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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488 Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root
08/07/2026
488 Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root
“Our goal is not zero Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Our goal is zero cases.” – Patsy Root Legionella risk becomes harder to manage when building teams treat every detection as equivalent—or collect samples without first deciding what a positive result will trigger. , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at , explains how a clear water management program can replace uncertainty with defined responsibilities, routine monitoring, and proportionate action. Focus Testing on the Organism of Concern Patsy distinguishes between the broader group of Legionella species and Legionella pneumophila, the organism she recommends prioritizing during routine monitoring. She reviews research indicating that detecting non-pneumophila Legionella does not automatically mean L. pneumophila is present. That distinction matters operationally. Remediation can require significant time, money, facility disruption, and lost revenue. Testing targets and corrective actions should reflect public-health risk rather than a generalized fear of any Legionella detection. The goal is management, not eradication. A well-designed program aims to prevent disease while recognizing that completely eliminating the organism from every water system is not realistic. Define the Response Before Sampling Questions about routine monitoring remain among the most common Patsy receives: Where should samples be collected? How often should testing occur? Which laboratory and method should be used? What actions should follow a positive result? When reviewing a positive laboratory report, determine whether L. pneumophila was detected, its concentration, how many locations tested positive, and whether those locations are clustered or distributed throughout the building. Then compare the findings with the action limits and response procedures established in the water management program. Testing without a response plan can create unnecessary confusion. Likewise, writing a program does not protect a facility unless the assigned monitoring, flushing, temperature checks, chlorine residual measurements, documentation, and corrective actions are consistently completed. Connect Water Treatment, Exposure, and Ownership A conventional water treatment program designed for heat-transfer efficiency does not automatically address every public-health exposure route. Building teams must consider where people could encounter aerosolized or otherwise unsafe water—not only whether treatment chemistry is operating as intended. Patsy uses a milk-jug analogy to explain building ownership. Farmers, processors, transporters, and grocery stores maintain milk until it is purchased. Once the customer brings it home, however, that customer becomes responsible for storing it safely. Likewise, once water passes through the meter, the building owner becomes responsible for maintaining its quality. A comprehensive water management team may require a decision-maker with financial authority, a water treatment professional, plumbing expertise, maintenance and facilities personnel, and representatives from housekeeping, kitchens, or infection prevention where applicable. Communication with the public water system can also provide essential context about the incoming water source, seasonal temperature, distribution conditions, and disinfection. For water professionals advising building owners, the leadership challenge is translating risk information into repeatable actions that every responsible person understands and can sustain. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:00 — Trace Blackmore shares how Legionella Awareness Month began in 2020, why the topic continues to evolve, and why these episodes remain among the podcast’s most downloaded and shared. 04:56 — Trace introduces returning guest Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water, and revisits her appearances in Episodes 403 and 434. 06:25 — Interview with Patsy Root about Legionella pneumophila testing, effective water management programs, professional education, and building-water responsibility. 08:50 — Patsy explains why Legionella education remains necessary six years after the pandemic highlighted the risks associated with reopening stagnant building water systems. 10:40 — Foundational Legionella education should be adapted to an audience’s experience, responsibilities, and understanding of microbiology. 13:35 — AWT conferences and professional communities connect new practitioners with experienced professionals whose field knowledge may not appear in books or technical papers. 16:10 — Patsy explains how professional collaboration helps the industry reassess long-standing assumptions about Legionella species and focus more precisely on L. pneumophila. 20:20 — Patsy discusses how CWT and ASSE 12080 certifications are understood outside the water treatment industry and why credentials should be evaluated alongside experience, references, and work products. 23:20 — Research from KWR, the World Health Organization, and the Journal of Hospital Infection challenges the use of non-pneumophila Legionella as an indicator for L. pneumophila. 27:10 — Patsy distinguishes water management from eradication and explains why the objective should be zero disease cases rather than zero Legionella bacteria. 29:40 — Legionella longbeachae is associated primarily with soil, potting mix, and compost, illustrating why professionals must consider the environmental context of published research. 31:20 — Routine monitoring questions—where, when, how, and what to test—remain the questions Patsy receives most frequently from facility teams and water professionals. 32:30 — Sustainable implementation depends on teaching everyone responsible for the program what to do and why each activity matters. 34:30 — Patsy challenges the belief that avoiding Legionella testing eliminates risk and explains why routine verification remains necessary even when treatment measures are in place. 37:10 — A conventional water treatment program may support heat-transfer efficiency without addressing every point where people could be exposed to unsafe water. 38:40 — Patsy shares the milk-jug analogy to explain why a building owner becomes responsible for water quality after the water passes through the meter. 42:00 — Patsy discusses the regulatory gap surrounding water inside many buildings and the need for persistent education, communication, and outreach to building owners. 46:20 — Legionella requirements are beginning to appear in insurance policies as insurers and building owners recognize the financial consequences of outbreaks. 48:40 — Accurate outbreak reporting should explain transmission, exposure routes, risk factors, and reliable sources of public-health information without creating unnecessary panic. 51:20 — Patsy outlines how to interpret a positive laboratory result by reviewing the organism, concentration, number of positive locations, distribution, and established action limits. 54:00 — Sampling should not begin until the facility knows how it will respond if Legionella is detected. 55:30 — A cross-functional water management team should include financial authority, water treatment knowledge, plumbing expertise, facilities personnel, and representatives familiar with potential exposure areas. 58:30 — Stronger collaboration between public water systems and building water management teams can clarify incoming water conditions and each party’s responsibilities. 1:02:00 — Patsy answers four Legionella Awareness Month questions about management, trusted resources, common implementation failures, and the value of focusing on L. pneumophila. 1:04:00 — Trace shares the episode discussion guide and the Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Library for professionals reviewing the topic with their teams. 1:07:00 — Words of Water with James McDonald Quotes “It’s important to have everybody at the table, make sure everybody understands not only what they’re doing, but why they’re doing it.” “Don’t test the water for Legionella bacteria until you know what you’re going to do if it comes back positive.” “The housekeeping person’s not going to think like the plumber, and the plumber’s not going to think like the infection person, and the finance person’s going to think differently, too.” “Having a water management program does not absolve you from the daily or weekly activities that are required to be done. It must be done for it to be effective.” Connect with Patsy Root Phone: (207) 523-0835 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid and is most commonly known as liquid bleach. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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487 The 60‑Minute CFO: Tracy Bech on Making Business Finance Less Scary
07/31/2026
487 The 60‑Minute CFO: Tracy Bech on Making Business Finance Less Scary
“Our gross profit margin is truly the battle we have to win in order to win all of the downstream wars.” - Tracy Bech Financial statements become useful when leaders can translate the numbers into decisions. , founder and author of , explains how business owners, managers, salespeople, and field professionals can develop financial fluency without becoming accountants. Turn Financial Data into a Meaningful Scorecard Tracy teaches finance through stories and relationships rather than isolated numbers. Revenue alone does not reveal whether a company is financially healthy. Leaders need ratios that show how efficiently the company earns money, whether it can meet its obligations, and how prepared it is to withstand adversity. Her three foundational measures are gross profit margin, liquidity, and safety. Gross profit margin shows what remains after the cost of producing a product or delivering a service. If that margin is too low, the company may not have enough money to cover operating expenses and generate a net profit. Liquidity compares current assets with current liabilities, revealing the company’s ability to pay its bills. Safety compares debt with equity and helps leaders understand the company’s financial resilience and capacity to obtain financing when needed. Move From Historical Reports to Forward Planning Tax preparation and year-end reports explain what already happened. However, financial fluency allows leaders to use that history to forecast what should happen next. Tracy outlines three stages: learn the key ratios, understand the difference between cash and profit, and use historical results to develop forecasts. Instead of simply accepting the final score, leaders can establish financial targets and create specific marching orders for pricing, sales, expenses, hiring, and growth. Give Teams Metrics They Can Influence Financial planning should not remain confined to the executive team. Salespeople and technicians can provide valuable information about customer responses, operational friction, pricing, quality, rework, referrals, and service delivery. However, Tracy cautions leaders against sharing financial information that employees cannot control. Teams benefit most from clear measures connected to their work, such as proposals won, project margins, pricing discipline, accurate service, reduced callbacks, customer reviews, and referrals. Financial visibility also strengthens succession planning. Owners preparing to exit can improve their position by optimizing financial ratios, protecting the balance sheet, exploring future growth opportunities, and developing the next generation of leadership. Understanding the story behind the numbers helps water treatment professionals evaluate risk, communicate priorities, and make decisions that support long-term stability. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace Blackmore shares what listeners can expect during Legionella Awareness Month, including a weekly series addressing Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. 03:20 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals: Trace highlights the 2026 AWT Technical Training, taking place November 11–14 in Frisco, Texas. 05:40 — Words of Water with James 08:40 — Interview with Tracy Bech, founder and author of 60 Minute CFO and business finance educator and strategist, about making business finance less intimidating and developing financial fluency. 11:30 — Tracy explains why business finance often feels overwhelming and how simple calculations and relatable stories make financial concepts easier to understand. 13:20 — Financial performance becomes a team scorecard that helps technicians and employees understand how their work contributes to the company’s health. 16:40 — Finance terminology can create communication gaps, leaving otherwise successful owners uncertain about retained earnings, working capital, and cash flow. 21:50 — Tracy explains why profit is essential for serving customers, supporting employees, and keeping a business financially sustainable. 23:30 — Gross profit margin emerges as a critical measure because it determines whether enough money remains to cover operating expenses and generate profit. 25:50 — Liquidity and safety help leaders evaluate whether the company can pay its bills, manage debt, and withstand financial adversity. 33:10 — Tracy presents three steps toward financial fluency: learn the essential ratios, understand cash versus profit, and use historical performance to forecast the future. 35:20 — Leaders can improve execution by establishing a clear destination while allowing their teams to identify obstacles, opportunities, and necessary adjustments. 38:10 — Open-book management works best when employees receive financial metrics they understand and can directly influence. 40:00 — Field professionals affect financial results through accurate work, fewer callbacks, controlled expenses, positive reviews, and customer referrals. 41:10 — Business owners can begin improving their financial fluency by reviewing the previous month’s income statement and balance sheet and confirming that the information is accurate. 44:00 — Understanding the numbers helps leaders balance growth and stability while making informed decisions about profit, debt, equipment, and owner distributions. 47:10 — Tracy explains how owners preparing for retirement can strengthen financial performance, protect the balance sheet, and develop future leaders. 50:30 — Tracy encourages business leaders to give finance another chance, discover the story behind their numbers, and recognize financial fluency as a learnable skill. Quotes “Your business cannot exist without profits and you owe it to your customers and you owe it to your employees to have profits.” “But when you get your strategies and you understand why things went the way they went, now you actually create your forecast and your marching orders.” “The best time to plant the tree was 20 years ago, and the next best time to plant the tree is today.” “I think that honestly, this is easier than you think.” Connect with Tracy Bech Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition means "water loving" and refers to substances that are attracted to water. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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486 Meter Optimization: Air in the water with Anthony Giudice
07/24/2026
486 Meter Optimization: Air in the water with Anthony Giudice
Water meters register the volume passing through them, but what happens when that volume contains both water and entrained air? Anthony Giudice, president of AquaFlow, explains how turbulent flow can influence meter readings and how AquaFlow’s calibrated valve is designed to help meters reflect what he describes as true water consumption. Why Flow Conditions Matter at the Meter Anthony connects entrained air to the pressure required to move municipal water and the turbulence created as water travels through piping, changes direction, and encounters shifting demand. Because a conventional meter cannot distinguish between water and air within that volume, he says the resulting air-water mixture can contribute to overreading. The valve addresses the condition from the customer’s side of the property. Installed immediately after the meter, it creates a slight backpressure intended to establish laminar flow upstream while compressing the entrained air rather than removing it from the system. Calibration, Placement, and System Conditions Each valve is calibrated for its specific meter and operating environment. Anthony explains why valves cannot simply be exchanged between meters of the same size and describes a dual-spring design that responds to changing pressure throughout the day. Available sizes range from three-quarter inch to 32 inches, supporting applications from residential service to power plants, data centers, manufacturing facilities, and cooling tower systems. Trace and Anthony also examine an important secondary-metering question: where should a valve be installed when cooling tower makeup and bleed meters affect water and sewer billing credits? The answer depends on the measurement objective. Teams must first identify which meter they want to optimize and how any downstream reading affects utility calculations or sewer credits. Measuring Results Beyond the Utility Bill A lower invoice alone does not prove that a valve is performing. Facility activity may change substantially from one billing period to another. Anthony recommends a measurement and verification reconciliation using 12 clean pre-installation months, the installation month, and at least three clean post-installation months. Consumption should then be normalized against an operating unit such as cars washed, hotel guests, or stadium attendance. A car wash example demonstrates the distinction. Recorded consumption changed from 16.03 gallons per car before installation to 13.13 gallons per car afterward. That per-unit comparison provided a clearer performance indicator than the total bill, which could rise or fall with the number of vehicles served. Careful meter selection, operating data, and normalized analysis help water professionals evaluate this technology without confusing reduced recorded consumption with changes in production or occupancy. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace Blackmore Shares: Reflections on Episode 485’s listener-submitted questions, ways to suggest future topics and guests, and learning resources available at ScalingUpH2O.com. 05:00 — Words of Water with James: James McDonald challenges listeners to identify the term for the distribution ratio of a volatile substance between the steam and liquid phases. 07:20 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals: Trace previews the 2026 AWT Convention and Expo, the American Chemical Society Expo, and August’s Legionella Awareness Month programming. 10:40 — Interview with Anthony Giudice, President of AquaFlow: Anthony introduces water-meter optimization and explains how entrained air can affect recorded water consumption. 12:50 — Anthony explains how municipal pressure, pipe length, changing demand, and directional changes contribute to turbulent flow and entrained air. 14:00 — Trace raises a practical question about secondary metering for cooling-tower makeup and bleed water. 16:00 — Anthony explains the valve’s placement on the customer’s side of the meter and connects its operation to Bernoulli’s principle, the Venturi effect, and Boyle’s law. 18:20 — Anthony distinguishes AquaFlow’s dynamic, meter-specific valve from conventional pressure-reducing and check valves. 20:00 — Anthony clarifies that the device compresses entrained air—not water—and describes what happens after the mixture passes through the valve. 21:00 — Anthony discusses reported payback periods, 316L stainless-steel construction, certifications, installation time, trial terms, valve sizes, and industrial applications. 23:50 — Anthony connects water-meter optimization with property value, water-hammer reduction, booster-pump protection, and possible carbon-credit opportunities. 28:30 — Anthony explains how visual demonstrations and measurement and verification reconciliation can document performance more reliably than invoice comparisons alone. 30:50 — A car-wash example demonstrates why gallons per vehicle provide a clearer performance measure than total monthly consumption. 32:50 — Trace and Anthony revisit cooling-tower submetering to determine valve placement when sewer credits are involved. 36:10 — Anthony outlines the site survey, meter-specific calibration, recommended valve location, and typical installation process. 38:50 — The conversation explores possible applications for creating laminar flow in blood, eggs, oil, gas, and other fluid-handling systems. 41:20 — Anthony directs listeners to AquaFlow’s website and homepage demonstration for more information. 42:20 — Trace explains AquaFlow’s 90-day trial offer for the Scaling Up Nation, including discount code H2O750 and the additional money-back guarantee. Quotes “Meters, unfortunately, people don’t like to hear this, but they’re designed to register volume. Volume is anything that passes underneath the meter.” “Each one is specific to that meter. You can’t just start, even if they’re the same size, you can’t just start switching them around.” “We’re not compressing water. We’re compressing the entrained air in the water.” “It was 16.03 gallons of air and water. When the valve was installed, it forces a true water consumption reading of 13.13 gallons.” Connect with Anthony Giudice Phone: 19544156973 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a measure of the tendency of a volatile substance, such as a neutralizing amine, to remain in the steam phase. It is defined as the ratio of the concentration of the substance in the steam phase to its concentration in the liquid phase. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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485 Questions from the Nation Around the World with Trace Blackmore, CWT
07/17/2026
485 Questions from the Nation Around the World with Trace Blackmore, CWT
