of Enhanced Chiller Tubes Types of Enhanced Chiller Tubes Challenges and Considerations Maintenance Industry Success Stories The Future of Enhanced Chiller Tubes [44:30] Closing thoughts Quotes “Enhanced Chiller Tubes deliver a colossal boost to chiller efficiency, which translates into undeniable energy savings and a substantially elongated operational lifespan.” - Trace Blackmore “The diversity within the world of enhanced chiller tubes is truly a sight to behold. We've got microfin, rifled, and even low-finned tubes, each boasting their own unique characteristics and advantages. These tubes aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, my friends.” - Trace Blackmore “Every triumph has its trials, and enhanced chiller tubes are no exception. While they bring forth a plethora of perks, it's crucial to remain cognizant of potential downsides, such as an uptick in pressure drop or a susceptibility to erosion.” - Trace Blackmore “From cutting-edge nanotechnology to innovative coatings, the horizon holds tantalizing prospects that could potentially catapult chiller efficiency to even loftier heights. The future is bright, water treaters, and it's beckoning us to push the boundaries of what's possible.” - Trace Blackmore “Our job is all about the management of efficient heat transfer. It's because we are heat transfer efficiency managers and we want to keep the surfaces clean. Why? Because clean surfaces allow us to efficiently take heat from wherever we are taking it from and pass it all the way down the line.” - Trace Blackmore Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Links Mentioned video courses 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu. Periodic Water Table With James McDonald What is polyacrylate? What is it used for? What is a typical molecular weight range for polyacrylate? Is it any good at inhibiting calcium carbonate scale? What about calcium sulfate? What about iron? At what concentrations is polyacrylate typically applied? Does the molecular weight of polyacrylate impact the method in which it inhibits scale formation? What is the chemical formula for the basic monomer in polyacrylate?
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334 Inventory Intelligence: Enhancing Profitability through Smart Decisions
10/20/2023
334 Inventory Intelligence: Enhancing Profitability through Smart Decisions
Today, we are scaling up our knowledge of supply chain management and small business resilience with our special guest, Dave Fitzgerald. Dave, who oversees a small team at a 102-year-old chemical manufacturing company, shares his expertise on critical topics that impact water treatment professionals. From understanding the complexities of molybdenum and the challenges of azole tariffs to navigating the phosphonates market, Dave provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions in a dynamic landscape. Discover how small businesses like Dave's thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritizing customer needs and maintaining inventory, even in the face of higher costs and delays. Dave's commitment to reliability and customer satisfaction shines through as he discusses the importance of serving customers and shares his willingness to go the extra mile. Join us as we explore the key takeaways from Dave's experience, including the importance of small businesses in finding innovative solutions, the challenges of reshoring, and the potential for lower tariffs to reduce costs. Learn how to apply inventory intelligence to enhance profitability and make better inventory decisions. This episode is a must-listen for water treaters looking to scale up their knowledge and optimize their operations. Tune in to gain valuable insights that can help you thrive in today's ever-changing market. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your inventory intelligence and boost your bottom line. Timestamps 1:00 Trace Blackmore invites you to be part of the water community 4:15 Periodic Water Table With James McDonald 6:10 Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:00 Interview with Dave Fitzgerald Of North Metal & Chemical Co. about mastering inventory and product costs 49:30 Lightning Round Questions Quotes “Molybdenum is a crazy product. Most of the primary molybdenum mines have closed down because there is residual molybdenum available in copper mines. It's a byproduct of copper mines, meaning that the copper market ends up driving how much molybdenum is dug out of the ground.” - Dave Fitzgerald “The volatility of azoles has been difficult to manage and to import.” - Dave Fitzgerald “Phosphonates go through cycles over the course of the year.” - Dave Fitzgerald “We found during COVID, that it was the small companies that could go ahead and dig in and find ways to take care of customers, when larger companies (just because of the nature of their size), because of the different silos, and sometimes because their key performance indicators would keep them from doing the right thing and making the purchases, it may be these higher prices.” - Dave Fitzgerald Connect with Dave Fitzgerald Phone: 717.845.8648 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Dave Fitzgerald’s Press Release Links Mentioned video courses 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu. Books Mentioned by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy by Dr. Benjamin Hardy by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy by Will Guidara by Eliyahu M. Goldratt with Jeff Cox Periodic Water Table With James McDonald The chemical formula of citric acid is C6H8O7. Its preferred IUPAC name is 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. How is citric acid used in industrial water treatment? In what concentrations is it available? Have you ever used it? Is citric acid a strong or weak acid? Does it react with metals? If used to clean a system, what precautions or special measures should be taken? Can citric acid in a system interfere with any water analysis you may be conducting?
