It's Your Water: Recent Episodes
Michael Urbans
đ Summer School Replay
What can a toilet tank tell you about water? More than you might think.
In this Summer School Replay, Mike Urbans and Mike Heatwole discuss how a simple toilet tank inspection can reveal iron, manganese, sediment, biological growth, and even treatment equipment problems. Learn what to look for, why it matters, and how this often-overlooked diagnostic tool can help you make better treatment decisions and reduce costly callbacks.
Whether you're a water treatment dealer, installer, or service technician, this episode is packed with practical field tips you can use on your very next service call.
Trust the Frog. đ¸
Updated Technical Guide with a Form to Use in the Field
Improper storage can permanently damage ion exchange resin before it ever goes into service. Learn the best practices for storing cation, anion, and mixed bed resins, avoiding freeze damage, preventing moisture loss, and extending resin life.
Technical Guidelines - Ion Exchange Resin Storage
This summer we're revisiting some of the most popular and educational episodes from the It's Your Water Podcast archive. In this episode, Mike and Denise discuss the "Troublesome Trio"âiron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfideâand the treatment technologies commonly used to address these challenging water quality issues.
Show Notes Troublesome Trio 2026
What is freeboard? How much media should really go into a tank? Mike Urbans explains freeboard, minimum bed depth, backwash expansion, upper screens, and common dealer mistakes that can damage control valves and reduce treatment performance.
Trust the Frogâ˘
Most water treatment professionals use chlorine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxideâbut how do you know how effective those oxidizers will actually be in the water you're treating?
In this Quick Tips episode, Mike and Denise Urbans explain ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) and why it can be one of the most valuable diagnostic tools for iron, manganese, sulfur, and disinfection applications. Learn how contaminants lower ORP, why oxidizer demand matters, and how a simple ORP meter can help you troubleshoot systems and optimize treatment performance.
Trust the Frog⢠đ¸
Show Notes ORP Oxidation Reduction Potential
Not all catalytic carbon is the sameâand choosing the wrong one can lead to early failure, poor performance, and unhappy customers.
In this Quick Tips episode of Itâs Your Water, Mike and Denise Urbans break down the real differences between catalytic carbons and how to apply them correctly in the field.
Learn when to use coconut vs. coal-based catalytic carbon, why oxygen is the key to performance, and how TOC, contact time, and system design impact results.
If you're dealing with chloramine, hydrogen sulfide, or underperforming carbon systemsâthis episode will help you get it right.
Show Notes Quick Tips Catalytic Carbon Explained
catalytic carbon, chloramine removal, hydrogen sulfide, water treatment, activated carbon, RO pretreatment, dealers, water filtration, TOC, ozone, peroxide
Distribution systems inside softeners and filters may be hiddenâbut theyâre critical to performance.
In this Quick Tip, Mike and Denise Urbans explain distributor baskets, hub & laterals, diffusers, and how design impacts flow, efficiency, and media retention.
Show Notes Distribution Systems Explained
water treatment, water filtration, water softener, distribution systems, hub and lateral, distributor basket, water system design, Urbans Aqua, Its Your Water, Quick Tips
In this episode of Itâs Your Water, Mike Urbans and Derek French (Wateropolis) explain why Cerapure AC is a smart alternative to traditional GAC and KDFâespecially for RO pretreatment, whole-house RO, and systems where biofouling and backwash limits matter.
A practical, dealer-focused discussion on cleaner carbon, tighter filtration, and smarter pretreatment design.
Trust the Frog!
Link to Specifications
Show Notes
water treatment, dealer education, RO pretreatment, filtration media, activated carbon, ceramic media, copper zinc alloy, biofouling, whole house RO, commercial water treatment
Can you mix filtration media or resins in the same tank?
In this Quick Tips episode of Itâs Your Water, Mike and Denise explain when mixing media can work â and when it leads to serious problems. While it may look like a space-saving shortcut, mixing media often creates backwashing issues, calcification, drain clogging, and contaminant leakage when system design limits are pushed.