Ten questions from water professionals around the world become a practical decision-making session with Trace Blackmore, CWT. Drawing on earlier Scaling UP! H2O conversations, Trace explains how to evaluate treatment changes, use emerging tools responsibly, begin water reuse projects, strengthen teams, and continue growing professionally. Evaluate the Entire System A proposed treatment change should be evaluated by more than its purchase price. When comparing chlorine dioxide with traditional chlorine, Trace recommends examining biocide consumption, chemical storage, corrosion rates, biofilm control, heat-transfer efficiency, cleaning requirements, downtime, labor, equipment life, and Legionella risk. A documented pilot on one tower can provide evidence before a facility commits to a larger investment. Water reuse decisions require the same discipline. Before introducing treated wastewater or cooling tower blowdown into another application, characterize the water, calculate current and projected costs, identify regulatory requirements, and determine compatibility with the existing treatment program. Starting with a blended approach or limited pilot can help a team test feasibility while managing operational risk. Use New Tools Without Surrendering Professional Judgment For technicians exploring AI, Trace recommends beginning with approved, nonrestricted data. Service reports and controller data can help an AI platform organize information, identify subtle trends, prepare meeting summaries, and improve the wording of recommendations. However, AI output still requires verification. Company data policies must come first, and technical recommendations should be reviewed against field experience, trusted references, and knowledgeable mentors. Product changes also demand controlled testing. When evaluating maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors, Trace recommends laboratory compatibility testing, careful review of the order of addition, temperature and shelf-stability checks, and a low-risk field pilot. Corrosion coupons, system cleanliness, dosing performance, and historical results can then be compared before expanding the program. Strengthen Teams, Goals, and Professional Growth The listener questions also address turnover, accountability, education, and industry involvement. Trace explains how behavioral assessment can support job fit and team communication, while weekly accountability, visible goals, time blocking, and lead-measure tracking can make a 12-week plan more achievable. He also reflects on how his MBA and DBA studies have influenced his strategic thinking, data-based decisions, leadership, and approach to scalable systems. The discussion closes with the value of continuing education, professional certification, trade association membership, committee participation, and relationships that provide support when difficult field problems arise. These answers offer practical starting points for making better technical, operational, and professional decisions—while knowing what evidence to gather before recommending change. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace introduces ten questions submitted by Scaling UP! Nation members around the world, connecting earlier episodes to current field decisions. 04:40 — Upcoming industry events highlight opportunities for water professionals to plan ahead, network, and continue learning. 06:10 — August’s focus on Legionella and waterborne pathogens prepares listeners for a month of specialized technical education. 07:00 — Industrial Water Week returns October 5–9 with daily episodes and new Detective H2O segments. 07:40 — Trace explains how to build a business case for chlorine dioxide by tracking operating costs, system performance, and total ownership value. 14:30 — A beginner’s roadmap for AI shows technicians how to analyze trends while respecting company data policies and verifying results. 23:30 — Water quality, current costs, regulations, treatment compatibility, and stakeholder involvement frame an initial cooling tower reuse assessment. 29:30 — Laboratory testing, order of addition, stability checks, and field pilots reduce risk when evaluating maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors. 34:10 — Trace connects Culture Index with turnover reduction, better hiring decisions, improved communication, and stronger job fit. 40:20 — Weekly accountability, visible goals, calendar blocks, and lead measures help route-based professionals execute a 12-week plan. 45:30 — Characterization, regulatory review, plant tolerance, and a limited pilot provide a practical path for reusing cooling tower blowdown. 49:00 — Episodes 441–445, discussion guides, transcripts, and team-led conversations can support structured technical training. 52:40 — Trace reflects on how his MBA and DBA studies influence systems thinking, leadership, scalability, and data-based decisions. 58:20 — AWT membership, CWT certification, committee participation, training, and professional relationships offer value to water treaters worldwide. Quotes “And then I would look at the total cost of owning this equipment, not just the cost of buying the equipment.” “AI can be incorrect. So, if it tells you something, the bottom line I want to tell you is fact check to verify.” “And the last thing that comes to mind is maybe you start off with a pilot instead of the entire program. And maybe you start out with a blended approach instead of an all or nothing approach.” “You'll be amazed at how having somebody that is interested and holding you accountable will make you make better decisions when you need to make decisions.” “And also, I'm hoping that it creates a model where I just didn't stop learning at my CWT.” Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Ep 405 - Ep 418 - Ep 420 - Ep 422 - Ep 424 - Ep 441 - Ep 442 - Ep 443 - Ep 444 - Ep 445 - Ep 446 - Ep 447 - Ep 456 - Ep 457 - Ep 459 - Ep 474 - 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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484 Risk, Resilience, and Water Security with Dr. Newsha Ajami
07/10/2026
484 Risk, Resilience, and Water Security with Dr. Newsha Ajami
Industrial operations depend on water of a predictable quantity and quality, yet many organizations still treat that reliability as a given. joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to examine water security as a business continuity issue and resilience as the ability to withstand pressure, maintain operations, and recover quickly when systems fail. Connecting Risk, Resilience, and Recovery For industrial water users, water security means maintaining access to the quantity and quality required to operate without interruption. That reliability depends on more than the water source itself. Treatment systems require energy, critical processes need backup plans, and organizations must understand what happens when one part of the system becomes unavailable. Dr. Newsha connects risk assessment directly to resilience planning. Organizations can reduce exposure by developing portfolios of water sources and solutions, building redundancy, preparing for power disruptions, and allocating resources before a crisis occurs. Recovery should also create an opportunity to reconsider infrastructure, governance, and institutional structures rather than automatically rebuilding the same system in the same way. Investing Before the System Fails Proactive water decisions often require leadership willing to invest before the immediate need becomes visible. Dr. Newsha highlights Arizona’s decision to store Colorado River allocations underground, Yuba Water Agency’s collaboration with Blue Forest to support watershed and infrastructure resilience, and San Francisco’s on-site water reuse requirements for qualifying buildings. These examples demonstrate that resilience can be strengthened through policy, financial models, external partnerships, water reuse, supply planning, and business model innovation. They also show why public agencies and private businesses may approach risk differently—and why each can learn from the other. Data Centers as a Water Challenge and Opportunity Data center development places new attention on water availability, cooling demand, energy use, and community infrastructure. Rather than treating these facilities only as a threat to local resources, Dr. Newsha encourages water professionals to examine where they are built, how they are cooled, and what innovations could reduce their water and energy requirements. Potential strategies include more efficient computing models, chip-level cooling, heat-absorbing materials, recovered-heat applications, water recycling, and co-location with facilities that can use excess heat. Collaboration between data center developers and host communities could also direct new investment toward aging or inadequate water infrastructure. Making Water a National Priority The Aspen national water strategy initiative brought together participants from agriculture, industry, energy, transportation, engineering, technology, rural and urban communities, Native American communities, and different political backgrounds. The goal was to identify shared principles and actions that could guide water decisions across national, state, and local levels. Dr. Newsha argues that water must be managed as a national security issue. That requires investment not only in technology, but also in institutions, policies, business models, research, natural infrastructure, and the governance structures that shape decision-making. Industrial water professionals can contribute by helping clients identify vulnerabilities, challenge assumptions, and make reliability investments before an interruption forces the decision. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:19 — Trace Blackmore shares highlights from the previous week, including the Fourth of July, the daytime edition of The Hang with AWT Young Professionals, and the Scaling Up Nation’s role in raising the bar across industrial water treatment. 03:05 — Trace recognizes several July 10 observances before turning the spotlight toward the water treatment industry’s own annual celebration. 04:36 — Industrial Water Week 2026 returns October 5–9 with dedicated episodes covering pretreatment, boilers, cooling, wastewater, and careers in industrial water. 06:38 — Words of Water with James 09:15 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:01 — Interview with Dr. Newsha Ajami, founding director of the Risk Resilience and Recovery Program at Stanford University, about water security, resilient infrastructure, risk planning, recovery, and the policies and financial systems that shape water decisions 12:17 — Dr. Newsha explains how her engineering and hydrology background expanded into water policy, regulation, and infrastructure finance. 13:50 — Water’s everyday invisibility can create a false sense that reliable access will always continue without deliberate planning or investment. 15:35 — Water security for industrial users means maintaining the quantity and quality required to operate reliably and avoid business interruptions. 16:23 — Resilience requires systems that can tolerate pressure, maintain operations through redundancy, and recover quickly after failure. 17:45 — Risk, resilience, and recovery connect through better vulnerability assessment, diversified water sources, backup plans, and improved rebuilding decisions. 21:26 — Utilities, insurers, financial institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies all influence how resilient water systems become. 22:09 — Reactive business models and inflexible funding structures often delay resilience investments until after a disaster has occurred. 25:51 — Arizona’s groundwater storage, Yuba Water Agency’s watershed investments, and Moulton Niguel Water District’s operational changes demonstrate different approaches to long-term resilience. 29:45 — San Francisco’s onsite water reuse requirements show how policy can support development while reducing pressure on centralized water supplies. 38:32 — The Aspen National Water Strategy seeks to create a nonpartisan roadmap shaped by diverse regions, sectors, communities, and political perspectives. 41:13 — Dr. Newsha explains why water should be treated as a national security issue and why innovation must extend beyond technology to policies, institutions, and business models. 43:44 — Stanford’s Risk Resilience and Recovery Program examines how governance, insurance, finance, and legislation affect preparation for natural hazards and disaster recovery. 45:46 — Dr. Newsha invites listeners to connect through Stanford and LinkedIn to follow the program’s research, partnerships, and future events. 47:51 — Trace summarizes the conversation, emphasizing risk awareness, system redundancy, improved recovery planning, and collaboration among all stakeholders. 51:00 — Trace encourages professionals to apply past operational data, involve every relevant stakeholder, and help more water treaters discover the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. Quotes “And even when they break, be able to bounce back quickly.” “Data centers, a challenge and an opportunity.” “But we use we have to use this opportunity to, we have to use this as an opportunity to change, to do better, to build our infrastructure.” “Water is an invisible connector across everything we have, we do, we depend on.” “We do talk about water, but we do not manage water as a national security issue. And water is a national security issue.” Connect with Dr. Newsha Ajami Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is water lost from a cooling tower as liquid droplets entrained in the exhaust air. It is independent of water lost by evaporation. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . 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483 From Process Engineer to Process Architect: Alicia Butler‑Pierre on Making Work Flow
07/03/2026
483 From Process Engineer to Process Architect: Alicia Butler‑Pierre on Making Work Flow
Industrial water professionals understand flow, pressure, heat exchange, wastewater, boilers, condensers, and process control. Alicia Butler-Pierre brings that same engineering logic into business systems, showing how work, information, decisions, and people move through an organization. Alicia, CEO of Equilibria, joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to connect process engineering, operations management, Lean Six Sigma, dashboards, professional training, and business infrastructure. Her message is clear: whether you are moving water through a pipeline or work through a company, the question remains the same—how can the process flow more seamlessly? From Process Engineer to Process Architect Alicia shares how her chemical engineering background shaped the way she sees organizations. Early in her career, she worked around wastewater, boilers, condensers, and heat exchangers, but she also saw a gap between technical operations and business decision-making. That gap eventually led her to business school, entrepreneurship, and the founding of Equilibria. What began as a professional organizing company became an operations management consulting firm focused on processes, systems, Lean Six Sigma, and business infrastructure. For water professionals, this conversation offers a practical reminder: technical improvements often fail to gain support when they are explained only in technical language. Alicia challenges listeners to connect process improvements to business outcomes that accounting, leadership, and customers can understand. Dashboards, Dollars, and the Cost of Poor Quality Trace and Alicia discuss a familiar challenge in water treatment: a team may know that a technical improvement will raise efficiency or reduce risk, but accounting may only see the capital expense. Alicia’s advice is to show the linkage. Dashboards can help different functions see cause and effect. When technical investments are connected to revenue, profitability, customer demand, and operating efficiency, decision-makers can better understand the true value of the work. Alicia also introduces the Lean Six Sigma concept of cost of poor quality. Instead of presenting improvement work as another expense, she encourages professionals to frame it as an investment and show what inaction could cost in dollars and cents. Lean Six Sigma, Training, and Podcast Education Alicia explains Lean and Six Sigma in clear operational terms. Lean focuses on reducing waste and improving work from a customer-centered perspective. Six Sigma uses statistics and data analysis to reduce defects and errors as close to zero as possible. The conversation also moves into professional education. Alicia describes her podcast training portal, her partnership with the Project Management Institute, and how podcast episodes can support professional development units when paired with quizzes, approval processes, and a structured learning management system. For a technical field built on continuing education, this opens an important question: how can trusted podcast content become part of a more formal learning pathway? Scaling Knowledge Across Borders Alicia’s work has expanded through teaching, online training, micro-courses, podcasting, and international business development. She describes podcasting as a door that gave her access to the world and helped her see the global need for professional education. Her path from process engineer to process architect reinforces a lesson water professionals know well: good systems do not happen by accident. They are designed, tested, improved, and translated into language others can act on. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Connect with Alicia Butler-Pierre Email: Website: LinkedIn: Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the pressure of a system measured relative to the surrounding atmospheric pressure. In other words, it is the pressure of a system above atmospheric pressure. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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482 Preserving Our Industry’s Story – Paul Petersen and the Industrial Water Exhibit
06/26/2026
482 Preserving Our Industry’s Story – Paul Petersen and the Industrial Water Exhibit
Industrial water treatment has always supported industry, but much of that story remains invisible to the public. Paul Petersen wants to change that by helping establish an industrial water treatment presence at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Paul Petersen, former president and CEO of Trident Technologies and current leader of the Industrial Water Task Group, joins Trace Blackmore to explain why preserving the industry’s history matters. His vision is not simply a static display of old equipment. Instead, the goal is to create an educational thread throughout the museum that helps visitors understand how water, steam, analytics, field testing, and professional water treaters have shaped industrial progress. Why Industrial Water Belongs in an Industrial History Museum Paul’s idea began during a visit to the National Museum of Industrial History, where he saw a strong celebration of American industrialization but noticed a missing piece: the role water treaters played in making that progress possible. The museum’s location strengthens the story. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sits in the Lehigh Valley, a region Paul describes as closely tied to industrialization, steel production, legacy water treatment companies, and heavy industrial water use. The former Bethlehem Steel site offers a fitting backdrop for explaining why water management is central to manufacturing, power, construction, and modern technology. From Water Wheels to Boilers, Steam, and Field Analytics The exhibit concept begins with water’s physical role in early factories, then follows the shift toward boilers and steam-producing systems. Paul explains that steam boilers do not serve their purpose without water, and they do not operate safely without proper water management. That opens the door to stories professionals know well: scale, corrosion, pitting, boiler failures, and the consequences of poor control. Paul also highlights another important industry contribution: field analytics. Industrial water treaters were early practitioners of field testing, using water analysis to confirm conditions and adjust treatment programs directly in the field. Helping the Public Understand What Water Treaters Do For many professionals, explaining industrial water treatment to people outside the field is a lifelong challenge. Paul sees the museum as an opportunity to make that explanation tangible. Rather than assuming visitors understand boiler rooms, cooling systems, data centers, sterilization, or process water, the exhibit can connect water treatment to outcomes people recognize: safe facilities, sterile surgical instruments, food quality, operating data centers, and reliable industrial systems. Preserving Artifacts, Stories, and Career Pathways Paul is asking the industry to help preserve its history. Companies and individuals may have photographs, reports, testing equipment, boiler failure examples, corrosion artifacts, pitting samples, or stories that can support future exhibits. The project also has a workforce purpose. By raising the visibility of professional water treaters, Paul hopes the exhibit can help people see industrial water treatment as a meaningful career path that combines chemistry, math, physics, engineering, communication, maintenance, construction, and hydrology. The industry’s history is not just a look backward. It can help explain the value of the work, attract new talent, and strengthen public understanding of why industrial water treatment matters. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace opens the episode by framing Paul Petersen’s work as important not only to industrial water treatment professionals, but also to people outside the field who need to understand what the industry makes possible 03:20 — The 2026 American Chemical Society Fall Conference is highlighted as a major chemistry gathering with relevance for water treatment professionals, chemists, chemical engineers, and technical leaders. 05:00 — Trace previews The Hang on July 9 at 1 PM Eastern, emphasizing peer connection, practical networking, and a more accessible time for participation. 06:30 — Industrial Water Week is announced for October 5–9, with each day focused on a core area of the industry: pretreatment, boilers, cooling, wastewater, and careers. 08:50 — James McDonald returns with Words of Water 10:30 — Trace introduces Paul Petersen, former president and CEO of Trident Technologies, and his current work leading the Industrial Water Task Group’s museum exhibit initiative 11:15 — Paul shares how growing up in Tucson, Arizona, shaped his appreciation for water and helped set the foundation for a career in industrial water treatment. 12:10 — Paul describes his early work as an analytical technician, where testing cooling tower, boiler, and process water built his practical foundation in water chemistry 14:00 — Paul explains the growth of Trident Technologies, including work in Southern California, Mexico, Latin America, and the company’s eventual sale in 2009. 