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333 The Hidden Threat: Cybersecurity in Water Treatment
10/13/2023
333 The Hidden Threat: Cybersecurity in Water Treatment
Water treatment is not just a crucial element of our infrastructure; it's the very foundation of clean, safe drinking water for our communities. Imagine a scenario where hackers breach a community's water supply, contaminating it with hazardous chemicals, and suddenly, everyone is at risk. This isn't a distant threat; it's a reality we must confront. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we're here to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity within the water treatment industry. Water treaters, it's time to scale up on knowledge! Your role is pivotal in ensuring the well-being of countless individuals who rely on clean water. Unfortunately, cybersecurity in water treatment often takes a backseat, leaving systems vulnerable. Attorney , our esteemed guest, a seasoned expert in corporate M&A and tech transactions, shares why this issue demands immediate attention. As Justin Daniels aptly puts it, "Water treatment is on the forefront of concern from a cybersecurity perspective because it can have such widespread and significant consequences. The other thing that makes it so challenging is it doesn't always get the tender love and care from a budgetary and resource perspective which makes it an even more attractive opportunity to make a splash in the worst way of the word, not the pun we would intend." Join us as we scale up on knowledge about: Protecting sensitive data in water treatment. Safeguarding customers and communities from cyber threats. Navigating government regulations tied to cybersecurity. Cultivating robust cybersecurity habits and a proactive mindset. The influence of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity. Scrutinizing and securing your technology ecosystem's applications and permissions. Immediate actions for a safer approach to phone usage. Don't miss "The Hidden Threat: Cybersecurity in Water Treatment." Ignoring this critical issue is not an option. Our water supply's security is on the line, and it's time to take action. Join us and be a part of ensuring clean water access for all communities. Timestamps 1:00 Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 8:30 Public speaking, TED talks, and entrepreneurship 10:30 Interview with Justin Daniels on how water treaters can protect themselves and their communities from cyber security risks 31:00 Justin’s TED Talk experience and public speaking advice 43:00 Justin’s advice on M&A and risk management 51:30 Periodic Water Table With James McDonald Quotes “Water treatment is a critical part of critical infrastructure.” - Justin Daniels “One of the biggest challenges you have is that you have OT (operational technology) and (IT) your system network, so you need to narrowly focus who has access to them and to what level they have access. This requires high effort and resources.” - Justin Daniels “Technology is only as good as the motivations behind the people using it.” - Justin Daniels “I want business owners to use cyber security to build customer trust. I want to use privacy to build trust because ‘how you treat people's data is how you treat them’.” - Justin Daniels Connect with Justin Daniels Phone: 404.229.6847 Email: [email protected] Website: LinkedIn: Read or Download Justin Daniels’ Press Release Listen to the with Justin and Jodi Daniels by Justin and Jodi Daniels Justin Daniels Links Mentioned Homeland Security Division FBI and CISA's ’s TEDxTalk: Justin Daniels’ Podcast Links Mentioned 2023 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 or using the dropdown menu. Books Mentioned by Justin and Jodi Daniels by Chris Anderson Periodic Water Table With James McDonald What do the letters ATP stand for? How do cells use ATP? How do you test for ATP? Why would you want to test for ATP? Is ATP found only in living cells or can it be found in dead cells, too? Does this distinction matter? Can the concentration of ATP be correlated to plate counts of microorganisms? When cleaning a system, what do changes in the ATP concentration tell you?