Learn why cation and anion resins shouldnât be mixed on hard water, when mixing is especially risky for health-related contaminants, and why chambered (plated) tanks are usually the safer, modern approach.
Show Notes Quick Tips Mixing Media
Mike and Denise explain zeolite filter media â what it is, how it works, and when to use it. Learn why zeolite delivers true 5-micron deep-bed filtration and longer filter runs â plus its limits. A fast field-smart guide for dealers. Trust the Frog.
Show Notes Quick Tips Zeolite
zeolite media, clinoptilolite, Filter-Ag Plus, Turbidex, Next-Sand, RO pretreatment, water filtration, dealer education
Is it time to repair the water softenerâor replace it entirely?
Not sure whether to repair or replace the customer's water softener? This Quick Tip breaks down the key signs of aging resin, chlorine damage, iron fouling, and when a simple rebuild makes sense. We also cover why high-efficiency softeners outperform older units and why âno-salt softenersâ donât actually soften water.
water softener repair, water softener replacement, resin rebed, chlorine damage, Clack valve rebuild, high-efficiency softeners, iron fouling, no-salt softener
Show Notes: Quick Tips - Repair or Replace the Softener
A fast field guide for dealers and service techs.
In this Quick Tip from Itâs Your Water, we cover the top reasons a softener stops softening â resin fouling, salt bridging, injector and brine-draw problems, and programming mistakes â plus quick ways to diagnose hardness leakage before the callbacks start.
Show Notes - Why Isn't the Softener Softening One short page with the tips listed.
In Part 2 Mike and Greg discuss todayâs sales challenges, shifting demographics, CRM habits, rising contaminant concerns, and how younger homeowners are reshaping water treatment.
Keeping it Young Part 2
Mike and Greg Shannon of Westfair Water, Bedford, NY discuss "intrapreneurship" - someone who joins a business and grows it like he owns it! They discuss their mutual passion for the water treatment industry and how important it is to encourage young people to join.
Keeping It Young Part 1
Microplastics & Nanoplastics -Listen to this short update for the latest industry news.
Show Notes - Microplastics Update
Host, Mike Urbans & Justin Mest of AO Smith discuss HomeShieldâ˘, the latest point of entry PFAS reduction system, All in One Tank!
HomeShield
Take a look in the toilet and learn the power of visually showing customers tangible evidence of contaminants.
Show Notes Toilet Talk
Transcript Toilet Talk
Inversand, the manufacturer of GreenSandPlus turns 100 years old in 1925. Learn a little bit about its history and how GreenSandPlus works.
- Show Notes Inversand GreenSandPlus
- Transcript GreensandPlus
Listen to this entertaining podcast with Mike & Brian Oram, PG. Brian recently published the 5th edition of "Our Drinking Water", a book for professionals and consumers. This book is a great handout for customers and technicians who have just entered the business.
Show Notes - Know Your H2O
Microparticles were found downstream of the arsenic treatment systems in 70% of homes tested. For more details, listen to Mike & Steve Spayd PhD discuss Steve's recent research publication.
Steve Spayd Company Link - Diagnosis Water
Free Read Only copy of Microparticles of arsenic water treatment media and water softener resin observed in treated water at private wells
Show Notes Microparticles
Michael and Tate Burckhardt of Better Water Industries discuss the aeration/chlorination process for problem waterShow Notes - When in Doubt Air It Out.
Mike and Denise discuss the value of resin traps tool for commercial/industrial applications.
Show Notes
In this humorous podcast, Mike and Denise discuss residential and commercial brine tanks - proper sizing, function, trouble shooting.
Show Notes - Residential Brine Tanks
Shoe Notes - Commercial Brine Tanks
Brine Capacity and Area Chart
Mike Urbans and Allan Horner, of Impact Water, discuss best practices when specifying and installing whole house RO systems.
Show Notes Whole House RO
Listen to Michael and Anthony Marchei of Sharp Water Culligan discuss firing the boss and hiring the coach!
Transcript Well Managed
Still using a softener ahead of the RO? Mike Urbans and Allan Horner of Impact Water Products discuss how and when to use anti-scalant chemical feed in place of water softeners.