15:20 — Paul reflects on how technology changed the industry, from cell phones and email to automation, AI, and the broader availability of technical information. 17:00 — Trace and Paul discuss AI’s potential value in reporting, trend identification, interpretation, and communication, while reinforcing the need to validate outputs. 18:00 — Paul explains how a 2019 visit to historic sites and the National Museum of Industrial History led to the idea for an industrial water treatment exhibit. 20:00 — Paul identifies the missing piece in the museum’s industrial story: the role water treaters played in supporting the success of industrialization. 21:40 — Paul explains why the museum concept may become a thread throughout the museum rather than one standalone exhibit, helping visitors see water’s role across industries. 22:50 — Paul explains why Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, and the former Bethlehem Steel site provide a natural setting for telling the story of industrial water. 26:40 — Paul describes how modern museum visitors expect interactive learning and why the exhibit must help the public think critically about water beyond everyday household use. 28:10 — Paul outlines the first exhibit themes around steam, boilers, boiler failures, the Sultana disaster, field analytics, and historical testing methods. 31:55 — Paul discusses the lifelong challenge of explaining industrial water treatment to the public and connecting the work to boiler rooms, hospitals, food quality, data centers, and daily life. 34:10 — Paul shares the current exhibit status, including the first phase and a model boiler that will help visitors see what happens inside a boiler. 35:20 — Paul invites water professionals and companies to contribute artifacts, photographs, explanations, stories, and supporting materials that can help tell the industry’s story. 36:50 — Paul addresses a key misconception: water should not be taken for granted, and “good water” depends entirely on the application. 39:05 — Paul connects the exhibit to workforce visibility, explaining how it can help present industrial water treatment as a meaningful career path. 40:40 — Paul describes his long-term vision for visitors to see how water supports industries from steel and papermaking to microprocessors and modern technology. 42:40 — Paul explains that the project needs financial support, sponsorship, and leadership from companies and individuals who want to preserve the industry’s story. 44:20 — Paul closes the main conversation by emphasizing the importance of preserving industrial water history while the future continues to move quickly. 50:00 — Paul shares what he wishes more people understood about the industry: water is part of nearly every major story, and professional water treaters help keep society functioning. 51:30 — Trace recaps why Paul’s museum work matters, how the industry can contribute, and how the exhibit can help the public understand the role of industrial water treaters 55:20 — Trace closes with Paul’s advice to seek mentors, learn the business side as well as the chemistry, and never take water for granted Quotes “They're really celebrating industrial history in America. But what's missing is the role that we played as water treaters in support of the success of industrialization.” “Here's an opportunity for us to share the knowledge that we have as water treatment professionals with the public to engage their thinking, their critical thinking about water.” “What is good water? And my answer to that is, what do you want to do with it?” “What we do as professional water treaters is truly an important thing. And, you know, I never forget that.” “I'm part of the past, but I think our rich history should be presented in an exhibit for all to enjoy at the museum.” “I would like to build better bridges, more bridges.” “Just not taking the resource of water for granted.” Connect with Paul Petersen Email: Website: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the air temperature measured by a standard, dry thermometer exposed to the air but shielded from radiation. Often associated with cooling towers in our line of work. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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481 From Waterfalls to SOPs: Building Better Utilities with Kalpna Solanki
06/19/2026
481 From Waterfalls to SOPs: Building Better Utilities with Kalpna Solanki
Water utility work depends on more than technical knowledge. It depends on clear procedures, current documents, practical training, and performance conversations that reflect what operators actually do in the field. In Episode 481, Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes back , President and CEO at , for a practical conversation on building stronger utilities through standard operating procedures, competencies, and performance evaluations. Kalpna shares how outdated SOPs, disconnected training tools, and top-down documentation can create risk, confusion, and missed learning opportunities. SOPs That Match the Work Kalpna defines an SOP as a documented process that provides clear instructions for specific tasks or activities. Her current work with water utilities includes procedures for water main installation, flushing, customer complaints, meter installation, meter readings, and other distribution team responsibilities. The key issue is not whether an organization has SOPs. Many do. The bigger question is whether those documents still match the field reality. Kalpna describes reviewing SOPs that reference retired staff, outdated contact information, and procedures written by people who may no longer be close to the work. Her approach starts with the operators. The people doing the work help revise the documents, confirm what is accurate, and identify what needs to change. Revision dates, organized SOP libraries, and clear naming structures help teams avoid using the wrong version. From Procedures to Competencies Kalpna explains that SOPs should not sit alone in a file system. They should inform competency frameworks that define the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors needed for the job. For example, an SOP may explain how to perform a fire hydrant teardown. A related competency tool can help confirm whether an operator knows how to do that work safely and correctly. The results can then guide mentoring, training, and performance evaluation. This turns performance evaluation into a two-way process. Rather than simply telling employees what they did or did not do, supervisors can use competency checklists to identify gaps, determine needed resources, and support development. Field Access, Video, and Ownership Kalpna also shares how the Capital Regional District project extends SOPs beyond written documents. Once an SOP is revised and approved, her team creates a field video using operators as the subjects. The video is tied back to the written SOP, giving employees the option to read, watch, or use both formats depending on how they learn best. QR codes make the system even more useful. Operators can scan a code in the field and access the relevant SOP or video without leaving the work location, searching a large document library, or relying on memory. That access matters. As Kalpna puts it, when processes are too complicated, people are more likely to wing it. In water utility work, that can affect safety, consistency, compliance, and service quality. Water Stories and Water Reuse Kalpna also shares her personal water story, from growing up near the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls to living near the Thames River in London and later near protected watersheds in Vancouver. Her experiences shape how she thinks about water availability, source protection, and the responsibility of the industry. The conversation closes with a look at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, where a full-scale wastewater treatment facility operates beneath the building. Treated effluent is reused for toilet flushing and rooftop garden irrigation, reducing freshwater demand and municipal sewer load. For Kalpna, this points to a larger shift in language and mindset. Wastewater is not simply waste. It is a resource with future value for reuse, reclamation, and water-stressed industries. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:10 — Trace welcomes Kalpna Solanki back and notes her previous Scaling UP! H2O appearance in Episode 435 on backflow prevention. 01:50 — Kalpna shares what has changed since her last visit, including the launch of GAMECHANGERS Inc. and her work with nonprofits, government agencies, and water utilities. 02:40 — Kalpna explains the two criteria she uses when choosing where to contribute: the opportunity to contribute and the opportunity to learn. 03:40 — Kalpna introduces the Water Environment Federation and its broad role in the water sector, with a strong focus on wastewater. 04:10 — The conversation turns to WEFTEC, AI, data centers, and the Water AI Nexus Center for Excellence. 08:20 — Kalpna defines an SOP as a documented process that provides clear instructions for specific tasks or activities. 08:40 — Kalpna describes her work with the Capital Regional District and water distribution teams serving more than 400,000 people with drinking water. 09:40 — Kalpna explains why SOPs should be developed with field staff, not only by managers who may be removed from day-to-day operations. 10:40 — SOPs connect to competencies by defining the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors employees need to perform work effectively. 11:40 — Kalpna frames performance evaluation as a two-way process for identifying training needs, resources, and competency gaps. 13:00 — Trace asks how organizations can align SOPs with what operators actually do in the field. 13:20 — Kalpna describes the risk of dated SOPs, including documents that reference retired staff or obsolete contact information. 14:00 — Kalpna explains how SOP nomenclature and organized folders help operators find the current procedure quickly. 15:30 — The discussion shifts to video-based SOPs that support different learning styles and increase field usability. 19:50 — Kalpna adds that QR codes can take operators directly to the relevant SOP and linked video in the field. 20:25 — Kalpna explains why simplicity matters: if the process is too complicated, people are more likely to wing it. 21:10 — Safety enters the competency discussion, with Kalpna explaining why SOP-based competencies can better reflect actual field work. 22:20 — Kalpna outlines her starting process with a utility: review the SOPs, determine what is dated or missing, divide them by operational area, and prioritize revisions. 24:10 — Kalpna describes how SOPs for water main upgrades can be translated into a competency framework. 25:00 — Technical and leadership competencies are discussed, including behavioral indicators that supervisors can use with operators. 26:30 — Kalpna introduces application exams, remote proctoring, and future AI-assisted marking as part of the hiring process. 28:05 — The conversation turns to culture, ownership, and how staff involvement can create empowerment rather than top-down compliance. 29:55 — Kalpna urges listeners to look at the intersection between SOPs, competencies, and performance evaluations. 32:40 — Kalpna shares her personal water story, beginning with childhood walks near the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. 34:15 — Kalpna connects her experiences in London and Vancouver to water availability, source protection, and the value of safe drinking water. 37:00 — In the lightning round, Kalpna describes her superpower as seeing organizations from a high-level perspective and imagining what they could become. 38:35 — Kalpna shares a major accomplishment: leading a CRM project that succeeded because the people doing the work were involved. 40:25 — Kalpna discusses a water operator training and certification project in Kenya with Water Professionals International and GAMECHANGERS Inc. 41:55 — Kalpna answers the magic wand question with the Water Environment Federation vision statement: “life free of water challenges.” 43:10 — Kalpna recommends five books spanning personal values, scaling systems, resilience, memoir, and nonprofit governance. Quotes “When it comes to how that leads to competencies, competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that employees need to perform their job effectively.” “Because I think if things are too complicated, people are going to be more tempted to wing it.” “I need their feedback to get the reality of their job on a day-to-day basis.” “I think that one of the key things is really look at the intersection between SOPs, competencies and performance evaluations.” “Life free of water challenges.” “We talk about wastewater, but it's not waste really, it's a resource.” Connect with Kalpna Solanki Email: ksolanki@gamechangerssolutions.com Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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480 From Engineering Numbers to People, Power, and Policy with Sherine El‑Wattar
06/13/2026
480 From Engineering Numbers to People, Power, and Policy with Sherine El‑Wattar
Industrial water professionals work with chemistry, equipment, permits, and performance targets every day. Yet every gallon also moves through a framework of policy decisions: who can withdraw water, how it may be used, what quality must be returned, and whose needs are considered when systems are designed. , a science network officer supporting the Working Group II Technical Support Unit, brings an engineering foundation and a human-centered perspective to those questions. Her work focuses on climate impacts, adaptation, vulnerability, and risk while helping connect scientific assessments with communities and professional groups beyond the traditional research environment. Water Systems Are Never Neutral Pipelines, treatment plants, reuse programs, and flood-control infrastructure solve technical problems. However, Sherine encourages engineers and decision-makers to ask additional questions: Who benefits from the system? Who might be harmed? Whose assumptions are built into the equations? What local realities might the numbers overlook? Her master’s research illustrates the importance of that lens. Sherine compared remote-sensing indicators of agricultural productivity with the day-to-day practices of farmers near Cairo. A digital map could classify land as productive or unproductive, but the view from the ground revealed practices shaped by long-term care for the soil and water. The lesson is not to dismiss data. It is to understand what the data may not capture. Water Risk Depends on Context Water scarcity, flooding, infrastructure resilience, and climate adaptation do not look the same in every region. Culture, institutions, belief systems, and lived experience shape how communities define risk and how they respond to water policy. Sherine describes climate-related water risk through a straightforward frame: too much water or too little water. The solutions, however, require deeper attention to local conditions. A technically sound recommendation may still fall short if it overlooks the people affected by the decision. Practical Steps for Water Professionals For utilities, facilities, and water-sector businesses, Sherine recommends exploring water footprint concepts and water stewardship. She also emphasizes authentic connection: listen before trying to fix a problem, communicate without judgment, and build awareness through relationships. Industrial water treaters already hold valuable knowledge. Sharing that expertise with operators, communities, policymakers, and professionals from other disciplines can improve the quality of future water decisions. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:10 — Trace explains why water and policy are inseparable, even when daily work appears focused on equipment, chemistry, permits, and profitability. 05:10 — Upcoming industry events highlight opportunities to stay current on utility operations, infrastructure, compliance, data integration, and water-quality challenges. 08:50 — Sherine El-Wattar joins the conversation and clarifies the IPCC acronym before introducing her work in water governance and climate adaptation. 11:30 — Sherine reflects on the value of combining engineering problem-solving with water systems that serve society. 12:00 — Sherine describes her role supporting IPCC Working Group II and the two responsibilities she balances: science and networking. 14:10 — The discussion explores how expert reviewers can contribute perspectives from law, finance, health, youth organizations, Indigenous communities, and other fields. 15:30 — Sherine explains why communication must shift depending on whether the audience includes public communities or government representatives. 17:10 — Water is compared to language: local culture, institutions, and belief systems influence how risk and equity are understood. 19:50 — Sherine unpacks water as a story of people, power, and justice rather than only a network of pipes and treatment systems. 22:00 — A human-centric approach asks who benefits, who may be harmed, whose knowledge informs the system, and what the assumptions may cost. 24:40 — Sherine describes the Netherlands’ Delta Works as an example of infrastructure shaped by risk, institutional capacity, and long-term water management. 27:10 — Sherine shares how her master’s studies shifted her understanding of water from a technical discipline toward the science-policy interface. 29:40 — Her research compares remote-sensing indicators with farmers’ lived practices near Cairo, revealing the limits of relying on aggregated data alone. 33:30 — Trace and Sherine explore how professionals can respect culture and tradition while still supporting education and improvement. 35:50 — Sherine recommends water footprint concepts and water stewardship as practical starting points for organizations planning for climate adaptation. 38:20 — The conversation examines the mismatch between climate risk and the depth of current responses to too much or too little water. 41:50 — Sherine encourages professionals to connect water awareness with personal reflection, professional networks, and conversations that influence behavior Connect with Sherine El-Wattar Phone: +31646914589 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Quotes “And I really liked how, you know, engineering is all about the numbers, solving problems, and finding a way to create a system that serves society.” “I have been humbled enough to know you cannot force policymakers to think anything.” “For us to balance these things, it's about, it starts with understanding.” “I really hope I would live to see the day where taking care of water or being water conscious is the new trend.” Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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479 Water Treatment: The Next Generation - Hustle Culture Meets Emotional Literacy with Tiffany Wentz‑Root
06/05/2026
479 Water Treatment: The Next Generation - Hustle Culture Meets Emotional Literacy with Tiffany Wentz‑Root
In today’s episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with workplace resilience expert and U.S. Marine veteran to decode how different generations show up in the industrial water treatment industry. From the Silent Generation’s post‑war loyalties through Baby Boomers’ commitment to long hours, Gen X’s distrust of corporate loyalty, Millennials’ desire for purpose and feedback, and Gen Z’s demand for emotional literacy, the conversation illustrates how each cohort was shaped by historical and technological upheaval. The discussion reframes “hustle culture” and argues that a focus on mental health and values alignment can increase retention and performance. Generations and the events that shaped them Tiffany explains that generations are roughly 20–30 year cohorts defined by shared formative experiences. The Silent Generation (1928‑45) endured the Great Depression and World War II; Baby Boomers (1946‑64) were taught loyalty and stability; Gen X (1965‑80) witnessed mass layoffs and became fiercely independent; Millennials (1981‑96) were helicopter parented and accustomed to participation trophies; and Gen Z (1997‑2012) grew up online, socializing via games and apps and weathering school shootings and a pandemic. These histories explain why Baby Boomers and Gen X equate “hard work” with hours logged, whereas Millennials and Gen Z measure effort by pride, alignment and emotional impact. Gen Z’s exposure to constant online crises makes them the “anxious and afraid generation” with record rates of anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for supportive leadership. Hustle culture versus emotional literacy The conversation challenges the idea that toughness equals success. Wentz‑Root stresses that leaders must “stop prizing strength” and recognize that feeling and processing emotions is hard work. She advocates for environments where people can bring their whole selves to work rather than suppressing feelings in order to conform to traditional hustle culture. She notes that Gen Z sees phone calls as “prehistoric” and prefers to communicate via apps like Snapchat or Discord, so older professionals should adapt their communication style—using fewer capital letters, punctuation and more emojis or GIFs—to avoid appearing angry or dismissive. For water treatment companies seeking to recruit young professionals, she urges them to articulate company values and support mental health, because Gen Z will leave if work doesn’t align with their skills or passions. Practical strategies for leaders and organizations To bridge the generational divide, Wentz‑Root proposes creating a “social contract”: a collaboratively defined set of values, behaviors and communication norms that are revisited regularly. Such agreements encourage teams to discuss how they prefer to give and receive feedback, when to use Slack versus meetings, and what good work looks like across ages. She also recommends structured cross‑mentorship, matching senior employees who are nearing retirement with junior colleagues based on skills rather than age, so institutional knowledge isn’t lost. She cautions against judging younger staff as entitled or weak; rather, leaders should ask why behaviors exist and treat differences as strengths. Lastly, she reminds Baby Boomers and Gen Xers that sharing decades of hard‑earned experience with Gen Z isn’t charity—it’s how you build a legacy and ensure the industry thrives. For water‑treatment professionals, recognizing that “different doesn’t mean wrong” can unlock better collaboration, innovation and resilience. By replacing judgment with curiosity, establishing social contracts and mentorship programs, and adapting communication to younger workers, leaders can turn generational tension into an asset. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:32 — Trace Blackmore introduces the episode and sets the context: exploring generational dynamics in the industrial water treatment community 09:20 — Tiffany Wentz‑Root introduces herself as a Marine Corps veteran and therapist who helps corporations improve communication, empathy and resilience. 15:07 — Definition of a “generation” and how cohort boundaries from Silent Generation to Gen Alpha are defined 18:06 — Examination of how Baby Boomers were taught loyalty and work stability, Gen X learned independence after witnessing mass layoffs, and Millennials received participation trophies and craved feedback 00:24:33 — Wentz‑Root calls for leaders to stop equating strength with suppressing emotion; feeling and processing emotions is difficult work 25:02 — Gen Z is described as the anxious and afraid generation with record levels of anxiety, depression and suicide, shaped by school shootings and constant online news 27:03 — Contrasting COVID experiences: Trace led a team through uncertainty, while Tiffany’s son saw the lockdown as “awesome” because he stayed home playing games. 28:41 — Discussion of how Gen Z socializes through apps like Snapchat, Discord and Steam; texting is archaic and phone calls are “prehistoric” 32:09 — Panel reflections: Baby Boomers and Gen X define hard work by hours worked, Millennials by pride in results, and Gen Z by alignment with skills and passions 33:37 — Tiffany emphasizes that “different doesn’t mean wrong,” urging listeners to see younger workers’ needs as strengths 40:26 — Introduction of social contracts: teams co‑create values, behaviors and communication norms to bridge generational expectations 42:42 — The role of cross‑generational mentorship; match people by skill and career stage, not age, and leverage Gen Z’s expertise with tech and communication platforms 01:13:26 — Trace’s closing reflections: in male‑dominated, hustle‑driven industries, ignoring emotions isn’t sustainable; sharing knowledge now ensures a legacy and a thriving future Quotes “We need to stop prizing strength first and foremost. We need to understand that emotions are very difficult to face. To feel your feelings, to name them, to process them—that’s hard” “When I asked, ‘What’s your definition of hard work?’ the baby boomer said, ‘I put in a lot of hours.’ Gen X said, ‘I put in a lot of hours.’ Millennials said, ‘I get the job done and I’m proud of it.’ Gen Z said, ‘It’s when the work that I’ve done aligns with my skills and my passions, and I feel good about what I did’” “Judgment kills curiosity … When I see someone of a different generation with a different way of communicating, I automatically go, ‘That’s bad, that’s weird.’ Instead, I want you to step into curiosity and say, ‘Why would they do that? What happened in their life that shaped them to be this person?’” Connect with Tiffany Wentz-Root Phone: (425) 359-5088 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is an ion with a net negative charge, formed when an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons. Examples include bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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478 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 2)
