Scaling UP! H2O: Recent Episodes
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A Podcast for water treaters who deal with the treatment of cooling towers, boiler and closed loop systems.
"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. Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water, 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: patsy-root@idexx.com
Website: IDEXX: Overview | LinkedIn
LinkedIn: Patsy Root | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
World Health Organization — Legionella and the Prevention of Legionellosis
CDC Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021: Legionellosis—Risk Management for Building Water Systems
KWR Publication: The Right to Effective Legionella Prevention—Section 7.4.4 begins on page 54
Compulsory Screening for Legionella pneumophila and Legionella spp.—Journal of Hospital Infection
Water Research Foundation: Occurrence of Legionella pneumophila in Drinking Water Distribution Systems
The Analyst — AWT publication and archive for water treatment professionals
Certified Water Technologist — CWT professional designation
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Library
403 Navigating the New Frontier: Patsy Root on Legionella Legislation
434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root
435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
"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. Tracy Bech, founder and author of 60 Minute CFO, 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: tracy@60minutecfo.com
Website: 60 Minute CFO
LinkedIn: Tracy Bech | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
60 Minute CFO
The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company by Jack Stack (Author), Bo Burlingham (Author)
Grow Up Fast: Lessons from an AI Startup by Zach Rattner (Author), Rita Sus (Illustrator)
Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior by Ph.D. Hawkins, david R., M.D. (Author)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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: tony@aquaflow.com
Website: AquaFlow – Reduce Water Bills with Smart Water Valves
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbe750/
Guest Resources Mentioned
AquaFlow – Reduce Water Bills with Smart Water Valves
International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol
Bernoulli's Equation
Venturi Theory
Boyle's Law
NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Testing and Certification
IAPMO R&T Water Systems Certification
Kiwa NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Certification
Siemens Process Instrumentation
Honeywell Flow Meters
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
12 Week Year
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Ep 405 - Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability
Ep 418 - Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish
Ep 420 - Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing
Ep 422 - Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis
Ep 424 - Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson
Ep 441 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Pretreatment Monday
Ep 442 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Boiler Tuesday
Ep 443 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Cooling Wednesday
Ep 444 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Wastewater Thursday
Ep 445 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday
Ep 446 - Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish
Ep 447 - Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen
Ep 456 - The 12 Days of Scaling UP! H2O 2025
Ep 457 - 2026: A New Year with New Intentions
Ep 459 - From Wastewater to Resource: Water Reuse with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva
Ep 474 - Questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about Trace
2026 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
Industrial operations depend on water of a predictable quantity and quality, yet many organizations still treat that reliability as a given. Dr. Newsha Ajami 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: newsha@stanford.edu
Website: Stanford University
LinkedIn: Newsha Ajami, PhD | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
ASPEN – National Water Strategy
Governance for Risk, Resilience, and Recovery (GR3)
Aspen National Water Strategy Initiative
Arizona Water Banking Authority — Water Storage
Blue Forest — Yuba I Forest Resilience Bond
Dr. Newsha Ajami — Stanford Profile
Article 12C of the San Francisco Health Code
San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — Onsite Water Reuse
Yuba Water Agency — Forest Resilience Bond
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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: apierre@eqbsystems.com
Website: Equilibria | Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Training via Podcasts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciabutlerpierre/
Equilibria, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
131 The One About Standard Operating Procedures
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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: pwpetersen@mac.com
Website: https://www.nmih.org/
Guest Resources Mentioned
History In the Making - National Museum of Industrial History
Water and Steam Boiler Initiative - Industrial Water Task Group - National Museum of Industrial History
Hagley Museum and Library
Hagley Powder Yard Trail
The Newcomen Society
Bethlehem Steel Corporation
Duval Sierrita Corporation
ChemTreat
Danaher ChemTreat Acquisition Announcement
Sultana Disaster Museum
Pea Ridge National Military Park Presents Program about The Sultana Disaster
National Museum of Industrial History and Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites Launch New Joint Field Trip Exploring Bethlehem's Industrial Heritage
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
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 HERE.
This episode made possible through our valued partners at:
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 Kalpna Solanki, President and CEO at GAMECHANGERS Inc., 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: GAMECHANGERS Inc. | Strategy Development And Implementation
LinkedIn: Kalpna Solanki MBA | LinkedIn
GAMECHANGERS Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality
2026 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
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.
Sherine El-Wattar, a science network officer supporting the IPCC 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: selwattar@gmail.com
Website: IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipcc/
LinkedIn: Sherine El-Wattar | 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
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Working Group II
IPCC Working Group II: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC: What Is an Expert Reviewer of IPCC Reports?
Engage with the IPCC
The Water Footprint Assessment Manual: Setting the Global Standard
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard
IHE Delft: Water Governance
IHE Delft: Governance and Management Profile
The History of the Delta Works
FAO WaPOR: Remote Sensing for Water Productivity
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (Author) Paperback
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
What Is Water Footprint Assessment?
UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health: Global Water Bankruptcy
2026 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In today's episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with workplace resilience expert and U.S. Marine veteran Tiffany Wentz‑Root 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: tiffany@resilientroots.com
Website: resilientroots.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanywentz-root/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Generational Diversity Outline
Bridging the Gap: Navigating Generational Diversity at Work
17776: What football will look like in the future by Jon Bois
Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style (Paperback) by Kurt Vonnegut (Author), Suzanne McConnell (Author)
Washington's Farewell: The Founding Father's Warning to Future Generations by John Avlon
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
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 Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies 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: bueckerb@samcotech.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-buecker-705b9021/
Website: Water & Wastewater Treatment Solutions | SAMCO Technologies
Guest Resources Mentioned
US EPA - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Buecker & Associates, LLC - Consulting and Technical Writing
Beware of Flow-Accelerated Corrosion – Brad Buecker, Kiewit Engineering Group
Muck Rack – Brad Buecker Articles
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
477 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)
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 HERE.
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: bueckerb@samcotech.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-buecker-705b9021/
Guest Resources Mentioned
ASME CRTD 34 / ASME Consensus document
Barry Dooley – "Flow-Accelerated Corrosion in Fossil and Combined Cycle/HRSG Plants"
IAPWS Technical Guidance Document – Volatile Treatments
Brad Buecker's HRSG issues: Reemphasizing the importance of flow-accelerated corrosion control – Part 1
Industrial water and steam treatment will be important for a long time Part 1
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 2
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 3
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 4
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 4.5
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 5
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 6
The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 7
Surry Unit 2 feedwater line rupture documentation
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
Communication shapes how teams learn, respond, correct, and build trust. Trace Blackmore, CWT welcomes returning guestPaule Genest, 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: pgenest@tgwt.com
Website: TGWT: About | LinkedIn
LinkedIn: Paule (Paula) Genest, PRP, APR, Fellow CPRS, MCPRS | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Gifts of Imperfect Parenting: Raising Children with Courage, Compassion, and Connection by Brené Brown PhD LMSW
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone (Author), Sheila Heen (Author)
I'm OK--You're OK: The Pioneering and Bestselling Self-Help Guide by Thomas Harris
Paule-Cast
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
192 The One With The Best Marketing Expert In The Water Treatment Industry
380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
281 The One About The Power of Kindness
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 HERE.
A boiler failure can create pressure quickly: production is down, emotions are high, and the water treater may be the first person blamed. Cheryl Heiser of TGWT Clean Technologies Inc. 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: cheiser@tgwt.com
Website: https://www.tgwt.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-heiser-02529373/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Gravitas: The 8 Strengths That Redefine Confidence by Lisa Sun
She Thinks Like a Boss: Leadership: 9 Essential Skills for New Female Leaders in Business and the Workplace by Jemma Roedel
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
STEAM/its generation and use (42nd Edition)
Mechanical vs Chemical Reasons for Water Tube Boiler Failures's Technical Paper
Bobcock & Wilcox's Finding the Root Cause of Boiler Tube Failures
Bobcock & Wilcox's The Importance of Boiler Water and Steam Chemistry
Chapter 14 - Boiler System Failures
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
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: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT
Audible
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
12 Week Year Plan
The Rising Tide Mastermind
420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing
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 HERE.
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.
John Durand, 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: Johnrdurand19@gmail.com
Website: 6th Annual Oilfield Water Markets Conference - Oilfield Water Connection
News & Events for Oilfield Water Management - Oilfield Water Connection
LinkedIn: John Durand | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Oilfield Water Connection
6th Annual Oilfield Water Markets Conference - Oilfield Water Connection
Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
Produced Water Society Inc
When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by David Maraniss
The Shadow of War: A Novel of the Cuban Missile Crisis by Jeff Shaara
Britannica's Permian Basin
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
"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
Chris McDonald, CEO and President of CPM Pipelines, 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: chris@cpmpipelines.com
Website: CPM Pipelines
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-macdonald-95805b13/
CPM Pipelines LinkedIn
BulletLiner System LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Future is Faster Than You Think: Chris MacDonald Of CPM Pipelines On How Leaders Are Preparing for The Innovations, Disruptions, and Strategies That Will Define Tomorrow
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Global 6k
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 HERE.
This episode is made possible through our valued partners at:
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: jkramer@mfgchemical.com
Website: https://www.radicalpolymers.com/
LinkedIn: Jeff Kramer | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
CTI's New Biocide Options For Biofouling Control by Jeffrey Kramer
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
253 The One About Biofilms
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 HERE.
Shawn Powell 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 The Wastewater Enthusiast, 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: powell.shawnm@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-powell-792020197/
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
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. Scott Lynch and Shaunica Jayson explain how American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA) 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: Shaunica@abma.com
Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA)
LinkedIn: Shaunica Jayson | LinkedIn
Connect with Scott Lynch
Email: scott@abma.com
Website: American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA)
LinkedIn: Scott Lynch, CAE | 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
ABMA – BOILER EXPO 2026
ABMA – BOILER EXPO 2026
The Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE)
The ABMA Boiler Expo Registration
ABMA – Technical Papers
ABMA – Technical Resources
ABMA – Free Boiler Maintenance Schedule
AWT Technical Papers
ABMA Boiler Expo 2026 Pre Conference (Boiler Water Treatment Workshops)
ABMA - Boiler Industry Leaders of Tomorrow (BILT)
Women in the Boiler Industry (WIBI) Professional Community
ABMA – Ladies of Steam
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
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 Association of Water Technologies (AWT). 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: carmac@premierwater.com
Website: CRB Water | Safe, Sustainable & Data-Driven Water Treatment Solutions
LinkedIn: CRB Water: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
ANSI / ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation
ISO/IEC 17024:2012
AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual
AWT CWT Exam Candidate Handbook
Kelly: More Than My Share of It All by Clarence L. Johnson
Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything by Kevin Cook
A.J. Foyt - Volume 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend Hardcover by Art Garner
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT – Become Certified
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Fearless Pricing by Casey Brown
410 Unleash Your Pricing Power: Casey Brown's 'Fearless Pricing' Revolutionizes Business Value
154 The One With AWT President, Tom Brandvold, CWT
426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
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 HERE.
What happens when a water chemist leaves the lab and heads to the pump room? Dr. Jake Elliott knows firsthand. A former PhD researcher who studied resource recovery from trade‑waste customers, Jake now manages accounts at Hydro flow in Melbourne, working with cooling towers, boilers, chemical dosing rigs and wastewater treatment systems. He joins host Trace Blackmore to discuss how rigorous research, regulatory compliance and process automation translate into practical field work for industrial water treatment professionals.
From PhD Research to Industrial Practice
Jake's academic background informs the way he approaches operations. While completing his PhD he investigated how to recover resources from wastewater permits, synthesizing municipal data with bench‑scale testing. Today he draws on that experience to design treatment systems and advise customers on cooling‑tower and boiler chemistry. He emphasizes long‑term efficiency: spending a little extra time or money now can save much more later. This mentality helps him balance the competing demands of design, installation, sales and service, and underscores Hydro flow's support for continuing education.
Balancing Service, Sales and Efficiency
No two days look alike for Jake. One week he is calibrating pH probes, inspecting cooling towers and designing dosing skids; the next he is troubleshooting filtration systems or negotiating wastewater discharge limits. To stay ahead of his schedule, he deliberately "drags things as early as possible" and completes visits well before month‑end. Jake uses the iPhone Reminders app to tag tasks by site, service type and system; location triggers ensure he never forgets critical parts. He advocates automating routine reports and allowing generative AI to massage field notes into professional correspondence, provided every line is double‑checked for accuracy. Even at the end of a long day, tools such as ChatGPT help him strike the right tone in customer emails.
Regulation, Training and Risk Management
Jake contrasts cooling‑tower regulation in Australia with the more fragmented approach in the United States. In Victoria every tower must be registered, documented and sampled on a schedule; non‑compliance leads to fines. The risk management plan – the term used in Australia for what many Americans call a water management plan – is a comprehensive document containing details of the cooling tower, associated chillers and a unique registration number. Australian practitioners follow the AS/NZS 3666 standard, and third‑party RMP reviews and audits are annual requirements. Jake notes that an equivalent certification does not yet exist for international candidates seeking the Certified Water Technologist designation, although metric‑based exams may be under consideration.
Sales, Communication and Mentorship
Serving existing customers often means identifying the real decision drivers. Jake categorizes site priorities – cost reduction, profit increase, ease of use and product quality – and tailors proposals accordingly. He maintains open communication with influencers while gently probing approval limits, sometimes splitting quotes so that local managers can sign off without escalating requests. Mentorship is both a given and a goal: Hydro flow holds monthly meetings where technicians, account managers and production staff share problems and solutions, allowing juniors to benefit from seasoned expertise. Jake encourages newcomers to simply "do it" – the blend of hands‑on work, autonomy and flexibility makes industrial water treatment a rewarding career. In his lightning‑round advice he urges his younger self to be selective about commitments and to automate early.
Dr. Jake Elliott demonstrates that a rigorous scientific background and a passion for efficiency translate into better service, improved compliance and happier customers. His tips on process automation, risk management and sales communication help water professionals navigate a complex landscape while maintaining work–life balance. Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:14 - Trace Blackmore notes the conclusion of the 2026 AWT Technical Training (Session 1) and then shares his doctor's office story
09:15 - Words of Water with James McDonald
11:45 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
15:32 - Introduction with Jake Elliott, PhD, Senior Account Manager at Hydro Flow
18:47 - Jake's Advice for those taking a Doctorate Degree
23:19 - How Jake came to work at Hydro Flow
44:24 - Tips from Jake
Quotes
"Very happy to spend a little bit of extra time or money now to save a lot of time or money later."
"If you can get some of your thoughts down and then let ChatGPT massage that into something that is good communication, again, double check it before you send it."
"I would tell myself to be selective in what you say yes to … automate hard, automate early."
"Autonomy, flexibility. It's really the perfect package, definitely for me and for people like me."
Connect with Jake Elliott, PhD
Email: jakeelliott91@hotmail.com
Website: https://hydroflow.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydro-flow/
Jake Elliott | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
AS / NZS 3666 Air-Handling and Water Systems of Buildings - Western Australia
Legislation and guidelines for cooling towers and water systems - Government of Western Australia (Department of Health)
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080
Alien Clay by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Audible audiobook)
Dropbear (Paperback) by Evelyn Araluen (Author)
The Winner's Mindset Audible Logo Audible Audiobook – Unabridged Shane Watson (Author, Narrator)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT - Become Certified
Google Earth
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Words of Water with James McDonald
Today's definition is the curved upper surface of a liquid in a tube, such as a graduated cylinder. Can you guess the word?
2026 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
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 Dan Merritt, CWT—National Sales Manager at CH2O Inc. 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 Association of Water Technologies 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: dmerritt@ch2o.com
Website: .https://www.ch2o.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-merritt-cwt-18413819/.
Guest Resources Mentioned
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek (Paperback)
The AI-Driven Leader: Harnessing AI to Make Faster, Smarter Decisions by Geoff Woods, AI Thought Leadership
The Accidental Superpower: Ten Years On by Peter Zeihan (Narrator, Author)
The Shattering Peace: Old Man's War, Book 7 by John Scalzi (Author), Tavia Gilbert (Narrator), Audible Studios (Publisher)
Education Offerings – AWT
Become Certified – AWT
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training - Registration
2026 AWT Technical Training Schedule
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
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.
Dan Merritt, CWT, Sales Manager at CH2O, 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: dmerritt@ch2o.com
Website: .https://www.ch2o.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-merritt-cwt-18413819/
CH2O, inc.: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Education Offerings – AWT
Become Certified – AWT
I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training - Registration
2026 AWT Technical Training Schedule
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
"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. Will Ritter of MetaSpec (formerly Pacific Sensor) 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: williamrritter@gmail.com
Website: Pacific Sensor - Buy Corrosion Coupons and Test Specimens
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamryanritter/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-sensor/about/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Material World: The Six Raw Materials That Shape Modern Civilization by Ed Conway (Audiobook)
Steel Isn't Hard (To Learn) by Shane Turcott (Paperback)
The Goal: 40th Anniversary Edition: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M Goldratt (Author), Jeff Cox (Author)
Toastmasters International
Pacific Sensor Corrosion Coupon Installation Guide
Water Treatment Flyer- Pacific Sensor
Metaspec Capabilities Presentation
NACE SP0775-2023 Preparation, Installation, Analysis, and Interpretation of Corrosion Coupons in Hydrocarbon Operations
ASTM-G1-25 Standard Practice for Preparing, Cleaning, and Evaluating Corrosion Test Specimens
TP25-18 The Impact of Metal Surface Roughness on Corrosion Monitoring Water Treatment
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
The Rising Tide Mastermind
304 Pinks and Blues: Corrosion Coupons
075 The One that's All About Corrosion Coupons
AWT Guidelines on Corrosion Coupons
Corrosion cost perspective: "2.5 trillion" and "3.5% of global GDP"
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 HERE.
"If you say something over and over often and enough, it becomes true because perception is reality."
Paul O'Callaghan 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 BlueTech Research, 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: paul.ocallaghan@bluetechresearch.com
Website: BlueTech Research – Actionable Water Technology Market Intelligence
braveblueworldstudios | Instagram | Linktree
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/o2environmental/
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Dynamics of Water Innovation: A Guide to Water Technology Commercialization by Lakshmi M. Adapa (Author), Paul O'Callaghan (Author), Cees Buisman (Author)
Watch Brave Blue World: Racing to Solve Our Water Crisis | Netflix
Braveblueworldstudios | Instagram | Linktree
"Dynamics of water innovation: Insights into the rate of adoption, diffusion and success of emerging water technologies globally" – Wageningen University & Research
"Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: The Living Machine" – U.S. EPA
"Brave Blue World" film – Science on Screen synopsis
"Our Blue World: A Water Odyssey" – IMDb overview
"Water Reuse for Industrial Applications Resources" – U.S. EPA
"ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023—Water for the Processing of Medical Devices" – ANSI Blog
"Key EPA Actions to Address PFAS" – U.S. EPA
"The Philosophy of Ikigai: 3 Examples About Finding Purpose" – PositivePsychology.com
Fluke: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters Paperback by Brian Klaas
Rivers of Power: How a Natural Force Raised Kingdoms, Destroyed Civilizations, and Shapes Our World Paperback by Laurence C. Smith
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
415 Green Building Updates: What You Need to Know
004 It's Not Easy Being Green!
032.5 The One That Takes You to AWT's 2018 Technical Training]
022 The One with Tim Fulton
280 The One About Retaining Top Talent
368 Adapting to the New Workforce: Attracting Top Talent
413 Charting the Future: Mastering the Art of Strategic Planning
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 HERE.
Industrial water work rewards people who can move between precision and practicality. Katie Holliday brings both. She started as a lab chemist, then transitioned into field service with Apex Water and Process, 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 sterile processing departmentand 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, Bernie Peacock, 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: k.nativeamericanbeadwork@gmail.com
Website https://teamapex.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-holliday-9b6977246/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/apex-water-process/
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Under the Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey
AAMI ST108 Compliance in Sterile Processing
High hardness in Phoenix
ASSE 12080 Legionella Water Safety certification
Navajo Nation water access
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown
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 HERE.
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.
Pat Rosenstiel (CEO) and Wolf Merker (chemist/Chief Science Officer) of Great Water Tech 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: Great Water Tech | Water Treatment Solutions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-rosenstiel-a148952/
Great Water Tech LLC: Overview | LinkedIn
Connect with Wolf Merker
Website: Great Water Tech | Water Treatment Solutions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolf-merker-a1b95284/
Great Water Tech LLC: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 — Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals: Health Effect
NSF — Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals Certification (NSF/ANSI/CAN 60) (how certification works)
ANSI Webstore listing (official standard access/purchase)
EPA — Lead and Copper Rule (regulation hub)
EPA — Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) (final rule page)
EPA fact sheet — Tap Monitoring Requirements (LCRI) (sampling protocol changes)
Great Water Tech
Folmar (Great Water Tech) — corrosion inhibitor (phosphate + silicate blend)
Algae Armor (Great Water Tech) — nutrient-binding tool for ponds/lakes
EPA Distribution System Toolbox — Pigging fact sheet (PDF) (removing biofilm/scale/sediment from mains)
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation report page (chlorine vs chloramine impacts incl. corrosion/leaching discussion)
AWWA Opflow article (main cleaning techniques incl. pigging): AWWA's utility-facing perspective on cleaning options
Silicate corrosion inhibitors
Historical context for silicate–phosphate combinations
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training (March 2026)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Ep 422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis
Hach Water Analysis Handbook
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 HERE.
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
Eric Johnson, Founder and CEO of Boilearn, 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: eric.johnson@boilearn.com
Website: Boilearn I The Foundation of Boiler Training
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericjohnson2020/
Boilearn: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Boilearn
Boilearn mission and origins
Boiler operator roles and skills
Common steam‑boiler problems
Safe boiler operation guide
Boiler start‑up and maintenance
Safer operation manual
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training Seminars
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
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 HERE.
Industrial water professionals are increasingly pulled into conversations about scarcity, resilience, and "where the next gallon comes from."
Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva, CEO and Co-founder ofWaterloop Solutionsframes 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
Europe's agricultural reuse regulation (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: vzhiteneva@gowaterloop.com
Website: Home – Waterloop Solutions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vzhiteneva/
Waterloop Solutions: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (Paperback) European Commission's Water reuse: New EU rules to improve access to safe irrigation
Intermezzo Paperback – by Sally Rooney (Author)
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
US EPA State Water Reuse Resources
US EPA Water Reuse Information Library
US EPA's "A Framework for Permitting Innovation in the Wastewater Sector Report"
US Department of Energy's About the BuildingsNEXT Student Design Competition
The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) Water Reuse Europe Policy and Regulations
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training Seminars
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
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 HERE.
"Stay curious. And you only have one reputation. Guard it with your life."
Hiring for judgment, not just rehearsed confidence
Industrial water treatment is full of decisions made with incomplete data—on sites, with customers, and inside the business. JD Roth (Managing Director and Co-owner of Guardian Chemicals) builds his hiring around that reality. His aim is straightforward: protect the team and the culture by selecting people who can think, collaborate, and lead under pressure.
JD frames the organization as a group of people choosing to work toward a common goal: building a better future for communities, the environment, and staff. That priority shows how Guardian hires, who they keep, and what becomes a deal-breaker. If a candidate is misaligned with core values, JD is clear: performance elsewhere won't override that mismatch.
The "Hiring Olympics" structure
For a high-bandwidth, project-based role (their Graduate Business Analyst program), Guardian needed a way to evaluate many strong candidates without consuming 40–50 hours of team time. The result is a four-hour, multi-station day that includes:
- Core values interviews (two-person format)
- Competency interviews (horsepower and capability)
- An individual case study (primarily math/business-oriented)
- A collaborative case study (decision-making and team dynamics)
The collaborative case study is the centerpiece. Candidates work with peers who are also competitors for limited roles, using real cases built around business decisions—often with imperfect or incomplete information—so the team can observe how candidates break down problems, delegate, support others, and present recommendations.
How decisions get made afterward
After candidates leave, the interview team convenes for a group decision. JD starts by looking for any "vetoes," especially around core values to fit (he references an EOS-style standard of meeting 5 out of 6 core values most of the time). From there, the team compares notes across competency, core values, and observed collaboration behaviors.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 – Trace Blackmore shares part of a real-world service routine and ongoing professional improvement
05:35 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:00 – Words of Water with James McDonald
13:52 – Fun Fact about 1903 from this day
14:28 – Interview with JD Roth, Managing Director and Co-Owner of Guardian Chemicals
15:20 - "A company is people"
19:00 – First solo site lesson: ask for help vs. pretend
25:10 – The GBA Program (Graduate Business Analyst)
27:50 – Hiring Olympics format + Efficiency
33:30 – "Ping pong balls in a jumbo jet" example
39:10 – Selection rules: Core values veto + EOS bar + Values list
Quotes
JD:"And if you've got great people and you take care of great people, they take care of your customers, and your customers take care of you."
JD: "There really isn't a company. There is just a whole bunch of people who have decided to work together towards a common goal."
Trace: "I can only imagine how empowered your team feels because they're so involved in this process and you're involving everybody"
Trace: "I love the fact that we're diving deeper into the most important thing, and that's protecting and enhancing our culture."
Connect with JD Roth
Email: jdroth@guardianchem.ca
Website: http://www.guardianchem.ca/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-david-jd-roth-58714113/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Entrepreneurs' Organization
Verne Harnish 'Scaling Up'
About Verne Harnish
Harvard Business Review Case Studies
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training Seminars
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen. R. Covey
Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown
Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg
Charles Duhigg — "The science behind dramatically better conversations" (TEDxManchester)
12 Week Year Plan
457 2026: A New Year with New Intentions
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Words of Water with James McDonald
Today's definition is an ion with a net positive charge, formed when an atom or molecule loses one or more electrons. 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 HERE.
Trace Blackmore opens 2026 with a practical reset: how to plan with urgency, sharpen the fundamentals that make troubleshooting easier, and use the tools around this podcast to keep your development moving all year.
The 12-Week Year: urgency you can use
Annual goals often feel "far away" until December forces focus. The 12-week year flips that dynamic by treating each quarter like a year—creating urgency sooner and giving you four chances to reset and improve. Trace walks through the structure: start with a vision (he uses a three-year example), then choose 3–5 tactical goals for the next 12 weeks, so you don't overload and quit. He also ties it to a water treatment reality: quarterly customer touchpoints are simply more productive than an annual "re-introduce everything" meeting.
Trace points listeners to planning support and easy on-ramps:
- the book link: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyear
- the planning guide PDF: ScalingUpH2O.com/12weekyearplan
- and an Audible option (free month + free book mentioned in the transcript).
Mailbag: how the show is made—and what's changing
A listener asks how an episode goes from spark to air. Trace lays out the workflow: idea sourcing, research and pre-production, guest outreach, scheduling, outline creation, recording discipline, post-production with audio engineer Sean, then show notes, graphics, social posts, scheduling, and promotion. He also shares a key quality upgrade: guests now receive equipment prerequisites (including budget-friendly mic options) because the Scaling Up Nation can hear the difference.
On what's new for 2026, Trace shares a major personal commitment: he's pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration, including research, data collection, and defending a thesis—with an intent to involve listeners through future surveys.
Skills to build in 2026: foundation, communication, and technology
Trace's recommendations land in three buckets:
- Strengthen fundamentals (chemistry, products, and the "why" behind test kits),
- improve communication and relationship-building (including temperament-based communication concepts he references), and
- Learn what's available in data and technology so you can show up to accounts better prepared—and avoid time-wasting return trips.
He closes with a direct action: browse the ScalingUpH2O.com events section and pick learning opportunities you can attend (especially those nearby), then build a 12-week plan that helps you justify bigger conferences by clearly stating what value you'll bring back.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:38 - Welcome to 2026 and what this "first show of the year" is designed to do (reset, tools, and a mailbag).
07:30 – 12 Week Year Planning format
21:09 – Dive Into The Scaling UP! H2O Mailbag
30:54 – What Is New for 2026 for Trace Blackmore
38:05 – Words of Water with James
40:15 – Trace's Favorite Food
46:42 – What Are The Top 2 to 3 skills Water Treaters Should Focus On
Quotes
"Now the reason I really like the 12-week year is because it puts the urgency of not having a full year of time, only having a smaller amount of time to work for you."
"It also gives you 4 chances a year to reset and improve, not just one."
"Everybody in water treatment should focus on developing skills around a solid foundation."
"That leads me to my third skill that I want to talk to you about, and that's learning what's available to you when it comes to data and technology."
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube:@ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Audible
Book - The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
12 Week Year Plan
Episode 100 The 100th One
Episode 117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Episode 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
AWT – The Analyst - Library
I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman
HACH Water Analysis Handbook
Words of Water with James McDonald
Definition: Today's definition is the ratio of the dissolved solids in a system's circulating water to the dissolved solids in the makeup 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 HERE.
A year-end recap is more than a highlight reel—it's a practical reset. In this New Year episode, Trace Blackmore walks through 2025 using a "12 Days of the Scaling Up Nation" format, tying together performance, community growth, listener engagement, and the sponsor support that keeps the podcast and its companion tools available at no cost.
Year-end by the numbers
Trace explains how he used to track every stat closely—and how that shifted into an unhealthy measure of self-worth—so the team now uses numbers as feedback, not validation. He notes the show released 56 brand-new episodes in 2025 (including the additional releases during Industrial Water Week) and explains why the data still matters: it helps confirm what the community is using, such as discussion guides and other tools, and what needs to be improved.
Most-downloaded episodes and what listeners leaned into
Trace shares the three most-downloaded episodes of 2025:
- Episode 405 — cooling water innovation using treated wastewater
- Episode 418 — maleic acid (with Mike Standish)
- Episode 424 — chlorine dioxide (the most downloaded episode of the year)
Engagement that keeps learning moving
The episode highlights growth in the Scaling Up Nation across newsletter subscriptions, discussion guide downloads, and an expanding LinkedIn community.
Recognition, partners, and momentum into 2026
Trace acknowledges milestones including AWT naming Scaling Up H2O the official podcast of the Association of Water Technologies, and he thanks the sponsors who make the podcast's free content possible—19 sponsoring partners in 2025. The episode closes with a direct invitation for listeners to share what they want to learn next, who they want interviewed, and what stories could help the industry keep "raising the bar."
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:50 — Show open and New Year framing: a reset point for leaders and operators heading into 2026
03:10 — Why the retrospective exists: improve the next year and celebrate what the Scaling Up Nation achieved together
05:00 — The format revealed: "12 days" of highlights built from what happened in 2025
08:40 — The final 2025 "Water You Know" question: hydroxide ion formula—and the answer reveal
16:30 — The top three downloaded episodes of 2025
29:00 — Signature segments and field lessons: community participation, Detective H2O, and "quicker is not better
Quotes
"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast."
"It's not going to take somebody's job away because of AI, but somebody who knows AI or is familiar with AI over somebody that is not familiar with it and refuses anything with AI, that person will probably take that other person's job."
"Lift others as you rise."
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube:@ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability
418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish
424 Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson
420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing
422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis
423 Pushing the Boundaries: Jacob Deak on Innovating Water Treatment Systems
446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish
447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the molecular formula for hydroxide ion?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"So one thing I never do is try to start giving remediation or advice before I truly have understood and diagnosed the problem."
Mentorship and certifications don't replace experience—but they can accelerate it when paired with the right mindset and a disciplined approach to learning. Nella Fergusson, CWT (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan), lays out what "growing up" in industrial water treatment actually looks like: repeated exposure to real problems, strong diagnostic habits, and a willingness to keep learning long after year one.
Learning that keeps you employable
Water treatment evolves. Nella contrasts today's challenges with what she faced 15 years ago and explains why complacency is the fastest path to getting left behind. She describes water treatment as industry-specific by nature—food processing cooling and commercial real estate operations don't behave the same, don't shut down the same way, and can't be serviced the same way.
Diagnosing before prescribing
Her troubleshooting process starts with questions: the system's history, what changed, when symptoms appeared, and how critical the impacted use is. She emphasizes water sampling across different times of day and refuses to offer remediation before a proper diagnosis—because misdiagnosis creates extra problems instead of solving the original one.
Career decisions, culture, and the 80/20 risk
Nella shares a candid career detour: leaving Garratt-Callahan for GE Water/Suez, then realizing quickly what she lost—support, resources, and "family"—before returning. She frames many job moves through an 80/20 lens: chasing a missing 20% can cost the 80% that already works, especially when recruiters' incentives don't align with yours.
Credentials that signal competence—and protect end users
Nella explains why she pursued the CWT: an industry-agreed benchmark that reflects years of varied problem-solving. She also discusses ASSE 12080 recertification and why correct sampling, shipping, labeling, and interpretation matter—particularly in Legionella and water safety work. Customers may fear testing; she argues the goal is to find risk where maintenance is weak, then build site-specific procedures that facilities can actually sustain with their staffing. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:22 - Trace message: CWT prep course + planning for 2026
09:17 - Water You Know with James McDonald
10:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
14:49 - Interview with Nella Fergusson, CWT, (District Manager, Southern California, Garratt-Callahan)
16: 27- Ongoing education + how the industry has changed
21:06 - Nella's troubleshooting approach: history, what changed, sampling, impact, don't prescribe before diagnosing
31:00 - Nella's 80/20 rule for deciding whether to leave a company
34:22 - Why she pursued CWT + value of certifications in the industry
40:15 - Getting results immediately + confidence while testing
Connect with Nella Fergusson
Email: nfergusson@g-c.com
Website: http://www.garrattcallahan.com/
LinkedIn: Nella Fergusson, CWT | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
ASSE 12080 Certification – ASSE International
Why ASSE Certifications Matter – Garratt‑Callahan
Impact of Cooling Tower Downtime in Food & Beverage Operations – Aggreko
Scheduling Off‑Peak HVAC Maintenance – Facility Response Group
Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds, Third Edition
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT - Value of Certification
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the piece of equipment called that is a heat exchanger placed in the gas passage between the boiler and the stack designed to recover exhaust gas heat into the boiler feedwater?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Industrial cooling is one of the biggest levers industrial facilities can pull on water use—and it's getting harder to ignore as data centers and other high-heat operations grow. Returning guest Dr. Kelle Zeiher (Project Manager at Garratt Callahan) breaks down what water reuse looks like when you move past slogans and into the realities of pretreatment, concentrate management, footprint, and cost.
Cooling water reuse: the scale of the opportunity
Dr. Zeiher reframes "drought" beyond rainfall, emphasizing aquifer recharge and the limits of focusing only on household restrictions. She contrasts domestic use (~12%) with the much larger share tied to cooling (~50%), then connects that to why optimizing industrial cooling matters—especially when operations sit in arid, desert-like regions with limited water availability. She also shares a data-center statistic that puts "the cloud" into physical terms: ~53 gallons of purified water per gigabyte of data stored to keep environments cool enough for microchips.
Higher cycles, RO blending, and the concentrate question
The conversation moves into practical tower strategy: driving cycles up as far as the water and metallurgy allow. Dr. Zeiher describes a case moving from three cycles to six with RO blending and pretreatment, resulting in millions of gallons saved annually. From there, the engineering problem becomes unavoidable: higher cycles create a concentrated cooling-water stream, and RO adds its own waste stream. The key operational question is how to manage both streams without trading water savings for disposal and reliability issues.
Minimal liquid discharge, and the AEROS approach
"Zero liquid discharge" (ZLD) remains a theoretical target, but Dr. Zeiher is clear about the realities: ZLD can require large equipment and high energy demand. She shares a cost example where a 20 gpm ZLD concept came in at nearly $8 million in capital. Her team's approach focuses on minimal liquid discharge (MLD)—recovering roughly 80–90% of water rather than 98–99%, while reducing energy intensity and footprint. She introduces AEROS (Aqueous Recovery Optimization System): rapid precipitation/conditioning, followed by sequential mechanical and membrane filtration, then an RO polishing step to return purified water.
Industry wisdom: proof-first projects, relationships, and AI
You'll also hear Dr. Zeiher's "proof-first" pathway—bench-style testing, then a 5–10 gpm flow-through evaluation in Oak Ridge, Tennessee (with BioLargo)—plus a process guarantee framework and how credits can apply toward a final system. She closes with leadership lessons on documentation, continuity of customer care, and practical guidance for working with AI: feed it strong technical inputs, then apply human critical thinking before recommendations reach customers.
Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:40 — End-of-year reflection becomes a professional challenge: keep learning fast enough to keep systems stable and clients confident.
05:50 — "Dry December" as a discipline story—used to tee up Trace's broader point: habits beat calendar-based resolutions.
12:00 — Water You Know
13:10 — The events page pitch: planning early protects training time and reduces last-minute operational fire drills.
17:00 — Dr. Kelle Zeiher returns after Episode 351; AWT Louisville hallway energy turns into a deep dive on reuse.
18:40 — Mystery novels as technical storytelling: The Cupcake Caper, real lab practices, and a pen name built for a non-scientific audience.
20:50 — Data centers and water: 53 gallons per GB stored reframes "the cloud" as heat management with real resource costs.
23:40 — Macro water math: 50% of U.S. water use tied to cooling vs. 12% domestic—why industrial optimization moves the needle.
27:50 — "Pretreatment is everything": RO's tiny flow channels make debris control and scale prevention non-negotiable.
30:10 — Cycles example: 3 to 6 cycles with RO blending/pretreatment, plus the caution that RO-softened blends can increase corrosion risk.
31:30 — ZLD vs. MLD: energy-heavy evaporation/distillation compared to a lower-energy recovery target that still returns most water.
33:50 — AEROS explained: rapid precipitation + filtration + RO polish, with solids handling designed to keep water moving back to the front end.
37:00 — Customer pathway: bench demos → Oak Ridge pilot (5–10 gpm) → engineered system; upfront testing credits toward purchase.
43:20 — Performance accountability: process guarantee includes refund/take-back if promised performance can't be met.
47:40 — Trust and continuity: plant presence, documentation, and relationship handoffs prevent "solution drift" when people change roles.
54:40 — Working with AI: feed it strong data, then apply human critical thinking so recommendations don't outpace experience.
Quotes
"Water is not a limitless resource. It's a finite resource, and we simply purify it and reuse it over and over again."
"We have to learn to work with AI when it's still a toddler before it grows up into the 6th grade bully and beats you up for your lunch money."
"Persistence overcomes almost anything."
"An AI will give you a great outline for a presentation, but it won't give you a full presentation."
Connect with Dr. Kelle Zeiher
Phone: (630) 660-3457
Email: kzeiher@g-c.com
Website: Water Treatment Expertise Since 1904 I Garratt-Callahan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelle-zeiher-6bab221/
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Cupcake Caper (Undercover Cat Mysteries) by Kelle Z Riley
Process Heating and Cooling Show Paper (Cooling Tower Cycles & MLD)
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI Paperback by Ethan Mollick
Sensitive: The Hidden Power of the Highly Sensitive Person in a Loud, Fast, Too-Much World Paperback by Jenn Granneman (Author), Andre Sólo (Author)
Empower Your Investing: Adopting Best Practices From John Templeton, Peter Lynch, and Warren Buffett Hardcover by Scott A. Chapman CFA
Membrane Technologies for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment: Advances, Challenges, and Applications in Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) and Minimal Liquid Discharge (MLD) Systems
Comparative techno-economic and environmental analysis of minimal liquid discharge (MLD) and zero liquid discharge (ZLD) desalination systems for seawater brine treatment and valorization
Forever Chemicals: A Look at the History, Regulations, Emerging Trends and Technologies to Solve the PFAS Crisis
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
351 Maximizing Water's Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: How much heat energy does it take to heat 1 pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit?
Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Industrial water professionals sit at the intersection of risk, regulation, and community trust. In this episode, Dr. Annette Davison ("the water risk doctor") joins Trace Blackmore to show how disciplined governance, clear supply chain thinking, and community engagement can turn fragmented water systems into coherent, defensible risk management frameworks.
Water risk from source to customer
Annette starts with a simple question most customers never ask: "Where's your water coming from?" She walks through a conceptual supply chain from source to end point—collection, transfer, treatment, distribution, and customers—then layers governance on top. Who holds custody at each handover point? Are water quality objectives clearly defined and documented? What happens when something "stuffs up," and how is that communicated downstream? For leaders, it's a practical reminder that risk isn't just about treatment performance; it's about clearly assigned responsibilities along the entire chain.
Governance, ISO 31000, and the Water31K framework
Drawing on her background in microbial ecology and environmental law, Annette explains why "you can't do a good risk assessment unless you've got the context right." She describes how ISO 31000 inspired the Water31K framework—an approach that is jurisdictionally agnostic and capable of spanning drinking water, recycled water, and recreational water guidelines. Using Water31K, her team walks into any jurisdiction and systematically maps stakeholders, legal and formal requirements, reporting lines, and internal obligations so utilities can see their governance landscape clearly before they start scoring risk.
Critical control points, AI, and learning from incidents
Critical control points may have started in the food industry, but Annette shows how they can be sharpened for water. Her test— "would a computer understand this?"—forces teams to close logical gaps and define thresholds and responses precisely enough to be automated. She also explores how AI and "agents as a service" could help analyze incident data, while warning that AI is useless if utilities haven't done the basics: monitoring the right things, at the right place, at the right time, with a firm grasp of supply chain risk. Her mantra: never waste a good incident; dissect it and make sure it doesn't happen again.
Regulations, public–private contracts, and community projects
Using Australia as an example, Annette unpacks the complexity of layered laws—Commonwealth, state, local—and the different regimes governing public, metro, and private utilities. She shares a five-part checklist for public–private contracts (quantity, quality, maintenance, ownership, operations) and explains how weak agreements can undermine water quality objectives and monitoring. In parallel, she talks about social initiatives like One Street and One Creek, community-led work on Rocky Creek, and bringing STEAM (not just STEM) into high schools so the next generation sees water as a diverse, creative career path.
Strong water risk governance isn't just about compliance; it's about making better decisions for customers and communities over decades. This conversation gives leaders language, frameworks, and examples they can use to tighten their own systems and engage people beyond the plant fence.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:15 — Trace reflects on the end of 2025, recap planning, and how goal setting shapes a stronger 2026 for sales and learning.
11:12 — Introducing lab partner Dr. Annette Davison and her diverse day-to-day across mediation workshops, field work, and high school outreach.
12:10 — The Risk Edge Group mission: protecting people, processes, and the planet from contaminated water with documents, templates, tools, and audits.
13:14 — "Incidents Online" as a free learning resource and how sharing real events helps others protect themselves.
14:10 — Becoming Australian Water Association's Water Professional of the Year and launching the One Street and One Creek social initiatives.
15:29 — From microbial ecology and contaminated sites to environmental law and a career focused on water quality governance.
19:47 — Training as a core "case study": lighting up operators and directors by finally explaining the "why" behind procedures and funding.
22:00 — Walking the water supply chain from source to end point and identifying governance handover points and quality objectives.
24:22 — Strategy-to-operations workflow: from planning and design to commissioning and operations, and why design must serve operators.
24:45 — Critical control points, space diarrhoea origin-story, and the discipline of defining CCPs so clearly "a computer would understand."
30:30 — How Water31K creates a common language for teasing out complex legal and regulatory structures across jurisdictions.
33:03 — The multi-layered Australian governance example: Commonwealth guidelines, state acts, and differing regimes for local, metro, and private utilities.
36:23 — Rocky Creek and the Karingai "Kraken" network: turning an unloved creek into a pilot for community care and data-driven education.
38:19 — onestreet.earth, mobilising your community, and building a playbook so others can replicate a "One Creek" model.
39:21 — STEAM power in schools: bringing science, technology, engineering, art, and maths together to improve water communication.
42:01 — Public vs private utilities, the Water Industry Competition Act, nimble private operators, and the five-part contract checklist.
44:39 — Emerging hazards (microplastics, PFAS) and the reminder not to take our eyes off the basics while we monitor new risks.
46:19 — Annette's core message: we've got to love water and help customers understand what it takes to keep it safe and reliable.
Quotes
"You can't do a good risk assessment unless you've got the context right."
"Where's your water coming from? How do you collect it? How do you transfer it to where it needs to go to? How do you treat it?"
"We now just keep asking ourselves the same question, will the computer understand this?"
"AI's not going to help us until we get the right inputs to AI. Let's get the basics right first."
"We've got to love water. We've got to make sure that people are aware of water, not only the technocrats, but also the people who are using it."
Connect with Annette Davison
Email: annette@riskedge.com.au
Website: https://www.riskedge.com.au/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annettedavison/
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Risk Edge Group – Water31K Framework & Services
Incidents Online (Risk Edge)
Risk Edge Training (e.g., CCP and Governance Courses)
Ku-ring-gai Community Rotary Network ("the Kraken")
Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (ADWG)
WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality
The Overstory – Richard Powers
The Three-Body Problem – Cixin Liu
The Covenant of Water – Abraham Verghese
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Entamoeba histolytica nearly ended Ron Blutrich's scientific career. Instead, it pushed him to rethink how we protect people in multi-family buildings, senior facilities, and dense urban centers from invisible microbiological risks in their drinking water. In this episode, he joins host Trace Blackmore to unpack what whole-building UV can (and can't) do for Legionella, biofilm, and real-world water safety.
When One Bad Cup of Water Redefines a Career
In the middle of his PhD in molecular genetics, Ron drank from an under-sink reverse osmosis tap at an Airbnb and contracted Entamoeba histolytica. The infection triggered more than three years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms and a 100-pound weight loss, despite being "clinically cured." That experience—and the lack of clear answers—led him to dig into how governments, utilities, and buildings actually manage microbiological risk in water. He discovered that even in urban centers, there is "a lot left to be desired" in monitoring, guidelines, and the epidemiology of waterborne disease.
UV at the Point of Entry: Why Medium Pressure Matters
Ron explains why he chose UV as the primary disinfection tool for CLEAR's whole-building solutions. He contrasts conventional filters (carbon, RO, media) that remove contaminants but do not kill biology with UV systems that directly target DNA and other cellular structures. He walks through the differences between low-pressure and medium-pressure UV, including temperature independence for hot water recirculation and the broader wavelength spectrum that can damage DNA, proteins, membranes, and even DNA repair enzymes. That same technology is being used for multicellular control in marine environments, ballast water, and mollusk control, and Ron argues it is uniquely suited to domestic hot water systems facing Legionella and biofilm.
Legionella, Biofilm, and the Limits of "Good Enough"
Drawing from CLEAR's field work, Ron describes how often Legionella shows up in single homes, condos, and new buildings, and how standard practices typically focus on remediation and short-term clearance instead of long-term prevention. He highlights the gap between ASHRAE 188's recommendations for hot water temperatures and real constraints in senior housing, where anti-scalding concerns keep tanks too cool to reliably control Legionella. He also shares stories of property managers and public agencies reluctant to test because they lack cost-effective treatment options or don't want to confront what the data might show.
Scaling UV from Towers to Single Homes
Ron walks through why conventional media and RO systems don't scale well to large towers—footprint, cost, and pressure loss—and how CLEAR instead installs inline UV systems at the point of entry. These systems can handle up to roughly 2,000 gallons per minute, require minimal head loss, and are designed as a single point of installation and service. From there, he explains how his team layered on monitoring and a tenant-facing dashboard so that properties can see UV dose, transmittance, and flow in real time, and service can be triggered based on performance instead of fixed schedules. He also discusses emerging opportunities in UV LEDs and next-generation media that could make fully comprehensive point-of-entry treatment feasible in more buildings.
For leaders responsible for building portfolios, senior living, or high-density residential properties, this conversation offers a rigorous look at what it really takes to move from "we hope the water is fine" to a defensible, data-backed stance on microbiological safety.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
04:59 - Trace talks about skipping turkey and ham this year and explains his usual turkey-stock "ice cube" tradition
13:59 - Trace introduces today's lab partner, Ron Blutrich of Clear Inc., and sets up the UV-in-buildings topic
13:03 – Events page shout out
10:57 - Water You Know with James McDonald
16:21 – Drinking from an under-sink RO line at an Airbnb, contracting Entamoeba Histolytica
19:15 - Why unmaintained RO and carbon filters can increase microbiological risk
23:27 - UV to keep post-UV systems cleaner
34:51 – Installation
40:23 – Cyanotoxins, Great Lakes algal blooms, and using medium-pressure UV to denature toxins, not just microbes
43:31 – Ron's current habits
48:08 – Future Opportunities: UV LEDs
49:04 – Multi-spectral UV LED arrays
Quotes
"And what I learned really changed my life, because what I understood is that even in urban settings, not just in remote communities, there's a lot left to be desired when it comes to water quality, water quality treatment, guidelines, monitoring" - Ron Blutrich
"I think that in general, we need to understand with our eyes open exactly what it is that we do when we treat." - Ron Blutrich
"So generally, there's a lot left to be desired in terms of what we're trying to do for Legionella. It turns out that Legionella is extremely susceptible to UV. Legionella can be reduced almost 6 logs with most conventional UV systems" - Ron Blutrich
"So, at this point, our UV systems, it's an inline system. It's basically a section of pipe that happens to disinfect the water going through it. It's a single point of installation, a single point of service. There's no head loss, there's no pressure loss" - Ron Blutrich
Connect with Ron Blutrich
Email: ron@clear.inc
Website: Clear - UV Treated Purified Water at Point of Entry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-blutrich-50262b2a3/
Guest Resources Mentioned
ORIGINS OF ORDER: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution by Stuart Kauffman
Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space by Carl Sagan
Clear Inc – Whole-Building UV Water Purification
Entamoeba histolytica Infection
CDC Household Water Treatment
EPA Guidance Manual: Filtration and Disinfection Requirements
WQA Guidance for Sanitizing Residential Treatment Systems
Application of Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diodes (UV-LED) to Full-Scale Drinking-Water Disinfection
Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines on Water Treatment for Wilderness, International Travel, and Austere Situations
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James
Question: What is the interaction called when chemicals react on a mole-to-mole basis that could possibly be considered the opposite of the Threshold Effect?
Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What happens when you build a company around one niche, listen obsessively to customers, and never stop improving?
In this episode, host Trace Blackmore finally sits down for a full-length conversation with Frank Lecrone, Founder, President, and CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific. What started in a small 60' x 60' space in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with three employees, maxed-out credit cards, and endless Staples runs has grown into a 300+-person organization serving industrial water professionals around the world.
Frank shares how AquaPhoenix became "the booth everyone wants to be next to" at AWT, why they built their entire business around industrial water treatment instead of trying to be everything to everyone, and how a simple continuous improvement system now generates hundreds of ideas a year from frontline team members. He also pulls back the curtain on acquisitions and private equity, explaining EBITDA in plain language, how to think about "add-backs," and what owners should understand long before they think about selling.
Whether you're leading a growing company, running a route, or thinking about your own "second chapter," this conversation is a masterclass in culture, courage, and caring deeply about the people you serve.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 - Trace Blackmore shares a recap from the recent 2025 AWT Conference, The Hang, and a Blood Donation Story
14:02 - Water You Know with James McDonald
15:20 - Upcoming Conference for Water Professionals
18:16 – Introduction of Frank Lecrone, CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific (eight years in the making)
24:52 – Why Hanover?
26:59 – Supporting AWT
37:38 – Color-coded caps & QR Codes
42:30 – Learning from mistakes
45:31 – Core Values
48:26 – Acquisitions and Culture
1:03:32 – Valuations and EBITDA
Quotes
"We didn't grow by doing everything for everyone. We grew by doing exactly what one market needed and wanted—and then doing it better every year."
"The lack of information is almost always interpreted negatively. That's why you have to over-communicate, especially during acquisitions."
"EBITDA equals freedom. The more EBITDA you have, the less anybody can tell you what to do with your own company."
"We're not perfect. We screw things up like everyone else—but we fix it, and we fix it quickly, and we make doing business with us as easy as possible."
"I don't want to be the smartest person in the room. I want great people around me, giving ideas and pushing things forward, so I'm not the bottleneck."
"Business is like standing in a bathtub while the water rises. It feels fine until it reaches your mouth. The trick is noticing when it's at your knees and fixing the bottleneck then."
"We give a darn. We have 'GAS'—Give a #$%@—and if we can make it right and do it better, we absolutely will."
Connect with Frank Lecrone
Email: frank@aquaphoenixsci.com
Website: Water Quality Testing Products | AquaPhoenix Scientific
LinkedIn: Frank Lecrone | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
AquaPhoenix Scientific
Aliquot – AquaPhoenix's Water Management Software
QR-coded Custom Test Kits (AquaPhoenix EndPoint® ID)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
American Red Cross
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What industrial water treatment word is derived from the Greek word meaning "claw?"
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"The More You Know" - Robin Deal
A million-gallon-a-day perspective, distilled into actionable steps. Robin Deal, AquaPure Product Manager at Hubbard-Hall unpacks how seasoned pros can squeeze more performance—and less sludge—out of industrial wastewater systems without compromising compliance or plant uptime.
From "clear water in a jar" to stable discharge in the field
Robin details a practical jar-testing workflow: start from upstream processes, target pH using hydroxide/sulfide solubility curves, choose the right coagulant (aluminum, iron, calcium, lanthanum, or organics), and validate against metals/COD/BOD/phosphorus before scaling. The test bench isn't the finish line; it's the feasibility gate when you're treating 150,000+ gpd.
Lean wastewater: cost center or controllable system?
Commodity choices (lime, alum, ferric) can generate 70–85% more sludge than optimized blends—driving hazardous waste hauling, clogging lines, and shortening pump life. Robin reframes the "penny-per-pound" price war into a total-system economics conversation: sludge recyclability, maintenance cycles, and realistic break-even targets.
PFAS: remove now, plan to destroy
For hex-chrome platers and other industrial dischargers, Robin shares near-term and emerging options: carbon filtration for immediate removal, evaporation/condensation where capital exists, and destruction pathways under evaluation—advanced oxidation, electrochemical oxidation, "thermobotic agglomeration," and ball milling—with an eye on evolving limits and cost realities.
One Water thinking for manufacturers
"Water is water." Robin introduces the One Water mindset for plant leaders: tighten internal loops, reduce community draw and discharge impact, and align non-contact, potable, and wastewater under one stewardship model. It's not a club—it's a decision framework that's already influencing global brands and drought-stressed regions.
Treat each round of testing as a hypothesis check, each chemical as a system lever, and each gallon as a shared resource. That's how leaders turn compliance into predictable results.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
16:45 - Trace Blackmore shares insights on current industry events, an upcoming conference, the "magic button" idea for user-friendly wastewater control and announces The Hang to build community engagement
17:50 - Water You Know with James McDonald
23:04 - Interview begins: Robin Deal introduced as AquaPure Product Manager, origin story and family context
28:12 - First Jar Test Story
32:17 - Jar testing Workflow
42:34 - One Water concept
54:12 - Regulations
Quotes
"Just say yes to the job."
"Lime is not a lean."
"Best available technology does not mean best economic."
"So just deep breath, stay calm and do the best that we can do and wait for those regulations to come out because they are coming"
"Turn off the water in the polymer tank."
Connect with Robin Deal
Email: robin.renee47@yahoo.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/robin-deal
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hubbard-hall-inc./
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Wandering Inn: Book One in The Wandering Inn Series by pirateaba
Water Reuse Organization
American Water Works Association
Water Environment Federation
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Start With Why Simon Sinek TedTalk
The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick M. Lencioni
James McDonald's Be Like Water Series
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the device called that is installed on the effluent line of an ion exchange unit to prevent resin from ending up downstream where it doesn't belong?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Get stuck in – Michael Bourgeois, CWT
How do standards get written in ways that working water treaters can actually meet? In this conversation, AWT Past President, current Related Trade Organization (RTO) Committee Chair, and Chemco Products Company Operations Manager, Michael Bourgeois CWT, explains how AWT's liaisons collaborate with peer organizations, so guidance reflects field reality—operations, risk, and achievable compliance.
From Field Bags to Board Rooms: Why RTOs Matter
Bourgeois outlines the purpose of AWT's RTO structure: volunteer liaisons track and influence work at groups whose missions overlap with industrial water—CTI, ABMA, ASHRAE, AWWA, ASHE, and others. The aim is simple and practical: make sure member voices are heard so guidance advances health outcomes (e.g., Legionella control) and day-to-day feasibility for service providers and suppliers.
Turning Reaction into Proaction
Historically, the industry learned about new rules after they landed. Bourgeois details how AWT is shifting to co-authoring cooling-water guidelines with CTI and re-engaging ABMA, so boiler-water limits and methods reflect current technologies and operations. The model: clarify shared goals, contribute content expertise, and formalize collaboration so members get usable documents at member pricing.
Concrete Moves: Boiler Water, Healthcare, and More
Examples include AWT's role on ABMA's Boiler Expo steering committee (with a focused water-treatment training block) and early conversations with ASHE on pathogen control in building and healthcare water systems. He describes how liaisons feed updates into a formal committee cadence, so the AWT Board and members see progress—not just headlines.
When working professionals help write the playbook, outcomes improve clients, operators, and public health—and members stop "reacting" to standards they had no hand in shaping.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
00:02:28 - Trace Blackmore shares his AWT excitement & community shout-outs
00:05:16 - Water You Know with James McDonald
00:06:44 - The magic of the Scaling Up buttons (why & how to use them)
00:20:25 - North Metal Quarterly Magazine (Grab physical copy by visiting Booth 212)
00:27:00 - Interview starts: Mike Bourgeois (Chemco; AWT Past President; RTO Chair)
00:33:58 - What is the RTO Committee and why it exists
00:36:31 - The 10 formal collaborators + 4–6 informal
00:36:43 - AWWA/ASDWA (Joe Hannigan); Premise plumbing link
00:38:19 - ASHE (healthcare engineering) early wins (Reid Hutchinson)
00:38:47 - ABMA (boilers) momentum (Steve Jobin) + Women of Boilers
00:40:28 - CTI (Mike); CDC (Patsy Root); WEF (Brian Liotta)
00:40:46 - AMPP (formerly NACE) (Jay Farmerie); WQA (Chuck Hamrick)
00:41:19 - ASHRAE (Bill Pearson) & the impact on Std 188
00:45:26 - Principle: Be proactive so standards are achievable for members
00:47:34 - Boiler Expo: half-day on water treatment (economics, pretreatment, failures, regs)
00:50:56 - Where to learn about RTO work
00:54:19 - Volunteers needed: attributes of great liaisons
00:58:48 - Breakthrough: ABMA boiler water guideline refresh (toward ASME alignment)
01:01:02 - Potential collaboration with ASHE on pathogen control guidance
01:01:39 - What Mike's most excited to see at the Broadmoor
01:02:22 - Mike's session: new OSHA walk-around rules
01:02:51 - Theme of the conversation: "Get stuck in" (join committees)
Quotes
"The button is magic—it breaks the ice for you and starts real conversations."
"Talk to every single booth. A year from now, you'll remember exactly who can help."
"RTO stands for Related Trade Organization—our way to shape the standards that shape us."
"Why write a standard no one can achieve? AWT's role is to make it achievable."
"If you want to help AWT, get stuck in. Volunteer. It pays back 10 to 100-fold."
"AWT's RTO liaisons keep members' interests represented before rules and guidelines are finalized—so they're practical and achievable."
"Look for committees aligned with your strengths."
Connect with Michael Bourgeois
Email: mbourgeois@chemcoprod.com
Website: Home | Chemco Products Company
LinkedIn: Michael Bourgeois, CWT | LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/chemco-products-company/
Guest Resources Mentioned
ABMA's Boiler Water Quality Requirements and Associated Steam Quality for Industrial/Commercial and Institutional Boilers
Atlas Shrugged (Centennial Ed.) Hardcover – April 21, 2005 by Ayn Rand
AWT Committee
AWT Get Involved
Cancer Ward: A Novel (FSG Classics) Paperback – April 14, 2015 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Author)
Cooling Technology Institute (CTI)
Fossil Future: Why Global Human Flourishing Requires More Oil, Coal, and Natural Gas--Not Less Hardcover – by Alex Epstein
Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design Paperback – Illustrated, June 22, 2010 by Stephen C. Meyer
WTG-126: The Use of Non-Oxidizing Biocides in Cooling Water Systems
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry
447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen
ASHE's "Water Management in Health Care Facilities: Complying with ASHRAE Standard 188"
ASPE's Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Premise Plumbing Systems
ASSE 12080 Training & Certification, Get certified to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Standard: Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT's Legionella 2019: A Position Statement and Guidance Document
North Metal & Chemical Co Quarterly Magazine Issue 3 -page 8 for Trace Blackmore Story
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Start with Why Simon Sinek - TedTalk
Submit a Show Idea
The 6 Types of Working Genius
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James
Questions: What do you call the physical property of matter that is defined as the amount of heat energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a substance by one degree?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Holidays don't usually line up with release day—but this year they did. In this Halloween special, Trace uses the horror-movie trope of the "scary boiler room" to deliver practical, field-tested reminders for safer sampling, clearer thinking, and better decisions in high-heat, low-light spaces.
Boiler Rooms, Myths, and Real Risks
From Nightmare on Elm Street to Tower of Terror, pop culture loves dim steam, tight corridors, and clangy pipe-labyrinths. Trace contrasts that imagery with what matters to pros: light, ventilation, a stable work surface, and time for observation. He urges listeners to advocate for basics—task lighting, a table, and smarter workflow—so test results are usable, repeatable, and defensible.
Sampling That Won't Scare Your Data
Sampling isn't the job—thinking is. Trace reviews essentials: collect safely (sample coolers when available), fill bottles with no headspace, cool samples to about "hand-holdable" (~100°F) before running tests, and remember temperature and prep sensitivities—especially sulfite tests that use starch. Poor cooling "cooks the potatoes," skewing readings. Tie every test to a hypothesis about system behavior; use results to prove or disprove what you think is happening.
Observation > Automation
Don't just grab a bottle and walk. Log pressures and temperatures (DA/FT), verify blowdown practices (including surface blow and any cooling devices), check the sample cooler, and review boiler logs. Pair disciplined observation with testing so numbers have context.
Stretch Past the "Butterfly Line"
Halloween also prompts a leadership challenge: if you haven't felt "butterflies" lately, are you still stretching? Trace revisits public-speaking growth, previews his AWT presentations (presenting craft, Start With Why, Working Genius, and processes), and encourages pros to reframe nerves as excitement on the way to competence.
Make the boiler room less cinematic and more professional. Better lighting, better setup, and hypothesis-driven testing produce better calls—and better outcomes for customers.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
07:05 - Why Hollywood loves boiler rooms
10:10 — Disney's Tower of Terror queue through a "boiler room" and hidden Mickeys
13:31 – Don't just sample – Observe
15:02 - Safety first: sample coolers when available; protect yourself from burns
35:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald
47:05 – Halloween Throwback
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Website: www.scalinguph2o.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalinguph2o/
YouTube: Scaling Up! H2O Podcast - YouTube
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Annual Convention and Exposition 2025
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Start with Why Ted Talk
The Rising Tide Mastermind
The Hang
Ep 166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween
Ep 325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support
Ep 427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the pressure of a fluid called that's measured relative to "atmospheric" pressure?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Hiring in industrial water is slow, specialized, and expensive to get wrong. In this conversation, executive advisor Randi Fargen explains how a two-question, 5–7 minute Culture Index survey becomes an ongoing management and coaching system—not just a hiring screen—so owners cut turnover risk, speed onboarding, and improve day-to-day communication.
From "assessment fatigue" to a usable language
Most teams dread long assessments. This survey takes minutes and measures four primary traits—autonomy, sociability, pace/patience, conformity—plus three sub-traits (logic, ingenuity, mental stamina). Leaders get a shared vocabulary for why projects stall, what information different people need, and where the team is over-weighted in "gas" (vision/growth) or "brake" (quality/process).
Objective data where interviews fail
Resumes can be embellished, references are curated, and interviews are where candidates most modify behavior. The survey provides objective, EEOC-compliant data to align role demands with how a person is wired—a first pass for "right person, right seat," followed by skills and experience checks. Trace shares a driver-hire example where data prevented a costly misfit and made the interview process smoother and more targeted.
Turnover, onboarding load, and the health check
Randi highlights research she cites with clients: 66% of employees have accepted roles they knew weren't a fit, and 50% of those left within six months—burning cash and team morale. The fix isn't one-and-done. Teams re-survey every 3–6 months to read dynamic "job behavior" shifts, diagnose disconnects early, and adjust coaching, workload, or process before problems harden.
Coaching at scale, not weaponization
Culture Index works best when deployed top-down and organization-wide (not just managers). Teams adopt simple practices—e.g., bringing pattern cards to meetings or adding patterns to email signatures—to reduce friction. A guardrail: never "weaponize the dots." Use the data to maximize strengths and support challenges; never to excuse behavior or limit someone's potential.
Industry relevance and next steps
Because industrial water roles are niche and ramp time is long, using objective behavioral data helps retain talent you've already invested in. Randi closes with a free team diagnostic offer for companies that want to "test drive" the approach and leave with actionable insights—regardless of whether they proceed further.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:01 - Trace Blackmore shares a Legionella Awareness Month recap (most listened yet, high sharing), shout-outs to some guests, note that the CDC recognized Legionella Awareness Month, the origin story from 2020 lockdowns, a call to keep challenging what we "know"
07:52 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:51 - Interview with Randi Fargen, Executive Advisor with Culture Index
13:27 - Randi's self-intro: role and how she helps businesses ("right people, right seats")
17:02 – Hiring Win; interviews get sharper when profiles guide questions
22:13 – Cost of Turnover
33:42 - What's measured: four primary traits (A/B/C/D) + three sub-traits (logic/ingenuity/stamina)
41:06 - Gas vs. brake; turning productive tension into quality control
52:51 - Guardrail: never "weaponize the dots"; use data to support, not to excuse or exclude
01:12:21 - Water You Know with James McDonald
Quotes
"Fully exploited strengths are a far greater value than marginally improved weaknesses."
"Statistically speaking, 98% of the population has less autonomy than you do."
"The second this is weaponized; the program is dead within your organization."
"This isn't something, it's not a magic wand, it's not a magic bullet… This is a marathon, not a sprint."
Connect with Randi Fargen
Phone: 1(303) 242 0346
Email: rfargen@cultureindex.com
Website: www.cultureindex.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randi-fargen/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Culture Index Program
Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor) Free Team Diagnostic
Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink
How Not to Age: The Scientific Approach to Getting Healthier as You Get Older by Michael Greger
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the molar mass of water?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
How do you make "right person, right seat" a repeatable system—not a hope?
Fact Water Co's Danielle Scimeca (President) and returning guest Conor Parrish (Chief Growth Officer) share how the Culture Index became a decisive tool for coaching, hiring, and a company-wide restructure. If you lead field service, customer service, or operations in industrial water, this conversation offers practical patterns you can apply the next time a role feels misaligned or a 1:1 stall on surface-level updates.
From intuition to instrumentation
Trace opens with the origin story and quickly moves to why Danielle and Conor adopted the Culture Index. Conor outlines the survey's core traits (A, B, C, D), EU (energy units), logic, and ingenuity—and how those readings map to daily work. The team now enters 1:1s with data, not guesswork, and uses pattern shifts (e.g., crossing the bell-curve center line) as objective prompts to discuss burnout risk, disengagement, or role fit.
Coaching that respects how people actually work
Quarterly surveys provide a shared language for conflict and pace. Danielle and Conor show how "high-D vs. low-D" disagreements de-escalate when both sides name the pattern and adjust the level of detail or speed. The same framework helps leaders spot "quiet quitting" signals (e.g., EU changes) early, address them with empathy, and—when necessary—make seat changes with clarity.
Hiring with a C-Job—and holding the line
For open roles, they build a "C-job" (ideal pattern) and filter applicants by percentage match before reading résumés. That slows the front end but saves cycles by preventing mis-fit first interviews, reduces turnover, and improves team performance. The hardest lesson? When they ignored the pattern and hired outside the profile, they regretted it.
Restructure at scale—faster, with fewer re-hires
Armed with data, Fact Water accelerated a difficult restructure (significant field and customer-service turnover) and refilled seats against the right patterns. Outcomes included better alignment, happier team members, and fewer escalations. The same insights even improved communication at home—proof the temperament model applies beyond work.
Tools don't lead—leaders do. The Culture Index gave Danielle and Conor the transparency and conviction to act sooner and coach smarter.
Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:24 - Trace Blackmore shares Industrial Water Week recap & #IWW25 highlights
13:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald
14:53 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
21:22 – Interview starts: Danielle Scimeca & Conor Parrish of Fact Water Co
24:46 – Why Culture Index
26:16 - Culture Index Overview
36:11 – Coaching Use: Data-Drive 1:1s and pattern shifts
44:36 – Hiring Use: C-Job Profiles
47:49 – Slower Hiring vs. Lower Turnover: lessons learned
53:46 – Real Example: High- D vs. Low-D communication conflict
Quotes
Conor Parrish: "High level culture index is a tool that we use. It starts with the culture index survey."
Danielle Scimeca: "The program forces you to make tough decisions… you deserve to be in a job that you find fulfilling."
Conor Parrish: "HR isn't doing first interviews with 30 people—they're doing first interviews with three to five."
Conor Parrish: "There's so much more to it the more you go… I'm learning something new every day"
Danielle Scimeca: "If you're not ready to make changes, it might not be the right time to do it."
Connect with Conor Parrish
Email: cparrish@factwaterco.com
Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conor-parrish-cwt-15208251/
Connect with Danielle Scimeca
Email: dscimeca@fctwater.com
Website: https://www.factwaterco.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-scimeca-esq-519604279/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Randi Fargen (Executive Advisor)
Culture Index Program
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT 2025 Convention and Exposition
AWT 2025 Business Owners Meeting
AWT 2025 Golf Tournament
008 The One with Conor Parrish
186 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1
187 The One where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
The Hang (November 20, 2025 - 6 PM Eastern Time)
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do we call the liquid formed after steam does its work and has cooled below its dew point?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday brings the celebration back to first principles—mentors, disciplined training, and field diagnostics that go beyond the screen. Trace reflects on the people who invested in his craft, recognizes guest contributors across the week, and issues a practical challenge to invest in one new professional before the day ends.
Foundations that Compound
A candid mentorship story anchors today’s episode. Trace recalls how early-career intimidation turned into decades of teaching fundamentals and math at AWT—proof that asking better questions grows better practitioners. Careers Friday becomes a prompt to text the person who built your foundation—and to be that person for someone else.
Fieldcraft Over Flash: A Detective H2O Lesson
The Detective H2O case distills high-value diagnostics for cooling systems: TTPC biocide can mask PTSA and fool controllers into overfeeding inhibitor; missing blowdown lockout during biocide feed wastes product; and stabilized bromine can become over-stabilized in long-HTI systems—driving ORP spikes, corrosion risk, and poor microbial control. Technology is essential, but interpretation is the craft.
Community Voices and a Career Pledge
Careers Friday features greetings from industry professionals and closes with Water You Know, a reminder that water often carries purchased energy (heat, cooling, pressure, flow, pre-treatment) that leaders must account for. The day ends with a clear ask: celebrate your mentors, share your origin story with #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O, and pledge to help one newcomer discover industrial water treatment.
Durable careers are built on shared knowledge, thoughtful diagnostics, and intentional mentorship. Use today to do all three.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 — Opening: Industrial Water Week recap (Pretreatment, Boiler, Cooling, Wastewater) leading into Careers Friday.
03:15 — Community recognition: Scaling Up Nation “20,000+ members” and daily celebration via #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O.
05:20 — Careers Friday actions: take photos with equipment, mentors, or customers; share to celebrate the craft.
05:29 — Team traditions: the Industrial Water Week cake (including the infamous “water cake” anecdote).
09:16 — Mentorship story: meeting Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Jay Farmery; intimidation becomes investment.
13:12 — Writing the Fundamentals program with Mark Lewis to build durable entry-level foundations.
14:18 — Personal note: when Trace’s father passed, how Bruce showed up—mentorship beyond the classroom.
16:15 — Careers greetings begin (Lee Bainbrigge, SMS Environmental): be open-minded, keep learning, focus on customer assurance.
18:07 — Episode reference: Lee’s prior appearance (Ep. 370) for Legionella perspectives.
18:21 — Careers greeting (Kalpna Solanki): environmental operator roles as purposeful, global, and essential.
21:39 — Detective H2O — The Case of Knowing It All begins.
38:21 — CWT pathway: free prep resource and 100-question practice exam walkthrough .