Show Notes Stenner Special Antiscalant Math
Michael and Bill Koebel continue the conversation about anion resin. How specialty resins for tannin, nitrate, PFAS, perchlorate work. Cleaning anion resin and the problem with silica removal.
Transcription Episode 50
Show Notes Episode 50 Resin Refresher Part 2 Anion
Mike and Denise provide an update to the latest on PFAS_PFOA, GenX, etc. Are you doing PFAS tank exchanges?
Show Notes:
The Forever Chemical Treatment Revisited
Mike and Bill Koebel of ResinTech discuss some basics of ion exchange resin:
- Does color matter?
- How long does it last?
- The effects of contaminants such as iron.
Show Notes - Resin Refresher
Mike Urbans & Jesse Rodriguez continue their deep dive into UV light and systems.
Show Notes Do It Right With UV Light Part Two
Mike and Jesse Rodreguez of ATS fo a deep dive into UV - what it is & how it works. So deep we had to break it in two!
Show Notes Do It Right With UV Light Part One
What's the difference between string wound and melt blown and carbon block and pleated filter cartridges? Listen to Mike and Brandon of Filtration Parts discuss this topic.
Show Notes Filter Cartridges
Mike and Bill Jefferis, owner of Freeman Water, discuss the challenges of operating a service business with a territory that encompasses 5 states. Located in Jackson Mississippi, Bill explains how he adapts to water shortages caused by poor infrastructure.
Mike interviews Dave Roenning of American Water Conditioning. Dave has been using Ozone Generator Systems for many years. He shares his background and knowledge using these chemical free systems to successfully reduce iron, sulfur, manganese, and kill bacteria. Â
Mike interviews Serina Casey of Aqua Science in Rhode Island. Serina started in the family business and learned from the bottom up. She can specify, install and troubleshoot well pumps and water treatment systems. Aqua Science is a thriving local and regional business. aquascience.net is the internet business she pioneered. Give a listen!
Mike introduces the newest member to the team, his niece, Rachel. As part of her water education, Rachel has been checking out the social media groups on Facebook. In this episode she and Uncle Mike discuss questions and topics trending on Water Treatment Pros Facebook group.
Show Notes Trolling Social Media
Mike chats with soon to be retired Dave Rishell of ATS (Aqua Treatment Service). Dave mentored Mike back in the 80's. (Mike asked all the dumb questions back then.) They discuss the mentoring process, what has and hasn't changed in the industry and the upside of having a career in the water treatment industry.
Michael & Bob discuss a situation where a cross connection could have had serious ramifications for the homeowners.
Show Notes Don't Get Crossed Up
Michael Urbans and Marianne Metzger of Resin Tech Inc. discuss the importance of a water test prior to treatment and the correct methodology for collecting a water sample.Â
Show Notes Test to Impress
Mike Urbans and Ted Begg of Purolite take a deep dive into SST resins - Shallow Shell Technology or Salt Savings Technology. Yes, it costs more but the payback is fast and it's a way to distinguish your company against the competition. The show notes and transcript are available for this podcast.
Transcript - Upgrade Your Resin
Show Notes Upgrade Your Resin
Mike and Denise discuss product substitutions to consider when you don't have or can't find the product you need for a job.
Show Notes Substitution Solutions
Listen to Mike and Bryon Maze of Harvey Salt and learn about the most important ingredient for a water softener. We have solar salt, salt pellets, cube salt, the list goes on and on. What are you offering your customers? Show Notes Is Salt Really Just Salt?
In this podcast Mike and Denise discuss whether a softener, filter, UV or chemical feed system should be replaced or repaired.
Show Notes Repair It or Replace It?