05/29/2026
478 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 2)
Power plant water and steam chemistry does not fail in isolation. A mistaken unit, an unused analyzer, an overdesigned pretreatment system, or a misunderstood condensate return problem can ripple across equipment, permits, production, and safety. In this Part 2 conversation with of and Buecker Associates, Trace Blackmore continues a practical discussion on the details that shape industrial water decisions. Brad shares field stories from combined cycle plants, package boilers, wastewater permitting, membrane systems, and decades of technical writing. When Small Errors Become Expensive Problems Brad opens with a story about a wastewater permitting issue where parts per million and parts per billion were confused in a discharge permit. The result was not just a paperwork problem. Once the stricter limits were accepted by regulators, meeting those limits would have required more complex and expensive wastewater treatment equipment. That story is a reminder for water professionals reviewing RFPs, permits, and engineering specifications. Precision matters before a project is built, not after the limits have already been approved. Brad also discusses PFAS with appropriate caution. He does not present himself as a PFAS expert, but he connects the conversation to zero liquid discharge, brine concentrators, crystallizers, and the unresolved question of what happens to solids when contaminants are concentrated rather than discharged. Membranes, Discharge, and the Changing Water Balance Looking across more than four decades in the industry, Brad points to membranes as one of the major changes in power plant water treatment. He discusses how reverse osmosis extended ion exchange demineralizer run times, and how microfiltration and ultrafiltration improved water quality going to RO systems. However, Brad also makes clear that better pretreatment does not remove every operational question. RO reject remains a substantial discharge stream. Meanwhile, the movement away from once-through cooling toward cooling towers has changed how plants think about water consumption, evaporation, discharge, and resource availability. For professionals managing water in power and industrial systems, the episode reinforces a practical lesson: every improvement has a system-level consequence that must be understood. The Real Cost of “Lean and Mean” Brad uses the phrase “lean and mean” to describe how some combined cycle plants are staffed. In one example, a plant had a comprehensive online chemistry monitoring system installed, but it had never been turned on because the staff did not have the experience to maintain or interpret it. In another case, a groundwater-based makeup system included seven-layer multimedia filters even though groundwater typically has very few particulates. Brad could not make a categorical conclusion without a full analysis, but the story raises an important question: are we solving the actual water problem, or simply buying equipment? He also shares a case from an organic chemicals plant with four 550 PSI package boilers. The plant returned 80 to 90 percent of its condensate, but total organic carbon levels were far above the ASME recommended limit for that pressure boiler. Foam in the saturated steam samples helped point to carryover into the superheaters, where scale was building up inside the tubes. Learning, Mentorship, and Leaving the Industry Better Beyond the technical stories, Brad’s message is clear: professionals who keep learning are better prepared to make sound decisions. He encourages newer water treaters to study strong water treatment handbooks, talk to experienced people, and physically connect chemistry data to the equipment and processes in the plant. For those nearing retirement, Brad offers a different kind of challenge: pass along what you know while there is still time. He and Trace discuss how sharing experience strengthens the next generation instead of threatening the people who already hold knowledge. The episode closes with a reminder that water is central to manufacturing, power generation, and daily life. Keeping the lights on and protecting water resources both require people who understand the systems behind the scenes. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:16 — Trace introduces Part 2 of his conversation with Bradley Buecker and sets up the continuation of a technical discussion on power plant water and steam chemistry. 04:10 — Trace asks Brad about a case where an engineering firm confused parts per million and parts per billion in wastewater permitting. 05:38 — Brad explains how NPDES discharge permits shape what a new plant must control before construction and operation. 06:35 — Brad describes how some constituents with typical PPM limits were submitted as PPB, creating a much stricter compliance problem. 07:18 — Brad explains why trying to meet unnecessarily low PPB limits can require exotic wastewater treatment equipment. 07:51 — Trace pivots the conversation to PFAS, and Brad responds carefully by acknowledging the importance of the issue while noting that he is not a PFAS expert. 08:34 — Brad connects PFAS concerns to zero liquid discharge, brine concentrators, crystallizers, and the question of what happens to concentrated solids. 11:27 — Brad identifies membranes as one of the major industry changes he has seen across more than four decades. 11:44 — Brad explains how RO systems placed ahead of ion exchange demineralizers extended operating run times in power plant makeup water treatment. 12:35 — Brad notes that membrane systems still create discharge challenges, including substantial RO reject streams. 13:23 — Brad discusses the shift away from once-through cooling and how cooling towers changed the water consumption picture for power plants. 16:14 — Trace asks Brad about the phrase “lean and mean,” opening a discussion about staffing, expertise, and hidden operational risk. 17:25 — Brad shares a case where a comprehensive online chemistry monitoring system had never been turned on because the plant lacked the right technical support. 18:31 — Brad describes a groundwater-based makeup system with a seven-layer multimedia filtration setup and raises the question of whether the equipment fit the actual water source. 20:39 — Brad introduces a case involving four 550 PSI package boilers at an organic chemicals plant producing superheated steam for process use. 21:30 — Brad explains that 80 to 90 percent condensate return, high TOC readings, and foaming in saturated steam samples pointed toward carryover into the superheaters. 23:29 — Brad summarizes the risk of cutting too deeply: being lean and mean can cost more in the long run. 23:55 — Brad reflects on the importance of continuous learning and shares his regret about not pursuing a master’s program in environmental science. 25:19 — Trace shares his father’s advice to leave the industry better than he found it, and Brad connects that idea to sharing safety-critical knowledge. 29:25 — Brad advises newer professionals to learn the basics, study reliable water treatment handbooks, and connect lab work to real plant systems. 35:32 — Brad thanks retiring professionals and encourages them to pass along practical knowledge to younger people while they still have time. 37:23 — Brad explains what people outside the industry should understand about water’s role in manufacturing, power generation, and daily life. Quotes “Those are very important because if something goes south chemistry-wise at a power plant, you need to know very quickly.” “You can be lean and mean, but it can cost you a lot more in the long run.” “If you have any ambition or interest at all, continue learning.” “If you pass along your information and give younger people a chance to do something, give them some responsibility, it just pays off much more.” Connect with Bradley Buecker Email: LinkedIn: Website: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the standard SI unit for the amount of substance, defined exactly as 6.02214076 x 10^23 elementary entities, such as atoms or molecules. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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477 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)
05/22/2026
477 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)
Power plant water and steam chemistry is not a background task. It affects safety, reliability, metallurgy, production, and the decisions plant teams make under pressure. In Part 1 of this conversation, Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies and Buecker Associates to examine what happens when familiar assumptions go unchallenged. Safety Comes First in High-Energy Systems Bradley begins with the lesson that has shaped decades of his work: safety. Power and industrial systems involve heat, flow, moving equipment, chemicals, confined spaces, lockout/tagout requirements, and PPE decisions that cannot be treated casually. That safety lens carries directly into the discussion of flow accelerated corrosion, or FAC. Bradley explains how older thinking around removing all oxygen from high-pressure steam generation systems helped shape all-volatile treatment reducing programs. However, research following a catastrophic 1986 feedwater line failure showed that chemistry, flow conditions, pH, temperature, and piping geometry can combine to thin protective oxide layers on carbon steel. "Water is Water" Is a Risky Mindset Trace and Bradley then challenge one of the most expensive assumptions in industrial plants: “water is water.” Bradley explains why boiler makeup treatment, softener performance, hardness control, and operating discipline deserve attention before failures appear. Low-pressure and intermediate-pressure boilers may tolerate a range of dissolved solids, but hardness remains a serious threat. Calcium and magnesium can form calcium carbonate scale in hot boiler environments, especially when softeners are poorly maintained, overrun, or bypassed to keep production moving. Bradley shares examples where short-term operating decisions led to tube failures, re-tubing, hydrogen damage, and costly downtime. Layup, Stainless Steel, and Data Before Assumptions The conversation also covers proper layup, oxygen and moisture corrosion, nitrogen capping, dehumidified air, vapor phase corrosion inhibitors, and why idle systems need a plan. Bradley reminds listeners that protecting the boiler is not enough; condensers, low-pressure turbines, and other surfaces also matter. Finally, Bradley discusses stainless steel selection and why 304L or 316L should never be treated as a universal cure for corrosion. Chlorides, deposits, cycling in cooling towers, and pitting risk all need to be evaluated before materials decisions become expensive lessons. His closed cooling water case history reinforces the same principle: do not clean, treat, or specify based on assumption. Get the data first. Good water treatment decisions protect people, equipment, and production. This conversation is a reminder that experience matters, but so does the willingness to ask questions, challenge old habits, and reach out before a problem becomes a failure. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace opens the episode by thanking listeners for encouraging him to share more personal reflections, showing how audience feedback shapes the podcast. 04:50 — Trace highlights upcoming industry events, including ACE26 and The Water Expo, and reminds water professionals to use the Scaling UP! H2O events section for career and networking opportunities. 07:10 — James McDonald presents Words of Water, defining the mole and keeping technical learning approachable for industrial water professionals. 09:10 — Trace welcomes Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies and Buecker Associates as his lab partner for the episode. 10:00 — Bradley summarizes his career across coal-fired utilities, water treatment, steam generation chemistry, air emissions control, engineering firms, and water treatment companies. 11:30 — Bradley identifies safety as the most important lesson from his career, emphasizing PPE, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, chemicals, and high-energy systems. 12:50 — Bradley challenges the phrase “that’s the way we’ve always done it,” pointing to changes in membrane technologies, high-pressure steam chemistry, and cooling water treatment. 13:50 — Bradley introduces two major concerns: flow accelerated corrosion and the dangerous assumption that “water is water.” 15:10 — Bradley explains the historical focus on removing oxygen from high-pressure steam systems using mechanical deaerators and reducing agents. 16:10 — Bradley describes the 1986 nuclear plant feedwater line failure that killed four personnel and intensified research into FAC. 18:50 — Bradley explains how AVTR chemistry, flow conditions, fittings, pH, and temperature can thin protective oxide layers and lead to catastrophic failure. 20:20 — Bradley discusses how high-purity feedwater with a small amount of dissolved oxygen can form a denser oxide layer that protects carbon steel from FAC. 23:50 — Bradley compares oxygen scavengers, including sulfite, hydrazine, carbohydrazide, DHA, and methyl ethyl ketoxime, and explains where their use differs. 26:50 — Trace and Bradley unpack why “water is water” often means water is treated as the last priority instead of the first. 28:10 — Bradley explains why sodium softening, hardness control, and boiler makeup treatment are essential for low- and intermediate-pressure boilers. 31:00 — Bradley shares examples of softener bypass decisions that can lead to boiler damage, tube failures, re-tubing, and costly downtime. 36:50 — Bradley explains why layup matters, especially when water cools, air enters, and localized corrosion develops inside idle equipment. 42:00 — Bradley warns that stainless steel is not a cure-all and explains how chloride concentration and pitting risk affect 304L and 316L applications. 45:50 — Bradley shares a closed cooling water case history where black material was assumed to be iron but turned out to be bitumen from an unsuitable pipe liner. 51:00 — Bradley stresses the need for data before action, explaining how an incorrect cleaning assumption could have compounded a seven-figure materials mistake. 52:50 — Trace and Bradley discuss the value of experience and why younger professionals should seek training, conferences, vendors, and technical networks. 54:20 — Bradley speaks to the importance of mentorship as experienced professionals retire and critical industry knowledge risks being lost. 59:40 — Trace closes Part 1 and previews Part 2, which will continue the conversation on oxygen scavengers, pretreatment stories, and Bradley’s career. Connect with Bradley Buecker Email: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the standard SI unit for the amount of substance, defined exactly as 6.02214076 x 10^23 elementary entities, such as atoms or molecules. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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476 Positive Communication, Temperaments, and the WOW Effect with Paule Genest
05/15/2026
476 Positive Communication, Temperaments, and the WOW Effect with Paule Genest
Communication shapes how teams learn, respond, correct, and build trust. Trace Blackmore, CWT welcomes returning guest Director, Sales and ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Water and Energy TGWT / The Tannin Guys for a conversation on positive communication, temperaments, the WOW Effect, and how water professionals can use words with more clarity and care. Communication With a Positive Impact Paule reframes positive communication as communication with a positive impact. The goal is not fake positivity or polished language. The goal is to use the right words, tone, timing, and listening habits to create better emotional and relational outcomes. That distinction matters in technical environments. Teams may say they want innovation, accountability, safety, or trust, but unclear or defensive communication can unintentionally create the opposite result. Paule reminds listeners that communication is not optional. It is operational. Listening, Temperaments, and Shared Definitions Trace and Paule revisit the temperament framework made familiar to Scaling UP! Nation through Kathleen Edelman’s past appearances. Paule identifies herself as a “yellow,” while Trace identifies as a “red,” creating a useful example of how different communication styles can either complement or frustrate one another. They also discuss why listening is more than waiting to respond. Paule encourages listeners to pay attention to words, nonverbal cues, context, environment, and emotion. She also emphasizes the importance of shared definitions. A word like “innovation,” “courage,” or “accountability” may not mean the same thing to every person in the room. The Fizz Factor Paule introduces the idea of “just enough fizz” in communication. Fizz is the energy, care, authenticity, and clarity that makes communication feel alive without becoming fake, overwhelming, or unclear. Too little fizz can make communication flat. Too much can create noise. The professional challenge is learning how much energy, directness, empathy, and clarity the person and the situation require. When Communication Gets Difficult The conversation also addresses harder moments: tension in meetings, emotional escalation, apologies, safety corrections, and urgent technical situations. Paule encourages professionals to pause, breathe, validate, and revisit conversations when needed. In a boiler room or safety-critical setting, direct communication may be necessary immediately. However, Trace and Paule agree that teams can still return later to review what happened, protect the relationship, and improve the system. Better communication does not remove difficulty from technical work. It helps professionals handle difficulty with more clarity, humility, and purpose. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:17 — Trace shares information about the Global 6K for Water and invites listeners to participate on Saturday, May 16. 02:20 — Trace introduces the episode topic: why clear, positive communication matters during busy seasons filled with projects, audits, customer calls, emails, and coordination. 03:28 — Words of Water with James McDonald 05:03 — Trace encourages listeners to visit the Scaling UP! H2O events page and highlights the 2026 Environment Systems Research Institute Conference in San Diego, California, July 13–17. 06:33 — Trace previews Legionella Awareness Month in August and explains why the podcast dedicates the month to Legionella, waterborne pathogens, expert interviews, and industry education. 08:29 — Trace introduces Industrial Water Week, taking place October 5–9, with daily themes for pretreatment, boilers, cooling, wastewater, and careers. 09:45 — Trace announces the return of Detective H2O during Industrial Water Week and reminds listeners why the week is designed to celebrate the industrial water treatment profession. 10:42 — Trace sets up the main interview by identifying miscommunication as a common professional challenge and introducing the need for better communication. 