42:46 — Water You Know with James McDonald
44:38 — Gratitude for James McDonald’s ongoing community impact.
45:04 — Careers Friday challenge: thank your mentors; post your origin story with #IWW25 and #ScalingUpH2O.
46:15 — Final pledge: help one person discover industrial water treatment this week.
Connect with Mike Taraszki
Phone: 510.368.4549
Email: michael.taraszki@wsp.com
Website: www.wsp.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaeltaraszki/
linkedin.com/company/wsp/
Connect with Kalpna Solanki
Phone: 778.688.9196
Email: kalpnasolanki1980@gmail.com
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
LinkedIn: in/kalpnasolanki
Connect with Lee Bainbrigge
Email: l.bainbrigge@sms-environmental.co.uk
Website: https://sms-environmental.co.uk/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lbainbrigge/
linkedin.com/company/sms-environmental-ltd/
Connect with James Courtney
Phone: +1 443 878 2407
Email: james@csctech2o.com
Website: https://www.csctech2o.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-courtney-cwt-leed-ap-379a6877/
Connect with Laith Charles
Phone: 941-301-1309
Email: laith@ewatermark.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMuigehZdcquaY14QtGm
Connect with Mark Lewis
Phone: 704.322.5406
Email: MLewis@SELaboratories.com
Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56
Connect with James McDonald
Email: james51471@gmail.com
Website: chemaqua.com
Industrialwaterweek.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcdonald-pe/
Links Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
Water Cake Recipe
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
062 The One with the Pulsafeeder Guy
112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis
141 The One About Neglected Accounts
149 The One About Some of the Lesser-Used Technologies
224 The One About The Internet Of Things (IoT) Augmented Industrial Water Treatment
355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality
362 Navigating 97-005: Insights and Impacts on Potable Water
370 Unlocking Legionella Solutions: Perspectives on Regulations and Best Practices
394 Visibility and Value: Enhancing Sustainability in Water Treatment
404 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 1 – Essential Strategies
406 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 2 – Essential Strategies
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What forms of purchased energy may be present in water?
Wastewater isn’t an endpoint—it’s a decision point. On Wastewater Thursday, host Trace Blackmore, CWT sharpens the operator’s toolkit with field-tested lessons: dose by mechanism, verify by sampling discipline, and use wastewater’s fast feedback to protect quality, cost, and permits.
Sampling discipline protects credibility
Trace recounts an early-career moment when an inspector sampled the wrong location, triggering alarms. Immediate, methodical resampling—guided by logs and a clear process map—proved the system was in spec. The leadership takeaway: embed verification before escalation. Clear sampling points, time-stamped logs, and a rapid “reproduce the reading” drill turn uncertainty into clarity.
Mechanism over myth: coagulant control
In a new Detective H2O case, James McDonald explains why overfeeding coagulant collapses floc. When particles swing past neutral, like charges repel again and settling stalls. The fix is not “more chemistry,” but right-sizing dose to production and confirming with jar tests at the correct take-off point.
From discharge to resource
Greetings from past guests reinforce the shift under way. Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac (Veolia Water Technology) frames wastewater as a local, decarbonized resource—with energy-positive plants and reuse as standard practice. Steve Russell (Kiewit) notes supply pressure will push even deeper recycling. Mark Lewis, CWT (Southeastern Laboratories) underscores wastewater’s advantage: “If you treat it, you see it.”
Make wastewater a reliable, fast-feedback control loop—rooted in charge balance, sampling rigor, and reuse thinking.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps:
02:17 — Welcome to Wastewater Thursday and the IWW25 theme: “From foundations to futures.”
03:03 — Why wastewater is “the restart”: cleaning for reuse and sustainability.
04:24 — “Every drop counts from influent to effluent” — defining the professional mandate.
05:12 — Field story setup: jar testing with Trace’s father; early lessons.
06:05 — Crisis call: bad regulatory number traced to wrong sampling location.
08:54 — Guest greeting: Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac (Veolia) on energy-positive, reuse-driven futures.
10:25 — Guest greeting: Steve Russell (Kiewit) on permits, mass balances, and supply-driven recycling.
12:09 — Guest greeting: Mark Lewis, CWT (Southeastern Laboratories) on jar tests and product selection.
14:40 — Detective H2O: The case of too much of a good thing
20:17 — Mechanism lesson: charge neutralization window; like-charge repulsion returns when overdosed.
21:36 — Action: reduce dose; account for residence time; restore performance.
24:29 — IWW25 community prompt: post a safety-approved photo with wastewater equipment; use tags.
Connect with Mark Lewis
Phone: 704.322.5406
Email: MLewis@SELaboratories.com
Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56
Connect with Steve Russell
Phone: 913.689.4533
Email: steve.russell@kiewit.com
Website: https://www.kiewit.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-russell-2b0a7960/
Connect with Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac
Email: arnaud.valleteau@veolia.com
Website: www.veoliawatertechnologies.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnaud-valleteau-de-moulliac-9b85353a/
www.linkedin.com/company/veolia-water-technologies/
Links Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis
141 The One About Neglected Accounts
149 The One About Some of the Lesser-Used Technologies
382 Leading with Safety: How Veolia Embeds Health into Global Culture
396 Navigating Carbon Capture: Water Demands and Wastewater Solutions with Steve Russell
404 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 1 – Essential Strategies
406 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 2 – Essential Strategies
Cooling Wednesday is about performance, protection, and proof. Trace Blackmore invites the Nation to get hands-on with cooling equipment and share field photos while offering a practical reminder: learn to navigate the chiller’s user interface—because it’s your fastest route to actionable diagnostics, documentation, and energy impact.
Reading the Chiller UI—From Intimidation to Insight
Modern microprocessor interfaces reveal real-time and historical data that matter to heat transfer: temperatures, loading, and power trends. If you’ve avoided the panel out of fear of “shutting something down,” ask a chiller tech to walk you through the specific unit on site. Once comfortable, log key parameters on every visit and use the trend history to spot changes before they become outages.
Proving Value with Clean Heat Transfer and Measured Energy
For new or troubled accounts, record energy use during dirty conditions, then maintain the same measurements as the system is cleaned and stabilized. Month-over-month comparisons at similar loads become hard proof that treatment quality translates to lower operating costs—and that contract value aligns with measurable savings.
Cooling Wisdom from the Field
Guest greetings highlight real-world lessons: avoid shipping sample bottles in flimsy packaging (they’re heavier full than empty), respect the complexity of cooling treatment by breaking it into critical actions, and remember that underfeeding biocides invites biofilm—and problems like foaming—while proper dosing and verification (e.g., dip slides) restores stability.
Celebrate—and Document
Share your favorite cooling tower or chiller photo with #IWW25 and #ScalingUPH2O. Then, turn celebration into discipline: capture UI data, maintain trend logs, and use the numbers to defend decisions, budgets, and results.
Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:01 — Kicking off Cooling Wednesday and the #IWW25 photo invite (show your cooling towers/chillers). Why it matters: community learning and pride in craft.
03:22 — Why cooling matters: performance, protection, livability. Why it matters: framing the operational stakes of heat transfer.
03:46 — Willis Carrier’s 1902 humidity control origin story. Why it matters: cooling began as a manufacturing quality solution.
09:54 — Guest greeting: Juan Menezes (Nalco Water, an Ecolab company) on a low-pH excursion and recovery. Why it matters: pH control and response discipline.
11:13 — Guest greeting: Michael Lowenstein (QLabs) PSA on shipping Legionella samples securely. Why it matters: sample integrity = valid data.
12:22 — Guest greeting: Mike Standish (Radical Polymers/MFG) on complexity, simplifying actions, and predictive AI. Why it matters: clarity first; analytics next.
17: 11 – Detective H2O: The Case of Unwanted Foam Party
29:20 — Wrap: keep celebrating; post your cooling equipment; Wastewater Thursday is next. Why it matters: momentum through the week.
Connect with Juan Meneses
Phone: 337.309.9619
Email: jmeneses@ecolab.com
Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water
LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn
Connect with Michael Loewenstein
Phone: +1 513 207 4943
Email: MLoewenstein@qlaboratories.com
Website: Scientific Consulting for Q Labs LLC
LinkedIn: Michael Loewenstein | LinkedIn
Connect with Mike Standish
Phone: 423.316.9877
Email: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com
Website: www.radicalpolymers.com
mfgchemical.com
LinkedIn: in/mike-standish-7890627
Links Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
014 The One with Mike Standish
176 The One About Tagged Polymer Technologies
350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment
377 Future of Legionella Monitoring: Strategies for Employing qPCR in a WMP
405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability
418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish
Boiler rooms reward clarity: how many BTUs from the flame actually arrive in steam—and stay there to do useful work? For Boiler Tuesday, Trace Blackmore, CWT, treats boiler care as heat-transfer management across the full train, from feedwater and deaeration to distribution and condensate return, with dry steam as the operational benchmark.
Heat Transfer Is a Leadership Metric
Dry steam isn’t a detail; it’s throughput. Steam on its worst day carries ~1,150 BTUs while hot water on its best day carries ~180 BTUs. When carryover creates wet steam, production loses energy at the point of use. Treating “BTUs-in-steam” as a shared KPI aligns maintenance, operations, and finance around the same outcome: efficient work.
The Steam Train: Protect the Interfaces
Trace maps the sequence—pretreatment → feedwater/DA → boiler → steam lines → condensate return—and explains where heat transfer is taxed when fouling or poor practices creep in. Recover condensate BTUs, verify deaerator performance, keep tube interfaces clean, and protect dryness at end users. Each interface preserved is energy returned to work.
Field Perspectives & Safety
Concise greetings from global practitioners reinforce fundamentals and vigilance. Barry Higgins underscores soft, high-quality water for “fluffy steam.” Ivan Morales contrasts OTSGs with conventional boilers and the implications for steam quality. Ben Frieders offers a memorable safety reminder: disciplined restarts and gasket integrity are non-negotiable in steam environments.
Boiler Tuesday is a call to manage heat-transfer efficiency, not just chemistry. Protect interfaces, speak in BTUs, and make dryness measurable where the work happens.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 — Welcome and IWW25 context; Boiler Tuesday focus (why: frame the professional lens for the week).
03:46 — “Heat transfer efficiency managers”: defining the water treater’s job (why: reframes role beyond chemistry)
08:13 — Technology parity; execution and knowledge as differentiators (why: invest in people and practice).
09:59 — The train: feedwater/DA, boiler, lines, condensate return (why: systems thinking prevents local optimization)
12:52 — Guest greetings begin: international and cross-industry viewpoints (why: broaden operating context).
14:04 — Barry Higgins: soft water for “fluffy steam” (why: pretreatment quality → steam quality).
16:18 — Ivan Morales: OTSG vs conventional cycles and steam quality differences (why: choose tech with eyes open).
17:36 — Ben Frieders: post-inspection restart incident and safety lesson (why: operational discipline in steam).
20:19 — Detective H2O: The Case of Having The Blues
25:07 — Boiler Tuesday call to action: share photos, use IWW25 hashtag (why: community and practice sharing).
Connect with Barry Higgins
Phone: +353 87 987 8606
Email: bhiggins@aquachem.ie
Website: www.aquachem.ie
LinkedIn: in/barry-higgins-bagrsc-59030225
Connect with Ivan Morales
Website: www.ecolab.com/nalco-water/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ivan-morales-mba-06793b5/
linkedin.com/company/nalco/
Connect with Ben Frieders
Phone: (317) 719-1452
Email: bfrieders@zinkan.com
Website: https://www.getchemready.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfrieders/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/getchemready/
Links Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
Industrial Water Week Scaling UP H2O Resource Page
353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1
354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2
366 Produced Water: Expert Perspectives and Practical Tips
420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing
Industrial Water Week is here—and Day 1 is Pretreatment Monday. This special episode sets the tone for the week with specific ways to celebrate as a team, sharpen field practices, and share what you do with the people who matter most.
Celebrate with purpose
Host Trace Blackmore outlines simple, high-signal actions: take a field photo with your pretreatment gear, tag it #IWW25, #IndustrialWaterWeek, and #ScalingUPH2O, and post it today! Inside your company chat (Slack, group text, etc.), mark each day’s theme so momentum builds across Boiler Tuesday, Cooling Wednesday, Wastewater Thursday, and Careers Friday.
Foundations to futures
This year’s theme—Water’s Industrial Journey: From Foundations to Futures—is a prompt to audit your own growth. Trace describes the shift from “knowing” to “understanding” when fundamentals interlock, and challenges veterans and newcomers to keep learning in an ever-changing field.
You’ll hear a Pretreatment Monday greeting from Tessa Nge of HOH Water Technology, plus the debut of a new Detective H2O case, The Case of the Singing Canary. Follow along on LinkedIn and guess the guest voices—Trace reveals them on Friday.
Whether you bake a cake for your crew or host a brief daily stand-up, make the week visible. The work you do improves reliability, energy use, and water stewardship—worth celebrating and worth doing well.
Want to learn more about Industrial Water Week? Visit the free Resources dropdown at www.ScalingUpH2O.com to explore all things Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and Careers in water.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:53 - Trace Blackmore welcome everyone to the Industrial Water Week: Scaling UP H2O as official place to celebrate
05:55 – Field Photo Prompt: Post Pretreatment Equipment Shots; tag #IWW25, #IndustrialWaterWeek, and #ScalingUPH2O
19:29 – Guest Greeting: Tessa Nge (HOH Water Technology)
25:33 – Detective H2O: The Case of the Singing Canary
Connect with Tessa Nge
Phone: +1 224-545-7870
Email: tnge@hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaskilton/
Links Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
Water Cake Recipe
Chloride Elution Study Procedure and Data Interpretation
Industrial Water Week Resources Page
Ep 392 Breaking Barriers: How Diversity and Confidence Drive Growth in Water Treatment
The best leaders are the ones that can hold space for both—care personally and challenge directly.
Work never happens in a vacuum. Field calls, customer pressure, travel, and deadlines compound the very real mental load carried by water professionals. In this conversation, Dr. Andy Melton, a professional counselor and executive coach at www.andymelton.com—shares clear, practical ways leaders and teams can recognize mental health warning signs, set the right boundaries, and respond with care without stepping outside their role.
Care Personally, Challenge Directly—Inside Clear Boundaries
Managers aren’t neutral parties, and that matters. Andy explains the built-in conflict of interest when a supervisor probes too deeply into an employee’s personal struggles. You still need to check in—but do it in role: use open-ended, performance-anchored questions (“What’s been challenging for you lately?”), document observations, and offer resources instead of diagnoses. He also highlights Kim Scott’s “Radical Candor” frame—care personally and challenge directly—as a durable leadership posture for tough conversations.
Spotting Decline Early—Behavioral, Cognitive, Physical
Before missed KPIs and callbacks spike, there are tells: sudden drops in productivity, withdrawal, irritability, rising absence/tardiness, markedly negative self-talk, and physical complaints (fatigue, headaches, stomach issues). Andy shares a simple “dashboard” self-check—sleep and eating patterns—plus trackable 1–10 scales for stress, energy, engagement, and mood stability to catch trends early.
When It’s Serious—Safe Paths and Resources
Anonymous surveys can surface urgent risks—including suicidality. Andy outlines responsible next steps: widen communication, invite follow-ups, and immediately involve a mental health professional or crisis resources. Know the number 988 and your local mobile crisis team information; publish those options prominently so help is never far away.
Grounding Under Load—3 Techniques You Can Use Anywhere
For anxiety (mind racing ahead) and depression (mind stuck in the past), uniting mind and body in the present increases bandwidth. Andy teaches three job-friendly tools: the four-second “box” breath, a five-senses “sensory scan,” and a head-to-toe “progressive muscle relaxation.” Each can be done discreetly at a desk, in a service truck, or before a customer meeting.
Strong operations require strong people. Build a culture that normalizes check-ins, provides resources, and keeps performance expectations clear. That’s how teams protect each other and maintain reliability in the field.
Listen to the full conversation above. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 - Trace welcome Industrial Water Week is next week and why it's our "Super Bowl"
11:38 — Water You Know with James McDonald
13: 11 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
15:14 - Introduction for Dr. Andy Melton
15:35 - Andy's background
19:06 - Why mental health is hard to discuss at work; stigma and judgment
21:40 - Cognitive/physical signs: negative self-talk, fatigue, headaches, stomach issues
23:33 — Why self-awareness is hard; “mirror” idea of counseling/coaching
24:21 — Self “dashboard”: sleep and eating as early indicators
26:22 — Employer question: caring without crossing the line
31:44 — Impact on teammates and operations; why the talk still must happen
32:06 — Culture: build trust so care is believed
36:12 — Psychological safety: education via outside counselors/coaches; offer EAPs
42:07 — 988 explained; local mobile crisis teams and how they respond
45:06 — Awareness first: listen to body; define “stress” simply
48:27 — Grounding overview: techniques to reunite mind and body
Quotes
Struggles in mental health still have stigma… but I do think there are ways to handle this sensitive subject in the workplace.
It is really challenging as an employer to be a neutral sort of resource in someone’s life.
Connect with Dr. Andy Melton
Phone: 615-669-4105
Email: andy@meltoncounseling.com
Website: www.andymelton.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andymeltonphd
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth by Amy C. Edmondson
Crucial Conversations (Third Edition): Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny (Author, Narrator), Kerry Patterson (Author), Ron McMillan (Author), Al Switzler (Author), Emily Gregory (Author, Narrator), McGraw Hill-Ascent Audio (Publisher)
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler Downloadable materials for workplace mental health presentations
Radical Candor: Fully Revised & Updated Edition: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity by Kim Scott
Radical Candor | Feedback Training, Coaching & Consulting
Mental Health America (MHA)
Melton Counseling
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
The Analyst (Summer 2025) - Ways to Improve Mental Health in Workplace by R Trace Blackmore, CWT, LEED AP
Water Cake Recipe
Industrial Water Week
Water You Know with James
Question: What do you call the waste stream coming out of a reverse osmosis unit?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What happens when cities become “networked”—and water systems start telling us what they need in real time? In this episode, Trace Blackmore speaks with Christine McHugh (CEO, White Strand Development) about practical smart-city strategies for water: real-time monitoring, digital twins, and IoT/AI approaches that turn Legionella control from periodic testing into continuous risk management. Christine frames smart water not as gadgets, but as a disciplined, data-driven process that improves human health, operational efficiency, and insurability.
Building the “Networked” City: A Practical Definition
Christine defines a smart city as a networked one—linking health, energy, waste, and water through technology that measures and correlates across systems. The aim isn’t novelty; it’s safer drinking water and safer water environments via better data and faster decisions. Digital twins, decentralized treatment, and AI-enabled pattern recognition help teams move from “single point-in-time readings” to persistent trends they can act on.
Legionella Risk, Reframed as Strategy
Most water programs still sample periodically, waiting days for results. Christine argues the future is pattern-based, proactive control: track temperature, stagnation/flow, and disinfectant continuously; intervene when pattern thresholds indicate elevated risk. This lens aligns water quality, human wellness, and insurance risk reduction, encouraging property insurers and building owners to incentivize water science as part of smart-building operations.
From Sensors to Sense-Making: Hierarchy, Data Lakes, and Reporting
Adding devices isn’t enough. Christine stresses a hierarchy of sensors and data governance so operations, engineering, and ESG teams aren’t running conflicting reports from siloed sources (BMS vs. cloud dashboards). Her model: create a data lake with agreed-upon sources of truth and standardized outputs so every stakeholder “sees the same movie.”
Case Studies & What “Good” Looks Like
Christine highlights programs that combined water management plans, continuous disinfectant monitoring, and campus-scale digital twins—reducing manual tests, achieving compliance, and cutting consumption. European hospitals using IoT on hot-water systems report faster compliance and fewer manual interventions. The pattern: real-time insight + trained people + maintenance and reporting contracts = measurable risk reduction.
Cybersecurity: Close the Back Doors
Smart water raises legitimate cyber concerns. Christine’s guidance: encrypt all sensor communications, hire experts to penetration-test your own systems, and watch for unexpected bridges (e.g., HVAC or even “non-critical” devices) into critical networks. OT/IT segmentation, alert transparency, and a culture of continuous testing matter as much as the sensors themselves.
Public–Private Partnerships (with Academia)
The fastest path to adoption pairs public oversight and access to infrastructure with private-sector technology and capital—and an academic partner for research and validation. Clear performance metrics and maintained as-builts keep pilots honest and scalable.
Resilience: Droughts, Floods, and Stormwater
Smart networks matter beyond Legionella. Real-time consumption, leak detection, and pressure management minimize waste during droughts; stormwater and wastewater sensors prevent overflows that contaminate receiving waters during floods. Long-running sensor programs abroad show how a single resort area eliminated contamination events by instrumenting the system and responding to alerts.
Emerging Tech to Watch
From self-healing pipes and biosensors to drone inspections and AI-orchestrated networks, Christine sees water systems becoming more like natural ecosystems—self-regulating, adaptive, and resilient—while humans supervise exceptions and validate performance.
For industrial water professionals, the takeaway is clear: treat smart water as an integrated risk-management system, not a pile of devices. Invest in sensor hierarchy, unified data, and team training, and align the work with safety and insurance outcomes. That’s how you protect people, performance, and the balance sheet.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:37 - Trace Blackmore kicks off the episode by reminiscing about the TV show Leave It to Beaver and how families used to watch together in the 1950s.
08:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald
09:48 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:20 - Interview with Christine McHugh, CEO of White Strand Development
13:03 - What Is a Smart City?
15:13 - Risk Reduction as Strategy
16:23 – Real-Time Monitoring: Core Controls
17:06 - Smart Fixtures & “Only When Needed” Flushing
19:28 — Duplication, BMS vs Cloud, Data Governance
25:03 — Case Studies: VT & Copenhagen University Hospital
31:59— Cybersecurity: Water Systems at Risk
40:21— City Resilience: Drought & Flooding
41:59 — Emerging Tech to Watch
Quotes
“Technology will give us real-time patterns, and… by just having that pattern recognition, we have power to be more proactive.”
“We really should be trying to break into our own system or hiring people to break into our own system… the bad guys will find it as well.”
“Creating a water system that's more like a natural ecosystem… self-regulating, adaptive, and maximizes both efficiency and resiliency.”
Connect with Christine McHugh
Phone: 9179409383
Email: christine.mchugh@whitestrand.com
Website: White Strand Development
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-a-mchugh/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Practitioners’ Perspective on the Prevalent Water Quality Management Practices for Legionella Control in Large Buildings in the United States
Tenets of a holistic approach to drinking water-associated pathogen research, management, and communication
Smart Cities, Copenhagen and the Power of Data
Chlorine Disinfection of Legionella spp., L. pneumophila, and Acanthamoeba under Warm Water Premise Plumbing Conditions
NLM’s Water heater temperature set point and water use patterns influence Legionella pneumophila and associated microorganisms at the tap
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What type of resin is primarily used in a sodium zeolite water softener?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes Matheus Paschoalino, PhD Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of Solugen, to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they’re changing cooling-water programs from the field up. We cover HEDP replacement in light-duty systems, azole enhancement in copper-challenged waters, a second-generation cut for heavy-duty heat flux, and PHC behavior with oxidizers and non-oxidizer biocides.
From Bioforge to Basin: How PHCs Are Made and Why It Matters
Paschoalino explains Solugen’s chemo-enzymatic “Bioforge” approach that oxidizes sugars (corn-syrup feedstock) into PHCs with very high yield and no practical byproducts—a pathway validated as carbon-negative. He outlines how different “cuts” (monoacid-rich vs. diacid-rich) map to different use cases, and notes current manufacturing capacity and adoption across hundreds of towers.
Replacing HEDP in Light-Duty Programs
For hospitals, HVAC, and other light-duty systems, PHCs have fully replaced HEDP as the anodic corrosion inhibitor while keeping PBTC for scale, enabling lower total phosphorus formulations with equal or better performance compared to status-quo organics.
Azole Enhancement, Free Copper, and Real-World Cost
Field work showed PHCs chelate metals quickly, protecting azole demand when free copper is present (e.g., after oxidizer flushing) and reducing expensive azole overdosing. One university case dropped an adjunct 8-ppm azole feed by pairing the base 3–4 ppm azole with PHC, yielding both corrosion control and lower discharge costs.
Second-Generation PHCs for Heavy-Duty Heat Flux (Toward “Neutral Phosphorus”)
At higher heat flux and stabilized-phosphate conditions, a diacid-rich second-generation PHC proved more stable, enabling orthophosphate reduction and opening a path toward “neutral phosphorus” programs that leverage background phosphate in municipal make-up. Bench data also show synergy with trace metals (e.g., zinc).
Biocide Potentiation and Where It Works Best
PHCs remain stable with oxidizers like chlorine dioxide and bleach. Their most compelling synergy shows up with non-oxidizers and peracetic acid (PAA): as a biocide potentiator, PHCs can reduce the need to overdose actives such as THPS, glutaraldehyde, quats, and DBNPA by first complexing interfering metals (e.g., Fe/FeS), letting the biocide perform as intended.
Not “Bug Food”: Pilot Cooling Towers and Oxidizer Demand
To address the industry’s biggest concern with bio-based chemistries, Solugen ran side-by-side outdoor pilot cooling towers under identical bleach control. Result: comparable oxidizer usage and consistently low counts versus HEDP—evidence that PHCs don’t fuel biofilm.
Chelation Mechanics, Polymer Savings, and White Rust
PHCs chelate beyond acid-group stoichiometry thanks to multiple hydroxyls and conformational effects—critical for controlling dissolved metals and protecting films. In stressed heat-flux/chlorine conditions, PHCs reduced calcium-phosphate fouling versus HEDP, often allowing polymer dosage cuts. Early data also show promise for white-rust mitigation on galvanized systems, with the diacid-rich cut delivering the strongest reductions.
For practitioners, the message is pragmatic: PHCs aren’t “lab curiosities.” They’re fielded at scale, enabling lower-phosphorus programs, protecting costly azole inventories, widening the operational window under oxidizer stress, and potentiating select biocides—while staying compatible with common metals. If you manage cooling assets under cost, compliance, and performance pressure, this episode gives you a clear technical playbook to evaluate.
Listen now, review the papers in the show notes, and test a pilot where it counts—on your heat exchangers.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:15 - Trace Blackmore shares a quick personal open: spotting the Goodyear Blimp (100th anniversary), using memories as fuel rather than limits, and a mindset reset around the word “can’t.”
06:42 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:23 - Water You Know with James McDonald
11:41 - Interview with Matheus Paschoalino, Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of Solugen
12:02 - HEDP replacement in light-duty programs; lower total phosphorus without losing performance
19:13 - Heavy-duty heat flux: second-generation (diacid-rich) PHCs and reducing orthophosphate
20:39 - “Neutral phosphorus” approach
27:42 - Biocide potentiation: synergy with PAA; strongest effects with non-oxidizers (e.g., THPS)
33:03 - “Bug food?” Pilot side-by-side cooling towers (Houston)
37:39 - HEDP systems fouled with calcium phosphate while PHC system showed only minor patching (CTI paper)
41:44 - Early evidence: white-rust mitigation on galvanized systems (seeking field partners)
Quotes
“Use your past as history, not as a limiter.” - Trace Blackmore
“Plan where you’ll be; you never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet.” - Trace Blackmore
“First-gen PHCs let us replace HEDP in light-duty programs and keep performance with lower total phosphorus.” - Matheus Paschoalino
“Non-oxidizing biocides work best with PHCs—we target the metals first so you stop over-dosing the biocide.” - Matheus Paschoalino
“We like to be very conservative… we start with the laboratory; we start with light duty. Now we are going to heavy duty.”
Connect with Matheus Paschoalino, PhD
Phone: 14847193979
Email: matheus.paschoalino@solugen.com
Website: Home - New - Solugen | Solugen
LinkedIn: Matheus P. Paschoalino, PhD | LinkedIn
Solugen: Overview | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
Blog entitled “Achieving Phosphorus-Neutral Cooling Treatment Using Carbon-Negative Additives” by Solugen
Verza360® Enables Cost Savings with Effective Biocide Potentiation in Produced Water - Oil & Gas Solutions Case Study by Solugen
2025 Winter Issue of CTI Journal paper TP24-16, “Toward Phosphorus-Neutral Cooling Tower Treatment Using Carbon-Negative Environmentally Friendly Additive”
Presentation at AMPP entitled "Novel Biobased Carbon-Negative Corrosion Inhibitors Enabling Environmentally Friendliness"
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: Back in the day, what was the treatment used for corrosion inhibition in cooling water systems that was banned around 1985 in the United States from widespread use due to its toxicological impact?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What if HR wasn’t the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive?
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Tia Amundson, HR Director at HOH Water Technology, to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry.
Redefining HR’s Role
Tia shares her journey into water treatment and how she built HOH’s HR department from the ground up. Instead of treating HR as a compliance function, she reframed it as a leadership partner—focused on employee connections, transparent communication, and culture building. From structured check-ins at 30, 60, and 90 days to coaching managers and bridging communication gaps, her approach ensures employees feel supported, heard, and connected.
Culture as Competitive Advantage
HOH’s success story demonstrates how culture directly shapes business outcomes. Tia explains how open-book management, employee engagement surveys, and intentional recognition programs have increased retention, profitability, and trust across the organization. By aligning HR strategies with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System), HOH has cultivated an environment where employees thrive and deliver exceptional service.
Talent, Retention, and the Future of HR
Finding and retaining the right people remains one of the industry’s biggest challenges. Tia outlines the importance of a clear employee value proposition, authentic recruiting practices, and a commitment to work-life balance. She also discusses how HR will evolve over the next decade, balancing automation with the irreplaceable human element of caring for people.
Dream Management and Employee Growth
As a Certified Dream Manager, Tia integrates personal growth with professional development. By helping employees pursue their own dreams, HOH has fostered deeper engagement, loyalty, and breakthroughs that extend far beyond the workplace.
Conclusion
For leaders in the water treatment industry, this episode challenges you to view HR not as a cost center, but as a powerful lever for long-term success. Strategic HR practices can reduce turnover, build culture, and give your organization a competitive edge.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:28 - Trace Blackmore welcomes listeners, shares personal “sharpen the saw” growth theme
04:53 - Sharpen-the-saw story
08:10 - Water You Know with James McDonald
10:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:15 - Interview with a friend and Rising Tide Mastermind member Tia Amundson, HR Director, HOH Water Technology
13:30 - HR as employee connection + leadership alignment, not a “principal’s office”
16:32 - From hiring to long-term care
19:14 - Coaching managers
23:49 - Turnover → P&L
33:12 – Recruitment Realities
44:03 – Dream Manager Program
48:11 – Overcoming Skepticism
50:02 – The Future of HR
51:13 – Start/Stop for HR
52:50 – Foundational operating system (EOS) first
Quotes
“HR isn’t about punishment—it’s about building trust, culture, and strategic advantage.”
“Pour into your employees, and they will pour into their work. That discretionary effort is what differentiates great companies.”
“Open communication and transparency aren’t soft skills—they’re the foundation of an intentional culture.”
“We started this interview saying we’d shatter how people think about HR—and I think we’ve shattered about a dozen things already.”
“When you engage employees in their personal dreams, you directly impact workplace engagement.”
Connect with Tia Amundson
Phone: +12247721377
Email: tamundson@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tia-amundson-shrm-cp/
Guest Resources Mentioned
HOH Water Technology
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)
Gallup Q12 Engagement Survey
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly
How to Be a Great Boss: Gino Wickman, René Boer
Traction by Gino Wickman
Three Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni
Wellbeing at Work: How to Build Resilient and Thriving Teams by Jim Clifton (Author) & Jim Harter
People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture (The EOS Mastery Series) by Mark O'Donnell (Author), Kelly Knight (Author), CJ DuBe' (Author)
Beyond High Performance by Jason Jaggard
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Industrial Water Week
Scaling UP! H2O's Industrial Water Week Resources
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What are some reasons for softener resin beads to crack?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Jemma Tennant, Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fight against Legionella.
Proactive Regulation and Duty of Care
The UK treats Legionella as a foreseeable and preventable risk. Jemma explains how laws like the Health and Safety at Work Act and COSHH Regulations require mandatory Legionella risk assessments, temperature monitoring, and written control schemes—even when no cases have occurred. This contrasts with the U.S., where ASHRAE 188 serves as guidance rather than enforceable law, often triggering enforcement only after outbreaks.
Jemma shares a case study where a housing association was fined £1.2 million despite no recorded illness, underscoring the UK’s proactive stance on protecting public health.
Hospitals, Design, and Emerging Challenges
From hospital plumbing layouts to new “waterless” intensive care units, Jemma details how design choices can either mitigate or magnify waterborne risk. Scotland’s model of involving water safety groups at the design stage provides a proactive example for healthcare worldwide. She also outlines how climate change, net-zero initiatives, and rising ambient temperatures are complicating control strategies across Europe.
Raising Standards Through Collaboration
As Chair of WMSoc, Jemma is leading efforts to raise industry standards and reverse what she calls a “race to the bottom.” She describes partnerships with AWT in the U.S. and LMAG in Australia to share expertise across borders. The episode also explores her pursuit of the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) credential and her vision for adapting the certification for UK professionals.
Conclusion
This conversation is a call to action for water treatment professionals everywhere: regulations, standards, and collaboration matter. Whether in cooling towers, hospitals, or housing estates, Legionella management requires vigilance, shared knowledge, and a commitment to raising the bar. Listen to the full episode and discover how global collaboration can shape safer water management practices.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:55 - Trace Blackmore introduces the final installment of Legionella Awareness Month 2025
05:30 - Water You Know with James McDonald
07:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
14:50 - Interview with Jemma Tennant, SMS Environmental, Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc)
15:24 - Jemma’s background: growing up in the U.S. and UK, science upbringing, rotifers, and wastewater treatment career.
32:25 - The Water Management Society: structure, training, collaboration with AWT and LMAG
43:00 - Raising industry standards: combating the “race to the bottom” in UK water treatment.
Quotes
“In the UK, we’re prosecuted for the potential for harm, not just actual harm. Legionella is treated as a foreseeable and preventable risk.”
“It’s the transition between just doing the task to understanding the why behind the task.”
“We’re seeing a serious drop in industry standards—a race to the bottom—and that’s why raising the bar is so important.”
“At the end of it, the CWT covers everything. You end up being a complete water treater.”
“Always be honest when you don’t know the answer, then go and learn. That’s how you grow.”
Connect with Jemma Tennant
Phone: 447828315336
Email: j.tennant@sms-environmental.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jemma-tennant-mwmsoc-2636985b/
Guest Resources Mentioned
Water Management Society (WMSoc)
LMAG - Legionella Management Advisory Group - LMAG
The Women by Kristin Hannah (Author)
HTM 04-01 – UK healthcare water safety standards
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH Regulations 2002)
Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974
UKAS Accreditation
ANAB (US Laboratory Accreditation)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021 for Legionnaires’ Disease Risk Management
ASHRAE Standard-188-2021, Building Water Management Plans – Summary
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Ep 101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT
Ep 203 The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford
Ep 370 Unlocking Legionella Solutions: Perspectives on Regulations and Best Practices
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: Does Hydroxide Alkalinity in a steam boiler water ALWAYS equal 2P-M?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica, Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights from his comparative research on Legionella control.
Reframing Legionella Risk
Dr. Spica explains why public health data increasingly points to Legionella pneumophila—not all Legionella species—as the primary concern for human health. He shares how pan-European data modeling and peer-reviewed studies demonstrate that broad-spectrum monitoring may overburden systems without delivering proportional safety gains.
Cost-Benefit Models and Sustainability
Water professionals know that testing and compliance require resources. Dr. Spica discusses cost-benefit analysis frameworks that help decision-makers evaluate where investments deliver the greatest reduction in risk. He also highlights the sustainability implications of over-testing, from lab resources to environmental waste streams.
European Regulations and Legal Liability
The conversation also explores the European Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, national approaches to Legionella, and how liability shifts when contamination is detected. Dr. Spica’s insights illuminate what building owners, operators, and regulators must weigh as they update management plans.