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332 Industrial Water Week 2023: Careers Friday
10/06/2023
332 Industrial Water Week 2023: Careers Friday
Welcome to the grand finale of Industrial Water Week 2023, Careers Friday! As we bring this year's celebration to a close, we're placing a spotlight on the significance of careers in industrial water treatment. Our goal is to provide water treatment professionals of all ages with the tools to enhance their understanding of generational perspectives on work, individual needs, and unique working styles. Our goal is to educate and serve as a valuable resource for professionals in the water industry, empowering employees to recognize the value of their own contributions and appreciate the diverse strengths that individuals from different generations bring to the company. Together, we create healthy and balanced water workplaces that benefit everyone. We are pulling the most valuable insights from our episode vault featuring , the owner of . We've carefully curated the most impactful segments from Chris' previous episodes, "Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 1 and 2." Whether you're embarking on your career journey or are a seasoned professional, Chris shares invaluable wisdom. He's a trusted authority in crafting a resilient and harmonious multigenerational workforce, dedicated to bridging unnecessary generational divides. Are you curious what are the five generations currently active in water treatment and their age ranges? Wondered how each generation approaches work? Chris addresses these questions, shedding light on the unique work styles and needs of employees from each of the five generations. And here's a fantastic reminder – Industrial Water Week isn't just a one-time event; it's an annual celebration that occurs every first week of October. Mark your calendars and join us in commemorating this important occasion. As always, we're here to help you scale up on knowledge so you don't scale up your systems. Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client, -Trace Blackmore, CWT Timestamps 0:01 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Careers Friday 9:50 - Chris Yee, owner of Zenith Search Partners talking about how to build the best multi generational company 20:10 - Detective H2O in The Case of Hard Diagnosis Quotes “No matter what generation an employee falls into, all employees need the following 4 things: Trust, Compassion, Stability, and Hope.”- Chris Yee “Have a clear corporate vision, clear corporate values, and make sure that they're not just talk or words or a poster, or a tagline, or part of your signature block.” - Chris Yee “Engage your employees. Act like you care. Show them that you care by asking, “how are you doing?” - Chris Yee Connect with Chris Yee Phone: 713-936-9601 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Understand a Multigenerational Workforce better by downloading the infographic Learn the 4 things all employees need Links Mentioned
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331 Industrial Water Week 2023: Wastewater Thursday
10/05/2023
331 Industrial Water Week 2023: Wastewater Thursday
Welcome to a special episode of Wastewater Thursday, part of this year's Industrial Water Week celebration. I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and today, we're revisiting an enlightening conversation from earlier this year with the distinguished . In this episode, Dr. Govind delves into the pressing issues and the future of wastewater treatment. He highlights the challenge of our current centralized wastewater treatment systems, where vast networks of sewer lines transport water to centralized plants. Unfortunately, most of these plants discharge their treated water into rivers that ultimately lead to the ocean, resulting in a loss of precious groundwater resources. The consequences of this unsustainable practice are far-reaching and could have severe repercussions for future generations. Dr. Govind advocates for a paradigm shift towards decentralized wastewater treatment. By treating water locally and returning it to the ground where it originates, we can restore and regenerate groundwater tables. This proactive approach is not just an environmental necessity; it's vital for our survival. Without a sustainable water supply, we jeopardize not only our environment but also our economies and societies. But what about the return on investment (ROI) for transitioning to decentralized systems? Dr. Govind asserts that the ROI is compelling. Decentralized treatment offers a more resilient and reliable solution, especially in the face of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, or rising sea levels. Unlike centralized systems that can leave entire communities without wastewater treatment during such events, decentralized systems provide a more robust safety net for everyone. As Dr. Govind emphasizes, the technology and water sensing capabilities for effective wastewater treatment exist today. It's time for industries and individuals to seriously consider reducing their net water consumption. Freshwater is a finite resource, and its scarcity threatens our way of life. The responsibility falls on all of us to safeguard our water resources for the generations to come. Join us in exploring these crucial topics and more as we unlock the potential of wastewater, an often overlooked resource. Be sure to check out our page for additional insights into Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and Careers. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow as we wrap up this year's Industrial Water Week with Careers Friday. Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client, Trace Blackmore, CWT Timestamps 0:01- Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Wastewater Thursday 7:45 - Dr. Rakesh Govind on The Future of Wastewater 13:30 - Detective H2O in The Case of Seeing the Dead Quotes “I want to leave the listeners with the idea: that the technology of wastewater treatment is advanced enough today and the technology of water sensing is advanced enough today to be able to do a very good job on a local level, thereby reducing the net water consumption. They should seriously look at reducing their net water consumption because freshwater on the planet is running out. If freshwater runs out at the location where they have their plant, their company cannot operate as they are operating right now; their existence is at stake.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Links Mentioned
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