11:17 — Trace welcomes returning guest Paule Genest of TGWT Clean Technologies Inc. and references her previous appearances on Episode 192 and Episode 380 12:31 — Paule shares what she has been focused on since her last appearance, including growing relationships, improving communication, and supporting the water technologies community. 13:47 — Paule discusses her podcast-style work with power engineers and boiler operators, created to bring visibility to professionals who are often overlooked. 14:40 — Paule shares her work as an adjunct teacher at the University of Montreal, where her class on social responsibility and PR has become a required course. 15:23 — Paule talks about the Women of Water community, mentoring Abigail Coquette, and the value of documenting mentorship experiences for future learning. 16:05 — Trace reflects on an AWT Colorado Springs panel with baby boomers, Gen X, millennials, and Gen Z, showing how different generations respond to the same communication questions. 17:01 — Paule explains how she has learned to organize her communication around the listener and the message she wants them to take away. 18:30 — Trace introduces temperaments, with Paule identifying as yellow and Trace identifying as red, and connects the discussion to Kathleen Edelman’s communication work. 19:31 — Trace explains why communication should be shaped for the recipient, using his Gen Z son and punctuation in text messages as an example. 19:54 — Paule explains that positive communication is not simply the opposite of negative communication, but a way of choosing words that influence emotional and relational outcomes. 21:40 — Paule emphasizes listening as an art and encourages professionals to pay attention to words, nonverbal cues, context, environment, and emotion. 22:43 — Paule explains why shared definitions matter, using “innovation” as an example of a word that may mean different things to different people. 23:54 — Paule discusses how people bring past experiences into present conversations and references I’m Okay, You’re Okay and the child, parent, and adult framework. 26:00 — Trace asks Paule to explain her idea of “just enough fizz” in communication. 26:09 — Paule defines fizz as the energy, care, authenticity, vulnerability, and positive impact that help communication become more effective. 28:14 — Paule introduces the Fizz Factor Quiz and walks Trace through possible responses when tension rises in a team meeting. 29:29 — Paule compares communication styles to still water, espresso, sparkling water, and kombucha, helping listeners visualize different ways people show up in conversation. 30:30 — Paule explains the importance of speaking truth with empathy, checking tone and timing, and acknowledging how a message is received. 31:40 — Trace shares the example of a communication stick, where one person speaks until the other can accurately reflect what was said. 34:07 — Paule explains how to step back during emotional conversations by breathing, noticing physical cues, and returning to a listening mode. 37:10 — Paule reframes positive communication as “communication with a positive impact,” focusing on the outcome it creates for both parties. 40:02 — Trace explains the three-part apology: acknowledging what happened, connecting with how it affected the other person, and asking how to make it right. 41:01 — Paule connects social responsibility with communication and explains why the outcome needs to be positive for both parties in a dialogue. 42:11 — Paule describes the communication model of speaker, listener, message, environment, noise, context, and feedback. 45:21 — After the sponsor break, Trace explains a question he uses when communication does not land as intended: “What did you just hear me say?” 45:55 — Paule suggests rating meetings and conversations by asking what each person felt, understood, and took away. 46:34 — Trace asks how communication changes in urgent safety situations, such as a boiler room issue that could lead to equipment failure or injury. 46:59 — Paule explains that direct safety communication may be necessary in the moment, but the team should revisit the conversation later to learn and preserve the relationship. 48:37 — Trace returns to the idea of “just enough fizz” and asks how to know whether the fizz is for the speaker, the listener, or the situation. 48:53 — Paule explains that fizz should respect both people, the situation, and the communication style of the other party. 50:47 — Paule shares how Melanie helped her realize that poetic communication still needs a clear action or outcome. 53:06 — Paule introduces Mathieu Laferrière’s Feel, Know, Do approach as a practical structure for communication and email writing. 55:43 — Trace asks whether fizz works in email, where tone, facial expression, and visual cues are missing. 56:07 — Paule explains how to adapt the Feel, Know, Do structure for different temperaments, especially when writing to more direct communicators. 57:08 — Paule encourages listeners to ask people how they prefer to communicate, whether by email, text, Messenger, or another channel. 58:31 — Trace raises a practical technical example, asking whether fizz matters when simply reporting that a pump was out of prime. 58:54 — Paule explains that fizz is part of the experience and can still be present in technical updates through clarity, usefulness, and a human touch. 01:00:38 — Trace shares advice he received early in podcasting: it is okay to be impressed, but you have to be involved. 01:02:33 — Paule summarizes her key message: positive communication is not optional, it is operational. 01:03:15 — Paule begins the lightning round by creating a friendship holiday centered on writing a letter to yourself and to a friend. 01:04:52 — Paule shares her mantra, “Life is fragile,” and connects it to people, the environment, Mother Nature, and water. 01:06:50 — Paule explains why she wishes more people understood the importance of boiler operators and power engineers. 01:10:21 — Trace summarizes the main lesson from the conversation: positive communication requires intentionally chosen words that help the other person understand the message. 01:11:16 — Trace explains how past experiences can shape miscommunication and why choosing words carefully can remove some of the “gray” in communication. 01:12:07 — Trace reflects on generational communication differences and encourages listeners to give others more grace. Quotes “Be calm. Make sure your antennas are open and grab whatever is happening with the words, but also the nonverbal communication, the context, the environment.” “I would like to say that communication is not optional. It's operational.” “To be clear and check you know on our tone and timing, I've had to learn about my timing this year in hard ways.” “don't let kindness cloud the core message.” Connect with Paule Genest Phone: (514) 703-4317 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is an electrochemical form of corrosion that occurs when two dissimilar metals are in electrical contact with each other in the presence of an electrolyte. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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475 Inside the Boiler: Inspection, Failure Analysis, and Photography with Cheryl Heiser
05/08/2026
475 Inside the Boiler: Inspection, Failure Analysis, and Photography with Cheryl Heiser
A boiler failure can create pressure quickly: production is down, emotions are high, and the water treater may be the first person blamed. of . joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to walk through a more disciplined way to evaluate boiler issues by looking beyond chemistry alone. Why Boiler Failures Need a Broader Lens Cheryl brings field experience from the OEM boiler side, conventional water treatment, and purified tannin boiler treatment. Her perspective is rooted in the idea that no two boilers are the same. Design, operating conditions, fuel, history, circulation, steam separation, and customer practices all influence how a boiler behaves. She explains the premise of her AWT paper: helping water treaters avoid being immediately blamed when boiler tube failures occur. In her case study, two twin HRSG units were producing 100,000 pounds per hour of steam each, with superheaters operating at 600 PSI and 750 degrees Fahrenheit. The failures did not point to a simple water treatment explanation. Instead, the investigation involved steam drum internals, carryover, tube geometry, circulation concerns, and normal operating water level. What to Look for Inside the Boiler Cheryl emphasizes inspection discipline. Take photos, use a borescope when available, enter the boiler when safe and possible, and look for patterns in deposits, discoloration, distortion, turbulence, uneven circulation, and steam drum staining. She also explains why orientation matters. A photo that makes sense during the inspection may be difficult to interpret later unless the location and direction are clearly identified. Deposit analysis and metallurgical analysis can also help determine whether a failure is connected to deposits, material factors, overheating, combustion-side issues, or other mechanical contributors. The key is to understand the boiler as a system, not as a black box. Trust, Documentation, and Customer Communication When a boiler is down, the relationship with the customer matters as much as the technical investigation. Cheryl encourages water professionals to guide customers toward an investigative approach instead of a defensive reaction. That means asking better questions, understanding what relies on the steam, knowing the customer’s priorities, and reassuring them that the goal is to find the root cause. Trace closes the conversation by reinforcing the importance of documentation. Service reports protect the customer, the boiler, and the water treater. When recommendations are made, they need to be written down, repeated when necessary, and tied back to the operational risks they are meant to prevent. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:31 — Trace Blackmore shares guidance for Certified Water Technologists on staying ahead of CEU requirements, preparing through CWT Prep, using AWT technical training for verified CEUs, taking the first step toward certification, and creating accountability around professional goals 08:01 — Trace introduces the episode’s boiler troubleshooting theme, explaining that no two boilers are the same because design, operating conditions, fuel, history, and system “personality” can all affect how problems show up 08:38 — Words of Water with James McDonald 10:13 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:04 — Interview with Cheryl Heiser, International Business Development Manager, Tannin Guys Network, TGWT: Trace welcomes Cheryl and references her recent AWT conference paper on boiler failures. 12:38 — Cheryl shares her career path from field work with Babcock and Wilcox to conventional water treatment and purified tannin boiler treatment. 13:43 — Cheryl explains how her boiler background led naturally into water treatment through her interest in fireside conditions, water-side chemistry, and boiler metallurgy. 14:32 — Cheryl describes starting in boilers during an engineering internship in northern Alberta, where she worked around major boiler inspections, shutdowns, NDE inspectors, and boiler specialists. 16:46 — Cheryl explains why she wrote and presented an AWT paper: to help water treaters understand boiler failures from a physical and mechanical perspective, not only from a water treatment perspective. 17:38 — Cheryl outlines the premise of her paper: boiler tube failures may involve operating conditions, operator practices, design issues, circulation problems, overheating, or carryover, not only water chemistry. 19:32 — Cheryl explains why distinguishing between water-cooled tubes and steam-cooled tubes matters when evaluating boiler operating conditions and failure locations. 19:57 — Cheryl discusses superheater tube failures in the case study and explains how carryover from the steam drum contributed to deposits on the hottest part of the superheater. 20:52 — Cheryl describes generating bank tube failures related to tube geometry, low slope, flow stalling, repeated wetting and drying, magnetite behavior, and thinning. 22:17 — Cheryl explains how the normal operating water level in the steam drum made the generating bank issue worse because the top row of tubes was not fully flooded. 23:06 — Cheryl shares how to begin a boiler failure investigation by asking detailed questions about operation, combustion, water treatment, controls, mechanical conditions, leaks, and the customer’s immediate priorities. 24:40 — Cheryl emphasizes inspection tools and practices, including photos, borescopes, entering the boiler, when possible, deposit analysis, and metallurgical analysis 27:16 — Cheryl explains how to keep inspection photos useful by labeling locations and capturing orientation, such as fire end, cold end, right side, left side, north end, or south end 29:27 — Cheryl identifies specific inspection clues in a steam drum, including water line stains, turbulence, uneven circulation, leaking internals, deposits, and deposit patterns 33:20 — Cheryl discusses how stress, downtime, and customer trust affect boiler failure investigations and why water treaters should guide an investigative approach rather than a reaction 37:40 — Cheryl discusses her AWT committee involvement, including Women on Water and the Boiler Committee, and how those roles support networking, confidence-building, technical contribution, and industry learning 41:40 — Cheryl recommends practical ways to learn boiler systems: trace lines, understand steam use, observe furnace viewports, note sight glass levels, and ask new questions during service visits 43:02 — Cheryl recommends the Babcock and Wilcox Steam book as a major boiler reference and encourages water professionals to understand combustion-side factors that can affect water-side problems 49:17 — Trace closes the episode by reinforcing better troubleshooting through structured questions, careful documentation, service reports, and a willingness to work with customers on root cause rather than defaulting to blame Quotes “And if you know enough about your boiler, you can help the customer find other reasons for failures other than just saying, well, it must be the water chemistry, it must be the water treatment.” “You have to ask a lot of questions.” “That's really the basis of a good investigative process.” “First and foremost, always take lots of photos.” “The more you can inspect, the better, even if at first it doesn't seem like that area might be related to the failure or the issue.” “This is where you can help them keep an open mind, guide an investigative approach rather than a reaction.” “But just knowing your customer's system and their priorities is really key.” “I wish more people understood how critical steam boilers are in manufacturing, food production, power generation, heating, and so many other things.” “So, whenever you mention something to a customer, get in the habit of writing that down in the service report.” Connect with Cheryl Heiser Phone: (613) 277-7804 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today’s definition is an expression that describes the terminal settling velocity of small, spherical particles falling through a fluid under laminar-flow conditions, based on the balance of gravitational, buoyant, and viscous drag forces. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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474 Questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about Trace
04/30/2026
474 Questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about Trace
Every career in industrial water treatment is shaped by decisions, mentors, credentials, systems, and the willingness to keep learning. In this special mailbag-style episode, Trace Blackmore, CWT, answers questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about how he entered water treatment, why he started the podcast, what professional credentials have meant to him, and what he is still working to improve. This conversation gives water professionals a practical look at the habits behind a long career in the industry: getting involved early, documenting customer conversations, building strong teams, using repeatable processes, and staying open to new tools like AI. From Family Influence to a Career in Water Treatment Trace shares that his start in water treatment came through his father, who brought him along to accounts after school. His early memories include watching test results change color, learning around hospital accounts, and seeing how water treatment decisions were made in the field. Before entering water treatment full-time, Trace worked in financial services and received strong sales training. However, he realized he was not enjoying the work. His father invited him to become a service technician, which led to a career path that combined technical problem-solving, customer service, sales, and a deep appreciation for the industrial water community. Why Credentials, Associations, and Documentation Matter Trace explains why the Certified Water Technologist credential remains one of the professional accomplishments he values most. He also discusses his LEED GA and LEED AP credentials, his time as a former president of the Association of Water Technologies, and his training as a master facilitator. For professionals building their own careers, the larger lesson is clear: credentials, online presence, and association involvement can shape how customers and peers understand your expertise. Trace also emphasizes the importance of documenting conversations, decisions, and recommendations so teams and customers have a clear record when issues arise. The Podcast, Rising Tide Mastermind, and Raising the Industry Bar Trace reflects on launching the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast in 2017 after encouragement from Charlie Cicchetti and Conor Parrish. What began as a monthly podcast eventually became a weekly resource with structured processes, procedures, and a growing audience of water professionals. He also discusses the honor of having Scaling UP! H2O recognized as the official podcast of the Association of Water Technologies, as well as the creation of Rising Tide Mastermind, which now includes 76 members across 7 groups. Both platforms reflect the same goal: creating spaces where industrial water professionals can learn, connect, and improve together. Technology, AI, and the Next Phase of Learning When asked about the biggest change in the industry, Trace points to data collection, remote monitoring, the Internet of Things, and AI. He remembers a time when system information required an on-site visit. Today, water professionals can review controller data, reports, and trends before arriving in the field. Trace also shares how his Doctor of Business Administration program is changing the way he thinks about research, learning, and long-term growth. His 2026 goals include continuing that academic work, strengthening the podcast’s educational value, and giving family and personal commitments proper space on the calendar. This episode is not only a personal reflection. It is a reminder that long-term success in water treatment depends on learning, relationships, systems, and the willingness to keep improving. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:35 — Trace opens the episode with a May update and connects the season to a practical cooling tower challenge: pollen in Southern systems. 04:30 — Trace explains why this episode is different: Scaling UP! Nation asked for more personal stories and career reflections from him. 06:50 — Trace highlights the 6th Annual Oilfield Water Markets Conference and shares the Scaling UP! H2O listener discount code. 08:00 — Trace mentions the International Water Association Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies in Houston. 08:50 — Trace points healthcare-focused water professionals toward ASHE’s Healthcare Facilities Innovation Conference in Minneapolis. 09:50 — James McDonald presents a new Words of Water definition focused on wet bulb temperature and cooling tower performance. 11:20 — Trace explains why receiving compliments used to be difficult and how mentorship helped him respond with more respect and gratitude. 13:50 — Trace answers how he got started in water treatment through his father, field visits, testing, and early exposure to accounts. 15:50 — Trace describes leaving financial services, joining his father’s company as a service technician, and finding work he genuinely enjoyed. 18:20 — Trace explains the credentials behind his name, beginning with the Certified Water Technologist designation. 20:25 — Trace discusses LEED GA and LEED AP credentials and how they helped him communicate with commercial building owners. 23:00 — Trace shares why his AWT leadership experience and master facilitator training matter to his professional identity. 24:55 — Trace explains how Charlie Cicchetti introduced him to podcasts and encouraged him to start what became Scaling UP! H2O. 27:30 — Trace describes the podcast’s early cadence, moving from monthly to biweekly and then weekly episodes. 32:30 — Trace identifies AWT naming Scaling UP! H2O its official podcast as a crowning moment for the show. 33:45 — Trace shares personal and professional achievements, including adopting his son, building the podcast, and launching Rising Tide Mastermind. 35:30 — Trace explains how he balances podcasting, business, and other responsibilities through team support, time blocking, procedures, and the 12 Week Year. 41:05 — Trace shares advice to his younger self: join an association early, get involved, document everything, and build relationships in the industry. 44:40 — Trace identifies data, remote monitoring, IoT, AI, Legionella, PFAS, and water management plans as major changes in the industry. 48:10 — Trace shares scuba diving as his favorite non-water-treatment hobby and reflects on teaching more than 1,000 people to dive. 50:00 — Trace explains how pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration is teaching him research, academic discipline, and new ways to learn. 54:05 — Trace shares his 2026 goals, including progressing through his DBA program, expanding podcast resources, and prioritizing family on his calendar Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: LinkedIn: YouTube: Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the lowest temperature that can be achieved through evaporation alone and is used to evaluate cooling tower performance. Do you know the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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473 From Oil to Water: How the Water Midstream Sector Was Born with John Durand
04/25/2026