Conclusion
For engineers, operators, and technical managers, this episode provides a clear framework for thinking about Legionella beyond routine testing. It’s about focusing on the pathogen that truly drives disease outcomes, aligning regulatory strategy with science, and applying resources where they matter most.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:24 - Trace opens the episode, welcoming listeners to Legionella Awareness Month and framing the call to action
05:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald
10:04 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
14:06 - Trace introduces Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica, Head of Public Health at the University of Rome Foro Italico
17:22 - Dr. Spica outlines why Legionella pneumophila is the main pathogen of concern in Europe
35:04 - Dr. Spica explains Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a measure of public health burden
44:08 - Monitoring strategies and how different culture methods affect outcomes
46:16 - The role of water temperature in Legionella proliferation
Quotes
“Not all Legionella are equal—public health data shows us it’s Legionella pneumophila that drives the real risk.”
“Testing everything may look safer on paper, but in practice, it diverts resources from where they can have the greatest impact.”
“Risk management should not be a checklist; it should be a strategic allocation of resources aligned with outcomes.”
“European data models show that a targeted approach can deliver both better safety and greater sustainability.”
Connect with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica
Phone: +39.06.36733247
Email: vincenzo.romanospica@uniroma4.it
LinkedIn: vincenzo romano spica | LinkedIn
Guest Resources Mentioned
Legionnaires’ Disease Surveillance and Public Health Policies in Italy: A Mathematical Model for Assessing Prevention Strategies by Dr. Spica et. al
Alessando Cassini’s Burden of Infectious Diseases in Europe methodological challenges and opportunities for public health policy
NLM’s Impact of infectious diseases on population health using incidence-based disability-adjusted life years (DALYs): results from the Burden of Communicable Diseases in Europe study, European Union and European Economic Area countries, 2009 to 2013
Supplemental information: Impact of UAT Diagnostic Methods on Estimates of Legionnaires’ disease Caused by non-pneumophila Legionella
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources Library
434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is it called when a valve is closed at the end of a pipeline system causing a pressure wave to propagate in the pipe and a loud banging sound?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time.”
In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and why a targeted focus on Legionella pneumophila can save both lives and resources.
From Outbreaks to Proactive Policies
Patsy unpacks a central truth: most regulations emerge reactively, often after a high-profile outbreak. Drawing on her research from the U.S., Canada, and Europe, she compares different jurisdictions’ approaches — from Quebec’s targeted testing mandate to New York City’s broader species-based rule — and reveals why some frameworks reduce cases far more effectively than others.
The Case for Targeted Testing
Legionella encompasses around 60 species, but not all carry equal risk. Patsy explains why L. pneumophila — the species most responsible for Legionnaires’ disease — demands priority in monitoring and control. Through examples from France, Germany, the UK, and beyond, she demonstrates how focusing on the pathogen itself, rather than all species, leads to measurable public health gains and cost savings.
Educating Lawmakers and Industry
Beyond technical data, Patsy emphasizes the importance of water professionals engaging with legislators. She outlines how clear communication, evidence-based recommendations, and standards like ASHRAE 188 can guide practical, enforceable rules. Her advice balances science with real-world feasibility, helping both regulators and facility managers protect health without unnecessary expense.
This conversation is more than a policy discussion — it’s a blueprint for better public health protection through smart, focused water management. Whether you work in compliance, operations, or advocacy, Patsy’s insights will equip you to engage in the legislative process with clarity and authority.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:52 - Trace opens with Legionella Awareness Month reflections and the importance of challenging industry assumptions
05:38 - Water You Know with James McDonald
07:13 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:47 - Introduction to guest Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and member of AWT’s Legislative & Regulatory Committee.
17:31 - Global comparison of Legionella-related laws and guidelines
27:03 - Understanding Legionella species vs. L. pneumophila
44:42 - Legislative engagement tips for water professionals
Quotes
“The worst time to write a rule is when you’re in the middle of a panic.”
“Finding Legionella species is not the same risk level as finding L. pneumophila — and the data prove it.”
“Keep the hot water hot, keep the cold water cold, keep the water moving, and keep a decent disinfectant.”
“Biology fascinates me — the fact that bacteria can signal each other to come join a good spot is both creepy and amazing.”
“When lawmakers understand how preventable this disease is, they can become champions for real change.”
Connect with Patsy Root
Phone: 207-523-0835
Email: Patsy-root@IDEXX.COM
Website: https://www.idexx.com/en/water/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idexx-laboratories/
Guest Resources Mentioned
CDC Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program
IDEXX Legiolert® Testing Method
IDEXX’s Why test for Legionella pneumophila to prevent Legionnaires’ disease?
Data and Case Study of Effective Legionella Regulations by Patsy Root
NASEM’s Management of Legionella in Water Systems (2019)
MD 15161 – 2013 Control of Legionella in Mechanical Systems
Assessment of monitoring approaches to control Legionella pneumophila within a complex cooling tower system by Michele Prevost et al
The Legionella collagen-like protein employs a distinct binding mechanism for the recognition of host glycosaminoglycans by Garnett et al
The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO were published in 2013 by Dufour et al
The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO covered by KWR Publication starting on Page 54 – Section 7.4.4.
Canada Legionella bacteria control in federal buildings
Leveraging regulatory monitoring data for quantitative microbial risk assessment of Legionella pneumophila in cooling towers
NYC Data Catalog about Cooling Tower Registrations
NYC Health’s Cooling Tower Registration and Maintenance
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT’s Legislative/Regulatory Committee
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
403 Navigating the New Frontier: Patsy Root on Legionella Legislation
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources Library
ASHRAE Standard-188-2021, Building Water Management Plans – Summary
Water You Know with James
Question: What is the mass balance around a cooling tower?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn’t about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxygenation).
Legionella on the Rise
Dr. Krause has investigated high-profile Legionella outbreaks and seen firsthand how current prevention strategies often fall short. Despite ASHRAE 188 standards, CMS requirements, and increasing water management plan adoption, Legionella cases continue to climb — often due to infrastructure issues, insufficient monitoring, and a lack of evidence-based guidance.
Inside an Outbreak Investigation
From the first call at 4:30 on a Friday to the coordination between local health departments, state agencies, and the CDC, Krause explains the rigorous (and sometimes chaotic) process of pinpointing outbreak sources. He also reveals why public communication can make or break an outbreak response.
Introducing LIDO Technology
Rather than relying solely on chemical disinfection, LIDO uses gas transfer membrane contactors to remove dissolved oxygen from hot water systems. Legionella can’t thrive below 0.3 ppm DO — meaning systems treated with LIDO create an inhospitable environment for growth. Krause shares lab results, pilot project findings, and how this approach could extend system life while reducing corrosion and byproducts.
The Bigger Picture
This episode goes beyond technology — it’s about rethinking water management, building better outbreak communication, and challenging industry norms. Whether you’re a facility manager, water treater, or public health professional, Krause’s insights will shift the way you think about Legionella control.
Prevention starts with awareness — and action. Dr. Krause’s work shows there’s more than one path to safer water systems, and innovation comes from asking better questions.
Listen now to discover how Legionella investigations unfold and how LIDO technology could reshape prevention. Download the free discussion guide located at Connect with the Guest section, and start the conversation with your team.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:24 - Trace Blackmore shares an Introduction to Legionella Awareness Month and the value of ANSI/ASHRAE 188, ASSE 12080 certification
08:17 - Water You Know with James McDonald
11:52 - Interview with Dr. David Krause and his background in public health, toxicology, and Legionella Investigations
16:36 - Why cases are rising despite standards, plans, and certifications
21:39 - The significance of Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 vs. other species
26:38 - Media influence on outbreak perception and the need for accurate communication
31:15 - Business risks of not having a water management plan
41:48 - How LIDO works: removing dissolved oxygen to prevent Legionella growth
48:41 - Current pilot projects and operational considerations
Quotes
“Legionella is an obligate aerobe – without dissolved oxygen, it simply can’t grow.”
“An ounce of prevention is worth ten pounds of cure when it comes to water management plans.”
“Once an outbreak starts, testing becomes your life.”
“We have so much information on waterborne pathogens – the challenge is making a habit of learning the next thing.”
Connect with Dr. David Krause
Phone: 850-766-1938
Email: dkrause@HC3FL.com
Website: http://www.hc3fl.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdavidkrause/
Guest Resources Mentioned
AIHA – Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Legionella in Building Water Systems (2nd Edition, 2022)
ACGIH – Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control (Red Book, Updated Edition)
IDSA's 'Increasing Incidence of Legionellosis in the United States, 1990–2005: Changing Epidemiologic Trends'
Legionella and the Role of Dissolved Oxygen in Its Growth and Inhibition: A Review by J. David Krause
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene Controlling Legionella pneumophila growth in hot water systems by reducing dissolved oxygen levels by J. David Krause
CSTE – National Legionellosis Case Definitions (2020)
LIDO: A Revolutionary Approach to Legionella Management
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources Library
ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems)
ASHRAE-188-2021-Summary-Technical-Bulletin_01.pdf
Water You Know with James
Question: Despite all the training, engineering controls, policies, regulations, laws, and direction, at the end of the day, who is most responsible for your personal safety?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Just because you have a water management plan doesn’t mean it’s working."
That’s the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025.
Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work
In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations, simply checking the compliance box is no longer enough. Matt walks us through the CDC data and ASHRAE findings that make a strong case for active, ongoing water management — not just documentation. Drawing from recent outbreak investigations, he explains why implementation, not content, is often the root failure.
Trace and Matt discuss the widespread misconception that water management plans guarantee zero Legionella. They also address the real barriers preventing facilities from taking action — from budget limitations to internal roadblocks — and what water professionals can do to influence smarter, risk-based decisions.
Regulatory Pressure, AI Integration, and What’s Coming Next
With ASHRAE 514, AAMI ST108, and ASSE 12080 gaining ground, the water industry is seeing increased scrutiny, especially in healthcare and hospitality facilities. Matt outlines how these evolving standards are transforming expectations and forcing a shift in accountability.
The conversation takes a forward-looking turn as they explore the power of AI and aggregated analytics to optimize pathogen control. With 10,000 buildings in the LAMPS system, HC Info is preparing to offer data that could shape public health outcomes nationwide — a move that could redefine how we benchmark performance and interpret Legionella test data at scale.
Culture, Purpose, and Long-Term Vision
As a mechanical engineer with an epidemiology background, Matt also reflects on the human side of leadership — from building a values-driven team to embracing his faith as a cornerstone of decision-making. His message for water treaters is clear: “Either do it well or don’t do it.”
For facilities leaders, his advice is to stop fearing complexity and start leveraging the tools available — because water management done right can improve not just compliance, but health outcomes, asset longevity, and operational resilience.
Conclusion
This episode is a masterclass in how to future-proof your water safety strategy. With actionable insights, emerging technologies, and a clear call to accountability, Matt Freije reminds us that smart water management is both a technical responsibility and a moral imperative.
Listen to the full conversation to understand how new standards, digital tools, and intentional leadership are shaping the future of water safety.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
04:50 – Trace reflects on feedback from listeners who learned the origins of Legionella and how re-telling important stories is essential in water treatment education
06:49 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:44 – Water You Know with James McDonald
14:14 – Introduction with Matt Freije returning guest
15:46 – Biggest Challenges in Water Management Plans Today
19:47 – Regulatory Evolution: ASHRAE 514, ASC 12080, and Joint Commission Inspections
44:14 – The Document is Not the Plan: Why Systems Must Be Implemented
48:08 – Impact and Adoption: Why Water Management Plans Truly Matter
Quotes
“Either do it well, or don’t do it. A half-hearted water management plan can do more harm than good.”
“Most facilities still don’t have a water management plan — and many don’t even know what one is.”
“Just because you had the conversation once doesn’t mean it stuck. With Legionella, repeating the important things is critical.”
“Analytics should make the problem obvious — you shouldn’t need a PhD to interpret what your water data is telling you.”
Connect with Matt Freije
Email: mfreije@hcinfo.com
Website: Legionella Water Management Plans
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattfreije
Guest Resources Mentioned
HC Info
ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems)
ASSE 12080 Certification: Professional Qualifications for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel
Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health by Casey Means
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown
John Adams by David McCullough (Audiobook)
John Adams by David McCullough (Paperback)
Keep Your Love On: Connection Communication and Boundaries by Danny Silk (Paperback)
The Bible (KJV)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Legionella Resources Library
ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 Water for the Processing of Medical Services
ASSE 12080 Training & Certification, Get certified to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Standard: Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel
CDC's Key Findings: Outbreaks and Water Management Gaps (2015–2019 review of Legionnaires’ disease investigations
083 The One About Water Management Plans
431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff!
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do we call the formation and subsequent collapse of vapor-filled bubbles in water due to rapid pressure changes?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella?
Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it’s still misunderstood by many: Legionella.
In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its name? What makes it dangerous? And why is there still confusion between a water treatment program and a water management plan?
Tracing It Back: History, Misconceptions, and Missed Conversations
Trace opens with the 1976 American Legion outbreak in Philadelphia — the moment the medical and water treatment worlds collided. He explains how the bacteria was identified, how the term Legionella pneumophila came to be, and how Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires’ Disease represent two ends of the same pathogenic spectrum.
But more importantly, he challenges us to think critically about the language we use. Saying “Legionella” casually — without understanding whether we’re referring to the bacteria, the illness, or the implications of a test result — can lead to major breakdowns in communication between service providers and facility managers.
A Water Treatment Program Is Not a Legionella Plan
Many professionals know how to deliver great chemical treatment. But too often, when a Legionella test comes back positive, the customer assumes the water treater is responsible. This episode explains how that misunderstanding happens—and how to prevent it through proactive, well-framed conversations.
Trace walks through why seasonal testing is the bare minimum, what makes a good water management team, and why documentation and pre-approved action plans are essential for clarity and peace of mind when results come in.
He also introduces tools like the CDC Legionella Toolkit, ASHRAE 188, and ASSE 12080—resources every industrial water professional should know and use.
The Systems at Risk — And Why It’s Not Just Cooling Towers
Trace breaks down the environments where Legionella thrives cooling towers, stagnant pipes, dead legs, hot water systems with low temperatures, decorative fountains, humidifiers, and spas. He highlights why biofilm protection matters, why heat isn’t always enough, and how mixing valves and plumbing design can support both safety and scald prevention.
You’ll hear how real-world scenarios unfold—and how one positive test, without the right planning, can lead to panic, blame, and liability risk for everyone involved.
Legionella isn't just a technical issue — it's a human one. Whether you’re in the field, managing accounts, or advising clients, this episode offers practical tools and powerful reminders for having the conversations that count.
The professionals who lead these conversations are the ones building trust, avoiding risk, and elevating the industry.
Listen to the full episode and explore the Legionella Resource Library at Legionella Resources.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02: 12 – Trace opens the episode with an overview of Legionella Awareness Month
08:47 – Legionella vs. Legionellosis
15:51 – The Miscommunication That Hurts Trust
27:13 – Where Legionella Hides
28:14 – Key Resources
33:22 – Water You Know with James McDonald
34:47– Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
Quotes
“Cooling towers are guilty until proven innocent — and that’s how the industry sees them.”
“Legionella is not your responsibility unless you've set the right expectations in writing.”
“Don’t wait until a test is positive to have the conversation. By then, emotions are already high.”
“ASHRAE 188 doesn’t prescribe. It describes it. It’s up to us to translate it for each system.”
“Education isn't just about reading guidelines. It’s about knowing how to guide your clients.”
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
CDC's "Toolkits"
CDC's "Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program"
CDC's "Toolkit: Controlling Legionella in Common Sources of Exposure"
ASHRAE 188-2021 “Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems”
CMS Mandates Water Management Programs in Healthcare Facilities
CMS QSO 17 – 30 Memorandum
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI/CAN Series 12000-2024 (Download)
ASSE’s Infection Control and Water Quality
ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 Water for the Processing of Medical Services
CDC’s Routine Legionella Testing Figure 1: A multifactorial approach to performance indicator interpretation
World Health Organization (WHO) 'Legionellosis'
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: Why is barium chloride used in the standard Hydroxide Alkalinity test?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS.” - Brian Liotta
PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment
PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with Brian Liotta, Director of Marketing and Product Development at USALCO, about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds.
From Industry Curiosity to Regulatory Urgency
Brian candidly shares how he “fell into” the world of PFAS, sparked by client questions and his work with AWT’s Wastewater Subcommittee. Over time, he became one of the industry's clearest voices on how PFAS is transforming everything from chemical manufacturing to compliance practices. In this conversation, Brian breaks down the science, the timeline, and the technologies professionals need to understand—whether they’re manufacturers, consultants, or field engineers.
Testing, Treatment, and Destruction: What's Working and What's Coming
Testing for PFAS isn’t straightforward. Brian outlines why high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are still standard, despite the lack of affordable, field-ready kits. Then, he walks us through the big three: granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and membrane filtration—explaining how each performs and what their operational limits are. He also introduces lesser-known but emerging strategies like foam fractionation, electrostatic concentration, and supercritical water oxidation—some of which could shape the next generation of end-to-end PFAS solutions.
The Legal Front: EPA Rules, State Action, and the Chevron Doctrine
The conversation turns toward the regulatory environment: from the EPA’s national drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion to individual state actions in California, Maine, New York, and others. Brian unpacks the implications of the Chevron Doctrine being overturned and why this legal shift may slow federal implementation but accelerate state-led policies.
What It Means for Water Treatment Professionals
Whether you're new to industrial water or managing a large portfolio, Brian delivers a simple but powerful takeaway: understand the regulations, study the technologies, and provide solutions. With PFAS-related services on the rise, the opportunity for technical leadership and business growth is clear—but only for those who do their homework and move early.
Conclusion
PFAS isn’t just a regulatory buzzword—it’s a catalyst for innovation. As Brian notes, the most successful professionals will be those who bridge the gap between evolving science and real-world application. This episode equips you with a deeper understanding of what’s at stake and how to lead your customers through uncertainty with confidence.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
10:35 – Water You Know with James McDonald
12:52 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
18:06 – Interview with Brian Liotta Director of Marketing & Product Development of USALCO
22:15 — What is PFAS?
26:00 — EPA’s new 4 parts per trillion PFAS drinking water standard and what it means
32:06 — Treatment technologies: GAC, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and their pros and cons
37:32 — Emerging innovations: foam fractionation, electrostatic concentration, and plasma-based destruction
42:00 — State-by-state PFAS regulations and implications of the Chevron Doctrine ruling
46:20 — Advice to new water professionals: understand the regulations, then bring the right solutions
Quotes
“Regulation drives our business. If you're not paying attention, you're not preparing your customers.”
“PFAS are in our water, our products, even our bloodstream. This isn’t hype—it’s science catching up.”
“Some of the smartest people I know ask a lot of questions. Curiosity is how you become valuable.”
“We’re seeing companies build end-to-end treatment trains. That’s where the innovation is happening.”
Connect with Brian Liotta
Phone: 15102747326
Email: bliotta@usalco.com
Website: Water Treatment Chemicals - Baltimore, MD | USALCO
LinkedIn: Brian Liotta | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council (ITRC)
ITRC Resources Guide
ITRC PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Join ITRC PFAS Team
EPA PFAS Resource Center
Battelle PFAS ANNIHILATOR® Destruction Technology
Measure What Matters: How Google, Bono, and the Gates Foundation Rock the World with OKRs
This Is Your Brain on Music: The Science of a Human Obsession by Daniel J. Levitin
Brooks: The Biography of Brooks Robinson
EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for PFAS (2023)
Chevron Doctrine Overturn (2024) – Supreme Court Decision
EPA Announces It Will Keep Maximum Contaminant Levels for PFOA, PFOS
EPA’s Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Sewage Sludge
EPA's Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
MIT News ‘ A new sensor detects harmful “forever chemicals” in drinking water ‘
AWWA’s Journal: Treating PFAS-Laden Waste Using Aqueous Electrostatic Concentration
California adopts health-protective goals for forever chemicals in drinking water
Colorado PFAS Restrictions
Maine PFAS
Maryland PFAS
Maryland PFAS in Biosolids Regulatory Update – August 20, 2024
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Ep 410 Unleash Your Pricing Power: Casey Brown’s ‘Fearless Pricing’ Revolutionizes Business Value
Ep 408 Pinks and Blues: The Power of Processes
Fearless Pricing: Ignite Your Team, Own Your Value, and Command What You Deserve by Casey Brown
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: If you place a small amount of concentrated hydrochloric acid on a deposit sample and it bubbles, what is this likely to indicate?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“You can’t learn it all in one year. You can’t even learn it all in ten.” That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode.
Returning to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast for the first time since Episode 10, Jim Lukanich joins host Trace Blackmore to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment industry. From his early days at U.S. Steel to leading technical innovation at Buckman Laboratories, ChemCal, U.S. Water, and Kurita, Jim has been a force for mentorship, learning, and raising the bar in technical excellence.
Building a Career, One Problem at a Time
Jim walks us through the formative moments of his career — the gritty hands-on learning at US Steel, the cultural differences he encountered at Nalco, and the breakthrough growth and global travel that defined his time at Buckman Labs. He shares how relentless reading, teaching, and real-world problem-solving built the foundation of his expertise.
More than just a technical expert, Jim is a storyteller. His accounts of teaching microbiology in Brazil pre-internet — with nothing but overhead projectors and thousands of peer-reviewed articles — highlight just how much dedication the field once required (and still does).
Educator, Mentor, Technologist
This episode shines as Jim reveals his unexpected passion for teaching and how that eventually connected him with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). From correcting pronunciation quirks to co-writing the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) exam, Jim’s teaching legacy spans thousands of students and professionals around the world.
Listeners will appreciate Jim’s honest take on what separates industry veterans who grow from those who stagnate — and the importance of actively seeking knowledge beyond routine routes.
Beyond Retirement: Knowledge that Lasts
Now officially retired, Jim isn’t finished contributing. He shares future plans for limited consulting and speaks candidly about what it means to truly mentor someone — and what many water professionals are missing out on if they don’t.
This is more than a career retrospective; it's a call to honor the past by preparing for the future — with integrity, curiosity, and generosity.
Conclusion: Wisdom Worth Passing Down
Jim’s impact isn’t measured just by how many systems he’s treated or miles he’s flown — but by the lives he’s touched and the minds he’s sharpened. For any professional looking to improve technical depth, leadership, or mentoring, this episode is a must-listen.
Listen now to learn from one of the water industry's most respected mentors. Explore more episodes, sharpen your skills, and consider becoming the mentor you once needed.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
03:44 - Trace shares some Water facts and World Vision 6k Recap
06:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald
07:04 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
17:30 - Interview with returning guest, Jim Lukanich
24:27 - Jim shares how teaching at Buckman became a passion
45:00 - Learning daily builds deep expertise over time
Quotes
Jim Lukanich: “I’ve read thousands of peer-reviewed technical papers—not the BS in magazines—but real science.”
Jim Lukanich: “You can’t learn it all in a year. You can’t learn it all in 10. I’ve been doing this for 44 years, and I still read technical papers.”
Trace Blackmore: “You were the one who made me want to teach water treatment. You brought energy to technical education.”
Jim Lukanich: “If you’ve been in this industry 20 years and can’t pass the CWT, you stopped learning at year three.”
Jim Lukanich: “Before I fade into oblivion, I want to dump out as much knowledge as I can.”
Connect with Jim Lukanich
LinkedIn: Jim Lukanich | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Dune by Frank Herbert - Audiobook
The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien
Lee Child’s Jack Reacher Books 1-6 by Lee Child
Never Flinch: A Novel by Stephen King - Audiobook
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Episode 378 Tackling Legionella: Balancing Safety, Sustainability, and Disinfection
Episode 010 The One with Jim Lukanich
Legionella Resources
Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Scaling UP! Nation – Global 6k Donation Drive
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
World Vision
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What are the two primary ways heat is rejected by a cooling tower?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What happens when a nuclear chemist pivots into industrial water treatment? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore is joined by Dr. Jasbir Gill, President at Water Energy Solutions Inc, whose career spans five decades of breakthrough innovations in water chemistry and sustainability. From developing predictive modeling systems to creating new polymer standards, Dr. Gill shares how scientific rigor and practical experience came together to shape tools still used today.
“We were not just saving water—we were calculating the true cost of energy and environmental impact.”
From Nuclear Chemistry to Water Treatment
Dr. Gill begins by tracing his academic roots in nuclear and inorganic chemistry from IIT Roorkee, followed by early post-doctoral research in Italy and England. While initially headed for a career in nuclear separations, a chance encounter rerouted his path to the U.S., where his work at SUNY Buffalo introduced him to the intricacies of water chemistry. That foundational knowledge laid the groundwork for his transformative career at Calgon, and later Nalco.
The Birth of CalGuard: Predictive Modeling Ahead of Its Time
In one of the most compelling parts of the episode, Dr. Gill walks us through the creation of CalGuard—an award-winning predictive modeling tool that transformed how chemical dosing and scaling behavior are calculated. Integrating thermodynamic principles, field data, and statistical regression, the CalGuard model helped standardize customized water treatment programs across regional chemistries and system variables.
Defining the Water-Energy-Carbon Nexus
A highlight of Dr. Gill’s later career came when he began asking hard questions about sustainability. How much energy is consumed per gallon of water saved? What’s the carbon footprint of that savings? He shares compelling stories of his work with nuclear power plants, showing how acid use for pH control contributed to CO₂ emissions—insights that later shaped his independent firm, Water Energy Solutions.
From Chromate to Phosphate: Reinventing Treatment Chemistry
When chromate was phased out of industrial water treatment, Dr. Gill was at the forefront of developing phosphate-based alternatives. He recounts the invention of the AAM 60/40 copolymer in his lab—now an industry standard—and how field trials and real-time testing guided product refinement. This section underscores how practical chemistry, adaptability, and client trust converge to move the industry forward.
The J-Factor and Real-World Impact
Dr. Gill explains his invention of the J-factor—a conversion metric allowing new inhibitors to be benchmarked against legacy ones. Developed through comparative field tests and algorithmic modeling, the J-factor exemplifies the intersection of empirical science and industry need, with wide applicability even decades later.
Final Reflections: Leadership, Teamwork, and Lifelong Curiosity
In the closing segment, Dr. Gill reflects on the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and focusing on one’s work amid organizational change. His stories—from field trips in Montana to building mobile labs for rapid field testing—reveal the human side of technical innovation.
This episode is more than a lesson in chemistry—it’s a case study in innovation, leadership, and long-term thinking. Dr. Gill’s insights remind us that successful water treatment isn’t just about products; it’s about persistence, systems thinking, and data-driven action.
Share this episode with colleagues committed to impactful, sustainable water management.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
08:00 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:44 – Water You Know with James McDonald
15:35 – Interview with Dr. Jasbir Gill and his career origins in nuclear chemistry
17:05 – Transition to water chemistry and first role at Calgon in 1979
33:49 — Importance of J Factors in dosing and treatment conversions
49:16 — Creation of the AAMP copolymer and phosphate compatibility
Quotes
“Focus on your project… your work will carry you through every organization.”
“I had no idea that J Factors came from Dr. Gill—and they actually stood for his first name, Jasbir.”
“You never know what you're doing to help someone and what that’s going to create.”
Connect with Dr. Jasbir Gill
Phone: +1 630-346-6141
Email: thewesinc@gmail.com
Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasbir-gill-07766630/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Sapiens (10 Year Anniversary Edition) by HARARI YUVAL NOAH
Leonardo's Notebooks: Writing and Art of the Great Master (Notebook Series) by Leonardo Da Vinci
A History of the Sikhs by Khushwant Singh
Dr. Gill joined Calgon Corporation
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do we call the ratio between the amount of dissolved solids in a system water and the amount of dissolved solids in that system's makeup water?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” - Patrick Henry
Honoring Innovation, Freedom, and Small Business on the 4th of July
In this special Independence Day episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore brings you a rich blend of patriotism, professional insight, and entrepreneurial spirit. Opening with reflections on July 4th traditions—from fireworks to parades—Trace sets the stage for a compelling conversation with Jack Clark, Owner and Founder of 180 Water. As the water industry faces growing demand and generational turnover, Jack offers a bold solution: a replicable franchise model designed to preserve institutional knowledge and sustainably expand access to clean water.
A Rancher Turned Water Well Visionary
Jack shares his origin story, from growing up on a ranch in Montana to launching a water well drilling company that now spans multiple states. What started with a neighbor’s influence and a deep respect for self-reliance evolved into a career in well drilling—and eventually, a scalable business framework. Jack walks us through the unique challenges of finding water in fractured rock regions and explains how field wisdom, data monitoring, and humility define success.
Franchising in the Water Sector: Solving the Knowledge Drain
As the industry grapples with aging experts nearing retirement, 180 Water is addressing a critical issue: the loss of operational and geological expertise. Jack reveals how his team is onboarding retiring professionals as equity partners to serve as regional hubs, blending mentorship with modern operations. Their approach enables local ownership, data collection, and scalable customer service, while preserving regional nuances in well drilling.
Lessons in Leadership, Accountability, and Resilience
Jack emphasizes that real growth stems from reflection, mentorship, and integrity. He discusses how accountability—rooted in ranch life—translates into transparent client relationships, responsible site practices, and support systems that empower franchisees. His goal? To build a network of highly trained, values-aligned professionals who ensure the longevity and safety of our groundwater resources.
The Spirit of Liberty: Patrick Henry’s Enduring Speech
In a moving tribute to Independence Day, Trace closes the episode with a complete reading of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. Listeners are reminded of the courage it takes to challenge the status quo and the unifying power of respectful discourse—values that echo through today’s challenges in water, business, and beyond.
Final Takeaway
This episode isn’t just about wells—it’s about vision, responsibility, and the courage to lead. Jack Clark’s journey inspires water professionals to think bigger, act with purpose, and consider scalable solutions to systemic industry issues.
Be sure to check our events page for upcoming water conferences and symposiums to continue growing your expertise.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:20 - Trace Blackmore shares his warm greetings to Scaling UP! Nation this 4th of July!
07:27 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:37 - Water You Know with James McDonald
12:53 - Introduction with Jack Clark of 180 Water
18: 07 - Jack transitioned from expansion by employment to a franchise model
Quotes
Jack Clark: “If you don’t get your chores done on the farm, things don’t eat. And so it’s important to make sure that you can be counted on.” “I was sending my best guys to the worst projects, my worst guys to the best projects—and no one was happy.” “You know how to run your business. You were successful at that. But we want to help you scale it with support and mentorship.” “There’s not a perfect science to well drilling. Sometimes you find the water. Sometimes you don’t. But that’s the responsibility we take on.”
Trace Blackmore: “I really believe that the backbone of our country is small business and entrepreneurship.” “I hope we realize we have way more in common than we do differences—and that we enter conversations with curiosity instead of judgment.”
Connect with Jack Clark
Phone: +406 465 4791
Email: jack.clark@180water.com
Website: 180 Water
LinkedIn: 180 Water: Overview | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt, Stephen J Dubner
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: How many ppm of sodium sulfite does it take to react with one ppm of oxygen?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tom Hutchison, Chairman of the Board, HOH Water Technology, to reflect on what it really takes to step out of day-to-day leadership—and do it well. As a multi-decade leader in water treatment, Tom shares the personal, professional, and organizational insights that shaped his transition from CEO to chairman and what it means to lead a business into its next generation.
From early succession conversations to the unspoken anxieties of staff, Hutch offers a rare look behind the curtain of legacy-building in industrial water treatment. And as private equity plays a growing role in the industry, Tom unpacks the very real choices facing owners and teams alike—with clarity and compassion.
Navigating Leadership Through Change
Tom begins by describing the decision to shift from day-to-day leadership to a board-level role. He reflects on the emotional weight of that process and the internal work required to detach his identity from his title. Rather than clinging to authority, he outlines the importance of trust and letting emerging leaders find their voice—even when it means they’ll make different decisions.
He also highlights the human cost of poor planning. “Death,” as Tom puts it bluntly, “is not a strategy.” Waiting too long or failing to mentor successors doesn't just disrupt the business—it risks unraveling everything you've built.
Succession Planning and Cultural Continuity
Trace and Tom dive into the mechanics of succession planning—not just from an ownership perspective, but a cultural one. Tom explains how HOH built an internal environment where values weren’t just posted on the wall but deeply lived. This foundation allowed the company to navigate major transitions, including its eventual move into private equity, without losing its identity.
He also warns about the consequences of delayed planning. Waiting too long, he says, puts the business, its people, and its principles at risk.
Preparing for Private Equity—Without Losing Yourself
One of the most practical parts of the conversation centers on HOH’s private equity journey. Tom shares how they vetted buyers not just for financial capacity, but for cultural alignment. He outlines how his team clarified their mission and values before the deal, which ultimately helped preserve their vision after the transition.
Rather than resist change, HOH treated the shift as an opportunity to reinforce their core—while expanding their reach.
The Long Arc of Legacy
Tom closes with a powerful meditation on leadership legacy. He explains that real legacy isn’t about being remembered—it’s about ensuring the business can thrive without you. He challenges listeners to think beyond titles, financial outcomes, or even strategy, and focus on the enduring impact of culture, mentorship, and examples.
Trace echoes this with a reminder that great leaders not only lead—they leave well. If you're leading a team, planning your exit, or preparing the next generation of leadership, this episode is a must-listen.
To take this conversation further, download the Discussion Guide located in the Connect with the Guest section of the show notes.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:46 – Opening the episode, Trace reflects on the concept of the “butterfly line”—that uncomfortable but powerful moment right before growth happens
07:10 – Water You Know with James McDonald
09:08 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:49– Guest Intro: Tom “Hutch” Hutchison Returns
12:35 – Stepping Down in 2020: How the Pandemic Helped
17:17 – Private Equity’s Growing Role in Water Treatment
20:04 – The 5 Ownership Transition Paths
36:01 – Your Company is an Asset, not just a Job
42:00 – A New Mission: To Encourage and Inspire
Quotes
“The longer you put it off, the fewer options you have. And probably, the more unsettled your employees might be.”
“You don’t have to suffer for the first time alone. If someone’s already done it, learn from them and do it better.”
“Business is both a job and an asset. If you only treat it as a job, you’re leaving value on the table.”
“I think I’m still figuring it out—but in this next season, I want to encourage and inspire.”
“You can start at step five if someone else already figured out the first four—just polish it and give it back.”
Connect with Tom Hutchison
Phone: +18474367403
Email: hutch@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: HOH Water Technology - Water Treatment Solutions
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasfhutchison/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance by Bob P. Buford
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7) by J.K. Rowling
King: A Life by Jonathan Eig
Strong and Weak: Embracing a Life of Love, Risk and True Flourishing by Andy Crouch
The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues (J-B Lencioni Series) by Patrick M. Lencioni
The Lord of the Rings: 50th Anniversary, One Vol. Edition by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Little Liar: A Novel by Mitch Albom
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween
325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is defined as the acid-absorbing property of water?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“You don't have to transition your entire business. You just need to start. Small beginnings are okay.”
Revolutionizing Water Treatment Through Smart Tech
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Kevin Kuhne, Founder and President of Energy Resource Products, LLC, for a deep-dive conversation on the emerging role of smart technology and artificial intelligence in water treatment.
With decades of experience leading tech-driven innovation, Kevin unpacks how intelligent systems, edge computing, and real-time data processing are reshaping operations in the field—from cooling towers to complex distribution networks.
Whether you’re managing plant performance or driving strategic growth, this episode offers a credible look into the future of industrial water management.
From Controllers to Edge-Based Intelligence
Kevin introduces the evolution of traditional controllers into what he calls “computers at the edge.” These intelligent systems collect real-time data, deliver predictive alerts, and can execute secure firmware updates—all without requiring field visits. This shift eliminates the dependency on gateways and streamlines site management through centralized dashboards, saving time and resources.
He illustrates how these systems not only detect pump failures before they occur but also reduce chemical overdosing incidents by offering immediate visibility into feeder issues and sensor discrepancies.
Breaking the Barrier: Selling Smart Tech to Stakeholders
One of the recurring challenges in adopting new technology is overcoming skepticism—especially from IT teams and procurement stakeholders. Kevin outlines strategies for simplifying the sales conversation: focus on specific ROI outcomes like labor savings, chemical usage reduction, and improved equipment uptime. He also breaks down how modern security protocols and machine-to-machine communication are easing concerns around connectivity and data protection.
AI and the Cloud: Turning Data into Action
The discussion advances into how AI-enabled platforms now process disparate data streams in the cloud to support smarter decision-making. Rather than waiting for weekly reports, professionals can now access dynamic dashboards and build customized data visualizations to proactively manage client sites from any location.