Why is resin in short supply and costing more? Why don't we manufacture anion resin in the US? Cindy Gresham of Thermax discusses these topics from the manufacturer's point of view. She and Mike Urbans warn - Get Ready For Christmas Now!  Â
Show Notes Surviving the COVID Infected Supply Chain
Mike interviews Christine, co-owner of MVP Plumbing and former hair color specialist. Discover how poor water quality can affect hair color and why Christine is passionate about the water treatment industry. Show Notes OMG My Hair Turned Green! Â
In this podcast Mike and Denise discuss the advantages of using ozone systems vs. other popular options such as chemical feed and air systems. Show Notes Is Your Filter Getting Enough Ozone in its Diet?
Mike and a special guest speaker, Bennett Buchsieb, discuss MetSorbŽ HMRG. MetSorbŽ is a unique adsorbent made of titanium oxide. Applications include arsenic, heavy metals and select radiologicals.
Show Notes MetSorb HMRG Powerful Metals Media
Mike discusses the various "cheat sheets" he uses when designing, troubleshooting or updating residential and commercial/industrial water treatment systems. Show Notes - Are You Cheating Enough?
Is your company a member of a professional association? Are you a Certified Water Specialist? Mike and Candice Wentling of Certified Action https://www.certifiedaction.com/ discuss their experience and the benefits of joining the national Water Quality Association and regional associations. Â
Show Notes Dare to Belong!
Get the details on a new media! Mike and Derek French of Wateropolis discuss Cerapure-MAC, a combination of manganese dioxide, lead free copper-zinc alloy, and carbon. It removes iron, manganese & hydrogen sulfide. Not only that - it's bacteriostatic and filters down to 10-micron.Â
Show Notes Cerapure-MACÂ Â
In this episode Mike goes over a list of tools which every water treatment technician should have in the work truck.
Show Notes - The Tool List
Michael discusses how to troubleshoot filters and how to deal with their idiosyncrasies. Â
How do you troubleshoot a residential water softener? Listen to this podcast to brush up on your water softener trouble shooting skills. Add to the conversation and let us know if we've missed something! Download the  Show Notes Trouble in the Basement - Water Softeners
In this episode Mike and Ted Begg, of Purolite Company, further the discussion about dealkalization. Show Notes
Topics include:
- Boiler Feed Water Alkalinity
- Removing Alkalinity from Residential Water
- Chloride Removal
- Using Weak Acid Cation Resin
- Anion Capacity
- PRSM by Purolite
Mike and his guest, Ted Begg of Purolite Company, discuss why a pH shift occurs when treating water with strong base anion resin. Ted breaks down how and why this happens. Show Notes Get Down With Anion Part 1
If improperly applied, the media used to remove radiological contaminants from water can become radioactive! Mike discusses best practices when treating radiological contaminants from water. Show Notes When You're Hot You're Not! Â
Organic substances can have complex molecular structures making their removal from domestic water supplies a difficult and sometimes frustrating challenge. However, specialized anion ion exchange resins can be used to effectively remove the unwanted water stains, tastes and orders. Show Notes Setting The Organic Trap
The employee shuffle - transitioning an employee to a new position!Â
Mike interviews a well drilling employee who successfully transitioned from the well drilling rig to full time water treatment salesman. Listen to this frank conversation sprinkled with pearls of wisdom for employees and owners.Â
It's time to lighten up! Hear about some of the unusual, awkward, and funny situations which Mike, Denise and their customers have experienced over the years. Be prepared for a good laugh or two. Adult content.
Of all the resins used in water treatment, cation or softener resins are, by far, the most popular. But it isn't one size fits all. Mike and Denise discuss the various types of cation and how they are applied. Fine mesh, crosslinking, shallow shell, uniform particle size, etc.
Episode 18 Show Notes - Is it High Capacity Resin or Not?
The least expensive component of a water system is the most critical component. The distributor tube system plays a vital role in the filtration and softening process. Using a poorly designed distributor system is like trying to drink through a cocktail straw rather than a standard size you might get with a cold drink.
Show Notes - You're Only As Good As Your Guts
In the water treatment business itâs almost impossible to avoid using chemical feed pump systems. We use them to feed chemicals to enhance treatment processes such as iron reduction or as a solo treatment like pH adjustment. Michael discusses some common pump technologies and simple application guidelines to keep you out of trouble. He explains why we like peristaltic pumps.