473 From Oil to Water: How the Water Midstream Sector Was Born with John Durand
Industrial water professionals often think about water in terms of treatment, compliance, reuse, and operational risk. John Durand brings a different but closely connected view: water as infrastructure, water as a managed resource, and water as a strategic part of energy development. , one of the early pioneers of the water midstream sector and CEO of Magnificent Desolation, LLC, joins Trace Blackmore to explain how produced water moved from a disposal challenge to a large-scale infrastructure opportunity. From Disposal Model to Managed Resource John describes how the growth of horizontal drilling changed the scale of water management in the Permian Basin. A vertical well once used a fraction of the water required for today’s horizontal wells, creating a need for pipelines, reuse systems, recycling strategies, and long-term infrastructure planning. He explains that the water midstream sector emerged because the old approach—trucking water or simply sending it to disposal—could not keep pace with the volume. Today, the conversation has shifted toward produced water reuse, recycling, and the search for beneficial uses outside of oil and gas. Produced Water, Salinity, and Future Use John notes that produced water can carry very high salinity, sometimes many times higher than seawater. That creates treatment challenges, especially when thinking beyond oilfield reuse and toward broader industrial applications. He also points to future opportunities for produced water in data centers, electric generation, cooling applications, and possibly other beneficial reuse pathways. The key message is clear: water once treated as waste may become an important resource if the industry continues to innovate responsibly. Infrastructure, Trust, and Public-Private Partnerships Beyond pipelines and treatment, John emphasizes the role of relationships. He shares examples from Midland and Odessa, where long-term water supply arrangements and wastewater treatment infrastructure created value for both communities and industry. For water professionals, the lesson extends beyond oilfield water. Large infrastructure projects require technical expertise, capital, public trust, and long-term credibility. John’s experience shows that durable solutions depend as much on trust and collaboration as they do on engineering. Staying Curious in a Changing Industry John closes with a practical leadership reminder: stay curious, ask better questions, and keep learning. Whether the topic is produced water, AI, energy independence, or infrastructure, he encourages professionals to dig deeper and continue expanding their understanding. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:50 — Trace introduces the episode’s central topic: the water midstream sector and how produced water is becoming a true asset instead of only a waste stream 06:31 — John Durand joins the conversation as one of the early pioneers of the water midstream sector and CEO of Magnificent Desolation 07:01 — John introduces his 41-year career in the energy business, his Louisiana roots, and his lifelong connection to oil and gas 08:08 — John explains the origin of the name Magnificent Desolation and its connection to Buzz Aldrin’s words after walking on the moon 10:15 — John shares how lifelong curiosity, including reading an entire set of encyclopedias at age 12, shaped his career and learning mindset 11:28 — John walks through his energy career, from upstream oil and gas to natural gas marketing, power generation, conventional midstream, and eventually water midstream 14:22 — John explains how a call about water being “a big deal in the future” led him into Pioneer Natural Resources and large-scale water infrastructure 15:29 — John describes how the water midstream sector emerged as Pioneer built infrastructure to move water across a large acreage position 16:21 — John explains why horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing changed the scale of water demand and produced water management in the Permian Basin 17:39 — Trace asks John to define the water midstream sector, setting up a practical explanation of acquisition, movement, reuse, recycling, and disposal 19:57 — John addresses a common misconception about water midstream: the industry is moving beyond disposal toward reuse, recycling, and beneficial use 23:08 — John explains how the industry learned to manage massive water volumes through infrastructure, collaboration, and private capital investment 25:25 — John discusses produced water treatment considerations, including heavy metals, high salinity, desalination, and waste-product management 27:56 — John defines upstream, midstream, and downstream so listeners can understand how water midstream fits into the broader energy sector 30:09 — John explains why relationships matter in water midstream, especially when developing long-term projects and public-private partnerships 31:24 — John shares examples from Midland and Odessa, where municipal wastewater arrangements created long-term value for both communities and industry 34:31 — John explains why trust is the foundation of lasting relationships and how completed projects can create credibility for future opportunities 38:26 — John reflects on when he realized the water midstream sector was becoming durable and strategically important as private capital entered the space 40:03 — John looks ahead to the future of water midstream, including beneficial reuse, data centers, electric generation, and regional water infrastructure. 44:15 — John discusses how the geopolitical environment affects energy, water management, infrastructure, and U.S. energy independence. 01:04:02 — Words of Water with James McDonald Quotes “I have always been a very curious individual.” “It was produced water and freshwater.” “The misconception is oil-filled water, and the midstream water industry is just handling waste.” “It’s really relationships and how you create and develop those relationships.” “Once you develop that trust over time, that's what it comes down to.” “The future really is into that term that you're going to hear a lot more of, and that's beneficial reuse.” “Be curious, stay curious, ask the right questions, be bold.” Connect with John Durand Phone: (214) 232-4953 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by suspended particles that scatter light. Do you know the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab
04/17/2026
472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab
"Document everything." Spring startup season exposes more than operational stress. It also reveals what happened months earlier when systems were laid up poorly, maintenance steps were skipped, or warning signs were documented but not acted on. In this episode, Trace Blackmore connects that reality to a broader infrastructure problem: hidden damage inside pressure piping systems that operators often cannot see until a leak, rupture, or budget crisis forces action. Why hidden pressure pipe problems are so expensive , CEO and President of , explains why pressure pipe inspection and rehabilitation deserve more attention from utilities and industrial facilities. His core point is practical: many owners are still making repair or replacement decisions without first getting a high-resolution look at the pipe’s actual condition. That creates two risks. First, teams may spend too late, after a failure creates public, operational, or safety consequences. Second, they may spend too much, replacing long stretches of pipe when only a targeted section actually needs rehabilitation. Chris argues that better inspection narrows uncertainty and helps owners avoid both extremes. Inspection first, then the right rehabilitation scope A major theme in the conversation is that CPM Pipelines works across both inspection and rehab, which changes how projects are evaluated. Chris notes that many inspection firms inspect, and many rehab firms rehabilitate, but few do both. That difference matters because the best answer is not always the biggest project. He shares an example of a recent force main inspection that showed half the line was in bad condition and half was in very bad condition, yet the data still allowed the agency to target the rehab scope precisely. According to Chris, that approach saved a small utility of almost $10 million. He also explains why trenchless rehab can often reduce project schedules from months to weeks and save roughly 50% compared with traditional dig-and-replace work. Leadership, documentation, and building the right team The conversation also moves beyond pipelines into business leadership. Chris reflects on entrepreneurship, the value of solution-driven work over commodity selling, and the importance of documenting systems early if a company intends to scale. He also emphasizes team alignment, core values, and recognizing quickly when someone is in the wrong seat. For owners and managers, that part of the episode is as useful as the technical discussion. The takeaway is clear: strong execution depends on both sound field data and disciplined internal systems. Pressure pipe problems are often invisible until they become urgent. This conversation shows why better inspection, better decision timing, and better documentation can improve both infrastructure outcomes and business results. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:18 — A call to action for the Global 6K for Water on May 16, 2026 02:20 — Trace introduces the podcast, notes that spring startup season is underway and warns that cooling and irrigation systems laid up poorly can produce rusty water and decayed piping, often leading clients to blame the water treater. 05:23 — “Words of Water” game show, James McDonald 06:48 — Trace highlights upcoming events, encouraging listeners to use the Scaling UP! events page to plan their professional development 09:59 — Guest Chris McDonald shares his 25‑year journey through US Pipe, distribution and finally entrepreneurship; he credits his wife’s support and explains how she joined the company without reporting directly to him 14:30 — Chris recalls that working in manufacturing and distribution taught him that value comes from solving problems rather than selling the same products as competitors, which prompted him to launch CPM Pipelines 16:16 — CPM Pipelines now focuses exclusively on pressure‑pipe inspection and rehabilitation. Chris describes how combining contracting and representation allows his team to inspect, assess and rehabilitate pipelines using high‑resolution inspection technologies and exclusive trenchless lining systems 18:44 — He argues that trenchless rehabilitation can cut costs by roughly 50 percent and reduce a six‑month dig‑and‑replace project to six weeks, noting that pressure‑pipe adoption has lagged due to access and bypass challenges but is beginning to change 21:14 — A recent force‑main inspection exemplifies their approach: high‑resolution data pinpointed a failing section, enabling targeted rehabilitation that saved a small utility nearly $10 million compared with wholesale replacement 22:40 — Chris and Trace discuss infrastructure sprawl and water billing; Chris observes that development patterns spread systems ever outward, straining budgets, yet people still balk at paying $20 for water while spending far more on cell phones 25:21 — CPM insists on inspecting pressure pipes before rehabilitation; Chris explains that many leaking pipes remain structurally sound and that sometimes replacing a short force main is cheaper than an inspection, whereas longer mains justify data‑driven decisions 32:08 — To find clients, the team monitors news for main failures, uses AI to scan meeting notes and leverages LinkedIn and ZoomInfo; Chris notes that industrial clients often have funds to act quickly while municipal agencies defer action until failures become public 34:49 — Many early pipe failures stem from random construction defects rather than gradual wear; detecting a dent hidden beneath coating may require high‑resolution tools because conventional models cannot predict these anomalies 40:49 — Chris emphasizes the importance of putting the right people in the right seats, recognizing bad fits quickly and hiring high‑level talent. CPM grows organically without borrowing money and values of alignment among employees, contractor partners and clients Quotes “If there's nobody else that sees value in what I do, whether or not I see value in it is irrelevant.” “You don't want to invest too early. You don't want to invest too late. And you don't want to invest too much, right?” “Don't let any good conduit go unused, right?” “You can't do this by yourself. It takes a team.” “Document everything.” “Always be a student.” Connect with Chris MacDonald Phone: (760) 809-5391 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is an expression for calculating the solubility of a gas in a fluid based on temperature and partial pressure. Do you know the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking . This episode is made possible through our valued partners at:
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471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer
04/10/2026
471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer
Biofilm is not a fringe issue in cooling systems. As Dr. Jeff Kramer explains, it is a given. That matters because biofilm affects heat transfer, contributes to corrosion, and can serve as a reservoir for Legionella in treated systems. In this conversation, Trace Blackmore and Dr. Kramer examine what experienced water treaters should be looking for when choosing and evaluating a microbiological control program. Biofilm as an operating problem Dr. Jeff defines biofilm as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and held together by an external polymeric matrix. From there, the discussion moves quickly into why these matter in the field. He points to research showing that biofilms can be more insulating than mineral scale, then explains how microbial activity and patchy film formation can intensify corrosion risk. He also notes that Legionella can be harbored within biofilm, making clean-looking bulk water an incomplete picture of system condition. Choosing the right biocide program A strong oxidizing biocide foundation remains central, whether based on chlorine or bromine. However, Dr. Jeff makes a practical distinction that matters to service professionals: some non-oxidizing biocides kill biofilm organisms without removing the film, while others both kill and remove. He also explains why shock dosing often outperforms smaller, more frequent additions, and why biocide timing should be evaluated in the context of oxidizer compatibility, halogen demand, and actual system feedback rather than habit or opinion. Surfactants, TTPC, and field realities The conversation also covers how surfactants and quaternary compounds can disrupt microbial membranes and improve biocide penetration. Dr. Jeff shares lab and field insight on TTPC, including its strong performance in kill-and-removal testing and its known interference with PTSA fluorescence programs. The discussion closes with practical monitoring advice: inspect the basin, feel below the waterline, trend dip slides, watch approach temperatures, and pay attention to residence time when selecting products for different system volumes and turnover rates. Better microbiological control is not about one product or one rule of thumb. It is about understanding the system, interpreting feedback, and matching chemistry to operating reality so performance can be maintained over time. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Quotes “You need to understand; listen to the feedback you're getting from the system and then adjust your program appropriately. “ “Don’t be afraid to ask for help because you don't know you don't know everything “ Connect with Dr Jeff Kramer Phone: (404)-386-0518 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition refers to the exact chemical amount required for a reaction to proceed to completion with no excess of any reactant. It describes the quantitative relationships between reactants and products. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online
04/03/2026
470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online
has built a following by doing something wastewater operators have needed for a long time: making practical technical education easier to access. In Episode 470, he explains why that matters, how he built , and what the industry still gets wrong about training, certification, and knowledge transfer. From test prep to true understanding A major thread in this conversation is the gap between passing an exam and actually understanding plant operations. Shawn reflects on his own early experience with certification prep, where classes helped him recognize test questions but did not always help him understand what was happening inside a real activated sludge system. That gap became the foundation for his channel. He makes the case that operators need more than memorization. They need visuals, process context, and practical explanations that help concepts stick. For professionals responsible for training staff, succession planning, or improving plant performance, that distinction matters. What real operations look like on the ground Shawn also brings credibility from the plant floor. He describes his work as chief plant operator in Avila Beach, California, where a small facility still demands close attention because of its biological complexity, membrane bioreactor operation, and chemical dosing requirements. A story about foam erupting from an aeration basin becomes more than a war story. It shows how biology resists quick fixes and why operators have to think in time horizons measured in MCRT cycles, not minutes. The conversation also touches on shock loads, public misuse of sewer systems, and the daily balance between observation, testing, automation, and operator instinct. That practical perspective keeps the discussion grounded for listeners who live with process variability every day. Why free knowledge matters One of the strongest sections centers on Shawn’s idea of the “democratization of knowledge.” He argues that critical wastewater education should not be locked behind paywalls or trapped in the heads of reluctant gatekeepers. That point expands into a broader discussion about generational turnover, operator shortages, and the risk of losing hard-earned plant knowledge as experienced professionals retire. Shawn also explains how monetization entered the picture without changing the mission. Training workshops, webinars, YouTube revenue, and memberships have started to support the project, while his core educational content remains open to everyone. Exam strategy, content strategy, and long-term value The episode closes with practical advice for certification candidates. Shawn stresses long preparation windows, disciplined use of official study materials, and a simple but critical reminder: read the question completely. He also shares how he chooses content, responds to viewer needs, and uses real plant events to teach beyond the textbook. For leaders, trainers, and operators alike, this is a useful conversation about how technical knowledge gets shared, preserved, and improved. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Connect with Shawn Powell Phone: (530) 859-2787 Email: LinkedIn: Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a flexible, one‑way item installed on the feed end of a spiral‑wound reverse osmosis membrane element. Its job is to force all incoming feedwater to flow through the membrane feed channel rather than bypassing around the outside of the element. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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469 ABMA: The Oldest Association Meets Today’s Challenges
03/27/2026
469 ABMA: The Oldest Association Meets Today’s Challenges
Boiler performance rarely depends on a single decision. It depends on design, controls, maintenance, workforce capability, and, as this conversation makes clear, the quality of water treatment. and explain how is addressing those realities by connecting manufacturers, representatives, suppliers, and field stakeholders around education and practical guidance. Why ABMA still matters in a changing boiler market ABMA has been in place since 1888, but this discussion is not about preserving old structures for their own sake. Scott and Shaunica describe an association that has expanded beyond traditional manufacturer membership into a broader supply-chain view of the boiler room. That includes boiler, burner, deaerator, and economizer manufacturers, component suppliers, service providers, consultants, and manufacturer representatives. That broader view matters because boiler performance does not begin and end with the vessel itself. Decisions made across installation, controls, service, and water treatment shape efficiency, reliability, and long-term asset life. Education that reaches the people actually running boiler rooms A strong theme throughout the conversation is education. ABMA is reaching beyond its own meetings to speak with healthcare engineers, food processors, facility engineers, and other sectors that rely on boilers every day. Scott outlines the practical angle of that work: what operators should be doing on a daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly basis to keep boiler rooms safe and efficient. Shaunica adds that ABMA is building toward a larger resource center, on-demand materials, and expanded access to white papers and best-practice guidance. They also discuss partnerships with trade schools and Maritime Academies as part of a larger workforce strategy. For water professionals, that matters because better-informed boiler operators create better conditions for treatment programs to succeed. Water treatment is not a side issue One of the clearest takeaways is that water treatment remains central to boiler performance. ABMA’s work with the Association of Water Technologies is helping align deaeration and chemical treatment perspectives into a single, co-branded guidance document. That effort is meant to reduce finger-pointing, improve technical clarity, and give end users a more unified message. Scott is direct about the operational stakes: poor water treatment drives scaling, damages equipment, and undermines efficiency. The discussion also pushes back on outdated assumptions about boiler rooms, highlighting gains in efficiency, modern controls, remote monitoring, retrofit options, and emerging technologies such as hydrogen, dual-fuel, and hybrid systems. Boiler systems may be longstanding infrastructure, but the thinking around them cannot stay static. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:18 - Trace introduces ABMA, explains its relevance to water treaters, and previews the upcoming ABMA Expo 03:11 - Trace gives a concise history of boilers, from early steam vessels to modern high-efficiency systems 07:36 - Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson join the show and introduce themselves and their roles at ABMA 08:18 - Scott explains how ABMA has evolved from a manufacturer-focused association into a broader industry organization spanning the full boiler supply chain 10:27 - Shaunica outlines ABMA’s four membership categories, including manufacturers, associate members, consultants, and manufacturer reps 33:18 - The discussion shifts to the ABMA–AWT partnership and the co-branded water treatment guideline 34:58 - Scott explains why deaeration and water treatment need to be addressed together to produce useful technical guidance 36:31 - Shaunica shares what ABMA learned from attending the AWT conference and why the partnership helps reduce finger-pointing between disciplines 38:19 - The conversation moves to Boiler Expo, including why ABMA launched it and how it is designed to serve the full boiler community 40:49 - Shaunica explains the co-location with the Biomass Conference & Expo and highlights ABMA’s BUILT and WIBI communities 45:18 - Scott and Shaunica close with their key takeaways: the boiler industry is evolving, and ABMA is a resource for the field 53:50 - Words of Water with James Connect with Shaunica Jayson Email: Website: LinkedIn: Connect with Scott Lynch Email: Website: LinkedIn: Quotes “Our official mission is to lead, advance and provide solutions to the boiler industry.” “Our vision is boilers are recognized for advancing energy sustainability and powering people's lives.” “The boiler industry continues to evolve and innovate.” “We love our members. We love our operators. We love our water treaters.” Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a salt solution, generally sodium chloride, used during the regeneration process in ion exchange. Can you guess the word? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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468 Born into Water Treatment: Tom Brandvold on AWT’s Origin Story and a Life in the Industry