Kevin emphasizes that this shift empowers service professionals, not replaces them. By removing manual data bottlenecks, smart tech allows for more impactful engagement and long-term client retention.
Future-Proofing the Industry
Kevin predicts a near future where IO configurations fade, sensors become brand-agnostic, and user interfaces resemble common mobile apps. He encourages water professionals to begin small—pilot smart technology in a single location, gather feedback, and use those wins to accelerate broader adoption.
He closes with a message for early-career professionals: embracing smart technology from the start will enable them to deliver higher value and grow their impact in the industry.
Conclusion
As industries move toward intelligent infrastructure, water professionals must adapt. This episode provides a grounded, expert-led perspective on how to practically and securely implement these technologies. For technical managers, engineers, and company leaders, this is a timely and strategic conversation you won’t want to miss.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:38 – Trace Blackmore shares a reflection on sharks and ecosystem sustainability, tying into the episode’s broader theme of technology and responsible action.
10:06 – Water You Know with James McDonald
11:30 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
14:08 – Interview with Founder, President, and Coach Kevin Kuhne of Energy Resource Products
16:11 - Kevin defines smart tech, contrasting traditional controllers with edge-based computing that delivers real-time data, predictive analysis, and remote access
33:10 — Future technology trends
36:12 — Message for newcomers: Kevin encourages young professionals to embrace tech as a tool for empowerment, not a threat
Quotes
“Your customer is already integrating AI in other parts of their business. If we’re not doing it, someone else will.”
“Security is the real roadblock, but if the equipment has a computer-type base of operation, IT is far more comfortable.”
“Smart tech is identifying those areas that we can enhance information, translate it, and then act on it.”
Connect with Kevin Kuhne
Phone: 17632263945
Email: kevin@energyresourceproducts.com
Website: www.energyresourceproducts.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-kuhne-1812626
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos: Jordan B. Peterson
The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
A Christmas Carol (Collins Classics) by Charles Dickens
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT Technical Training (Coming Soon - 2026)
422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the breakpoint chlorination ratio of chlorine to ammonia required to reach a true free chlorine residual?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
A Lifelong Exploration into Chlorine Dioxide
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, Trace Blackmore welcomes Greg D. Simpson, a recognized authority on chlorine dioxide and a long-time researcher, writer, and technologist in the industrial water treatment space. With decades of hands-on experience and a personal archive of thousands of technical papers, Greg brings unmatched depth to this essential conversation.
From Field Trials to File Cabinets
Greg takes us through his early career, from being tasked to explore chlorine dioxide as an alternative disinfectant on the Gulf Coast to becoming a dedicated advocate of its power and versatility. He explains why chlorine dioxide often outperforms traditional biocides like bromine and chlorine, especially in complex environments such as refineries, hospitals, and cooling towers.
Comparing Monochloramine and Chlorine Dioxide
A central theme in the episode is Greg’s recent research comparing monochloramine and chlorine dioxide. He shares real-world case histories, including treatments at major institutions and breaks performance differences in terms of biofilm penetration, disinfection byproducts, and residual impact. He also discusses regulatory hurdles, competitive dynamics, and what the literature says about long-term microbiological effects.
Building Disinfection Systems and Emerging Applications
The episode explores chlorine dioxide’s expanding role in building disinfection, especially healthcare facilities. Greg shares how generator technologies are changing the game, while also diving into regulatory constraints in places like Texas. He further explains the promising potential of chlorine dioxide in air disinfection and surface sanitation, drawing from both studies and practical implementations.
A Legacy of Learning
From assembling four filing cabinets of technical papers to writing multiple books and collaborating with other industry pioneers, Greg's story is one of relentless inquiry. His work continues to influence how the industry thinks about safe and effective disinfection strategies.
Conclusion
Greg Simpson’s insights go far beyond operational know-how. This episode is a masterclass in both the science and history of chlorine dioxide in industrial applications. For professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of advanced water treatment chemistry, this conversation is essential.
Call-To-Action
Explore more episodes of Scaling UP! H2O to stay current on the science, tools, and trends shaping industrial water treatment. Continue the conversation with peers, and never stop learning.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
04:13 – Water You Know with James McDonald
05:28 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
07:43 – Trace starts the interview with introduction of the master of all things – Chlorine Dioxide
16:25 – Trace asks about paper presented at the Association of Water Technologies chlorine dioxide versus chloramine, a review
31:30 – Benefits of Chlorine Dioxide in Pulp Bleaching and reduced environmental toxicity
36:04 – Chlorine dioxide vs. Monochloramine in hospital water systems and Legionella prevention
41:08 – Advice for Professionals
Quotes
“Find an area to focus on and know more about that than anybody else.”
“Chlorine dioxide doesn’t differentiate too much between the walls and what’s in bulk water.”
“When we changed to chlorine dioxide, it was five or six months before we saw a residual at the other end of our distribution system.”
“Chlorine dioxide does not chlorinate directly any organic.”
Connect with Greg D. Simpson
Phone: +17132060250
Email: greg@clo2guy.com Website: PureLine
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Chlorine Dioxide vs. Monochloramine: A Review technical paper
Practical Chlorine Dioxide: Volume I – Foundations
Practical Chlorine Dioxide: Volume II - Applications
Practical Chlorine Dioxide: Volume III - Oil and Gas
A Focus on Chlorine Dioxide: The "Ideal" Biocide technical paper
The Safe and Effective Use of Chlorine Dioxide technical paper
Biofilm: Removal and Prevention with Chlorine Dioxide technical paper
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: Which water analysis measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in water?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore interviews Jake Deak, Marketing & Inside Sales Director at Pyxis Lab, for a deep dive into how innovation is born—not in labs, but in the field. Jake shares the story of Pyxis Lab’s rapid evolution from a lean, hands-on team to an industry leader in developing smart, user-informed water treatment technology.
Building Solutions from Real-World Problems
Jake Deak's journey began during the pandemic, stepping into a role shaped by both legacy and urgency. Working closely with his father and the Pyxis team, he reveals how their approach centers around listening intently to water treatment professionals and designing products that directly solve the problems they face.
From the ST500 sensor to the OxiPanel, Jake breaks down how each product starts with a call from the field—an operator struggling with membrane fouling, or a technician frustrated by unreliable chlorine measurements. Pyxis doesn't stop at fixing problems; it uses those challenges as fuel for continuous R&D cycles, bringing hardware, firmware, and app-based solutions to life.
Innovation Through Collaboration and Core Values
The success of Pyxis Lab isn't just about technology—it's about a culture deeply rooted in empathy and real-world experience. Jacob discusses the importance of maintaining strong core values and explains how hiring practices focused on field expertise led to better tools and better service for end users.
From Product Development to Media Innovation
Leveraging his media background, Jacob also reveals the upcoming launch of Pyxis Lab’s new podcast, "In The Flow." Created to foster industry education and dialogue, this initiative underscores the company's commitment to advancing the water treatment profession through open communication and shared knowledge.
A Clear Takeaway
If there’s one message that defines this episode, it’s that the best innovations don’t begin in isolation—they begin with a conversation. Whether it’s a technician venting a daily frustration or a field team asking “what if?”, Pyxis Lab listens and acts. And as Jake reminds us, the future belongs to those who adapt, engage, and stay relentlessly curious.
Conclusion
Jacob Deak exemplifies the spirit of innovation that is reshaping the water treatment industry. Through passion, practicality, and persistence, his work at Pyxis Lab offers a compelling model for how technology and human experience can work hand in hand to create better solutions for water professionals worldwide.
Continue expanding your professional knowledge by subscribing to "Scaling UP! H2O" and exploring "In The Flow" by Pyxis Lab. Stay informed, stay innovative, and stay connected to the evolution of water treatment excellence.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:17 – Trace Blackmore reflects on eight years of Scaling UP! H2O, building a global community for industrial water treaters
05:10 – Announcement of New Detective H2O Episodes coming for Industrial Water Week
08:04 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:15 – Water You Know with James McDonald
12:50 – Introduction to Jake Deak: Background, Family Influence, and Career Journey
16:16 – Core Values at Pyxis Lab and how they shape product development and customer relationships
17:07 – Inside the creation of the OxiPanel Plus
27:14 – Why Pyxis Lab developed a mobile app
29:37 – In the Flow, Pyxis Lab’s new education podcast series
Quotes
"When I started this podcast eight years ago, I had no idea how much it would mean to so many people." - Trace Blackmore
“If you can envision a staircase in front of you, the very first step is about ten feet tall. But once you take it, you’re on your way.” — Trace Blackmore
"We don't just create content; we create community."
"Starting is always the hardest step."
"Data is king. The more we can help operators harness their data, the better decisions they'll make."
"We’re not just adapting to change; we’re leading it."
“We are the friend to the water treater—the friend to the end user—and that has led to a lot of new acquisitions for us.” — Jacob Deak
Connect with Jake Deak
Phone: +15704197057
Email: jacob.deak@pyxis-lab.com
Website: Inline & Handheld Analytical Tools for Water Treatment | Pyxis Lab®
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobddeak/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Outsider by Stephen King
Dark Half by Stephen King
Under The Dome Stephen King
“In the Flow” Podcast by Pyxis Lab
2022 AWT Innovation Award Recipient
Episode 1 In The Flow : Trace Blackmore
ST-500 Inline PTSA Sensor
FS-100/101 Series Ultrasonic Flow Meters
PRL-100 Personal Radar Level Sensor
uPyxis App: Water Tech for Modern World
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2024 AWT Innovation Award Recipient
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: Are conductivity and Total Dissolved Solids the same thing?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this milestone episode, host Trace Blackmore welcomes John Caloritis of the Metro Group and current President of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). Together, they explore the strategic evolution of AWT and announce an exciting new partnership that officially makes Scaling UP! H2O the association's podcast partner.
This conversation is a rare behind-the-scenes look into how AWT operates, from board decisions to training initiatives, and what the future holds for water treatment professionals who want to lead, grow, and make an impact.
Behind the Boardroom: How AWT Operates at the Top
John Caloritis gives a full picture of how the AWT Board of Directors functions—including the nomination and election process, board roles, and the important presence of a supplier representative. He also unpacks the quarterly rhythm of board meetings and explains how day-to-day operations are managed by dedicated staff in Rockville, MD.
This section highlights the association’s emphasis on structured leadership and professional governance—insights crucial for members considering future leadership roles.
Building Momentum: Strategic Planning, Committees, and New Metrics
From selecting future convention cities to refining AWT's strategic plan, John walks us through the latest developments discussed in the May 2025 board meeting. A major shift includes revisiting governance documents, some untouched for 20 years, and implementing board performance metrics tied directly to AWT’s goals.
Additionally, John outlines the role of the new Committee Town Hall and how it strengthens the feedback loop between committees and the board—a must-know for engaged members.
Training the Industry: What’s New in AWT Technical Education
AWT continues to invest in elevating its training programs. John details the launch of the new intermediate water treatment course, improvements in wastewater and sales training, and plans for more hands-on and flexible formats. Frisco, TX remains the training hub—with a refreshed schedule aimed at reaching more professionals year-round.
This section underscores AWT’s commitment to equipping water treaters with practical, career-advancing education.
Advocacy, Certification, and Expanding Global Reach
From ANSI accreditation for the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation to expanding relationships with global organizations like the UK Water Management Society, AWT is positioning itself as a global authority. John also shares how new tools like Quorum software are enhancing regulatory insight at the state and federal level, helping members stay ahead of legislation that affects their work.
Charity and Collaboration: The Bigger Mission
John shares how AWT’s alignment with World Vision is driving charitable impact—most recently through service projects in Swannanoa, NC and participation in the global 6K for Water. He also introduces a promising new partnership with the American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA), emphasizing the need for joint standards and shared technical knowledge
Growing Together: Committees, Mentorship, and New Membership Models
John and Trace emphasize the importance of committee participation and unveil initiatives like the mentor-mentee program (via the Women of Water Committee) and the onboarding support provided by Young Professionals. AWT’s new Individual Membership model also opens doors for more professionals to join and engage with the association regardless of company affiliation.
A Historic Partnership: Scaling UP! H2O Becomes the Official AWT Podcast
In a powerful announcement, John and Trace reveal that the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast is now the official podcast of AWT. This partnership will allow both organizations to expand their reach, spotlight committee efforts, and communicate more effectively with the broader water treatment community.
This episode pulls back the curtain on the AWT’s inner workings and shows the real-world impact of engaged leadership. John’s insights offer a valuable reminder that anyone in the water industry can find a place to lead, grow, and serve.
Want to learn more about AWT committees or get involved? Review the show notes for direct links to committee descriptions and the mentor-mentee program. If you’ve been on the fence about getting your CWT, now’s the time—set a date, make a plan, and earn your designation.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:38 – Trace Blackmore reflects on the importance of knowing your “why” with a powerful story about the Wright Brothers.
07:11 – Water You Know with James McDonald
08:22 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:40 – Interview with John Caloritis, President of the Association of Water Technologies and Technical Director at Metro Group
17:02 – Daily Operations of AWT and roles of key staff members
24:05 – Preview of the upcoming AWT Convention at the Broadmoor, including paper selection and training topics.
35:29 – How to get involved in AWT Committees and the value of participation
39:09 – Big Announcement
42:13 – Upcoming Initiatives: growing CWT Brand, ANSI Certification, and regulatory advocacy
Quotes
“I waited until later in life to get more actively involved in the association, and I wish I'd started earlier.” - John Caloritis
“When you put yourself into rooms where you are not the smartest person, that’s your key to learning things you didn’t even know to ask about.” - Trace Blackmore
“Every hour you engage in, you will contribute so much to your life—and I can’t even describe the ways in which I’ve benefited.” - John Caloritis
“Work backwards, set the date, and then make sure that your study plans work up until that date." - Trace Blackmore
“Without our committees, we are absolutely going nowhere.” - John Caloritis
Connect with John Caloritis
Phone: (917) 593-9492
Email: jcaloritis@metrogroupinc.com
Website: Comprehensive Building Services Since 1925 - Metro Group Inc.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themetrogroupinc/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
AWT Committees
AWT Convention 2025
AWT Governance Document
American Boiler Manufacturers Association (ABMA)
CWT Certification
Education Offerings
Individual Membership
Water Treatment Supplier
World Vision
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Star With Why by Simon Sinek
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do you call the enclosed space between the drift eliminators and the fan in an induced-draft tower?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Keep it simple because the more complex things get, the less people will do it” - Gary Garcia
For years, water treatment professionals have relied on PTSA tracers to estimate system performance, but emerging technologies are offering clearer, more direct answers. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcome once again returning guest Garret "Gary" S. Garcia of Masters Company, now a business unit of MFG Chemical to explore how fluorescent tagged polymers are revolutionizing the way water treaters monitor system health and chemical performance. With decades of expertise, Gary offers practical insights into this game-changing technology.
Why Tagged Polymers Matter
Trace and Gary discuss the limitations of relying solely on PTSA tracers, a method that only indicates product presence rather than active ingredient performance. Gary explains how fluorescent tagged polymers, by chemically bonding the fluorophore to the polymer backbone, provide a direct and reliable measure of active polymer concentration, helping water treaters make more informed service decisions.
Instrumentation and Integration Challenges
Listeners will gain a practical understanding of how to implement tagged polymer technology. Gary outlines how existing probes and meters compare, what calibration and integration may look like, and whether both PTSA and tagged polymers can be used together. He also explains why tagged polymers are especially useful in systems impacted by iron, cationic biocides, or inconsistent load demands.
Real-World Applications and Benefits
Tagged polymers make it possible to move beyond "set-it-and-forget-it" dosing practices. Gary discusses how accurate polymer monitoring can reduce overfeeding, optimize chemical performance, and improve system health. For both QC in manufacturing and daily service checks, these tools offer better visibility into what’s really happening inside the system.
The Simplicity of Switching
Gary highlights the ease of adopting tagged polymers – often a direct drop-in with no reformulation needed. For water treaters, that means minimal disruption and an immediate opportunity to upgrade their programs.
Conclusion
Fluorescent tagged polymers are not just another tool in the toolbox; they represent a critical step forward in water treatment precision and reliability. As Gary notes, understanding and adopting these technologies allows professionals to elevate their programs, save resources, and better serve their customers.
Continue advancing your technical expertise. Explore additional Scaling UP! H2O episodes, stay updated on innovations in water treatment, and connect with leaders like Gary Garcia who are shaping the future of the industry. Visit scalinguph2o.com to access more resources and educational discussions.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:55 – Trace reflects on last week’s episode of Ben Frieders’ talking about fire safety advice.
08:03 – Water You Know with James McDonald
09:33 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:01 – Interview with returning guest Gary Garcia of Master’s Company
15:39 – Volunteering and Career growth through AWT
18:22 – Differences between PTSA and fluorescent tagged polymers
28:43 – Misconceptions about single-parameter testing with PTSA
34:01 – How to learn more and connect with experts like Gary Garcia
Quotes
“For every ounce of effort you put in, you get 10, 20 ounces back in return.” Garcia
“We're the good guys. We're helping people save water, energy, helping the environment.”
“When you’re measuring for the fluorescent tagged polymer, you’re actually measuring for the active ingredient.”
“You gain more information; you gain more expertise. No one person has it all.”
Connect with Garret S. Garcia
Phone: 16302389292
Email: gary@masterscoinc.com
Website: www.masterscoinc.com
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
314 2023 Water Industry Updates
206 The One That’s All About Customer Solutions In A Drum
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What field test is used to measure how likely a water source is to foul reverse osmosis membranes due to suspended solids?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Continue to learn something new every day.”
What happens when a Navy-trained water chemistry expert dives into AI-powered marketing? You get Ben Frieders—Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY—who’s turning the tide on how water treatment professionals use tech.
Whether you're still skeptical of AI or already exploring tools like ChatGPT, this episode offers a masterclass in practical, professional applications tailored for the water treatment world.
From the Navy to Water Treatment: Ben’s Story
Ben Frieders shares his journey from operating nuclear submarines to leading marketing at ChemREADY. His technical background in water chemistry uniquely shaped how he approaches strategy, and service.
The Power of Rising Tide Mastermind
Ben explains how a peer group like Rising Tide transformed his professional growth—giving him weekly accountability, mentorship, and a place to talk shop without explanation.
AI in Action: Real Tools, Real Impact
Ben discusses how ChemREADY uses:
-
ChatGPT for blog and email creation
-
Sora to generate custom videos
-
11 Labs to automate audio narration
-
And more, all while respecting quality control and intellectual property
Prompt Engineering Tips from a Pro
Ben offers his personal playbook for building effective prompts—from defining identity and goals to making AI ask you the right questions. He even shares how to make AI generate its own prompt for best results.
AI for Technical Data Analysis
Learn how Ben’s team uploads water treatment reports into ChatGPT to uncover trends, troubleshoot issues, and build insight-driven recommendations for clients.
Balancing Trust and Tech
Ben emphasizes that AI is just a tool—not a replacement for professionals. He shares how he uses AI to amplify strategy, not replace human judgment.
AI isn’t a shortcut—it’s a skill. Whether you're in sales, marketing, service, or strategy, learning how to prompt and guide AI tools will set you apart in the water treatment industry.
Curious how your peers are using AI? Share your go-to tools and discoveries with us on LinkedIn. And if you haven't yet, sign up for our newsletter to get bonus content and tools that go beyond the episode.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
01:51 – Trace Blackmore shares insights on building client relationships, the value of communication, and recognizing your role in the water treatment industry
07:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald
08:26 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:01 – Interview with Ben Frieders, Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY
20:40 – How ChemREADY uses AI tools in Marketing
37:17 – Using AI in Technical Operations – data interpretation and client analysis
Quotes
“AI is still just a tool. It's not the end all be all—you still need to continually modify the output.”
“Once you learn how to talk to AI, it becomes more of your friend and not your enemy.”
“The more details the better. Precision of language gives you the first best chance to get the output you want.”
“Start slow, experience the models, and see how AI is going to work best for you.”
Connect with Ben Frieders
Phone: (317) 719-1452
Email: bfrieders@zinkan.com
Website: https://www.getchemready.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminfrieders/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/getchemready/
Click HERE to download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
I said this, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring by Kathleen Edelman
Sora (Open Ai)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Scaling UP! H2O’s Newsletter Sign Up
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
The Hang
Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on It
402 Game Changing AI Tools: Matt Montellione's Insights
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do you call the device commonly used to measure the percentage of salt in a softener brine solution?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore reconnects with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald, President of North Metal & Chemical Company. Known for his forward-thinking predictions, Dave returns to share valuable insights into supply chain forecasting, emotional intelligence in leadership, and how a strong culture can shape business longevity.
Purpose-Driven Predictions
Dave doesn’t just react—he predicts. Learn how he turns economic signals, freight trends, and material pricing into reliable forecasting tools to protect inventory and serve loyal customers.
Culture Starts with Emotional Frequency
From hiring and onboarding to daily operations, Dave shares how his team cultivates a culture of emotional intelligence, gratitude, and accountability—without micromanagement or ego.
Profit Sharing That Works
Hear how North Metal’s equal-share profit system creates ownership thinking, motivates employees, and naturally builds peer accountability in a no-drama, high-performance workplace.
Mind Over Matter: Meditation & Mental Reframing
Dave’s approach to meditation isn’t about quieting the mind—it's about training emotional resilience. Learn how “emotional workouts” like cold showers and intentional emotion cycles sharpen leadership from within.
103 Years of Legacy with Eyes on the Future
As North Metal expands nationwide, Dave discusses how to honor legacy while preparing future generations and small businesses for long-term success in a consolidated industry.
Conclusion
From the warehouse to the boardroom, Dave Fitzgerald leads with a rare combination of foresight, humility, and heart. This episode will challenge you to rethink strategy, culture, and how you show up for your customers—and your team.
Don’t just manage—lead with purpose. Apply Dave’s insights to build a resilient culture, forecast smarter, and turn your business into a place people are proud to be part of. Share the episode, subscribe, and join the Scaling UP! Nation in moving the industry forward.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:39 – Trace Blackmore shares about his grandfather
05:50 – Water You Know with James McDonald
07:05 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:41 – Interview with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald of North Metal and Chemical Company
15:31 – Anticipating tariff cycles and preparing supply chains accordingly
21:37 – Building a culture of emotional labor, ego-awareness, and care
33:26 – The true story behind the “North” in North Metal
Quotes
“I like to turn my to-do list into a prediction list.” - Dave Fitzgerald
“You’re not an island—this industry is full of people who want to connect.”
“Meditation isn’t about clearing your mind. It’s about intentionally shaping your emotions.”
Connect with Dave Fitzgerald
Phone: 17175777941
Email: dfitzgerald@northchem.com
Website: https://northquestchem.com/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dave-fitzgerald-b9809475
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
This Is Strategy: Make Better Plans by Seth Godin
Reframe Your Brain: The User Interface for Happiness and Success by Scott Adams
10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect – by Will Guidara
North Metals & Chemical Company: Market Update (As of May 2025)
North Metals 2025 Newsletter
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
334 Inventory Intelligence: Enhancing Profitability through Smart Decisions
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: When measuring a volume of water in a graduated cylinder, what do you call the curve of the liquid when it touches the side of the cylinder?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Corrosion control is fundamental to the success of any water treatment program, but how often do we question the limitations of the tools we rely on? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes back returning guest Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives at MFG Chemical, to explore the evolving role of maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors in industrial water treatment. Drawing on decades of expertise, Mike shares practical insights into when — and when not — to use these innovative solutions to meet today's complex challenges.
Understanding the Corrosion Control Toolbox
Mike Standish opens the conversation by reframing corrosion control strategies through the lens of a toolbox analogy. With limited primary approaches — from phosphate-based to organic and metal-based chemistries — the success of corrosion management depends on matching the right tool to the right application. Mike stresses the importance of avoiding overcomplication and focusing on the fundamental chemical pathways for mild steel protection.
Organic vs. Inorganic Approaches
The discussion turns to the critical differences between organic and inorganic inhibitors. While inorganic phosphates remain cost-effective mainstays, organic phosphonates, including maleic acid-derived materials, offer advantages in high pH, high hardness, and oxidizing environments. Mike emphasizes that “organic” in water treatment bears no relation to natural or sustainable products, a frequent misconception among newcomers to the industry.
Why Maleic Acid-Based Inhibitors Matter
Maleic acid phosphonates distinguish themselves with exceptional oxidant stability, a feature increasingly necessary as continuous halogenation becomes standard practice. Mike explains the chemistry behind maleic acid derivatives and how the ability to tailor molecular structures creates flexibility for specific field conditions — such as scaling tendencies, pH control, and calcium carbonate formation risks.
Best Practices for Application and Measurement
Field success with maleic acid-based inhibitors hinges on proper dosage and testing. Mike shares lessons from real-world trials, emphasizing that underfeeding is a common mistake that compromises corrosion rates. Accurate differentiation between orthophosphate and phosphonate concentrations is vital for precise monitoring, and bench testing must closely simulate real-world surface-to-volume ratios to yield reliable predictions.
The Future of Corrosion Control
In a forward-looking discussion, Mike predicts that industry consolidation will trigger a second wave of entrepreneurial water treatment companies. His vision underscores the ongoing need for technical excellence, adaptability, and innovation in corrosion management practices as the industry evolves.
This episode challenges water treatment professionals to rethink their corrosion strategies with a sharper, more informed approach. Maleic acid-based inhibitors are not a universal solution, but when applied thoughtfully, they offer powerful advantages for specific operational demands.
Explore more episodes, challenge your assumptions, and lead the way in advancing our industry's standards of technical excellence. Don’t forget to subscribe to Scaling UP! H2O for more expert insights in water treatment.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:50 – Trace Blackmore shares a recap from previous episode. He also shares about the AWT Innovation Award
06:40 - Water You Know with James McDonald
08:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:38 - Welcoming back guest Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives – MFG Chemical
15:10 – The Value of True Industry Knowledge vs. Surface Information
23:10 – Starting the Technical Discussion: The Corrosion Control Toolbox Analogy
26:07 – Explanation of anodic vs. Cathodic protection mechanisms
37:35 – Situational Applications: When to use maleic acid-based inhibitors
40:11 – Lessons learned from field trials on dosage and corrosion control
41:28 – Importance of Accurate modeling and Surface-to-volume ratios
Quotes
“You going to get more than you can give” – Mike Standish
“Picking the right tool for the right job” – Mike Standish
"Stepping away from work for a mission trip doesn’t just help others—it helps you gain a new perspective." – Mike Standish
“You can’t just throw a new additive into a system and hope for the best. You need data, understanding of limits, and clear expectations.”
“There’s going to be a second generation of AWT companies as industry consolidation continues.”
Connect with Mike Standish
Phone: (615) 207- 3018
Email: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com
Website: https://www.radicalpolymers.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-standish-7890627/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Mild Steel Corrosion Control using a Maleic-Based Inhibitor
Purposely Built – Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications Technical Paper
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Legionella Awareness Resources
417 How To Live a Life of Significance: Insights from Aaron Walker
014 The One with Mike Standish
223 Pinks and Blues: Phosphonate Replacements
350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment
176 The One About Tagged Polymer Technologies
Water You Know with James
Question: What do you call the large-diameter tube in firetube boilers where the combustion of fuel takes place?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“ Don’t Just Be Successful – Be Significant”
How do you define success? Is it about financial achievement, accolades, or influence? What if true fulfillment lies in significance rather than just success? In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, we welcome back a distinguished guest, Aaron Walker. With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience, Aaron has not only built thriving businesses but has also dedicated his life to mentoring others, helping them navigate their paths with purpose. His belief that "Relationships Matter Most" is a guiding principle for those seeking deeper fulfillment in life and business.
The Journey to Significance
Aaron shares his personal and professional evolution, revealing how a tragic event shifted his perspective from chasing success to pursuing significance. He opens up about the lessons that redefined his mission and the impact of his book, View from the Top.
Mastermind Groups: The Secret to Accelerated Growth
What role do mastermind groups play in professional and personal development? Aaron explains why surrounding yourself with the right people can exponentially change your trajectory and how being part of a trusted network fosters accountability, wisdom, and breakthroughs.
Balancing Ambition and Serving Others
Success often comes at a cost, but how can we ensure it aligns with serving others? Aaron discusses the shift from self-focused goals to meaningful contributions, demonstrating how generosity and intentionality create a life of greater impact.
The Power of Intentional Living
How can we structure our daily habits for fulfillment and productivity? Aaron outlines his morning routines, scheduling techniques, and core principles that allow him to focus on what truly matters. Discover practical steps to bring clarity and purpose to your everyday life.
The Gift of Gratitude and Forgiveness
Aaron opens up about the power of forgiveness in setting oneself free from emotional burdens. He shares his personal experiences of releasing resentment and how gratitude plays a crucial role in living a more content and purpose-driven life.
Living a life of significance requires more than just business acumen—it demands a mindset shift, intentionality, and a willingness to serve others. Aaron Walker’s wisdom provides a roadmap for those looking to create lasting impact in their careers and relationships.
What’s one step you can take today to move toward significance? Tune in, reflect, and take action!
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:14 - Trace Blackmore shares celebration about the 55th anniversary of Earth Day
05:30 - Water You Know with James McDonald
07:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:27 - Aaron Walker’s return to the show and his journey as an entrepreneur and mentor
13:38 - View from the Top: Why Aaron wrote the book and how it changed lives
20:10 - Mastermind groups: Why you shouldn’t walk alone
41:10 - The life-changing power of gratitude
Quotes
"Success is about you; significance is about others."
"We all need a little rest, a reset, and a reevaluation to live our best lives."
"Intentionality is about doing things deliberately, with purpose."
"Gratitude is not about what you have; it’s about recognizing the value in what you experience."
"You’ve forgiven someone when you quit demanding justice."
"Isolation is the enemy of excellence."
“It’s ok if you don’t know, not to have the answers, and to ask questions.”
Connect with Aaron Walker
Phone: 615-207-3018
Email: aaron@viewfromthetop.com
Website: isibrotherhood.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind
View From the Top
Wild at Heart: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul by John Eldredge
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor
248 The One About Taking A Sabbatical
415 Green Building Updates: What You Need to Know
12 Week Year
Five Minute Journal
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the phenomenon called where calcium and magnesium are LESS soluble as the temperature RISES?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Always test your tools before field use. Side-by-side comparisons ensure repeatability and accuracy.”
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore delivers an in-depth update on the SteriPen, a widely used tool for water treatment professionals. After overwhelming demand from listeners, we revisit the SteriPen, its capabilities, and its impact on testing organic phosphates and azoles. If you're looking for efficiency, precision, and portability in water testing, this episode is packed with actionable insights.
The Evolution of the SteriPen Learn how the SteriPen became a game-changer in the industrial water treatment industry. Originally designed for hikers, it’s now widely adopted for phosphate digestion and azole testing.
SteriPen Classic 3 vs. SteriPen Ultra: Which One Is Right for You? Trace compares the Classic 3 and Ultra models, discussing their battery life, efficiency, usability, and cost-effectiveness. Get clarity on which device suits your testing needs best.
Testing Efficiency: Reducing Time While Maintaining Accuracy Find out how the SteriPen reduces testing time by half while maintaining accuracy, making it a must-have tool for water professionals.
Best Practices for SteriPen Use From choosing the right vials and batteries to ensuring consistent testing results, this segment walks you through practical applications and expert recommendations.
The Future of Water Testing How innovations like the SteriPen and other portable UV tools are reshaping the way industrial water treatment professionals conduct daily testing.
With water testing advancements, efficiency is key. Whether you're new to SteriPen or looking to upgrade, this episode provides valuable insights to optimize your water testing process.
Water professionals deserve better tools. Upgrade your phosphate and azole testing with the right SteriPen for maximum efficiency and accuracy.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:28 – Trace Blackmore shares a recap of Episode 414
06:47 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
16:15 – Water You Know with James McDonald
20:45 – Deep dive into SteriPen device: it’s history and application
33:29 – Comparison between SteriPen Classic 3 and SteriPen Ultra
36:00 – Testing Procedures for organic and phosphate and azole tests
38:02 – Charging and battery life for both SteriPen models
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Click HERE to download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Ep 046 The One About Phosphate Testing
Ep 414 Pinks and Blues: Trace’s Phosphate Redux
Ep 415 Green Building Updates: What You Need to Know
AA Battery Cases
Augmenting your testing procedures for Phosphonate and Azole testing
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries
Eowpower 30pcs 50ml Plastic Vial Storage Container
Hach UV Lamp Kit, 115V
Hach Benzotriazole/Tolyltriazole
Hach Orthophospate PhosVer 3
Hach Phosphonate Lithium re-chargeable batteries Re-chargeable Lithium Batteries with charger Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Steri Pen Classic 3 SteriPen Ultra
SteriPen Ultra – Katadyn Fact Sheet Submit a Show Idea The unboxing of everything you need to use the SteriPen in your Phosphonate and Azole testing
Taylor Technologies Test Procedures: Phosphonate Taylor Technologies Test Procedures: Azole World Vision Global 6k for Water
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: Does silica solubility typically decrease or increase with rising temperature?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“When there’s a will, there’s a way.” - Charlie Cichetti
Sustainability is more than just a trend—it’s a commitment to a better future. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Charlie Cichetti, LEED Fellow + WELL AP, CEO + Co-Founder of Skema.AI, a leading expert in green building to discuss the latest updates in sustainability and how they impact industries worldwide.
From energy efficiency to new LEED requirements, Charlie breaks down what professionals need to know about the latest green building innovations. Whether you’re a facilities manager, an industrial water treatment expert, or just passionate about sustainability, this episode is packed with valuable insights, actionable advice, and a roadmap to making buildings greener and more efficient.
What’s New in Green Building?
Green building standards are evolving, and LEED Version 5 is on the horizon. Learn how new prerequisites like electric vehicle charging stations and community impact considerations are shaping the future of sustainable infrastructure.
LEED vs. WELL Certification: What’s the Difference?
LEED focuses on building performance and environmental impact, while WELL centers around health and well-being. Charlie breaks down how these certifications complement each other and why they matter in today’s workplace.
Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization Strategies
How can companies reduce their carbon footprint and operating costs? Learn about smart buildings, microgrids, battery storage, and HVAC optimization—essential tools for cutting energy consumption while improving efficiency.
Green Financing: How to Fund Sustainability Initiatives
Many professionals assume sustainability upgrades are costly, but green financing, tax deductions, and government incentives make it easier than ever to fund energy and water-saving projects. Charlie shares how to access these opportunities.
The Role of Water Treatment in Green Buildings
The water-energy nexus is critical in sustainability efforts. Learn how industrial water treatment, cooling tower optimization, and HVAC efficiency contribute to green building goals and LEED certification points.
Bottom Line
Green buildings aren’t just about reducing environmental impact—they’re also about saving money, increasing efficiency, and creating healthier spaces. Tune in to discover practical ways you can implement sustainable practices in your facilities.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:12 - Trace Blackmore shares the Intro & Reflections on AI and Skynet
07:40 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:38 - Water You Know with James McDonald
11:29 - Interview with Charlie Cichetti about the latest on green building
25:31 - LEED vs. WELL: Understanding the Difference
31:50 - How to Get Started with Green Buildings
33:01 - Future of Green Building
Quotes
"Sustainability isn’t just about being green; it’s about reducing costs, improving efficiency, and creating a healthier work environment." – Charlie Cichetti
"Benchmarking is the first step to making any building greener—know where you stand so you can improve." – Charlie Cichetti
"LEED is still the most recognized green building certification globally." – Charlie Cichetti
Connect with Charlie Cichetti
Phone: (706) 633-6689
Email: charlie@skema.ai
Website: https://gbes.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliecichetti/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Green Building Education Services (GBES)
Green Building Matters Podcast
Trello
Skema AI
LEED Version 4
WELL (Certification)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
402 Game-Changing AI Tools: Matt Montellione’s Insights
004 It’s Not Easy Being Green!
032.5 The One That Takes You to AWT’s 2018 Technical Training
410 Unleash Your Pricing Power: Casey Brown’s ‘Fearless Pricing’ Revolutionizes Business Value
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What scaling index was developed in 1936 to predict the scaling potential of calcium carbonate in drinking water systems?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Scaling is like debt—it’s always better to prevent it than to clean it up later."