Listen to the end - there is an offer for our US listeners! Â
Show Notes Get Pumped Up!
In this episode of It's Your Water, Denise and Mike discuss DI Resin, specifically Mixed Bed Resin. DI is an acronym for "deionized". Learn where mixed bed resins are used, how they are applied and the basics of the "DI business".Â
Show Notes: https://www.urbansaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/www.urbansaqua.com-its-your-water-podcast-notes-show-notes-di-resin.pdf  Â
Mike and Denise want listeners to "get high" on high efficiency softeners.
A high efficiency softener is designed to squeeze every little kilograin of capacity from a pound of salt. So, the goal is less salt, less water, less waste to either a septic system or the municipality.Â
Show Notes - Get High
In this humorous episode, Michael and Denise discuss why and when you should consider twin tank systems rather than single tank systems. Show Notes You Never Forget Your First Twins
Mike and Denise discuss oxidation with manganese dioxide treated media - Pyrolox Advantage. The "rules of engagement" for its use, the properties, advantages, benefits and specifications. It is used for the removal of Iron, Manganese & Sulfur.
- Link to Urbans Aqua Pyrolox Advantage Webpage
- Show Notes: It's Not Your Dad's Manganese Dioxide Anymore!
Filter Sand is Dead! Michael discusses his experience with Clinoptilolite aka Filter-Ag Plusâ˘Â (also known as Turbidex) as a product replacement for multi-media and sand filtration designs. This media filters down to 5 microns! Human hair is 40 microns! Show Notes - Is Multimedia Dead?
Mike and Denise discuss application of an unusual water treatment product - Reticulated Foam. Cubes impregnated with KDF 55 or KDF 85 (KDF Cubes) can be added to carbon or softener tanks and cartridge filters.  KDF55 cubes inhibit the bacterial growth which causes the black slime and extends the life of the carbon. Show Notes - Are KDF Cubes in Your Toolbox?
Installation errors can cause loss of money, appetite, and self esteem. Michael reviews the common residential & commercial installation problems and how to avoid them. https://www.urbansaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/www.urbansaqua.com-its-your-water-podcast-notes-show-notes-installation-errors.pdf
Water treatment dealers are Mad Scientists! We aren't talking about mixed bed resin, this is about filling a tank with a little bit of this resin and a little bit of that resin to accomplish a water treatment goal. Just like Dr. Frankenstein learned experiments can go wrong.  Show Notes - Mixing Resin for Fun & Sport
Michael and Denise discuss application guidelines for using coal based activated carbon to treat PFOS & PFAS.  Show Notes
The water test showed no iron but iron was staining fixtures and walls. Denise and Michael discuss the reason and the fix for this problem.
Show Notes
In this episode Michael Urbans and Justin Mest of Master Water Conditioning discuss the basics of ultrafiltration - what it is, how it works, and when and where to apply it.  Ultrafilter_UltraPro Show Notes
In this episode of Itâs Your Water, Michael Urbans and Justin Mest of Master Water Conditioning, share their expertise on pH and treatment methods for correction of low pH water. Together they discuss the topics of pH, corrosion and alkalinity, and the importance of proper testing; the pros and cons of treatment using calcite (calcium carbonate) and soda ash (sodium carbonate) in well water applications; high pH and alkaline water.
Show Notes:Â https://www.urbansaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/www.urbansaqua.com-ph-show-notes.pdf
In this episode of Itâs Your Water, Michael and Denise Urbans share their expertise and advocate for successful water treatment systems. Together they discuss the importance of oxidation. Michael explains the use of popular oxidation filtration methods and how to apply them.
Show Notes:Â https://www.urbansaqua.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/www.urbansaqua.com-oxidation-show-notes.pdf
During the 2019 Eastern Water Quality Association (EWQA) Mike Urbans interviews Trent Stumbaugh of Negley's Clean Water Center about the benefits of his EWQA membership.
Urbans Aqua's inaugural podcast. Mike and Denise discuss Mike's experience with Giardia Lamblia.