03/20/2026
468 Born into Water Treatment: Tom Brandvold on AWT’s Origin Story and a Life in the Industry
Tom Brandvold, CWT, has lived industrial water treatment from the inside out. In this conversation, he traces that path from sweeping floors and running sample bottles as a kid to leading Premier Water and Energy Technology and serving as a former president of . The result is not just a career story. It is a useful look at how credibility, collaboration, and standards are built over time in this industry. How Association of Water Technologies (AWT) was formed One of the most valuable parts of this discussion is Tom’s explanation of how Association of Water Technologies (AWT) began. The association did not start primarily as a training platform or networking group. It grew out of a business crisis in the 1980s, when independent water treaters were struggling to secure product liability and pollution coverage at prices that would not put them out of business. Tom explains how that pressure led a small group to create an insurance-focused structure that eventually required an association. From there, the collaborative side of AWT expanded into education, technical papers, meetings, and broader support for the independent water treater. Why Association of Water Technologies (AWT)’s culture feels different Tom also gives language to something many professionals have experienced but may not have fully defined: AWT members often compete in the same field while still sharing technical knowledge freely. He points to relationships as the reason. Trust, geography, and the practical reality of how accounts are won reduce the sense of technical knowledge as a threat. That helps explain why AWT has become a place where mistakes, lessons learned, and operating insight can be shared in ways that genuinely help other professionals improve. Why the CWT is changing A major focus of the episode is the next chapter of the Certified Water Technologist designation. Tom explains that AWT is pursuing ISO-aligned process work and ANSI recognition so the CWT carries stronger independent, third-party credibility. He walks through why that matters, what the CWT commission is doing, how the current process may change, and why he believes ANSI recognition will help the credential gain broader acceptance with customers, spec writers, government authorities, and technical institutions. What this means for professionals now This conversation lands on a practical point: the CWT is meant to distinguish serious professionals without making the credential feel inaccessible. Tom is clear that those already preparing should not wait. He also underscores that AWT technical training supports the body of knowledge, but it does not teach to the exam. For leaders, owners, and technical professionals, this episode is a strong reminder that industry standards matter most when they improve confidence, sharpen judgment, and strengthen trust in the field. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 00:46 — Trace explains why AWT matters so much to industrial water treatment professionals. 03:37 — Trace shares the story behind the “magic button” and how it helps people connect at industry events. 07:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:05 - Words of Water with James McDonald 13:20 - Interview with Tom Brandvold, CWT, President at Premier Water and Energy Technologies and former president of the Association of the Water Technologies 18:18 - Tom explains the origin story of AWT 24:05 - Tom talks about volunteering within AWT over the years 34:14 - The conversation shifts to the CWT designation 37:01 - Tom explains why AWT is pursuing ANSI recognition for the CWT 48:11 - Tom and Trace discuss how ANSI-recognized CWTs could matter in legislation and water safety language 49:00 - Tom talks about the biggest challenge in the accreditation process: ISO 17024 conformance 53:35 - Tom makes an important distinction: AWT training does not teach to the exam 55:03 - Tom explains why professionals should pursue the CWT Quotes “The association ah was founded so that those who joined could have access to this captive insurance market where we were self-insuring so that all of us could stay in business.” "The veil of threat is removed, and you share very freely.” “We are committed as a trade association to add prominence to the CWT certification.” "If you want to distinguish yourself from everyone else out there, this is the way to do it.” "My magic wand would ensure that everybody has safe drinking water” Connect with Tom Brandvold, CWT Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a thin barrier that only permits passage of certain particulates or compounds to pass through but inhibits others. It is a semi-permeable skin of which the pass-through is determined by the size or special nature of the particles or compounds. Can you guess the word? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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467 From PhD to Pump Rooms: Jake Elliott on Wastewater, Efficiency, and Saying “Yes” Wisely
03/13/2026
467 From PhD to Pump Rooms: Jake Elliott on Wastewater, Efficiency, and Saying “Yes” Wisely
What happens when a water chemist leaves the lab and heads to the pump room? knows firsthand. A former PhD researcher who studied resource recovery from trade‑waste customers, Jake now manages accounts at in Melbourne, working with cooling towers, boilers, chemical dosing rigs and wastewater treatment systems. He joins host Trace Blackmore to discuss how rigorous research, regulatory compliance and process automation translate into practical field work for industrial water treatment professionals. From PhD Research to Industrial Practice Jake’s academic background informs the way he approaches operations. While completing his PhD he investigated how to recover resources from wastewater permits, synthesizing municipal data with bench‑scale testing. Today he draws on that experience to design treatment systems and advise customers on cooling‑tower and boiler chemistry. He emphasizes long‑term efficiency: spending a little extra time or money now can save much more later. This mentality helps him balance the competing demands of design, installation, sales and service, and underscores Hydro flow’s support for continuing education. Balancing Service, Sales and Efficiency No two days look alike for Jake. One week he is calibrating pH probes, inspecting cooling towers and designing dosing skids; the next he is troubleshooting filtration systems or negotiating wastewater discharge limits. To stay ahead of his schedule, he deliberately “drags things as early as possible” and completes visits well before month‑end. Jake uses the iPhone Reminders app to tag tasks by site, service type and system; location triggers ensure he never forgets critical parts. He advocates automating routine reports and allowing generative AI to massage field notes into professional correspondence, provided every line is double‑checked for accuracy. Even at the end of a long day, tools such as ChatGPT help him strike the right tone in customer emails. Regulation, Training and Risk Management Jake contrasts cooling‑tower regulation in Australia with the more fragmented approach in the United States. In Victoria every tower must be registered, documented and sampled on a schedule; non‑compliance leads to fines. The risk management plan – the term used in Australia for what many Americans call a water management plan – is a comprehensive document containing details of the cooling tower, associated chillers and a unique registration number. Australian practitioners follow the AS/NZS 3666 standard, and third‑party RMP reviews and audits are annual requirements. Jake notes that an equivalent certification does not yet exist for international candidates seeking the Certified Water Technologist designation, although metric‑based exams may be under consideration. Sales, Communication and Mentorship Serving existing customers often means identifying the real decision drivers. Jake categorizes site priorities – cost reduction, profit increase, ease of use and product quality – and tailors proposals accordingly. He maintains open communication with influencers while gently probing approval limits, sometimes splitting quotes so that local managers can sign off without escalating requests. Mentorship is both a given and a goal: Hydro flow holds monthly meetings where technicians, account managers and production staff share problems and solutions, allowing juniors to benefit from seasoned expertise. Jake encourages newcomers to simply “do it” – the blend of hands‑on work, autonomy and flexibility makes industrial water treatment a rewarding career. In his lightning‑round advice he urges his younger self to be selective about commitments and to automate early. Dr. Jake Elliott demonstrates that a rigorous scientific background and a passion for efficiency translate into better service, improved compliance and happier customers. His tips on process automation, risk management and sales communication help water professionals navigate a complex landscape while maintaining work–life balance. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:14 - Trace Blackmore notes the conclusion of the 2026 AWT Technical Training (Session 1) and then shares his doctor’s office story 09:15 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:45 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 15:32 - Introduction with Jake Elliott, PhD, Senior Account Manager at Hydro Flow 18:47 - Jake's Advice for those taking a Doctorate Degree 23:19 - How Jake came to work at Hydro Flow 44:24 - Tips from Jake Quotes “Very happy to spend a little bit of extra time or money now to save a lot of time or money later.” “If you can get some of your thoughts down and then let ChatGPT massage that into something that is good communication, again, double check it before you send it.” “I would tell myself to be selective in what you say yes to … automate hard, automate early.” “Autonomy, flexibility. It’s really the perfect package, definitely for me and for people like me.” Connect with Jake Elliott, PhD Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube, such as a graduated cylinder. Can you guess the word? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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466 Stories, Math, and “Never Again” Moments: Inside AWT Technical Training with Dan Merritt (Part 2)
03/06/2026
466 Stories, Math, and “Never Again” Moments: Inside AWT Technical Training with Dan Merritt (Part 2)
AWT’s in‑person technical training is a keystone for developing competent water treaters. Yet classroom knowledge only matters when it survives the drive home and emerges later in the field. In this second conversation with —National Sales Manager at and head of AWT’s education committee—Trace Blackmore uncovers how stories, math, and memorable mistakes turn theory into intuition. Why training keeps evolving Dan explains that the rewrites courses every year. Instructors refine content, delivery and demonstrations, not for novelty’s sake, but because boilers and cooling towers rarely behave like textbook examples. Recognizing that multiple chemical reactions operate simultaneously helps prevent chasing the wrong problem. Updated program design and operations classes now bridge the gap between fundamentals and advanced topics. Specialized modules for sales, membrane/softener maintenance, ASSE 1280 compliance, and a two‑tier wastewater curriculum ensure that attendees can match coursework to their experience and role. Lessons from experience: paperwork, PPE and people Anecdotes ground the theory. Dan recounts losing his Certified Water Technologist status for five years after assuming an office manager filed his recertification paperwork. He re‑sat the exam in 2016 and now tells every candidate: verify your own paperwork. Another incident involved a sulfuric acid injection line that still held pressure; a line blew while he was replacing a fitting, covering his jeans in acid—his apron protected his torso, but he still had six‑inch holes in his pants. “Wear your PPE” is his first piece of advice to new technicians. Beyond safety, Dan highlights that water treatment careers demand communication and management skills. Technical strengths don’t automatically translate into leadership; becoming a mentor and training others brings lasting fulfillment. Developing a growth mindset For new practitioners, Dan recommends learning from whoever will teach you and embracing the “nerdy” parts of the job—math, chemistry and calculations translate directly into customer value. After the first year it’s easy to plateau, so he urges veterans to intentionally take on new technologies such as wastewater treatment or chlorine dioxide and to share knowledge with younger colleagues. This industry can’t be automated or offshored; field troubleshooting will always require hands‑on expertise. Even in sales roles, success comes from offering solutions grounded in a deep technical foundation. Looking ahead The episode closes with a call to prepare for AWT’s upcoming training seminars (March 10–13 and November 11–14). Attendees should bring system data and be ready to teach one takeaway to their teams when they return. Scaling Up! H2O encourages listeners to invest in their careers, meet peers and instructors, and approach each technical challenge as an opportunity to raise the bar for the entire industry. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:35 - Trace Blackmore shares a reminder for listeners about the AWT Technical Training on March 10-13 04:12 – Words of Water with James 09:20 - Transition to Interview Recap 11:24 - Second part Interview with Dan Merritt, CWT 12:40 - Losing CWT Certification 20:49 - ASSE 12080 Training 22:49 - Wastewater Training Expansion 38:22 - Sulfuric Acid Incident Quotes “Failure is not the failure. Quitting is the failure.” “The water treatment industry is not something that you can do remotely. There is always going to be the need for people to troubleshoot water systems.” “Being a mentor is a great way to take that experience that we have and translate it—to give it away to those in our company.” “Don’t worry about making mistakes. We all make mistakes, and that’s how you learn.” “I swore up and down that I would never be a salesman. Now I’m the sales manager because I realized that selling solutions grounded in technical knowledge isn’t about pushing products—it’s about helping people.” Connect with Dan Merritt, CWT Email: Website: . LinkedIn: . Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a quantitative chemical analysis method to find the unknown concentration of a substance by gradually adding a solution with a known concentration until the reaction is complete, often signaled by an indicator's color change. Can you guess the word? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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465 From Classroom to Cooling Towers: Teaching Water Treatment with Dan Merritt (Part 1)
02/27/2026
465 From Classroom to Cooling Towers: Teaching Water Treatment with Dan Merritt (Part 1)
Industrial water training only works when the knowledge transfers. That means the material lands with the audience, survives the drive home, and shows up later in the field when decisions get made. , Sales Manager at , brings a rare perspective to that problem. He started as a teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics), entered industrial water treatment on February 5, 2002, and later became part of the AWT training team. This conversation follows the path from classroom instruction to boiler rooms and cooling towers, then uses that journey to examine what makes technical training “stick” for working professionals. From educator to water treater, then back to educator Dan shares how leaving graduate study, teaching high school and community college, and stepping into service work shaped his approach to explaining technical concepts. The throughline is simple: the instructor owns the clarity. When someone in the room does not understand, the response is not frustration. The response is translation. Bridging the knowledge gap without dumbing it down Trace and Dan describe a common failure mode in technical instruction: experts answering correctly, but not helpfully. They frame the goal as closing the gap between what the instructor knows and what the audience can realistically absorb in the moment, especially for attendees building competence over time. Stories and demonstrations as tools for retention The episode highlights why AWT trainers lean on stories and physical demonstrations, from an Archimedes fountain to static electricity experiments. Dan explains how the “light bulb moment” is the reward of teaching, and why trainers adapt when a method fails (including what humidity can do to a demo in a room full of people). Keeping the CWT exam in proper context The conversation also draws a firm boundary: training supports growth, but it does not replace the CWT experience requirement and recommendations. Dan and Trace emphasize accurate language around the credential and reinforce what the training can and cannot do. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:38 — Setup for a two-part series to help listeners prepare for AWT Technical Training 02:24 — AWT Technical Training logistics: March 10–13 in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) 03:10 — Trace shares why AWT Technical Training matters personally (mentorship, community, support) 05:51 — “Desert Pete” story: why instructors “fill the bottle” by giving back through training 11:53 — Words of Water with James McDonald: definition + answer (“flow rate”) 14:13 — Events mentioned for water professionals 18:42 — Trace introduces the guest: Dan Merritt (CH2O) and their history through AWT 19:39 — Dan’s background: 24 years in water treatment; former teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics). 22:44 — Dan’s entry into water treatment: Industrial Water Engineering ride-alongs + first field impressions 26:49 — Move to Pacific Northwest + start at CH2O (service tech) and why that timing mattered 31:40 — How Dan and Trace connected through AWT training; Dan begins teaching (service tech reporting). 34:17 — Dan’s AWT involvement expands: education committee + Intro to Water Treatment online course task force 35:31 — Dan asked to teach the chemistry class; Trace frames “know your audience” and confidence gap 36:50 — Teaching tools and learning from misses: demos (Archimedes fountain, static electricity + humidity issue) 37:49 — The key teaching principle: “you’re the instructor; it’s your job to explain it clearly” (adult learners) 41:31 — Bridging the knowledge gap: why brilliance can miss the audience, and why training must translate 44:48 — Why a math/calculations class helps: making the “bang, there’s your answer” steps teachable 50:19 — Troubleshooting reality: many forces in boilers/cooling towers; deeper understanding improves diagnosis 52:00 — Field story lesson: softener cleaning foam incident (why stories stick and prevent repeat mistakes) 56:19 — CWT clarification: training helps, but it cannot replace required experience and recommendations 58:31 — CWT wording matters: it’s an “exam,” not a “test” (Trace mentions Angela Pike’s correction) Quotes “It’s your job to explain the material in a way that we can understand it.” “It’s our responsibility to take this information, to package it in a way so you, not me, you can understand it.” “Math is the only known axiom that we have. And it kind of quiets the chaos.” “And again, it’s not a test. Do not say that it’s a test. It is an exam.” Connect with Dan Merritt, CWT Email: Website: . LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a measure of the volume or mass of a fluid (liquid or gas) that passes through a certain point or cross-section over a unit of time. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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464 Corrosion Coupons, Brand Building, and Having Fun at Trade Shows with Will Ritter
02/20/2026
464 Corrosion Coupons, Brand Building, and Having Fun at Trade Shows with Will Ritter