Phosphate plays a crucial role in Industrial Water Treatment, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood chemicals. In this Pinks and Blues episode, Trace Blackmore revisits phosphate chemistry and its application in cooling systems, corrosion prevention, and scale inhibition.
Breaking Down Phosphate Chemistry Phosphate exists in different forms, each with specific applications in water treatment.
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Orthophosphate (PO4³⁻): The simplest and most reactive form, used for corrosion inhibition.
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Polyphosphate: A longer chain of phosphate molecules that can hydrolyze into orthophosphate.
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Organic Phosphates: Phosphate compounds bonded with organic molecules, often used in scale inhibition.
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Total Phosphate: A combination of all phosphate types in a system.
Phosphate Testing – What Every Water Pro Should Know
Phosphate levels must be carefully monitored to maintain system integrity. Trace explains:
-
Why the orthophosphate test is the most reliable for phosphate analysis.
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How to convert different phosphate forms to orthophosphate for testing.
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The difference between the Molybdate Vanadate Method (yellow test) and the Ascorbic Acid Method (blue test).
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The importance of accurate dilution and testing procedures to prevent measurement errors.
Challenges and Considerations in Phosphate Treatment
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Biological Growth: Phosphate serves as a nutrient, promoting microbial growth if not controlled properly.
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Environmental Regulations: Certain facilities may have phosphate discharge limits.
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Calcium Phosphate Scaling: High temperatures and improper phosphate dosages can cause severe scaling issues.
Best Practices for Phosphate Management
-
Monitor carbon and alkalinity levels to determine the best phosphate formulation.
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Use stability indices (e.g., Ryzner Stability Index, Langelier Saturation Index) to predict scale formation.
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Adjust treatment strategies based on pH levels and system conditions to avoid unintended scale buildup.
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Always verify environmental discharge limits when using phosphate-based treatments.
Mastering phosphate chemistry and testing techniques ensures better system performance, cost efficiency, and regulatory compliance. This episode empowers water professionals to optimize their approach to phosphate-based treatments. Tune in to learn practical strategies for optimizing phosphate levels, preventing scale, and ensuring system efficiency.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
03:16 – Trace Blackmore shares the importance of Quarterly Planning for Business and Personal Goals
06:30 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:20 – Water You Know with James McDonald
12:03 – Introduction to Phosphate and Its Role in Water Treatment
18:31 – Understanding Phosphate Forms: Orthophosphate, Polyphosphate, Organic Phosphate
21:32 – Phosphate as a Corrosion & Scale Inhibitor in Cooling Systems
34:33 – Testing Phosphate: Why the Orthophosphate Test is Key
51:37 – The Importance of Understanding Water Chemistry Before Selecting Treatment Plans
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Click HERE to download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
Audible
12 Week Year
Ep 046 The One About Phosphate Testing
Ep 024 The One With All the Questions
Taylor Technologies Test Procedures: Phosphonate, Azole
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Phosphonates
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the process called to evaluate the performance and efficiency of a water softener by taking regeneration water samples, measuring their salinity, and interpreting their results?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Strategic planning is creating certainty in an uncertain world." – Tim Fulton
Strategic planning is essential for success in any business, yet many companies either overlook or struggle with the process. In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, to explore the fundamentals of strategic planning and how businesses can chart their course for success.
Tim shares insights on why strategic planning matters, how to involve the right people, and how to create a plan that actually works. Whether you’re a business owner, manager, or part of a team, this episode provides valuable takeaways to help you navigate uncertainty, set clear objectives, and execute effectively.
Why Strategic Planning is Critical
Strategic planning helps businesses stay focused in an unpredictable world. By analyzing past performance, assessing the present, and setting future goals, companies can adapt to changing markets, industry trends, and emerging technologies like AI.
Who Should Be Involved in Strategic Planning?
Successful planning requires input from leaders and key employees at different levels. Involving the right people fosters collaboration, avoids blind spots, and ensures that the plan is practical and actionable, rather than created in isolation.
The SWOT Analysis: A Tool for Understanding Your Business
A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) helps businesses understand their position. Identifying strengths and weaknesses within the company, along with external opportunities and threats, provides a clearer strategy for growth and risk management.
Executing the Plan & Measuring Success
A strategic plan is only effective if it’s executed properly. Setting SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) ensures clarity, while quarterly reviews and color-coded tracking (Green, Yellow, Red) help teams monitor progress. Methods like the 12-Week Year and OKRs (Objectives & Key Results) keep businesses on track and accountable.
Why Having a Third-Party Facilitator Can Make a Difference
An outside facilitator brings an objective perspective, helping businesses stay focused and engaged during planning. Leaders who try to both facilitate and participate often struggle to balance these roles. Involving an expert improves discussions and strengthens team buy-in.
Common Mistakes in Strategic Planning & How to Avoid Them
Many businesses fail in strategic planning due to poor communication, lack of follow-through, and ignoring potential risks. A strong plan must be actively maintained throughout the year to ensure long-term success.
Tim Fulton joined Trace Blackmore to deliver essential insights into strategic planning, emphasizing clarity, involvement, accountability, and the power of facilitation. This episode challenges listeners to create meaningful strategies, fostering organizational resilience and success in any environment.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
3:00 – Trace Blackmore encourages listeners to help spread the word about Scaling UP! H2O Podcast by sharing it with their colleagues and network
07:00 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:12 – Water You Know with James McDonald
11:00 – Interview starts: Welcoming back Tim Fulton
13:12 – What is Strategic Planning?
15:44 – Who should be involved in Strategic Planning?
23:22 – Why should companies strategically plan
34:58 – Best time for strategic planning
40:00 – Objective and Key Results (OKRs) explained
Quotes
"No weigh-in equals no buy-in.” - Patrick Lencioni, quoted by Trace
“Fear is the biggest obstacle preventing businesses from strategic planning.” - Tim Fulton
“Not having a plan is a plan for failure.” - Trace Blackmore
“Doing strategic planning without a facilitator is like being quarterback and referee at the same time.” - Tim Fulton
Connect with Tim Fulton
Phone: (678) 427- 9436
Email: timfulton@hotmail.com
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timcfulton/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
The Meeting by Tim Fulton
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
Traction by Gino Wickman
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
022 The One with Tim Fulton
280 The One About Retaining Top Talent
289 The One About A SWOT Analysis with A Twist
368 Adapting to the New Workforce: Attracting Top Talent
164 The One With Chris McChesney
What the Heck Is EOS? A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS by Gino Wickman
The 12 Week Year
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What do you call the attraction of water molecules to each other that gives water its unique properties, such as a high surface tension, high boiling point, and ability to dissolve many substances?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Be the iron fist that keeps your water flowing clean and clear." - Trace Blackmore
Welcome back to another insightful Pinks & Blues episode of Scaling UP! H2O! In this episode, host Trace Blackmore dives into the fascinating world of iron in water treatment systems. While iron is essential for life, it can be a major problem in industrial water systems, leading to corrosion, equipment damage, and inefficiencies. This episode unpacks the science behind iron, testing methods, and practical strategies for managing its impact.
Understanding the Iron Triangle
To effectively manage iron in water systems, it’s important to understand its different forms. Trace explains the Iron Triangle, breaking down the differences between elemental iron (Fe), ferrous iron (Fe2+), and ferric iron (Fe3+). He discusses how iron moves through water systems and why recognizing these distinctions is critical for water treatment professionals.
How to Test for Iron Accurately
Proper testing is key to managing iron levels. Trace details the phenanthroline method, a common technique used to measure iron concentrations in water. He provides best practices for accurate testing, discusses common interferences like molybdates and nitrites, and explains how to adjust testing methods to ensure reliable results.
Corrosion and Iron’s Impact on System Longevity
Iron is a major contributor to corrosion in water systems, and Trace explains why steel corrodes so easily. He covers the role of corrosion inhibitors and the importance of filtration systems in preventing excessive iron buildup. By managing iron effectively, professionals can protect equipment, reduce maintenance costs, and improve system efficiency.
Math in Action: Calculating Total Iron in a System
For those who love applying real-world math, Trace walks through the process of calculating total iron in pounds within a system. He explains how this calculation can help justify maintenance decisions and provide a compelling reason for clients to invest in proper water treatment solutions.
Takeaways: Why Iron Management Matters
This episode is packed with valuable insights for water professionals looking to improve their approach to iron management. From understanding the science behind iron to implementing better testing and corrosion prevention strategies, this discussion is designed to help you stay ahead in your field.
Have a water treatment question? Want to hear a topic covered in a future Pinks & Blues episode? Submit your ideas at ScalingUpH2O.com/showideas —your input helps shape future episodes! And remember, iron might be essential for our bodies, but in water systems, it’s a force to be reckoned with. Mastering iron control is key to maintaining system efficiency and preventing costly damage. Be the iron fist that keeps your water flowing clean and clear!
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
03:20 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 06:44– Water You Know with James McDonald
09:35 – Trace talks about Iron Historical Figure
15:28 – Iron that’s in Water Systems 17:39 – Understanding Corrosion & How It Impacts Your System
18:24 – The Iron Triangle
19:58 – The Phenanthroline Method
Quotes
“Steel is the most recycled material on this planet.”
“If you’re treating your tests like a task, you’re missing the magic of this industry.”
“Iron might be essential for our bodies, but it can be a real troublemaker when it's dissolved in the water in our systems, so don't let iron catch you off guard.”
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
How its Made Steel by How it’s Made Show
400 Celebrating 2024 and 400 Episodes!
399 Pinks and Blues: The Science of Serial Dilution
397 Pinks and Blues: How to look at your tests
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is a plastic or rubber device that seals the outside of a reverse osmosis membrane against the inside wall of the pressure vessel to prevent feedwater from bypassing around the membrane element?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Be curious because the more you learn, the more exciting it is. Hit those challenges head on.” - Ryan Reimer
Adiabatic humidification is revolutionizing climate control, offering an energy-efficient way to maintain humidity and cooling in industrial and commercial spaces. But what exactly is adiabatic humidification, and how does it compare to traditional isothermal methods?
In this episode, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Ryan Reimer of Hydrotrue, to break down the mechanics, benefits, and critical applications of adiabatic humidification. Together, they explore how this low-energy cooling method is reshaping healthcare, data centers, museums, and more, helping industries achieve optimal indoor air quality while reducing energy consumption.
Introduction to Adiabatic Humidification
The episode kicks off the episode about how adiabatic cooling utilizes natural evaporation to improve energy efficiency in climate control. It highlights how water professionals can integrate this technology to enhance industrial operations.
Adiabatic vs. Isothermal Humidification – Understanding the Difference
Ryan Reimer explains the key distinctions between adiabatic (evaporation-based) and isothermal (steam-based) humidification methods. While isothermal requires an external heat source, adiabatic systems leverage ambient air energy for humidification, reducing operational costs.
Industries That Benefit from Adiabatic Cooling
From hospitals and healthcare facilities to data centers, museums, and commercial spaces, adiabatic humidification is making waves. Ryan dives into real-world applications and how industries can optimize their HVAC systems for better efficiency.
Efficiency & Water Treatment Considerations
- How high-purity water enhances humidification system performance
- Preventing scale buildup with the right water treatment solutions
- The impact of Legionella risk mitigation and best hygiene practices for humidifiers
Maintenance & Seasonal Considerations
Water treatment professionals know that humidification systems require ongoing maintenance. Ryan shares best practices for:
- Preventing scale buildup
- End-of-season cleaning & lay-up procedures
- Optimizing energy savings through smart system design
The Bottom Line – Why Adiabatic Humidification is the Future
With rising energy costs and increasing sustainability initiatives, industries are transitioning to adiabatic cooling. Ryan and Trace highlight the long-term benefits, cost savings, and system reliability this technology offers.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
03:06 - Trace Blackmore shares about the significance of π Day
07:26 - Upcoming events in Water Industry
14:27 - Water You Know with James McDonald
17:13 - Interview with Ryan Reimer of Hydrotrue
20:00 - What is adiabatic humidification, and how does it work?
36:31 - Addressing Legionella risks and ensuring hygienic humidification
Quotes
“As water treaters, stagnant water is usually not our best friend as it relates to dead legs.” - Ryan Reimer
“One important step after completing the acid cleaning process is using a neutralizer component.” - Ryan Reimer
“Always have an open mind to what is in a facility. You never know what you're going to run into and what the facility's goals are and challenges are. And just be curious.” - Ryan Reimer
“Find a circle that can help build you up and one that you can help build up. That’s how we make our lives better. That’s how we make this industry better.” - Trace Blackmore
"Adiabatic humidification allows us to use the energy already in the air – making it an extremely efficient solution for climate control." – Ryan Reimer
Connect with Ryan Reimer
Phone: 612-655-4162
Email: rreimer45@gmail.com ryan.reimer@hydrotruewater.com
Website: https://hydrotruewater.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-reimer-2768a144/
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
DriSteem Water Fundamental Handbook
The Way of Kings, Stormlight Archive Book 1 by Brandon Sanderson
The Words of Radiance, Stormlight Archive Book 2 by Brandon Sanderson
Oathbringer, Stormlight Archive Book 3 by Brandon Sanderson
VDI 6022
ASHRAE Standard 170
Mycometer
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
World Vision’s Global 6K for Water
EVAPCO Training Literature: Adiabatic Cooling
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the molar mass of calcium carbonate?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"If you’re excellent at what you do, you’ve got to be paid like you’re excellent." – Casey Brown
Ever wondered if you're truly getting paid what you're worth? In this unmissable episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we bring back Casey Brown, speaker, founder of Boost Pricing and author of the newly released Fearless Pricing. Known for her electrifying talks and actionable insights, Casey dives deep into how businesses can build confidence, charge their true value, and break free from the fear of pricing discussions.
From her journey as an engineer to becoming a pricing powerhouse, Casey's passion for helping businesses thrive shines through. Whether you're in sales, management, or leadership, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your next negotiation.
Highlights include:
The Psychology of Pricing: Why fear dominates most pricing conversations—and how to overcome it.
Pricing Integrity: Learn how setting and sticking to fair, defensible prices can boost trust and long-term success.
Handling Objections with Confidence: Proven strategies to turn pricing objections into opportunities.
The "Hot Sauce" Analogy: Discover how to identify overlooked products or services that can deliver high profits with minimal pricing sensitivity.
Unexercised Pricing Power: How to unlock hidden revenue by testing and refining your pricing strategy.
Role-Playing for Success: How procedural memory and consistent practice can transform your sales team’s confidence and results.
Bottom Line
This episode is your ultimate guide to fearless pricing, equipping you with the tools and mindset to boost profitability and set yourself apart from the competition. Don't miss the chance to learn from Casey's expertise and take your business to the next level!
Click play, take notes, and start commanding the value your business deserves. Don’t let fear control your profits—listen now to gain the confidence and strategies you need to succeed.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
1:44 - Trace asks intriguing questions about the price of everyday items like gas and hot sauce to set the stage for a deeper discussion on pricing
02:23 - Events for Water Professionals
04:20 - Water You Know with James McDonald
05:35 - Interview with Casey Brown, speaker, founder of Boost Pricing, and the author of the newly released book ‘Fearless Pricing’
13:05 - How small discounts can devastate your bottom line
32:23 - Why debriefing every deal is critical for refining your pricing strategy
33:41 - The “Hot Sauce Analogy”
45:00 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Quotes
“We can’t know, unless we try. The world is your Petri dish. “- Casey Brown
“The how is training and coaching and concepts; the why is rotted in the mission to help people who are excellent be paid like they’re excellent.” - Casey Brown
“We can’t fix pricing or profitability through calculation. We must address the biggest obstacle to success, which is FEAR.” - Casey Brown
“Pricing is generally the area of greatest fear and greatest discomfort.” - Casey Brown
“In absence of financial pricing integrity, unearned discounts hurt trust.” - Casey Brown
“The way to get comfortable doing something uncomfortable is to practice it.” - Casey Brown
"Every business has hot sauce and gasoline—products where pricing sensitivity varies drastically. Identify yours." – Casey Brown
Connect with Casey Brown
Phone: 614-679-7999
Email: casey@boostpricing.com
Website: www.Caseybrown.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caseybrownboost/
Subscribe to Casey Brown’s Newsletter: https://www.boostpricing.com/signup
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins
They Ask You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
Outlive by Peter Attia
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
Fearless Pricing by Casey Brown
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
363 Pricing Boost: Get Paid Well For Your Excellence with Casey Brown
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What is the conversion between parts-per-million and milligrams per Liter?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Water is a limited resource, and in this refinery, every gallon saved is a win for sustainability." – Juan Meneses
Water is a critical resource in industrial operations, and improving efficiency is a top priority for many companies. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company, discusses how a Western refinery optimized its water footprint using advanced treatment technologies.
This episode is packed with insights on water conservation strategies, sustainability goals, and the role of advanced monitoring technologies like 3D TRASAR in maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Key Topics Covered:
The Challenges of Water Usage in Refineries
This refinery faced rising water costs and increasing sustainability pressures. With water sourced from the city, costs were projected to rise by 5% annually, with wastewater discharge costs climbing even faster. Finding ways to reduce water consumption while maintaining efficiency was a top priority.
Optimizing Cooling Towers for Maximum Water Efficiency
Cooling towers presented a key opportunity for conservation. The team aimed to increase cycles of concentration to reduce water waste without compromising system integrity. By using 3D TRASAR technology, they monitored real-time conditions, allowing precise adjustments to prevent scaling and corrosion.
Implementing Smart Water Treatment Strategies
To sustain higher cycles, the refinery introduced dual cathodic inhibitors and high-charge polymers, enhancing corrosion and scale control. pH adjustments ensured effective biocide performance while maintaining system reliability. This strategic shift allowed for significant reductions in water and chemical use.
Results and Lessons Learned
By increasing cycles from 5.5 to 9.3, the refinery saved 52 million gallons of water annually while cutting wastewater discharge and chemical consumption. The biggest takeaway? Real-time monitoring and proactive pH control are essential for maintaining efficiency at higher cycles.
Best Practices for Industrial Water Optimization
Collaboration between plant operators and water treatment professionals is key. Regular monitoring, data-driven decision-making, and advanced automation tools can help refineries maximize efficiency while meeting sustainability goals.
Water conservation is good for business and the environment. Could your facility save millions of gallons? Explore advanced water treatment strategies today. Learn more at ScalingUpH2O.com.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:14 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:02 – Water You Know with James McDonald
10:20 – Interview with returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water about Western Refinery Water Efficiency
11:06 – The biggest water challenges faced by the refinery
12:11 – Strategies for optimizing water footprint and sustainability goals
14:07 – How 3D TRASAR and modeling software improve water efficiency
24:50 – Water savings achieved: 52 million gallons saved
29:21 – Best practices for communicating water optimization goals
Quotes
“The way that we can reduce water in the cooling tower is to increase cycle of concentration.” – Juan Meneses
"A good implementation of this project, if you can, with good and advanced monitoring and automation. You can optimize your chemical treatment by modeling the condition.” - Juan Meneses
“About the teamwork, foster collaboration and communication with the customer are key component of that and focus on sustainability.” - Juan Meneses
Connect with Juan Meneses
Phone: 337.309.9619
Email: jmeneses@ecolab.com
Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water
LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned
CH 2029 Western Refinery Optimizes Water Footprint Using 3D Trasar Technology for Cooling Modeling Tools paper
Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler
Good Profit: How Creating Value for Others Built One Of The World’s Most Successful Company by Charles Koch
The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Sean Covey (Author), Chris McChesney (Author), Jim Huling (Author)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
IWC (International Water Conference)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability
164 The One With Chris McChesney
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: What effect will the water temperature have on softener backwash during regeneration?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What gets measured gets improved. But without a process, how do we know what to improve?
In this brand-new episode, Trace Blackmore, the host of Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and the CEO and Founder of Blackmore Enterprises, dives deep into the power of processes in industrial water treatment. Learn why creating and documenting processes is essential for consistency, collaboration, and success. Hear Trace's personal journey of process discovery, practical steps for implementation, and how processes can make your work more efficient and fun. Plus, a new "Water You Know" segment by James McDonald challenges your water treatment knowledge. Don't miss this insightful episode filled with actionable takeaways!
Trace Blackmore introduces the value of processes, sharing his love for procedures and why they are vital for the industrial water treatment community. From his early experiences at McDonald's to his current role, Trace illustrates how processes drive consistency and success.
The Power of Processes in Water Treatment Discover how processes are the backbone of efficiency in the water treatment industry, guiding consistency and measurable improvements across daily tasks and large-scale operations.
A Practical Framework for Success Learn actionable steps to create, document, and refine processes that save time, enhance accuracy, and drive collaboration within your team or solo operations.
Lessons from Episode 397: Categorizing for Clarity Explore Trace's approach to categorizing and establishing testing procedures, from Episode 397, and see how small tweaks can yield significant efficiency gains.
From McDonald’s to Water Treatment: The Art of Rigor Trace shares personal anecdotes from his first job at McDonald’s, revealing how the company’s focus on procedural rigor inspired his passion for creating and following efficient workflows.
Behind the Scenes of Scaling Up H2O Get a rare glimpse into the processes that power the Scaling Up H2O podcast. From pre-recording preparation to publishing episodes, see how structured workflows ensure quality and consistency.
Why Everyone Needs Procedures—Even Solo Professionals Trace busts the myth that procedures are only for teams. Learn how structured processes can help solo professionals work smarter, not harder, and achieve consistent results every time.
Trace emphasizes that processes are the backbone of success in water treatment and other industries. He encourages listeners to take actionable steps in documenting one procedure this week and to celebrate improvements.
Processes transform chaos into clarity. By embracing structured methods, you not only improve operations but also create opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 04:37 -The power of sharing ideas at water industry events. 08:13 - Water You Know with James McDonald 10:51 - Trace's love for procedures and his McDonald's experience. 16:49 - The importance of measuring processes for improvement. 28:28 - Steps to create and document a process. 46:27 - Closing thoughts: Processes bring fun and efficiency to the workplace.
Quotes “Because of my love of procedures, I've been able to create things and enlist the help of others to work collaboratively, ensuring we're all on the same page” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 398 Water Treatment Project Success: Essential Steps for New Facilities and Expansions 397 Pinks and Blues: How to look at your tests
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: At atmospheric pressure, a pound or kilogram of water that is converted to steam will expand by approximately how many times?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What if the moments we consider mundane or accidental hold the power to reshape our lives?
In this week’s Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we welcome back Adam Tank, water industry leader and author of Luck by Design. Known for his thought-provoking insights and transformational ideas, Adam takes us on a journey to uncover how intentionality and awareness can turn everyday moments into catalysts for success. Whether you’re navigating career choices or striving for personal growth, this episode is your roadmap to designing the life you’ve always wanted.
In this candid and engaging conversation, Adam shares the inspiration behind Luck by Design, a book that reveals how seemingly small moments—what he calls “catalyst moments”—can create a ripple effect of positive change. He opens up about his own transformative experiences, including a fateful missed bus stop in Rio that changed his career path forever. Through his stories, Adam challenges us to look closer at our own lives and recognize the opportunities hiding in plain sight.
This episode reminds us that success isn’t a matter of chance—it’s a matter of choice. Whether it’s writing a life-changing postcard, stepping out of your comfort zone, or simply taking a moment to reflect, small, intentional actions can create lasting impact. And as Adam’s journey shows, the connections we nurture and the opportunities we embrace shape not just our lives, but the lives of those around us.
Your next big opportunity might already be in front of you—it’s up to you to see it, seize it, and act on it. In this episode, Adam Tank proves that designing your own success is less about waiting for luck and more about creating it. Are you ready to take charge of your moments?
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 01:36 - Trace Blackmore shares Valentine’s Day origin and learning takeaway 03:03 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 07:09 - Interview with Adam Tank, co-founder and chief customer officer at Transcend, water industry leader and author of Luck by Design 27:16 - Adam discusses the "chapstick moment" and how small moments can lead to life-changing decisions 55:10 - Water You Know with James McDonald
Quotes "These catalyst moments have tremendous power to help you achieve remarkable things in life." – Adam Tank "The sum of your life is the quality of the relationships you build." – Adam Tank "It’s not about what happens to you, but what you choose to do with it." – Adam Tank "A small act, like sending a postcard, can have ripple effects beyond what you can imagine." – Trace Blackmore Connect with Adam Tank Phone: 913-940-4381 Email: atank@transcendinfra.com Website: Transcend | Design Automation Software for Critical Infrastructure ThinkTank | Adam Tank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtank/
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned Luck By Design: The Science And Serendipity Of A Well-Lived Life by Adam Tank Think And Grow Rich: The Secret To Wealth Updated For The 21st Century by Napoleon Hill
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters 181 The One Where Water Geeks Talk About Social Media 279 The One With the ‘Water We Talking About?’ Hosts 343 Master Water Marketing with Adam Tank
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the proper regeneration sequence of operation for a co-current regenerated sodium zeolite softener system?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“The only way you really know what you want to do is by learning more about it.” - Mark Lewis
Welcome back to Scaling UP! H2O as we dive into the second part of our conversation with Mark T. Lewis, Certified Water Technologist of Southeastern Laboratories, Inc. and business leader who shares invaluable insights for thriving in your career and business.
In this continuation of our "Eight Tips for Business Management - Essential Strategies" series, Mark and Trace unpack the strategies that have shaped their professional success, offering advice that’s as practical as it is impactful. Whether you’re managing stress, building trust within your team, or strategizing how to level up your skills, this episode is full of actionable takeaways.
In Part 2, Mark covers:
- The Power of Continuous Learning: Why attending AWT Technical Training Seminars should be a priority and how to pitch the value to your employer.
- Building Trust as a Leader: Insights from Stephen Covey’s Speed of Trust to help you streamline operations and foster stronger relationships.
- Stress Management for Professionals: Simple, yet effective ways to navigate challenges, from journaling to maintaining healthy habits.
- The CWT Advantage: How becoming a Certified Water Technologist can open doors in the water treatment industry—and tips for overcoming exam anxiety.
Mark also shares candid stories from his decades-long career, revealing the lessons he’s learned from both triumphs and setbacks. Plus, Trace adds his own perspective on mentorship, community, and how to stay inspired in a constantly evolving industry.
Bottom Line
The conversation with Mark Lewis underscores one powerful truth: success in business and life starts with intentional action. Whether it’s committing to continuous learning, fostering trust within your network, or mastering stress management, the tools to elevate your career are within your reach. Mark reminds us that the best investment you can make is in yourself, and when you couple that with strong community connections and an eagerness to learn, the possibilities are endless.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
02:04– Continuation of Interview with Mark Lewis, Certified Water Technologist, on tips on business management – essential strategies.
03:16 – Upcoming Events for Water Professionals
05:58 – Water You Know with James McDonald: Industrial water treatment trivia
14:56 – Importance of time management and self-management for reducing stress
17:11 – Mark’s tips for stress management and staying motivated through challenges
19:23 – The role of mentorship and community in professional growth
22:14 – Why you should consider becoming a Certified Water Technologist (CWT)
45:31 – Bottom line: Taking actionable steps to advance your career
Quotes
“You should always have something to offer.” - Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture Book
“Have the courage to ask.” - Trace Blackmore
“Tomorrow can be a better day if you let it.” - Mark Lewis
“One of the most valuable resources is a mentor.” - Mark Lewis
Connect with Mark Lewis
Phone: 704.322.5406
Email: MLewis@SELaboratories.com
Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56
Guest Resources Mentioned
Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Audible (free month with this link)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
404 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 1 – Essential Strategies
The Five Minute Journal
Water You Know with James McDonald
Question: Which scale will effervesce when exposed to concentrated hydrochloric acid? Magnesium Silicate, Calcium Carbonate, or Calcium Phosphate?
2025 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore dives into a conversation with Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, An Ecolab Company to explore a groundbreaking innovation in industrial water treatment. Discover how Juan and his team harnessed treated wastewater to transform cooling tower systems, achieving a remarkable $4 million reduction in operational costs while championing sustainability. This episode highlights the challenges, strategies, and ultimate success of using treated sewage effluent—a game-changer for industries navigating water scarcity and operational efficiency.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
The Steps to Integrating Treated Wastewater into Cooling Tower Systems
Discover how Juan Meneses and his team approached the integration of treated sewage effluent into a refinery’s cooling tower system. Learn about the initial assessments of water quality, the detailed planning process, and the role of collaboration between industry experts and stakeholders in ensuring a seamless transition. From analyzing water chemistry to implementing treatment solutions, this episode walks you through every critical step.
How to Overcome Challenges Like Biofouling, Corrosion, and Scaling
Integrating wastewater into industrial systems is no easy task. Juan Meneses shares the real-world obstacles his team encountered, such as high organic content, ammonia levels, and variations in water quality. Hear about the innovative strategies they used to combat biofilm formation, prevent corrosion caused by harsh chemicals, and minimize scale buildup—all while maintaining system reliability and efficiency.
The Pivotal Role of Automation in Water Quality Management
Learn how advanced monitoring systems and real-time data collection were game changers in this project. Juan explains the importance of automated sensors in detecting water quality fluctuations, adjusting chemical dosages, and ensuring that all parameters remained within operational limits. This segment highlights how technology can simplify complex processes and prevent costly errors.
Real-World Examples of Achieving Sustainability Goals and Operational Excellence
This case study is a testament to the power of innovation in addressing both environmental and business challenges. Juan outlines how his team’s efforts not only reduced freshwater usage and wastewater discharge but also saved the refinery $4 million in operational costs. This section offers practical insights into balancing sustainability objectives with financial performance, showcasing what’s possible with a forward-thinking approach.
This episode demonstrates how innovative water reuse strategies can align cost savings, operational reliability, and environmental stewardship.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 05:07 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:23 - Interview with Juan Meneses, District Manager from NalCo Water 15:18 – About the case study: using treated wastewater in cooling towers 20:32 – Automation and Innovation in Water Treatment 33:05 – Lesson learned and reflections from the project 42:42 – Water You Know with James McDonald
Connect with Juan Meneses Phone: 337.309.9619 Email: jmeneses@ecolab.com Website: Reinventing the Way Water is Managed | Nalco Water LinkedIn: Juan A. Meneses | LinkedIn
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned IWC (International Water Conference) Freakonomics Radio Podcast Today, Explained Podcast CH 1979 Innovation Synergies Enable Reliable Wastewater Reuse in Cooling Towers At 4 million Lower TCO paper Good Profit: How Creating Value for Others Built One Of The World’s Most Successful Company by Charles Koch Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition: Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, Al Switzler The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals by Sean Covey (Author), Chris McChesney (Author), Jim Huling (Author)
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months 164 The One With Chris McChesney
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What do you call sections in a water system with low or no flow due to system design and/or operation?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In this episode, Trace Blackmore and Mark T. Lewis, Certified Water Technologist of Southeastern Laboratories, Inc. dive into practical tips for managing your business effectively, particularly in the water treatment industry. They share eight essential strategies for mastering self-management, staying organized, adapting to challenges, and aligning personal goals with professional responsibilities. Mark highlights the importance of time management, account management, stress management, and personal development, offering actionable insights to help professionals navigate the challenges of managing their businesses while maintaining balance and efficiency.
Points to Highlight
- Self-Management Skills: Learning to control your time, stress, and motivation is crucial for achieving business goals.
- Account Management: Focus on building long-term relationships with clients instead of just acquiring new business.
- Stress Management: Identifying and managing stress is key to maintaining productivity and motivation.
- Adaptability: Flexibility is vital in handling unexpected changes and managing multiple priorities effectively.
- Decision Making: Understand the long-term implications of your decisions before acting on them.
- Goal Alignment: Make sure your daily tasks are aligned with your bigger business objectives for sustained growth.
- Personal Development: Continuous learning and self-improvement are fundamental to business success.
- Mentorship: Having a mentor or support system can help you grow personally and professionally.
Conclusion Trace and Mark's insights in this episode give you the tools to tackle the complexities of business management head-on. Whether it's optimizing your time, managing client relationships, or staying motivated, these tips are designed to boost your efficiency and help you thrive.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Don’t miss Part 2, where we'll dive deeper into additional strategies that will help you manage your business to new heights!
Timestamps 02:20 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 05:15 – Water You Know with James McDonald 07:05 – Interview with Mark T. Lewis, Certified Water Technologies of Southeastern Laboratories Inc about strategies and tips on managing a business 14:56 – Importance of Time Management and Self-Management 17:11 – Stress management and staying motivated through challenges
Quotes “End each day knowing that it was an improvement upon the last.” - Trace Blackmore "One of the skills that we've got to have is take what we have and run with it.” - Mark T. Lewis “If you're not managing your time, that's the only thing that you are never going to get back.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Mark Lewis Phone: 704.322.5406 Email: MLewis@SELaboratories.com Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald The NALCO Water Handbook, Fourth Edition by an Ecolab Company NALCO Water
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Audible (free month with this link) AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 031 The One with Mark Lewis 034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT 101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT 102 The Other One with Colin Frayne, CWT 112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis 149 The One About Some of the Lesser-Used Technologies The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the typical percent bed expansion during a water softener backwash?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
What if you could help write the rules that keep us all safe?
In this episode, Trace Blackmore sits down with the passionate and highly knowledgeable Patsy Root, Senior Manager Government Affairs at IDEXX Water, to dive into the nitty-gritty of Legionella legislation. With a career fueled by her love of water—whether it’s sailing, scuba diving, or protecting public health—Patsy brings an inspiring perspective to the table. She doesn’t just talk about the problem; she’s actively working to solve it.
Here’s what you’ll get from this episode:
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The Current State of Legionella Legislation: Patsy provides a comprehensive overview of Legionella regulations across the U.S., Canada, and Europe. She dives into case studies comparing New York and Quebec as well as France and other European nations, highlighting the successes and challenges of their approaches.
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Scientific Insights into Legionella: Discover the biological complexity of Legionella, its various species, and why Legionella pneumophila stands out as the most significant threat. Learn why focusing on the right indicators is crucial for effective water management.
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Best Practices for Water Treaters and Lawmakers: Patsy shares actionable recommendations for water treaters to improve public health while maintaining cost-efficiency. From adopting ASHRAE 188 guidelines to advocating for better legislation, this episode is packed with practical advice.
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Proactive vs. Reactive: Ever wonder why so many water regulations only come after a crisis? Patsy talks about how the water treatment industry—and you—can help shift the conversation to prevention before it’s too late.
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The Power of Collaboration: Patsy emphasizes the value of networking through industry committees like AWT’s Legislative and Regulatory Committee and how collaboration fosters innovation and knowledge sharing.
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Practical Tips for Water Treaters: If you’re a water treater looking to stay ahead of the game, Patsy shares actionable advice on how to implement cost-effective, efficient water management plans that actually protect public health.
The Bottom Line This episode isn’t just about rules—it’s about solutions. Whether you’re a water treater, a building manager, or just someone who wants to understand what’s really in your water, Patsy’s insights will change the way you think about managing risk. Your Next Move Check out the Legionella Resources page at ScalingUpH2O.com for even more tools and insights from industry leaders. Share this episode with your team or clients to spark conversations that could save lives—and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
Let’s work together to build a safer, healthier future, one drop at a time.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 03:04 - Trace announces a poll to assess the value of reading event details on the podcast and guides listeners to the events page on the website. 04:20 - Water You Know with James McDonald 05: 53 - Interview with Patsy Root, Senior Manager Government Affairs of IDEXX Water about Patsy's paper on global Legionella regulations and the importance of learning from international practices. 11:24 – Legionella Legislation Overview 39:49 - Practical Recommendations for Water Treater
Quotes “It is the best way to network and grow the community around you of subject matter experts - by volunteering.” - Patsy Root “What we need to do with each other is we need to understand where things are happening, what's happening, and how much of that we should consider leveraging - as best practice.” - Patsy Root
Connect with Patsy Root Phone: 207-523-0835 Email: Patsy-root@IDEXX.COM Website: https://www.idexx.com/en/water/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/idexx-laboratories/
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned Data and Case Study of Effective Legionella Regulations by Patsy Root NASEM's Management of Legionella in Water Systems (2019) MD 15161 - 2013 Control of Legionella in Mechanical Systems Assessment of monitoring approaches to control Legionella pneumophila within a complex cooling tower system by Michele Prevost et al The Legionella collagen-like protein employs a distinct binding mechanism for the recognition of host glycosaminoglycans by Garnett et al The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO were published in 2013 by Dufour et al The 5 bacterial indicators used by WHO covered by KWR Publication starting on Page 54 – Section 7.4.4.