"Don't be afraid to say I don’t know. - Will Ritter” Corrosion is expensive, relentless, and easy to underestimate—until a “lasagna battery” turns aluminum foil green and reminds you what electrochemistry can do in the real world. This conversation reframes corrosion coupons as what they actually are: a repeatable field test that can sharpen your decisions—if you treat the process with consistency. Respect the coupon, protect the data Trace breaks down why coupons became non-negotiable in his systems: they turn guesswork into usable corrosion-rate intelligence. of explains the fundamentals—pre-weighed coupons, exposure time, cleaning, and calculating corrosion rate in MPY (mils per year). The point isn’t that the coupon is your pipe; it’s that the coupon becomes a reliable, relative gauge over time when variables are controlled. The “five things” that make results repeatable Will outlines practical failure points that quietly ruin comparisons quarter to quarter: alloy selection (and staying consistent), surface area (and what happens when hardware covers the coupon), surface finish (including why scratches and pits matter), weight accuracy (and why kitchen/postage scales don’t belong in the workflow), and protective VCI packaging that prevents premature corrosion in storage and transit. Brand building, trade shows, and getting comfortable saying “I don’t know” Will shares his path from Pacific Sensor to MetaSpec and what it looks like to merge brands intentionally heading into 2026. The discussion also moves into trade show presence and digital marketing, plus a simple confidence framework: get comfortable saying “I don’t know, but I can find out,” and build communication reps—he points to Toastmasters as a low-stakes way to do that. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace sets the stage: why corrosion coupons matter as diagnostic data 04:05 — What a coupon is (size, pre-weighed precision) and why tiny changes matter 06:14 — Trace’s “four things” water treaters manage (and what microbial control is not) 07:07 — The “lasagna battery”: anode/cathode/electrolyte/path in a real-life example 08:50 — Defining corrosion (ISO 8044 and NACE definitions referenced) 09:50 — Corrosion cost perspective: “2.5 trillion” and “3.5% of global GDP” (as cited) 10:53 – Words of Water with James 12:38 – Events for Water Professionals 14:56 — Will Ritter introduction and why the podcast helped him understand the industry 18:30 — How Will got into coupons: Pacific Sensor, mentors, and early AWT exposure 24:36 — Trade show mindset: don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know” 27:50 — Toastmasters as a practical system for better speaking and confidence 31:25 — Pacific Sensor → MetaSpec; co-branding and planned transition “starting in 2026” 34:06 — Coupon basics and MPY explained in clear operational terms 36:51 — The big misunderstanding: coupons as a relative gauge (not “the pipe”) 40:06 — The “five key characteristics” behind usable coupon data 58:10 — Best-practice takeaway: treat coupons like a lab test brought into the field 01:06:35 — Close: why Trace “owes a lot” to that “little slip of metal” Quotes “Use the coupon as a relative gauge of the corrosivity of the system.” - Will Ritter “Surface finish is critical… a change in surface finish is going to impact corrosion results.” - Will “Treat your coupons… like you are taking a laboratory test and bringing it into the field.” “It’s not a piece of metal. It’s very special. Treat it as such.” “Digital marketing is free… small businesses need to take advantage of free resources.” Connect with Will Ritter Phone: (713) 882- 1427 Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is any of the elements found in Group VIIA, also known as Group 17, of the Periodic Table, including fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine, characterized by the ability to disinfect water. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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463 Mapping the Future of Water Innovation with Paul O’Callaghan
02/13/2026
463 Mapping the Future of Water Innovation with Paul O’Callaghan
“If you say something over and over often and enough, it becomes true because perception is reality.” has built a career at the intersection of water science, wastewater realities, and the practical question every operator and executive eventually faces; what actually moves innovation from idea to adoption. As Founder and CEO of, Paul explains how his team helps decision-makers put capital to work more efficiently in water by reducing uncertainty and separating signal from noise. He describes patterns he’s watched repeat across water entrepreneurs, pilots, and product market fit, and why “innovation” often breaks down simply because utilities, investors, and founders are using the same word to mean different things. Capital, fit, and the language gap Paul unpacks what it takes to align an investor’s expectations with a technology’s true pathway to scale. He contrasts different “types” of innovation and why matching the right investor, entrepreneur, market, and timeline matters as much as the technology itself. The conversation also highlights why solving a problem someone has today is often a safer starting point than betting everything on a problem that might arrive tomorrow. Regulations as a driver and a risk Regulation matters in water and wastewater, but Paul cautions against building an entire business on the hope that rules will create a market on schedule. He walks through timing risk, enforcement uncertainty, and why tracking policy momentum matters as much as tracking the text of the regulation itself. He also notes a shift toward more “aspirational” regulation focused on reuse, regeneration, and systems-level outcomes. Storytelling that changes adoption From Brave Blue World to Our Blue World, Paul shares what he learned about making water personal and compelling without reducing it to doom-and-gloom narratives. The stories he tells connect to a core professional challenge: technologies enable outcomes, but adoption accelerates when people can see and want the “better” future those outcomes create. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:33 - Trace’s message on finding “your next love” through learning 09:25 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:25 - AWT connection and the importance of being challenged by community 13:06 - Industrial Water Week dates for “this year” (Oct 5–9) 14:02 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 19:15 - Interview with Founder & CEO of BlueTech Research, author of The Dynamics of Water Innovation, Executive Producer of Brave Blue World and Our Blue World 22:20 - Pivot moment into water as a career (Malaysia, Edinburgh course, “living machines”) 25:15 - What BlueTech Research does (reducing uncertainty, helping capital work efficiently) 27:50 - How startups connect with BlueTech and why storytelling matters 30:09 - Matching investors, entrepreneurs, and markets (alignment and “different languages”) 33:00 - The role of regulations (timing risk and market realities) 35:15 - How BlueTech keeps up (themes, emerging areas, and using AI for tracking legislation) 36:30 - Paul’s book: The Dynamics of Water Innovation (why he wrote it and who it’s for) 40:49 - Documentary storytelling origin and Discovery Channel experience 44:22 - How celebrities got involved and why the outreach worked 45:30 - Why they made a second film and the goal of making water personal 48:03 - Viewer feedback, education impact, and grassroots screening stories 50:08 - “Water 2050” video game inspired by the films 51:21 - Additional ripple effects and “halo” projects (curriculum, photography competition, water walks) 53:06 - Where water innovation is going (desirability, storytelling, and “leaving water”) 56:07- Advice for people with ideas (talk to people, generosity of the sector, ikigai, long-term view) 58:08 - Ostara / Crystal Green story (finding the operator’s “today problem”) 59:54 - One point Paul wants to leave: “It’s a journey, enjoy it.” Quotes “We do our best to help people put capital to work more efficiently to solve water challenges.” “Try and find a problem that someone has today, ideally.” Connect with Paul O’Callaghan Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a single, reactive molecule, usually an organic compound, having the ability to join with a number of similarly defined molecules to form a polymer. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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462 From Lab Chemist to Field Mentor: Water, Culture, and Representation
02/06/2026
462 From Lab Chemist to Field Mentor: Water, Culture, and Representation
Industrial water work rewards people who can move between precision and practicality. brings both. She started as a lab chemist, then transitioned into field service with , where much of her work supports healthcare facilities and high-accountability programs. Lab habits that protect your tools and your data Katie describes the first surprise of field work: a central plant is “very dirty,” and the job demands good technique without chasing lab-level perfection. She shares a couple of simple practices that prevent expensive problems. Use proper lab wipes on glassware instead of shirts or paper towels, which can scratch surfaces and compromise readings. Keep pH probes wet with the correct storage solution, because once they dry out, they often stop working. Healthcare water: SPD work and Legionella prevention About 90% of Katie’s accounts are healthcare. She defines SPD as the and explains why expectations shift compared to boilers and cooling towers. SPD work is cleaner, more controlled, and typically includes additional components such as endotoxin filtration and UV. It also involves more testing and stricter standards that tie directly to patient safety. Alongside SPD, she emphasizes Legionella prevention as a constant priority, from cooling towers (including secondary disinfection) to domestic water, because facilities want to reduce risk to patients. Water chemistry reality check: Phoenix versus “everywhere else” Katie explains how Arizona water changes the operating window. She notes high hardness and high chlorides, which can limit cycles of concentration and force conservative targets compared with places like Atlanta, where Trace describes running much higher cycles. The takeaway for experienced pros is familiar: operating limits are local, and “what good looks like” depends on the incoming water and the constraints that matter most at that site. Mentorship, representation, and field readiness systems Katie shares what it meant to be the first woman account manager hire in a long-running operation, and her advice is practical: recruit intentionally, then train people in the field, not from the sidelines. She credits her mentor, , for accelerating her learning curve, and she now passes that on by responding fast, following through, and providing steady backup to newer teammates. She also describes how she built mechanical confidence, using manuals, YouTube, phone video, and a OneNote playbook that captures account contacts, access details, sampling points, and “where things are” notes for clean coverage when someone else is on-site. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:14 - Trace Blackmore shares “first day” intimidation and learning curve in water treatment 08:55 - Words of Water with James McDonald 12:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:48 - Interview begins: Katie Holliday introduced (Apex Water and Process) 15:55 – Lab to Field transition and technique 20:27 – Representation and Mentorship 26:42 – Culture and Water Stewardship 33:31 – Healthcare work, SPD, and Legionella 35:56 – Mentoring and “give it back” 39:22 – Mechanical Confidence, Tools, and Documentation Systems Quotes and Key Takeaways “What do I not know that I don’t know?” “Everyone needs a Bernie Peacock” “Field accuracy doesn’t require lab perfection, but it does require clean technique.” “The most effective mentoring is responsive and practical.” “Documentation scales your value” Connect with Katie Holliday Email: Website LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the upward flow of water through a resin bed to clean, expand, and reclassify the bed. Can you guess the word? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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461 Corrosion, Lead, and Algae: New Tools for Old Water Problems
01/30/2026
461 Corrosion, Lead, and Algae: New Tools for Old Water Problems
Corrosion rarely announces itself as a “big water problem.” It shows up as leaching at the tap, residual loss in the field, premature equipment replacement, and the slow, expensive erosion of decision-quality. (CEO) and (chemist/Chief Science Officer) of lay out a system-wide view of corrosion control—starting with what changed in Flint from a technical standpoint and moving into why many utilities still struggle to meet expectations when standards and risk assumptions shift. System-wide corrosion control starts with chemistry and consequences A source-water change can shift corrosivity fast. If corrosion control does not adjust proactively, the downstream effects show in metal release and public exposure. Wolf stresses the distinction between the technical problem and the political challenges, then points to corrosion control as a solvable technical matter when it is treated as a system condition—not a single asset issue. Why “phosphate-only” isn’t the end of the story Trace frames what most operators recognize: many municipalities use phosphate inhibitors to form a tenacious film and reduce corrosion. Wolf argues phosphates are “a little bit of old news” in practice and explains the approach Great Water Tech discusses with their German partners—using phosphates and silicates together in the right amounts to create a tighter separation between water and metal. Barriers, biology, and the disinfection tradeoff Wolf breaks corrosion drivers into three sources: chemical, biological, and electrochemical (dissimilar metal corrosion). He also ties corrosion to cascading operational decisions—especially disinfectant strategy. If residual loss pushes a system from chlorine to chloramine, Wolf warns that corrosivity can increase dramatically, and that corrosion can amplify the formation of disinfection byproducts as chlorine reacts with what is in the water. What industrial water treaters should listen for Pat connects the same barrier logic to industrial priorities—CapEx, OpEx, and lifecycle extension in closed systems (cooling towers, closed chilled loops, boilers). Wolf clarifies that closed systems require different product “flavors,” while keeping the core concept consistent: the combined silicate/phosphate approach remains the best path he is aware of. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace sets the tone for the episode: decision-quality improves when you “rethink the way that you think you know things,” especially around tests and procedures 08:20 - Words of Water with James McDonald 11:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 18:22 - Interview with Pat Rosenstiel, CEO of Great Water Tech & Wolf Merker, Chief Science Officer of Great Water Tech 23:00 - Flint technical breakdown 27:30 - Corrosion control options 32:20 - Scale vs. Corrosion 43:40 – Algae Control Pivot Connect with Pat Rosenstiel Website: LinkedIn: Connect with Wolf Merker Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the smallest functional unit of a cooling tower that contains its own heat exchange section, fan or air-moving system, water distribution system, and drift eliminators. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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460 Building Boiler Talent: Fundamentals, Online Training, and Better Partnerships with Eric Johnson
01/23/2026
460 Building Boiler Talent: Fundamentals, Online Training, and Better Partnerships with Eric Johnson
Boilers can feel intimidating the first time you step into a boiler room—the heat, the noise, the pressure gauge, and the weight of knowing that mistakes can be costly. Trace Blackmore opens with a reminder that boilers deserve respect, not fear—and that learning fundamentals is how you replace mystique with clarity. The talent gap behind the boiler room door , Founder and CEO of , explains why boiler expertise is becoming harder to replace. He points to the shrinking pipeline of boiler-trained technicians—historically strengthened by Navy steam training—and why companies can’t rely on “tribal knowledge” and informal shadowing alone to develop the next generation. Training that scales past the 2–3 day class Eric shares what pushed him to build Boilearn: technicians and operators need structured, repeatable competency systems—not just scattered classes and a “shotgun approach” to on-the-job training. He lays out why fundamentals can be taught effectively online when it’s done well, and why travel-heavy training models often spend a large share of the budget on logistics instead of learning. Troubleshooting that starts with fundamentals Troubleshooting is where boiler work can feel like a mystery—until you understand fundamentals and sequence of operations. Eric explains how technicians can isolate problems faster by knowing what should be moving (or not moving), testing one theory at a time, and using electrical diagrams as a practical roadmap when formal sequence documentation isn’t available. Better partnerships between boiler techs and water treaters The conversation closes with practical steps that reduce friction and finger-pointing: take photos during inspections, package observations clearly in service reports, communicate directly when possible, and over-communicate inspection schedules so the water treater can prepare the program before the boiler is opened. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 - Trace Blackmore sets the stage on boiler fear vs. Respect, learning boilers from a Navy-Trained mentor 09:20 - Words of Water with James 10:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 14:20 - Interview with Eric Johnson of Boilearn 16:30 – Eric's Path: HVAC school – Boiler Service Tech – Founder 19:10 – What Boilearn Does 22:10 – The lost “lifeline” problem 33:20 – Electrical Troubleshooting 44:20 – Coordinating Boiler Openings and Inspections Quotes “I’ve learned that boilers are something you definitely need to respect, but definitely not fear.” “There’s a career behind boilers. There’s a career behind water treatment and not enough people talk about it.” Connect with Eric Johnson Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is water lost from a cooling tower as liquid droplets are entrained in the exhaust air. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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459 From Wastewater to Resource: Water Reuse with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva
01/16/2026
459 From Wastewater to Resource: Water Reuse with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva
Industrial water professionals are increasingly pulled into conversations about scarcity, resilience, and “where the next gallon comes from.” , CEO and Co-founder of frames water reuse as an implementation challenge more than a technology gap—and explains where the practical starting points are when the scope feels overwhelming. Moving reuse forward when the technology already exists Waterloop Solutions was founded to accelerate implementation: clarifying end-use quality, identifying post-treatment needs on the back end of existing plants, and building risk management plans that fit real operational and regulatory expectations. The conversation stays grounded in what slows projects down (time, permitting, funding, and public acceptance) and where progress can be made without reinventing the toolbox. Centralized vs. decentralized: why “less regulated” can move faster (noted as coming into effect in June 2023) created shared minimum requirements, but also uncertainty around permitting and responsibility at the local level. In contrast, decentralized reuse is described as an “early adopter” space—often driven by innovative building projects (gray water separation, rooftop rain capture) and, in some cases, easier implementation from scratch than retrofits. What matters to industrial listeners: partnerships, autonomy, and distance For industrial teams, Dr. Veronika points out opportunities for synergistic partnerships with municipalities and agriculture—balanced against the realities of infrastructure distance and cost. She also makes the case for industrial autonomy: decoupling from conventional sources through internal reuse to protect future production when municipal needs take precedence. Communication and the “toilet to tap” problem Public perception remains a stubborn barrier. Dr. Veronika calls out the long-lasting impact of “toilet to tap” framing and why first impressions can derail technically sound reuse projects. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 03:58 - Trace Blackmore shares how “Pinks and Blues” questions get chosen—and where listeners can submit them 05:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 07:42 – Words of Water with James McDonald 11:47 – Meet Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva and why Trace invited her from LinkedIn insights 12:20 — Veronika’s path: UMD → Colorado School of Mines → PhD at Technical University of Munich 15:40 — Why Waterloop Solutions started: progress is slow, but implementation support is missing 19:40 — Decentralized reuse: why interest is rising, and why it can be easier to implement in buildings 20:20 — EU agricultural reuse regulation (June 2023): minimum quality, crop types, and risk plan uncertainty 23:40 — Unique barriers by sector: municipal timelines, industrial ROI, and the difficulty of reaching farmers 33:20 — Lowest-hanging fruit: municipal reuse for street cleaning and parks; industrial autonomy via internal reuse 45:00 — Women and young professionals: visibility, role models, and why the sector’s willingness to help matters 47:20 — Where to learn more: US EPA resources, EU work underway, and Australia as a reuse leader Quotes “It's okay to ask questions.” “But actually, all the technology needed for it already exists.” “What I think is awesome in the US, for example, that you guys are really pursuing this direct potable reuse now.” “I think these are all valid options to have kind of in the water management portfolio on a local level and also on a regional level.” Connect with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva Email: Website: LinkedIn: Guest Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned video courses Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a device for removing condensate from a steam line without allowing the steam to escape. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking .
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