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020: Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems ASHRAE Standard 188-2018, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems (ANSI Approved) ASHRAE Standard-188-2021, Building Water Management Plans – Summary ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 514, Risk Management for Building Water Systems: Physical, Chemical, and Microbial Hazard
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the process called when you mathematically correct the impacts of changes in feedwater quality, temperature, and pressure on reverse osmosis membrane data as compared to a baseline?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“It’s not that different than when smartphones came out.. Everything’s overwhelming when you first try it, but with just a little bit of effort, it just becomes second nature.” - Matt Montellione
Dive into the transformative world of AI with Scaling Up H2O! In this episode, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Matt Montellione, Founder of Royce Brook Media and Outsell Insight, to explore how cutting-edge AI tools are reshaping the water treatment industry and beyond. Discover how platforms like Notion and Fireflies can serve as your "second brain," automating tasks, organizing data, and driving efficiency. Whether you’re eager to streamline your workflows or learn how to adopt AI responsibly, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies for professionals across all industries.
Revolutionizing Productivity with AI Tools Discover how advanced AI tools like Notion and Fireflies are transforming the way professionals manage both personal and professional tasks. These tools serve as powerful organizational aids, streamlining data, automating repetitive tasks, and enhancing decision-making. Learn how adopting these technologies can help you save time, reduce stress, and focus on the work that matters most.
Boosting Efficiency for Water Professionals AI offers game-changing solutions tailored for the water treatment industry. From planning routes and scheduling tasks to proactively identifying potential issues, AI tools minimize human error while improving operational outcomes. Explore practical examples of how water professionals can use AI to deliver better results and maintain compliance with ease.
The "Second Brain" Concept for Daily Operations Matt Montellione introduces the concept of a "second brain"—a digital repository that stores and organizes knowledge, meeting notes, and reference materials. With tools like Notion, this second brain allows professionals to access critical information instantly and use it effectively. Learn how adopting this mindset can optimize your daily workflows and improve long-term productivity.
Practical Tools to Enhance Work-Life Balance Host Trace Blackmore shares his experience with AI-driven tools like Fireflies for meeting transcription, and Plaud for mind mapping. These tools provide real-world solutions to common challenges, making it easier to stay productive, meet deadlines, and achieve a better work-life balance.
Ready to revolutionize the way you work? Tune in to this episode to learn how you can adopt AI tools to streamline your daily operations, reduce stress, and stay ahead of the competition. Don’t forget to visit ScalingUpH2O.com for exclusive resources and links to try these tools yourself!
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps: 00:43 - Trace Blackmore shares his humorous and insightful take on holiday decorations and personal traditions. 05:31 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 08:52 - Interview with Matt Montellione about his journey in sales and Ai integration 50:55 - Water You Know with James McDonald Connect with Matt Montellione Phone: 908.420.1414 Email: monte@roycebrook.media.com Website: https://www.roycebrookmedia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattmontellione/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mindofmonte
Click HERE to Download Episode's Discussion Guide
Guest Resources Mentioned Atomic Habits by James Clear Buy back your Time by Dan Martell The Magic of Thinking Big David J Schwartz Revolutionizing Communication - The AI Advantage For Business
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Plaud Note Voice Recorder Fireflies Note taker Notion Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What are the five parameters used to calculate the Langelier Saturation Index or LSI?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Welcome to 2025! Episode 401 of the Scaling Up H2O Podcast is here to help you kick-start the new year with valuable insights, energy-saving tips, and strategies for personal and professional growth. Host Trace Blackmore explores how small changes, like switching to LED lighting or investing in solar power, can save energy and cut costs for National Cut Energy Costs Day. He also dives deep into effective planning methods, the importance of relationships, and how to maximize your potential in 2025.
National Cut Energy Costs Day Learn practical ways to reduce energy usage at home and work, from switching to LED lighting and upgrading HVAC systems to exploring solar power installations. Trace also shares how his team utilizes energy audits for increased efficiency.
Planning for 2025 Success Discover actionable strategies for effective planning, including prioritizing big goals (the "big rocks") and aligning your weekly schedule with your most important tasks.
Nurturing Relationships for Long-Term Success Trace shares heartfelt advice from his grandfather about the value of relationships and how they surpass everything else in importance. He encourages listeners to reflect on their roles and take actionable steps to improve their connections.
This episode is packed with resources for water treatment professionals, including updates on AWT events, Certified Water Technologist (CWT) prep courses, and actionable tools to help you raise the bar in the water industry. Whether you’re looking for tips to improve your work-life balance or stay ahead in your field, this episode is your comprehensive guide to success in 2025.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps: 05:20 - Trace Blackmore shares an Overview of National Cut Energy Costs Day and the importance of Conserving energy and water 21:32 - Water You Know with James McDonald 45:19 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Audible (free month with this link) AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 397 Pinks and Blues: How to look at your tests 394 Visibility and Value: Enhancing Sustainability in Water Treatment 360 Unlocking Profitable Sustainability: Winning RFPs and Making a Positive Impact 339 Jane Kucera’s Reverse Osmosis Masterclass 363 Pricing Boost: Get Paid Well For Your Excellence 375 Legionella Awareness: Your Questions Answered by Trace Blackmore Big Rocks by Stephen R. Covey
Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What is the approximate pH where phenolphthalein changes between pink and clear?
2025 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Take a victory lap today and celebrate all the wonderful things you've done this year." – Trace Blackmore
In this milestone 400th episode, host Trace Blackmore reflects on the podcast’s incredible journey and the achievements of 2024. From personal accomplishments to listener engagement and standout episodes, this celebration highlights the growth of the Scaling UP! Nation.
Scaling UP! H2O by the Numbers: What 2024 Taught Us Trace shares how the podcast grew across countries like Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand while continuing to top charts on Apple and Spotify.
Personal Triumphs: From Scuba Diving to Off-Roading Adventures This year wasn’t just about podcasting. Trace shares personal milestones, including certifying his 1,000th scuba diver, losing 20 pounds, and embracing off-roading adventures in his wife’s Jeep.
Behind the Mic: Guests, Stats, and Records With 51 guests in 2024, 35% were women, and 65% were men. This diverse lineup included highlights like the Women of Water (Episode 380) and Legionella Awareness Month series. The podcast also broke a record with six guests in a single episode.
From Legionella to Boilers: Most Shared Episodes of 2024 Episodes like Are Legionella Cases Truly on the Rise? (Episode 376) and Steam Boiler Essentials (Episodes 353 & 354) delivered actionable insights that sparked industry discussions.
AWT Innovation Award: A Shared Honor This year, Scaling UP! H2O was honored with the 2024 AWT Innovation Award at the AWT Annual Conference. Recognizing the podcast’s impact on advancing the water treatment industry, this award is a testament to the dedication of the Scaling UP! Nation.
The Timeless Impact of Episode 179 Kathleen Edelman’s Temperaments episode remains the most downloaded in podcast history, offering lasting lessons on improving communication and relationships.
The Scaling UP! Nation Community: More Than a Podcast More than a podcast, Scaling UP! H2O is a movement driven by its listeners. With 10,000 LinkedIn followers and a growing global presence, the Scaling UP! Nation continues to make waves in the water treatment industry.
A Look Ahead: What’s Next for 2025 Trace teases what’s to come, including new contributions from James MacDonald and an even greater focus on delivering high-quality content for water treatment professionals.
Powered by Our Partners: Sponsors Who Believe in the Mission This podcast thrives thanks to sponsors who believe in its mission. Their support ensures the production of valuable, high-quality episodes.
Here’s to the Next Chapter, Together Trace thanks everyone who made this milestone possible, celebrating 400 episodes as a shared achievement with the Scaling UP! Nation. Together, we’re shaping the future of water treatment.
And as always, we’re scaling up knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems.
Timestamps: 01:10 - Trace reflects on the podcast’s journey, shares gratitude for the Scaling UP! Nation, and highlights achievements while offering forward-looking insights. 04:25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 08:39 – Trace shares his personal milestones from 2024 09:22 – Drop by Drop with James McDonald 14:49 – Trace delivers the Podcast Highlights of 2024 43:44 - Gratitude for Sponsors, Guests, and Listeners 45:18 – A Look Ahead to 2025 46:21 – Episode Wrap-Up and New Year Wishes
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses The Rising Tide Mastermind World Vision Global 6k 001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others 348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella 350 Polymer Perspectives: Understanding Copolymer Innovations in Water Treatment 351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony 353 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 1 354 Steam Boilers: Essential Checks, Part 2 355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality 376 Are Legionella Cases Truly on the Rise? Insights on Legionella Trends and Prevention 380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry 390 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 1 391 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 2
Drop by Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a quote. The quote is, “The lines are painted wrong.” Who said that and what did this person mean? That was my Dad. He used to tell us that as kids. You see, my Dad took pride in his driving abilities, and when he would not park the straightest in a parking space, we kids would take great delight in pointing it out to him. His reply was always, “The lines are painted wrong.” Oddly enough, we LOVED this answer! We would argue back, “No they aren’t! You parked crooked!” He would just shake his head, smile, and calmly insist, “The lines are painted wrong.” In my career as an industrial water treatment professional, this quote has always stuck with me. There are most certainly times when the lines are painted wrong. The control ranges may be wrong, too tight, or too broad. The lines are painted wrong. The expectations from a client or manager may be unrealistic. The lines are painted wrong. The finger often gets pointed at the water treatment professional first when things go wrong with water-related equipment, even when it’s not our fault. The lines are painted wrong. While it would not have been appropriate for my Dad to repaint the lines in a parking lot, it can be appropriate for us to repaint the lines at times in industrial water treatment. Control ranges can be appropriately adjusted. Expectations can be diplomatically realigned. Blame can be diffused or redirected with listening, discussion, facts, and patience. Sometimes, it takes a little thinking outside the box to realize when the lines are painted wrong. I have my Dad to thank for helping me see this at such a young age, and I can’t wait to tell him that now tens of thousands of people have just learned from him, too.
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Having a product does not mean it’s going to work well. Having a product and having the experience to use it properly, that’s the determining factor. - Trace Blackmore
Dive into one of Trace Blackmore’s favorite formats: the "Pinks and Blues" episode! In this special installment, Trace tackles real-world questions from water treatment professionals like you, offering clear, practical solutions rooted in chemistry, strategy, and years of experience. From mastering serial dilutions to making the most of leftover competitor products, this episode is all about equipping you with the tools to excel in your field. Managing Leftover Competitor Products in Accounts Trace discusses the common challenge of customers asking water treatment professionals to use leftover chemicals they’ve already paid for. He highlights the risks of taking these products back to your facility, including potential costly disposal fees, and provides practical advice on how to manage and utilize these products effectively on-site.
Serial Dilution: Explanation and Equation Trace introduces the dilution formula C1 × V1 = C2 × V2, a fundamental equation for performing accurate dilutions. He provides a detailed, step-by-step guide to creating dilutions in both lab and field settings, enabling water treatment professionals to test and effectively utilize mystery products left behind by competitors.
Importance of Deionized (DI) Water in Test Kits Trace explains the critical role of DI water in performing accurate dilutions and removing interferences during tests. He emphasizes the necessity of always carrying sufficient DI water in the field for tasks like dilutions, triple rinsing equipment, and managing high-concentration samples. Ensuring DI water availability is key to maintaining clean and reliable testing processes.
Testing Mystery Products Trace recommends testing mystery products for key components such as phosphate (total, organic, and inorganic) and Azol levels to determine their composition. Use the product’s safety data sheet (SDS) or similar documentation to identify expected ranges and compare test results. These insights help calculate appropriate dosages and ensure effective usage of leftover products.
Benefits of Proper Product Management Using leftover chemicals on-site provides several key advantages:
- Cost Savings: Eliminates expensive disposal fees for unused products.
- Customer Satisfaction: Reduces customer expenses by utilizing materials they’ve already paid for.
- Sustainability: Promotes greener practices by minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency.
- Professional Growth: Savings from proper management can support funding for training, certifications, and industry conferences, contributing to career development opportunities.
Be Part of the Discussion We want to hear from you! Your contributions help shape the Scaling Up H2O podcast and make it even more valuable for the community.
- Submit Questions & Feedback: Your input drives our content. Send us your questions to be featured in future episodes.
- Share Your Success Stories: Let us know how this episode has helped you improve your water treatment practice or solve a challenging problem.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps: 07: 25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:24 - Trace answers listener questions about managing leftover competitor products in water treatment accounts 15:32 – Trace explains Serial Dilution: Step-by-Step Guide 45:23 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/scalinguph2o/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Audible (free month with this link)
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
The Rising Tide Mastermind
12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington
Drop by Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…check your safety equipment. Seriously, check the condition as well as any expiration dates. I personally was shocked to find out that hard hats have an expiration date on them, but they do. It does make sense, though, because plastic can get brittle over time, especially sitting in a hot vehicle. Brittle plastic probably won’t protect your noggin as well as it should. Are your safety glasses all scratched up or dirty? Do they obstruct your view? Do you wear your earplugs more than once, and do they need to be replaced? How about your steel-toed shoes, face shields, aprons, gloves, and other safety equipment? Will they protect you when you need them to? Take this challenge as your excuse to inspect them all and replace them as needed. Your family, friends, colleagues, Trace, and I all want you to be safe as you practice the noble profession of industrial water treatment!
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Don’t be afraid to ask questions early and often when working with engineering firms or general contractors on your water treatment program... Getting it right the first time is the easiest and least painful way to a long-term successful water treatment program." – Walker Burnette
In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Walker Burnette, Water Treatment Consultant at Southeastern Laboratories to explore the importance of early involvement in water treatment projects for new and expanding facilities. Together, they uncover essential lessons, challenges, and best practices that can make or break long-term success in industrial water management.
A Chance Encounter That Sparked a Career Walker Burnette’s journey into the water treatment industry began unexpectedly when he reconnected with Steve Tuning, a lifelong family friend and his father’s college roommate, at his former workplace. This chance meeting led to a conversation that launched his career in water treatment. Now, Walker’s former employer has become his client, showcasing the unique blend of personal history and professional growth that shaped his path.
Bridging Water Treatment Gaps in Construction Walker Burnette addresses the common oversight of water treatment during new and expanded construction projects. In North Carolina's fast-growing landscape, Walker has seen firsthand how rushed timelines can lead to missed steps in planning. Sharing lessons from successes and pitfalls, this discussion aims to highlight essential practices to ensure water treatment is prioritized and integrated effectively from the start.
What steps do you take to set yourself up for success in the bid process? Walker Burnette emphasizes the importance of understanding a facility’s unique requirements when bidding on water treatment projects. Recognizing that each system may need specialized solutions, he advises focusing on value rather than competing solely on price. While not every bid will be successful, prioritizing quality and comprehensive proposals leads to long-term success and better client outcomes.
Why do you need to have relationships with people? Walker Burnette highlights that building strong relationships is key in the competitive world of water treatment project bidding. Helping clients understand the value behind different approaches can set you apart. When clients receive various bids, confusion can arise about the differing strategies. Having a trusted relationship allows you to step in, clarify the benefits, and guide them through making an informed decision. Establishing a reputation with engineering firms and past collaborators can often lead to winning projects for the right reasons—trust and proven expertise. Prioritizing Communication for Water Treatment Success Clear communication and proactive planning in water treatment projects is essential. He recommends reviewing P&IDs (Piping and Instrument Diagrams) early to find cost-saving opportunities and streamline processes. Staying engaged throughout the project ensures inspections and coordination, preventing last-minute issues and promoting smooth execution.
Checklist for Water Treatment Project Planning and Execution:
1. Identify System to be Treated: List systems requiring treatment and needed equipment/chemicals.
2. Verify Lead Times: Confirm equipment lead times and communicate any delays to the end user.
3. Set Project Timelines: Track key delivery dates and installation milestones.
4. Plan for Pipe Cleaning/Passivation: Ensure pipes are flushed or treated before startup to avoid issues.
5. Communicate with Stakeholders/End Users: Keep the end user informed and ensure all steps are completed for a smooth project launch.
The Critical Step of Passivation Passivation is presented as one of the most important phases of commissioning new systems. Walker and Trace discuss why passivation is often overlooked, the consequences of skipping it, and how to effectively advocate for this essential step.
Considering All Stakeholders and EH&S in Water Treatment Projects Understanding the needs of all stakeholders, including engineers, contractors, operators, and end-users, is essential in water treatment projects. Involving the Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) early ensures chemicals are compatible, stored correctly, and disposed of safely. Walker emphasizes addressing these considerations from the start positions water treatment professionals as proactive consultants, avoiding last-minute issues and disruptions to project timelines.
Integrating New Equipment in Existing Facilities Adding new equipment to an existing facility requires careful planning. Unlike new buildings, end-user involvement is higher as the facility is already operational. He stresses that new systems often need isolation and separate treatment before integration, as simply connecting and activating them can lead to issues. Proper preparation and communication are key to successful integration.
Join the Conversation Have any thoughts on today’s episode? Join the Scaling Up H2O community by sharing your experiences and insights on proactive water treatment. Connect with us on LinkedIn, share your takeaways, or join the discussion on industry challenges and best practices.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps: 01:30 - Trace Blackmore shares discussion on Friday the 13th superstitions and their origins, including historical and cultural references. 05:05 – Trace Blackmore’s encouragement to review lessons from 2024 and plan for 2025, mentioning Brian Moran’s “12 Week Year” 07:09 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:25 - Interview with Walker Burnette, Water Treatment Consultant at Southeastern Laboratories about water treatment considerations during new and existing facility constructions, and the importance of early involvement in the planning process. 50:57 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Quotes "Passivation might be one of the most important parts of starting up your water treatment systems—it ensures the longevity and proper function of your equipment." – Walker Burnette "The only person we can fix is ourselves. It’s easy to blame externally, but we need to ask the right questions and guide our customers to success." – Trace Blackmore "Being proactive and communicating effectively is key. When you're adaptable, you're more equipped to lead projects to success rather than being a reactive passenger." – Walker Burnette "Learning to have hard conversations with customers is a difficult skill, but once you do, you’ll never regret it." – Walker Burnette
Connect with Walker Burnette Phone: 336.207.7086 Email: wburnette@selaboratories.com Website: https://www.selaboratories.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walker-burnette-cwt-57076465/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/southeastern-laboratories-inc-/ Read or Download Walker Burnette’s Press Release HERE
Guest Resources Mentioned Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Audible (free month with this link) AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington
Drop by Drop with James In today’s episode, I’m on my soapbox. My soapbox topic is…conductivity versus TDS…or Total Dissolved Solids. You might have expected something a little meatier, but conductivity and TDS are often used interchangeably. FAR too often they are. They are NOT the same thing though. Conductivity and TDS may be RELATED, but they measure two COMPLETELY different things. Conductivity measures the ability of a water solution to conduct an electrical current. It is quick and easily automated, only requiring a conductivity probe and a meter. Total Dissolved Solids or TDS, on the other hand, is the concentration of dissolved solids in a water solution. Measuring the TDS requires evaporating a volume of water to dryness and weighing the solids that remain. TDS takes a lot more time and labor to perform than a conductivity test.
So how are conductivity and TDS related? The conductivity of water is determined by the type and concentration of dissolved solids. Low TDS solutions typically have lower conductivities. High TDS solutions typically have higher conductivities. There can be a relationship between the two. If the water quality is consistent, conductivity can provide a practical way to monitor the TDS, but this relationship should be verified regularly.
Some may be thinking, “But my handheld meter displays the answer in TDS. What gives?” Your handheld meter is doing math internally to convert from conductivity, which is measuring, to TDS. It is not ACTUALLY measuring TDS. As a rule of thumb in the industrial water samples we often see, the actual TDS is typically 65-75% of the measured conductivity. This can vary, however, depending upon the ions in the water.
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Your test kit is your tool, and you are the master of that tool. “- Trace Blackmore
In this insightful episode of Scaling Up! H2O Podcast, host Trace Blackmore delves into the critical topic of understanding and optimizing water treatment tests. This episode is designed to equip water treatment professionals with practical knowledge to enhance their test-taking techniques and interpretation skills.
The Concept of Pinks and Blues Trace shares the origins of the term “pinks and blues,” coined by his father, and explains its significance in water testing. He stresses the importance of understanding that tests are tools to confirm or disprove hypotheses about system conditions, not tasks that generate revenue. This foundational mindset shift sets the stage for improving both the efficiency and effectiveness of test execution.
Strategic Testing Approaches Trace provides a comprehensive breakdown of running tests in the most efficient order, starting with the longest tests and multitasking with shorter ones while waiting. This strategic approach helps water professionals maximize time on-site. He also discusses the value of running tests based on hypothesis-driven objectives, such as walking through the site and engaging with clients before taking samples.
Categorizing and Interpreting Your Tests Listeners will gain insight into organizing test types into meaningful categories:
- Base water
- Concentrated water
- Product contributions
- System signs
Trace illustrates how to establish true concentration levels and interpret results to identify potential issues like scaling, precipitation, and system corrosion. The importance of using non-scaling ions, like silica, for accurate concentration analysis is also explained.
Analyzing Interpretative Skills Trace walks through examples that highlight how to use test results for informed decision-making, whether it’s confirming system status or taking corrective action. He advises on how to integrate polymer tests and other contributing product measurements into your routine for a fuller picture of system health. This deep dive into interpretation emphasizes a detective-like approach to problem-solving in water treatment.
Final Thoughts and Essential Tips The episode concludes with Trace’s encouragement to prioritize understanding your test procedures and knowing the interferences that can affect results. He underscores the importance of planning tests efficiently and being prepared with all necessary tools before visiting client sites. By mastering these practices, listeners can transform their testing routine into a powerful tool for maintaining system integrity and customer relationships.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 00:50 - Trace Blackmore explains what Pinks and Blues means sharing how his father influenced his understanding of water tests 02:09 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 05:34 - Explanation of "Pinks and Blues" and the importance of interpreting test results for water treatment. 43:21- Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Quotes “The equipment knows, but it cannot talk. We’ve got to do all this investigation work to figure out what the equipment knows that won’t give up that information. We’ve got to figure out ways to make it talk now.”
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Hach Water Analysis Handbook 046 The One About Phosphate Testing
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, let’s picture in your mind a boiler that is open for inspection. As you stand in front of it, you may see the handholes and manholes opened. The room may be much quieter than normal because the burners and air blowers aren't running. It may be a firetube or water tube boiler. The inspection will be different between the two, with several commonalities as well. Before you start your inspection, what should you do? Have you spoken to the operators in the area? Have you followed proper safety protocols for confined space entry, lockout/tagout, etc.? Do you feel safe entering the boiler? Do you know the history of the boiler before going in? Does this history of water treatment and boiler performance allow you to predict what you will see inside the boiler? How will you document what you find? How will you collect any samples, if necessary? How dirty will you get? Do you know the equipment you will see inside the boiler, such as steam-water separators, baffle plates, downcomers, feedwater piping, etc.? What do you expect the water line to look like? Where will oxygen pitting or hard water scaling first show up in the boiler if there was a problem? Will you be inspecting the deaerator as well? How long will it take you to get the boiler inspection report to your client? Doing a proper boiler inspection takes time, experience, knowledge, attention to detail, and often agility.
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Learning how to learn is essential. “- Steve Russell
In this week’s episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we’re excited to share a deep dive into the complex world of carbon capture and water treatment with Steve Russell, Senior Process Engineer at Kiewit. Host Trace Blackmore and Steve explore the challenges of treating wastewater in carbon capture facilities, including the need for innovative approaches to meet environmental and operational standards.
Navigating Carbon Capture: A Process Engineer’s Perspective Carbon capture is a hot topic in today’s industrial landscape, and Steve’s expertise provides critical insights for water professionals. As Steve explains, “Carbon capture isn’t just about removing CO₂—it's about managing the water and wastewater byproducts effectively.”
Steve’s work with Kiewit involves finding solutions to treat the various wastewater streams generated during the carbon capture process. His experience illustrates the importance of understanding each facility’s unique needs and tailoring water treatment strategies accordingly.
Key Insights from Steve’s Work:
- Understanding Wastewater Composition: Each facility produces different wastewater streams, largely dependent on fuel type and system design.
- Working Across Teams: Effective carbon capture requires collaboration between water treatment engineers, mechanical engineers, and project managers.
- Navigating Resource Limitations: Steve shares how he adapts his knowledge to treat complex wastewater streams when resources and data are limited.
Flexibility and Teamwork Throughout his career, Steve has learned that flexibility and teamwork are crucial in tackling complex projects. Working closely with teams across various disciplines allows Steve to develop comprehensive solutions tailored to each project’s specific requirements.
Top Takeaways:
- Be Prepared to Adapt: Each project brings its own set of challenges, from wastewater quality variations to resource limitations.
- Understand the Full System: Gaining a broader understanding of the carbon capture process can help anticipate potential issues and refine water treatment strategies.
- Leverage Internal and External Knowledge: Steve emphasizes the value of tapping into team expertise and utilizing available resources for innovative solutions.
Building a Career in Water Treatment Field With over two decades in water treatment, Steve shares his career advice for those just starting out or looking to advance. “Learning how to learn is essential,” he reflects. Steve encourages water professionals to build a foundation of flexibility and continuous learning, as the industry constantly evolves with new technologies and environmental demands.
Steve’s Advice for Water Professionals:
- Be Flexible and Organized: Expect the unexpected and keep a well-organized knowledge base to quickly adapt to project needs.
- Build a Support Network: Collaboration and open dialogue with colleagues can accelerate problem-solving and professional growth.
- Focus on Continuous Learning: Water professionals should embrace learning opportunities within and beyond their primary field.
Final Thoughts: Flexibility and Continuous Learning Steve’s experience reminds us that flexibility and a commitment to learning how to learn are essential in water treatment. Each project is unique and staying adaptable and open to new knowledge is key to navigating complex industry challenges successfully.
By embracing continuous learning, we drive impactful solutions for sustainability in our field.
Tune in Today! Listen to this enlightening conversation by playing the episode above or visiting ScalingUpH2O.com/396 to tune in. Gain insights that will help you navigate your own water treatment challenges and expand your expertise in sustainability.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 01:31 - Trace Blackmore shares his Thanksgiving reflection, Small Business Saturday, and Giving Tuesday 06:44 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 10:22 – Interview with Steve Russell, Senior Process Engineer from Kiewit about carbon capture technology and its implications for water and wastewater treatment. 51:05 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Quotes “Carbon capture isn’t just about removing CO₂—it's about managing the water and wastewater byproducts effectively.” “Each carbon capture facility is unique, and there’s no cookie-cutter approach.”
Connect with Steve Russell Phone: 913.689.4533 Email: steve.russell@kiewit.com Website: https://www.kiewit.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-russell-2b0a7960/ Read or Download Steve Russell's Press Release HERE Guest Resources Mentioned IWC (International Water Conference) Carbon Capture Water Requirements and Wastewater Treatment by Steve Russell and Eric Eisenbarth John Quincy Adam: Militant Spirit by James Traub Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Bornerman Grant by Ron Chernow Coolidge by Amity Shlaes An American Life by Ronald Reagan
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Donate To Our 6K World Vision Team Stellar Factory Werewolf – A Party Game for Devious People Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind U.S. Small Business Administration – Small Business Saturday 307 How to Publish a Technical Paper with Mike Soller 383 Treatment of Aerospace Machining and Inspection Wastewater with Mike Soller 351 Maximizing Water’s Potential: Tech and Water Treaters in Perfect Harmony 342 Beyond Compliance: Empowering Water Experts with In-Depth ELG Insights 339 Jane Kucera’s Reverse Osmosis Masterclass
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re pondering something. We’re pondering ppm or parts per million. This can be a hard concept to grasp at times, so I find analogies to be very helpful to understand this expression of concentration. One minute in 2 years is a part per million. One inch in 16 miles is a part per million. 1 drop in 10 gallons is as well. One milligram in a Liter is 1 part per million, assuming the specific gravity of the liquid is 1, of course. One millimeter in a kilometer is one part per million. Did you know that 1 pound of ANYTHING dissolved in 1,000 gallons of water will give you 120 ppm? A 1% solution, based upon weight, is a 10,000-ppm solution. There are many more analogies out there of course. Find the one that resonates the best with you!
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Here we go!
We have the privilege of collaborating with our lab partner Bob Cunningham, of Arthur Freedman Associates, a true water industry expert whose journey flows through five decades of dedication, transformation, and insight. Starting his own company 35 years ago, Bob has navigated the currents of change in the field, sharing the lessons that come from a lifetime of experience. For those new to the water industry, Bob’s story will inspire you to write your own chapters with integrity and resilience; for seasoned professionals, it’s a reminder of the profound impact a lifelong commitment to this work can make.
What Was Your Career Journey Like? Reflecting on the story of his career, Bob described a path full of purpose and momentum, driven by a passion for water treatment and a vision for what it could become. “Stand back, and here we go!” he recalled, capturing the excitement of building his career. Founding his own company was a wish come true, powered by the “dream team” he assembled to carry it forward. Decades later, Bob’s journey is a testament to the possibilities that await those who dedicate themselves to the water treatment profession.
The Good and the Bad Changes Over the Years With years of experience flowing behind him, Bob has observed major shifts in the water industry. He identified two of the most positive changes he’s seen:
- Industry Diversification: With more people setting up their own companies, the wave of new businesses has strengthened the industry and fostered innovation.
- Advancements in Research: Today’s resources—from molecules to biocides and surfactants—have expanded far beyond what was available in the past, equipping professionals with powerful tools to improve water systems.
Still, Bob also pointed out challenges, notably the drive for “greener” policies that, while well-intentioned, sometimes lack the scrutiny needed to ensure they’re effective and sustainable.
Advice for New Water Professionals Bob shared valuable advice for those just beginning their own journey: “Keep it straight. Keep it ethical. Don’t stretch it.” In a field as important as water treatment, integrity flows through every successful career. Bob also warns against trying to gain business by cutting prices, as it ultimately backfires. Instead, he encourages presenting quality, honest solutions as the key to long-term success and respect in the field.
What is the Best Way to Get Ahead in This Industry? When it comes to advancing in water treatment, Bob suggests taking a page from those who’ve already made a mark. “Watch the successful people in the industry. Keep an eye on those folks. Then try to incorporate what they are doing into your own career as you grow.” He also emphasized the importance of broad, in-depth knowledge: “You’ve got to know every aspect of this business. So, study.” From mechanical and microbiological aspects to chemistry, Bob’s advice highlights the depth and commitment it takes to ride the waves of a successful career in water.
How Did You Get Involved with the AWT? Bob’s connection with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) began as a way to network with others who share a passion for advancing the industry. Over the years, his work with AWT has strengthened his dedication to education, standards, and mentorship within the field.
Bob’s Go-To References Navigating the water industry requires solid references, and Bob’s approach has always been to keep his library of resources close at hand. When faced with challenges, he turns to trusted materials that help him troubleshoot and understand the complex systems in his work. For Bob, maintaining this holistic knowledge is essential to staying effective and adaptive in an ever-evolving industry.
Scale UP! Your Water Career Tune into this episode for a front-row view of Bob’s life in water—a story of purpose, change, and professional wisdom. May it inspire you to embrace your own journey in water, staying curious and informed as you flow from one chapter to the next.
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore wants to remind you that the 12 Week Year is a powerful tool to help you maximize these final weeks of the year and achieve your goals for 2024. Let’s finish strong! 03:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 10:40 - Interview with Bob Cunningham 01:04:15 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Bob Cunningham Phone: +1 530 604 3449 Email: rjc5225@gmail.com Website: https://arthurfreedmanassociates.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-cunningham-635a7748/
Resources Mentioned Audible (free month with this link) AWT (Association of Water Technologies) The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I want you to picture yourself looking at the water level in the basin of a cooling tower. You may want to press fast forward on your imagination just a little, but as you watch the water, you see the water level dropping ever so slowly as water evaporates away or is being blown down from the system. At some point, you notice makeup water starts flowing into the basin. My question for you is what control scheme caused this to happen? Have you ever put much thought into all these ways makeup water is controlled in a cooling tower system? Is there a float mechanism? Perhaps probes of some sort? Or is there an ultrasonic device? Are there others? Also, is the makeup valve mechanically opened or electronically opened? What are the pros and cons of each option? What if there is foaming in the cooling tower basin? Would any of these control schemes be impacted? What are all the way these makeup control schemes could fail? Could they fail so too much makeup water was added? Could they fail so too little makeup water was added? Who would have thought there was so much to think about on just the makeup water control to a cooling tower system?
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
By highlighting cost savings, clients can see how efficient water treatment impacts their bottom line.
Sustainability isn’t just a trendy term—it’s about implementing practical practices that protect our planet for current and future generations. By adopting sustainable strategies, we can conserve resources, cut costs, and create lasting benefits for both the environment and our client’s businesses. In our latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with James Courtney, CWT, LEED AP of CSC Technologies an advocate for water sustainability, who shared actionable insights on how water professionals can effectively embrace sustainability while adding value to their clients.
Meet James Courtney: A Champion for Sustainability In our enlightening conversation, James shared his journey in the water industry and emphasized the vital role that water professionals play in promoting sustainability. He stated, "We help our customers by saving them money on water, electricity, and fuel." This highlights how our work not only benefits the environment but also leads to significant financial savings for our clients.
Sustainability: More Than Just a Buzzword Sustainability means optimizing our resources. As James noted, "We operate in this space where we are directly responsible for the sustainability of our customers.” Water treaters have a unique opportunity to minimize their clients' carbon footprints while improving efficiency. Whether it's running boilers without scale, optimizing cooling towers, or maximizing cycles of conductivity, every action contributes to a greener future.
James also cautioned against greenwashing, reminding us that not all practices labeled as "green" deliver real benefits. We must be vigilant and ensure that our sustainability efforts
Educating and Empowering Clients Understanding water and energy usage is essential for effective water management. James encourages water professionals to educate their clients about their consumption patterns. “Clients often don’t realize that overusing chemicals or wasting water is a problem,” he explained. By illustrating the cost savings—like reducing their electricity bills or fuel costs—clients can connect the dots between efficient water treatment and their bottom line.
Harnessing Data One of James’s most compelling stories was about using smart meters to identify inefficiencies. He shared, “Meters give you information; information gives you the opportunity to find solutions to problems you didn't even know you had.” In one instance, a client’s building was using half a million gallons of water due to a blocked condensate receiver. The installation of a meter enabled the team to identify the issue and prevent unnecessary water loss, ultimately leading to significant cost savings for the client.
James’s team also tackled a fascinating case with two identical LEED Platinum buildings. Even though they were built exactly the same, one consumed significantly more power. By analyzing minute-by-minute energy data, they pinpointed the problem, leading to solutions that not only enhanced efficiency but also inspired other buildings in the community to adopt similar practices.
The Impact of Visibility James highlighted an intriguing study involving a housing development where identical homes were built. In half of these homes, energy meters were placed indoors, allowing residents to see their energy usage, while the other half had meters located outdoors. The results were striking: “The houses with visible indoor meters used less energy simply because people could see it,” James explained. Residents began to turn energy monitoring into a game, challenging themselves to reduce their consumption.
This simple shift towards visibility in daily energy use not only heightened awareness among residents but also nurtured a culture of energy-saving habits. As James aptly put it, “What gets measured gets managed.” Engaging clients in enjoyable and measurable ways can significantly drive sustainability efforts.
Final Thoughts James’s insights remind us of the significant role water professionals play in fostering a sustainable future. By leveraging data and educating our clients, we can create meaningful change that benefits both our communities and the environment. Together, let’s continue to explore the importance of sustainability practices that protect our generation and the ones to come.
Thank you for being part of the Scaling UP! H2O community. Together, let’s continue to educate ourselves and each other on the importance of sustainability practices that benefit both our generation and those to come.
Stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 01:28 - Trace Blackmore shares what he is thankful for, and extends gratitude to the listeners and to AWT for the 2024 Innovation Award, and shares his family’s Thanksgiving traditions 15:18 - Interview with James Courtney, CWT 58:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 01:01:05 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with James Courtney Phone: +1 443 878 2407 Email: james@csctech2o.com Website: https://www.csctech2o.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-courtney-cwt-leed-ap-379a6877/ Read or Download James Courtney’s Press Release HERE Guest Resources Mentioned Check if your seafood is sustainable here Check your water footprint here Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone I Said This You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman LEED AP O+M Class More than half of energy use in homes is for heating and air conditioning article The Last Optimist by Mark Mills (Podcast) The United States uses a mix of energy sources article
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Alton Brown’s turkey recipe, Romancing The Bird Donate To Our 6K World Vision Team Learn how to make your own 6K World Vision Team Industrial Water Week Resources The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea AWT (Association of Water Technologies) 386 Industrial Water Week 2024: Boiler Tuesday 004 It’s Not Easy Being Green! 325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about control ranges. There are a few trains of thought on control ranges. Which tests and readings really need a control range applied to them? How wide or narrow should the control range be? It’s something one should consider carefully. I have seen control ranges applied to every test parameter for a makeup, such as city water, that the user had absolutely no control over. Are these control ranges really necessary? Sometimes, they are, especially if the makeup source is susceptible to changes in water quality, such as total hardness, which can impact downstream softener performance. I’ve also seen control ranges so large a bus could slide through them sideways. What good is such a wide control range doing for the water system? Nothing was actually being controlled. I’ve seen control ranges that were so unreasonably narrow that the parameters were almost ALWAYS out of range as well. What good does that serve? Is a better control system needed to meet these narrow ranges or is a wider control range more fitting instead? A lot of you out there use field service report programs that turn red, green, and sometimes yellow when a parameter is outside the control range. Not having good and proper control ranges can make that field service report’s color coding nearly useless because it is always too red or even too green and not actually reflecting the true stressed or controlled state of the system. Control ranges that are too tight may yield field service reports that are red all the time, which will lead to either the end user ignoring the colors or being annoyed by the report always looking red. Control ranges that are too broad may not show the true state of stress the system is under and lead to more problems down the road. Lastly, I’ve even seen reps be pressured by their customers to avoid red color coding as much as possible, leading to either uselessly wide control ranges or no control ranges at all. This can be a touchy subject, but your control ranges must be meaningful and useful. It may take some finesse to get everyone on the same side of the table on this but seeing a little red when appropriate TODAY beats dealing with the impact of a failed water system and wasted energy and water TOMORROW.
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
We’re focusing on High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO) with insights from Ken Robinson, Director of North America Application & Sales at Avista Technologies. With over 40 years of experience in membrane technology, Ken sheds light on how HRRO is transforming water treatment and tackling industry challenges. Here are the key highlights from our conversation.
What is Reverse Osmosis (RO)? Ken describes reverse osmosis as a method for rejecting dissolved minerals and macro-organics from water. He stated, “Today's systems, most of them are using what they call a thin film composite membrane, which are categorized into seawater, brackish, and low-energy membranes, along with an offshoot called nanofiltration.” These systems achieve remarkable efficiency, with a rejection rate of around 99%, leaving only a minimal amount of dissolved minerals in the purified water.
What is High Recovery Reverse Osmosis (HRRO)? HRRO is designed to maximize water recovery and minimize waste, making it a game-changer for water treatment. According to Ken, “40 years ago, recovery limitations were dictated by the chemistries. Today, advances in antiscalant technology allow for much higher recovery rates.” This technology takes the concentrate from conventional RO systems and processes it further, increasing efficiency and sustainability.
Industries Leading the Way Initially adopted in industrial settings, HRRO is now gaining traction in sectors like municipal water treatment, food and beverage production, and power generation. Ken emphasized that “the growing focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance is driving broader adoption of HRRO systems.”
Ensuring Successful Operations To ensure HRRO systems function optimally, it’s crucial to define feedwater quality parameters and anticipate variability. Ken stressed the importance of training operators, noting, “There always seems to be a disconnect between applications and salespeople developing ideas. Misunderstandings arise when people don’t understand the behavior of water as it concentrates.”
To effectively tackle any challenges that arise, Ken recommends the following steps for operators:
- Define Feedwater Quality Parameters: Establish clear benchmarks for feedwater quality, including turbidity, pH, total dissolved solids (TDS), and any specific contaminants. This baseline will help identify any deviations that may affect system performance.
- Implement Regular Monitoring: Operators should capture data at regular intervals. This includes monitoring system pressures, flow rates, and recovery rates. Keeping an eye on these metrics will allow operators to identify trends and detect any anomalies early on.
- Normalize Collected Data: Regularly normalize the collected data to account for variations in operating conditions. By adjusting the data for factors such as temperature or seasonal changes, operators can gain clearer insights into system performance and efficiency.
- Train Operators on Water Behavior: Provide comprehensive training for operators that focuses on understanding how water behaves during the concentration process. As Ken pointed out, “water is very predictable in how it behaves,” so operators need to recognize the symptoms of potential issues and understand their causes.
- Foster Open Communication: Encourage collaboration among team members, especially between operators and technical support staff. Ken highlighted that insights often emerge from frontline staff who have firsthand experience with system operations.
- Conduct Root Cause Analysis: When problems arise, implement a structured approach to root cause analysis. This should involve gathering all relevant data, discussing operational practices, and reviewing system design. Engaging the team in this process can uncover issues that might be overlooked by individuals working in isolation.
- Adapt and Adjust: Finally, remain flexible and ready to adapt operational strategies based on the data insights and root cause analysis findings.
By following these steps, operators can optimize HRRO system performance, improve efficiency, and ultimately reduce waste.
Signs of a Successful Cleaning Ken Robinson shared valuable insights into the cleaning process, emphasizing the role of pre-treatment: “Pre-treatment is king in dictating the frequency,” he said, noting that surface water applications tend to require more frequent cleaning than well water systems.
Ensuring that the cleaning process has been successful is key to maintaining high efficiency in HRRO systems. According to Ken, operators should check a few critical parameters post-cleaning:
- Performance Recovery: A successful cleaning will restore the system's flow rates and pressures to their baseline levels. Operators should monitor permeate flow, pressure differentials, and salt rejection rates to confirm the system is operating efficiently after cleaning.
- Normalized Data Comparison: Ken advised that operators should regularly normalize the system's data, both before and after cleaning, to get an accurate view of performance. If system performance remains suboptimal post-cleaning, it could indicate incomplete cleaning or deeper issues within the system.
- Visual Inspection: While much of the data will be analyzed digitally, a hands-on inspection of membranes and pre-treatment systems can also reveal residual fouling. If membranes appear visually clean and performance metrics align, it's a good indicator that the cleaning was successful.
By consistently tracking and analyzing these factors, operators can extend membrane life and prevent performance issues from recurring.
Future RO Innovations Ken highlighted the development of thin-film composite membranes as one of the most impactful advancements in RO technology. These membranes have made it possible to push systems to new limits, achieving higher recovery rates while maintaining durability.
Looking ahead, zero liquid discharge (ZLD) systems—which aim to eliminate waste entirely—are on the horizon. As regions face water scarcity and stricter regulations, Ken sees ZLD playing a vital role in the future of water treatment.
Conclusion HRRO is transforming the water treatment landscape by driving efficiency and sustainability. By leveraging the latest advancements and understanding the challenges, operators can optimize performance and reduce waste, helping clients meet both regulatory and environmental goals.
Stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 07:33 - Trace Blackmore invites everyone to join the global community of Scaling UP! Nation members and explains how to subscribe to the podcast 08:51 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 13:18 - Interview with Ken Robinson about RO 59:40 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Ken Robinson Phone: +1 440 251 7390 Email: krobinson@avistatech.com Website: https://avistamembranesolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-robinson-00b59514/ Read or Download Ken Robinson’s Press Release HERE
Guest Resources Mentioned Book - The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett Podcast - The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life by Steven Bartlett Book - Think Again by Adam Grant Podcast- WorkLife with Adam Grant Book - Lifespan: Why We Age - and Why We Don't Have To by David A. Sinclair Podcast - Lifespan with David A. Sinclair Book - The Silent World: The International Bestseller by the Father of Underwater Exploration by Jacques Cousteau DVD - The Jacques Cousteau Odyssey - The Complete Series
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned CWT Prep Course Scaling UP! H2O Academy Online Courses
Drop By Drop with James Today’s episode is a “What if.” What if a cooling tower blowdown valve loses power? Will it fail closed or fail open? What could be the impact if it failed to close? What would be the impact if it failed open? What if the entire cooling system power failed, how would this be different than just the blowdown valve losing power? Is knowing whether a valve is designed to fail open or closed important when replacing a blowdown valve? Can you tell by looking at a valve whether it will fail open or closed?
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Your most limiting factor is yourself.” - Tessa Nge
In this week's episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we're thrilled to bring you an empowering conversation between host Trace Blackmore and two leaders in the water treatment industry— Tammy Faber, Sales Director, and Tessa Nge, Service Quality Supervisor at HOH Water Technology. Together, they explore how diversity fuels success, the importance of overcoming Imposter Syndrome, and how you can take meaningful steps to give back to our industry.
Diversity Drives Success: The Data Speaks Diversity isn't just about creating fair workplaces—it's a proven driver of business success. Tammy shared powerful insights from a study titled “Diversity Drives Sales Success: The Link Between Successful Sales Teams And Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion,” commissioned by LinkedIn.
This data shows that teams with strong diversity practices see:
- 6% higher customer satisfaction
- 12% higher sales
- 28% higher conversion rates
- 3% higher sales forecasts
"Diversity drives sales," Tammy stated. It's clear that fostering diverse teams doesn't just boost morale—it boosts the bottom line. Diverse teams approach challenges from different angles, offering innovative solutions that serve a wider range of customers. When organizations embrace diversity, they unlock untapped potential for growth.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: A Battle We All Face Imposter Syndrome is a challenge many of us encounter, no matter our level of expertise. Tessa opened up about this, emphasizing "Imposter Syndrome is something everyone struggles with. Overcoming it is hard and takes intentional practice." It’s not about eliminating self-doubt overnight but about taking deliberate steps to recognize and overcome it.
Tessa and Tammy’s top tips for overcoming self-doubt:
- Acknowledge your accomplishments. Take time to celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. This can shift your mindset and reinforce your value.
- Step out of your comfort zone. Growth comes from challenging yourself. As Tessa mentioned, "You won’t grow unless you’re willing to be uncomfortable."
- Seek feedback. Tammy also highlighted the importance of feedback, saying, "I always start by asking if it’s a good time to provide feedback. This shows respect and creates a space for open dialogue."
"Your most limiting factor is yourself," Tessa wisely added. By recognizing that our self-doubt often holds us back, we can take intentional steps toward building confidence.
Building a Culture of Support Creating a culture of support is vital for both personal and professional growth. Tammy and Tessa also discussed the vital role of a positive workplace culture in fostering growth and confidence. According to Tammy, "Intentionality is key to defining your culture. It should flow through every aspect of your organization." She emphasized that a strong culture empowers employees to thrive and feel supported.
Tessa echoed this sentiment, noting that a culture of trust and accountability allows individuals to flourish. "When you remove micromanagement and create a supportive environment, employees can focus on their growth," she said. By promoting mentorship, offering training opportunities, and encouraging open dialogue about the challenges we encounter, we can cultivate a healthy work culture that benefits everyone.
Taking Action: Give Back to the Water Treatment Community This week, we challenge you to give back to the industry that’s given so much to you. Whether it’s mentoring a young professional, volunteering with a local organization, or visiting a school to inspire students about careers in STEAM, now is the time to make an impact. As Tammy passionately said, "We need people that love this industry, that have a heart to help others and to grow others. There is no amount of expertise needed. The only thing you need is a willing heart and time." By giving back, you not only help others but also strengthen the community that has supported your own journey.
Final Thoughts: Know Your Worth We wrapped up this inspiring conversation with a powerful reminder from Tammy: "Know your worth. Take time to identify your limiting beliefs and pull them out by the roots. You are unique, and your talents are valuable." Overcoming Imposter Syndrome and stepping into your full potential requires recognizing your own value.
No matter where you are in your career, these lessons—embracing diversity, overcoming self-doubt, and fostering a culture of support—are essential for growth.
Join the Conversation Listen to this eye-opening conversation in our latest episode with the player above, or visit ScalingUpH2O.com/392 to tune in. Together, we can foster a more inclusive, supportive, and growth-driven environment in the water treatment industry.
Stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares FREE resources for water professionals on the Scaling UP! H2O website and wishes everyone a happy late Halloween 12:30 - Interview with Tammy Faber, Sales Director and Tessa Nge, Service Quality Supervisor at HOH Water Technology 51:14 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Tammy Faber Phone: +1 224-548-3393 Email: tfaber@hohwatertechnology.com Website: https://hohwatertechnology.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-faber-m-b-a-4680649/ Read or Download Press Release HERE Connect with Tessa Nge Phone: +1 224-545-7870 Email: tnge@hohwatertechnology.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tessaskilton/
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Audible (30 days free with this affiliate link) The Hang November 14, 2024 Legionella Resources Page Events for Water Treatment Professionals Guest Links Mentioned Diversity Drives Sales Success: The Link Between Successful Sales Teams And Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion. A Forrister Consulting Thought Leadership Paper Commissioned By LinkedIn Women in Water & Young Professionals– Dealing with Diversity and How to Overcome Challenges by Tammy Faber & Tessa Nge 252 The One About the Operations Manager Turned Sales Manager with Tammy Faber 380 The WOW Effect: Women Leading Transformation in the Water Industry AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Novus Global Ted Lasso TV Show It's Not About The Nail Video
Books Mentioned Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima It by Stephen King
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…explain alkalinity to a non-technical person. Now, if you’re like me, this is a fun challenge! I LOVE explaining industrial water treatment to people! If you’re not like me, then sorry, but please do this challenge anyway. Alkalinity is a foundational bit of knowledge we must all understand as industrial water treaters. Technically, it is defined as the acid absorbing or neutralizing property of water. Sounds simple enough, right? What are the chemical components that make up alkalinity, though? We usually think of carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxide ions, but can there be others? Why does alkalinity matter in cooling systems, boilers, closed loops, and wastewater? The answer can be different for each. How do we measure alkalinity? We talk about P-alkalinity, M-alkalinity, and OH or hydroxyl alkalinity, but how are each different, how are they related, and what is each measuring? Total alkalinity and M-alkalinity are the same thing. That can be confusing to some. Why are they the same? How would you explain this to a non-technical person? Can you explain it right now or do you need to do a little more research first? Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” This is your challenge to understand alkalinity well enough to explain it simply.
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
We continue our in-depth conversation with Tom Tinney, Product Specialist and equipment guru at AquaPhoenix Scientific diving deeper into the technical aspects of multimeter troubleshooting. This episode is packed with practical tips designed to help you navigate the often-confusing world of diagnostics and electrical troubleshooting. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just getting started, Tom’s hands-on advice will guide you through common troubleshooting challenges so you can improve your accuracy and efficiency in the field.
Missed Part 1? No worries! You can catch up on Episode 390 to get the foundation before diving into this advanced discussion.
How Can You Avoid Fake Signals? Ever wonder why you're getting water meter readings when the system isn’t running? Tom breaks it down. If low-voltage sensor wires run too close to high-voltage AC wires, electrical interference can mimic a water meter signal, leading to fake readings.
Pro tip: Keep the wires separated by at least 12 inches, and if they must cross, do so at a 90-degree angle. "Running them through the same conduit isn’t just a bad idea; it’s a code violation," Tom advises.
The Troubleshooting Tool, You Didn’t Know You Needed: A Paperclip That’s right—Tom channels his inner MacGyver with this simple tool. "When I troubleshoot, I always bring paper clips," he shares. They’re perfect for quick fixes, especially when dealing with short circuits or stripped wires.
How Long Can a Conduit Run Be on a Water Meter? Tom recommends keeping conduit runs short and efficient: ● Water meters: up to 1,000 feet ● Conductivity sensors: 200 feet max ● Amplified pH sensors: up to 1,000 feet ● Non-amplified pH sensors: Stick to 20 feet or less for optimal performance.
Pro Tip: Save Your Multimeter’s Battery Life You don’t need to keep your meter on "Resistance" all the time. Switching it to Volts AC, Volts DC, or simply turning it off can extend your battery life significantly.
Troubleshooting with the Experts: Top 4 Calls Tom Tinney shares the top troubleshooting calls he receives:
- The 1575 Controller Mystery ● Issue: Controller reset every time the relay activated. ● Fix: A simple switch adjustment from 230V to 115V solved the issue.
- The Miswired Outlet ● Problem: Controller shutting off when a relay turned on. ● Fix: Rewriting the outlet, which had reversed hot and neutral wires.
- Destroyed Chlorine Sensor ● Issue: Excessive flow and pressure destroyed the sensor. ● Lesson: Always stick to the manufacturer's guidelines and communicate them clearly to plumbers and electricians.
- Competing Controllers Failing ● Issue: Controllers from different manufacturers failing simultaneously. ● Fix: The culprit was a faulty sensor and excessive aeration.
Who Should Be Using Remote Communications? While it may seem logical to apply remote communications to your highest-value accounts, Tom suggests starting with smaller ones. Remote communication technology can save time and money by allowing you to troubleshoot remotely, and the investment often pays off with just one saved trip a year.
Troubleshooting Leaks in an MPT Thread When it comes to troubleshooting leaks in an MPT Thread, maintenance is key. First, make sure you clean your sensors at least once a season, or even more frequently, similar to how you maintain a cooling tower.
When replacing the boiler sensor in an MPT Thread (an angled thread going into an angled pipe), don’t screw it in until it "clicks"—this can cause leaks. Instead, tighten the sensor by hand. Once it’s snug, use a wrench to turn it only ½ to ¾ of a turn more. If you’ve already got a leak, chances are you’ve overtightened it. Don’t try to fix a leak by cranking it tighter—at that point, you’ve already gone too far.
The Blackmore Method This formula answers the age-old question: How do I know what to set my biocide pre-bleed on?
If you know the system volume, incoming makeup water conductivity, and how much you evaporate every minute, this equation will tell you exactly what to set your pre-bleed to:
A Fun Fact: The Cooling Tower Scene in Die Hard Did you know? The blue box with the two dials on the wall in the Die-Hard cooling tower scene was one of Tom’s old controllers! Tom even tracked down the Fox Studios building manager and discovered that it was there from 1988 through 2012. How cool is that?
Timestamps 02:07 - Trace Blackmore reminds you about our free Events for Water Treatment Professionals page on our website. It’s a comprehensive list of all the events our team is aware of for water professionals to attend in the USA and around the world. Don’t wait, scale up your knowledge today by attending a conference in the upcoming months. 03:15 - The Hang is happening on November 14, 2024: a free zoom networking event for water professionals 05:40 - Tom Tinney, Product Specialist and equipment guru at AquaPhoenix Scientific continues his talk on Troubleshooting Multimeters 01:04:35 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Tom Tinney Phone: +1 469 999 8603 Email: pir8@tomtinney.com Website: https://www.aquaphoenixsci.com/ LinkedIn: Tom Tinney
Links Mentioned Episode 003 Controllers with Tom Tinney 390 Multimeter Troubleshooting: Your Guide to Accurate Diagnostics, Part 1 Industrial Water Week Resources Page Multimeter Assorted Fuses box 5 X 20 Resistance Substitution Decade Box pH/ORP Simulator 4-20mA Simulator to simulate Pyxis Fluke Meter with Frequency Complete Panel Systems Test Kits Dragon Con, The Dragon Award The Rising Tide Mastermind
Books and Movies Mentioned Die Hard 5-Movie Collection starring Bruce Willis (Christmas is around the corner, folks) Path of Tyrants (Backyard Starship) by J.N. Chaney and Terry Maggert Son of the Black Sword (1) (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior) by Larry Correia Tower of Silence (Saga of the Forgotten Warrior Book 4) by Larry Correia Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time by Brian Tracy Quick Throttle Magazine 1997 The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin Blood of Invidia: Maestru Series Book 1 by Tom Tinney & Morgen Batten Threads: Book One of the "Fabric of the Universe" by Tom Tinney The Future is Short: Science Fiction in a Flash by Carrol Fix Visions II: Moons of Saturn by Tom Tinney The Future is Short - Volume 2: Science Fiction in a Flash by Jot Russell
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about chlorine chemistry and the Reservoir Effect. Have you heard this phrase before? The Reservoir Effect? In the debate between which is a better biocide at higher pHs, chlorine or bromine, the Reservoir Effect is an important concept to consider. When sodium hypochlorite, chlorine gas, or even calcium hypochlorite mixes with water, the target product they produce is hypochlorous acid or HOCl. This hypochlorous acid is subject to a dissociation which converts some of it to the hypochlorite ion or OCl-, which is a weaker biocide than hypochlorous acid. The pH of the water has a major impact upon how much this dissociation happens. That’s at the heart of the whole chlorine versus bromine debate because the chlorine chemistry dissociates more at a lower pH than bromine does. This means more hypochlorous acid is converted to the weaker hypochlorite ion at a lower pH than hypobromous acid is converted to the hypobromite ion at the same pH. This concept is used to justify using bromine chemistry at higher pHs versus chlorine. But is this argument as simple as this? I propose that the Reservoir Effect muddies the waters a bit. I just talked about how the hypochlorous acid dissociates to the weaker hypochlorite ion. This dissociation between the two is a very tight and fast ratio. It’s an equilibrium reaction. As soon as the hypochlorous acid is consumed in the battle against unwanted microbiological activity, some of the weaker hypochlorite ions are quickly converted BACK to the stronger hypochlorous acid form. This is the Reservoir Effect because even though the hypochlorite ion is weaker, it is waiting there to turn back into the stronger hypochlorous acid very quickly when needed. Sort of like the Incredible Hulk. Bruce Banner is the mild-mannered hypochlorite ion just going about his day, but when push comes to shove, he bulks up and turns green…although green isn’t a good thing in a cooling tower, but you get the point. Now, there are certainly many other factors when comparing chlorine chemistry to other alternatives in a cooling water system, but the Reservoir Effect is one that I don’t think many people know about nor consider. Think about it. Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
In our latest episode, we had the pleasure of welcoming back Tom Tinney, Product Specialist and equipment guru at AquaPhoenix Scientific. Tom shared invaluable insights into troubleshooting multimeters—an essential tool every water professional should have on hand during site visits. Here are some key takeaways from our discussion that you won’t want to miss!
Why You Need a Multimeter: An Essential Tool for Your Kit Tom emphasized the importance of carrying a multimeter. “This is the tool that checks the controller to ensure you’re delivering your products and services on site while you’re not there. If you need to check its health or troubleshoot, you need a multimeter.” Even a $12 model will suffice, so you won’t stress about leaving it behind. This handy device can save you time and reduce anxiety, especially if it’s misplaced.
Troubleshooting Power Issues: More Than Just Fuses A common scenario Tom encounters is technicians reporting that their controller is powered on but has no output. While it may seem like a blown fuse isn't the issue, controllers often have separate fuses for the relays. With your multimeter, you can quickly check for voltage on either side of the fuse.
If one side shows voltage and the other doesn’t, it indicates a blown fuse. Tom’s golden rule for troubleshooting fuses? Always bring three with you because “troubleshooting with fuses always takes three fuses, no matter what.” After replacing a blown fuse, check if the controller powers up correctly or if the issue lies with the connected equipment.
Be Prepared: Stock Your Toolbox Tom recommends keeping spare fuses in the exact size you need in your toolbox. With fewer Radio Shacks around, it’s essential to think ahead and replenish your supply. By having a fuse kit, you can avoid multiple service calls, saving both time and effort. When your fuse count dips below three, make sure to restock!
The Art of Checking Fuses: Don't Be Deceived! Sometimes, a wire may appear intact. To check for functionality, Tom suggests using the resistance setting on your multimeter. This method can confirm whether the fuse is operational. Listen for the reliable beep, indicating that current is flowing correctly.
When checking fuses, ensure you’re measuring both sides for voltage. If it’s absent, the fuse is blown. To confirm functionality, you can also switch your multimeter to resistance mode. If it beeps when touching the fuse leads, it’s still conducting properly; if not, the fuse is blown.
Checking Conductivity Sensors Tom provided insights on verifying whether a conductivity sensor is functioning correctly. By measuring the AC voltage at the sensor tips, you can determine if it’s working as intended. Remember, maintaining clean sensor tips is crucial for accurate readings—avoid using sandpaper Instead, use a loose-bristle steel brush to remove any buildup.
Conductivity Sensors Gone Bad Many users may regret learning how easily a multimeter can troubleshoot issues with conductivity sensors. Tom noted that when sensors are returned for warranty claims, they’re often covered with white residue but still work perfectly fine 99% of the time after cleaning. If you want to learn how to clean them properly, he’s more than willing to share his expertise.
The Tom Tinney Approved Method for Cleaning a Conductivity Probe Instead of sanding the carbon tip of a conductivity sensor, Tom recommends using a loose-bristle steel brush. This method effectively removes crusty buildup without damaging the sensor. After brushing, soak it in a 10% sulfuric acid, 1% murratic, or if you have time, you can even use a CLR solution to dissolve any remaining scale. Rinse thoroughly, then use isopropyl alcohol to eliminate any oily residues. “After you put it back in your system, you will be majorly impressed with the operation of that sensor!” shares Tom.
Understanding the Difference: Carbon Tips vs. Toroidal Probes When comparing carbon tips to toroidal probes, it's crucial to understand their design and functionality differences.
Carbon Tips: Carbon tips are made from powdered carbon compressed under high pressure in a mold, creating a porous structure that allows water to flow through. When water pressure exceeds 140 PSI, it passes through the carbon like a sieve, enabling it to travel up the rod and into the sensor via a wire sheath. This design ensures optimal performance but limits the operational pressure to 140 PSI.
Toroidal Probes: In contrast, toroidal probes operate differently. They use two wire coils as transformers, generating a small alternating current signal without direct contact with the water. The water's conductivity affects the signal strength between the coils. As a result, these sensors require less frequent cleaning since they are less prone to fouling compared to carbon tips.
Additionally, toroidal sensors excel in high-salinity environments, making them suitable for applications involving seawater or other salty waters. Not so salty? Then users typically revert to two-tip or four-tip conductivity sensors.
Tune in next week to Scaling UP! H2O as we continue with part 2 of this crucial topic of troubleshooting multimeters.
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore reflects on Industrial Water Week 08:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 12:00 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald 16:00 - Catching up with returning guest Tom Tinney, Product Specialist and equipment guru at AquaPhoenix Scientific 27:00 Tom Tinney talks Troubleshooting Multimeters
Tom Tinney Quotes “Troubleshooting with fuses always takes 3 fuses, no matter what.” “There is a proper way to clean conductivity sensors and if you're not doing it, shame on you, and if you want to learn it, we can talk about it.” “I don't care who you are. There's a little scale building up on that sensor all the time.” “You never go above one hundred and forty PSI with a carbon-based sensor”
Connect with Tom Tinney Phone: +1 469-999-8603 Email: pir8@tomtinney.com Website: https://www.aquaphoenixsci.com/ LinkedIn: Tom Tinney Read or Download Tom Tinney’s Press Release HERE Links Mentioned The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Episode 003 Controllers with Tom Tinney Industrial Water Week Resources Page Multimeter Assorted Fuses box 5 X 20 Resistance Substitution Decade Box pH/ORP Simulator 4-20mA Simulator to simulate Pyxis Fluke Meter with Frequency Complete Panel Systems Test Kits
Books Mentioned Blood of Invidia: Maestru Series Book 1 by Tom Tinney & Morgen Batten Threads: Book One of the "Fabric of the Universe" by Tom Tinney The Future is Short: Science Fiction in a Flash by Carrol Fix Visions II: Moons of Saturn by Tom Tinney The Future is Short - Volume 2: Science Fiction in a Flash by Jot Russell
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I’m thinking about sodium hypochlorite and temperature. How does temperature impact the strength and shelf life of industrial-strength sodium hypochlorite or bleach? As we all know and witness, our industrial water treatment chemicals are not all stored in temperature-controlled environments. Some are stored in hot boiler rooms, cold sheds, or outside directly in the sunlight during summer months. When it comes to sodium hypochlorite, though, how can the temperature in these various storage conditions impact it? One article I’ve seen says that for every 18 F increase in temperature (that would be 10 C), the decomposition rate of bleach is increased by a factor of 3.5! That means at 77 F or 25 C, the half-life of a 12.5% solution is 180 days. For 95 F or 35 C, the half-life drops significantly to only 48 days! Would knowing this impact the quantity of sodium hypochlorite you store on site during warmer months? Would knowing this explain any issues you’ve had with microbiological control? Think about it. It’s a hot topic
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Happy Careers Friday, Scaling UP! Nation!
As we wrap up Industrial Water Week 2024, we want to thank you for celebrating with us. This week, we dove deep into Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and now Careers. You can revisit all these episodes by visiting our Industrial Water Week Resources Page. Next Friday, we’ll be back to our regular schedule, delivering fresh insights to help you scale up your water knowledge.
Thank Someone Who Shaped Your Career Your success is built on the shoulders of those who helped you along the way. Today, take a moment to write a handwritten card to someone who impacted your career. It’s amazing how a simple note of gratitude can brighten someone's day and create lasting bonds.
Connect with the Scaling UP! Community Our podcast has built a global network of water professionals, and we're honored to be part of your journey. Whether you're driving from account to account or catching up on episodes, remember—you’re not alone. The community we've built is here to support your growth, and so are our free online resources.
Show Us How You Celebrate! Share your celebration! Post pictures of you with your team, mentor, client, or even your Industrial Water Week cake. Let’s flood social media with photos using #IndustrialWaterWeek2024 and #IWW24 to show the world why we love this industry!
Career Advice from Water Industry Leaders
- Dragan Savić FREng encourages you to jump into the water industry by simply asking professionals about their experiences. Don’t wait—start that conversation today!
- Kalpna Solanki highlights the purpose and global reach of becoming an environmental operator: “What could be more purposeful than providing safe drinking water and wastewater management?”
- Blaine Nagao shares how mentorship launched his career in water treatment. Stay visible with technology, build client relationships, and keep sharing what makes this field great
Join a Mastermind of Water Leaders Want to elevate your career even further? The Rising Tide Mastermind is your chance to connect with like-minded professionals, tackle challenges together, and grow your career. With four spots available, now’s the time to join! Apply at www.ScalingUpH2O.com/Mastermind and be part of a supportive community that wants to see you succeed.
Thank you for making Industrial Water Week 2024 unforgettable!
Timestamps 0:01 - Welcome to Careers Friday! Trace Blackmore shares three key tasks as we conclude this spectacular week. 10:45 - Dragan Savić FREng, the CEO of and Professor of Hydroinformatics at the KWR Water Research Institute 13:00 - Kalpna Solanki, Board Trustee of the Water Environment Federation (WEF) 14:09 - Blaine Nagao, Senior Director of Smart Release Technology at Dober 19:30 - Detective H2O - The Case of Hard Diagnosis
Connect with the Scaling UP! H2O Team Email Executive Producer Corrine Drury: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com Corrine Drury Phone: 224-828-9514 LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ linkedin.com/in/corrinedrury Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Connect with Blaine Nagao Phone: 817.913.8030 Email: bnagao@dober.com Website: www.dober.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/blaine-nagao-cwt-953822110/ linkedin.com/company/dober/
Connect with Dragan Savić FREng Email: directiesecretariaatkwr@kwrwater.nl Website: www.kwrwater.nl/en/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dragansavic/ www.linkedin.com/company/kwr-water-research-institute/ Connect with Kalpna Solanki Phone: 778.688.9196 Email: kalpnasolanki1980@gmail.com Website: Water Environment Federation (WEF) LinkedIn: Kalpna Solanki, MBA Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Links Mentioned Industrial Water Week Resources Page The Rising Tide Mastermind AWT Innovation Award, Scaling UP! H2O was the 2024 Recipient 367 Smart Solutions: How Solid Chemistry Can Transform Your Business 355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality 356 Unlocking the Future: Collaborative Water Management 106 The One with the Agnostic Equipment Guy
Wastewater isn’t fully appreciated until it's not working.
Let’s dive into Wastewater Thursday! This is the day we celebrate the unsung heroes—water treaters—who help reuse and recycle water, keeping our planet sustainable. Wastewater treatment isn’t just about getting rid of contaminants; it’s about turning something used into something reusable, ensuring that water doesn’t go to waste. And believe it or not, this process is essential, even if it means sometimes working in environments that… Well, it doesn't always smell so great.
Let me share a story. Years ago, I visited a turkey rendering plant with my dad, and I’ll never forget how strong the smell was. My dad leaned over and said, “Son, that’s what money smells like.” But the real lesson came later when I walked into a new customer’s office straight from the plant, not realizing just how much of that smell had followed me. They still bring it up whenever I visit, and it taught me to always be prepared—now I keep fresh clothes in my car for those, let’s say, aromatic site visits.
Today, we're diving into how to run a successful wastewater jar study—getting that perfect floc formation. So, grab your stirrers and notepads; we’re going deep into the steps you need to get it right every time. And you’re not going to want to miss a special message from our guest, Chris Drover from ZwitterCo, who’s working on revolutionary membrane technology for wastewater treatment. Chris even did a live taste test of reclaimed industrial water—talk about dedication! His message? “Water is water.” No matter where it comes from. Wastewater needs to be reused and recycled for our activities to be sustainable in the long run.”
So, let’s celebrate how wastewater treatment makes our world more sustainable. Snap a photo of yourself and your favorite wastewater tool or system and tag it with #IWW24 and #IndustrialWaterWeek. Let’s show the world what makes this day so important! Timestamps 0:01- Trace Blackmore shares his turkey rendering plant story 7:30 - How to properly run a wastewater jar test 17:57 - Our friend Christopher Drover, CTO and Co-Founder at Zwitter Co stops by to wish everyone a happy Wastewater Thursday 21:00 - Detective H2O - The Case of Seeing the Dead
Connect with Christopher Drover Phone: +1 508 562 9916 Email: cdrover@zwitterco.com Website: Zwitter Co LinkedIn: Christopher Drover
Links Mentioned Industrial Water Week Resources Page 078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1) 079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2) 349 Defying Fouling Challenges: A New Frontier in Industrial Wastewater Solutions
It’s Cooling Wednesday, and today we’re spotlighting the essential systems that keep industrial processes and HVAC systems running smoothly—cooling towers, chillers, heat exchangers—and the dedicated professionals who keep them in top shape.
We all know how crucial cooling towers are for removing heat from a building’s process, but did you know there’s more to the story? Cooling towers circulate water from a heat source, cooling it down by dropping it through the tower before returning it to the system. But what about fluid coolers and evaporative condensers? Fluid coolers use a tube bundle to keep inside, and outside water separate, while evaporative condensers use refrigerants like ammonia to tackle the heat.
Today’s special guest, Loraine Huchler, President of Martech Systems, joins us to share a crucial reminder: "Monitoring and managing biofilm will automatically decrease your risk of Legionella and Legionellosis infections—not just in cooling water, but even in building water." Learn how to keep your cooling systems safe from Legionella by visiting our free Legionella Resources page, where you can find past episodes, articles, and the latest legislation updates.
Whether you’re treating a cooling tower, chiller, or heat exchanger, snap a photo of your system today and post it using the tags #IWW24 and #IndustrialWaterWeek. Let’s celebrate Cooling Wednesday together and keep the conversation flowing!
Timestamps 0:01 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Cooling Wednesday, check out our free Legionella Resource Page and Industrial Water Week Page 8:50 - Our friend Loraine Huchler, P.E., CMC®, FIMC, President of Martech Systems stops by to wish everyone a happy Cooling Wednesday 11:30 Cooling terminology advice: not everything is a cooling tower 15:40 - Detective H2O - The Case of the Dye Job
Connect with Loraine Huchler, P.E., CMC®, FIMC Phone: +1 757.442.5308 Email: huchler@martechsystems.com Website: www.martechsystems.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loraine-huchler/
Links Mentioned Industrial Water Week Resources Page Check out our Legionella Resource Page, where you can find dozens of free Legionella articles, episodes, and documents to help you scale up your Legionella knowledge International Water Conference (IWC) 379 Into the Unknown: The Link Between Biofilm and Legionella 346 Revolutionizing Legionella Management: A 2024 Kickoff Special 328 Industrial Water Week 2023: Pretreatment Monday 327 Pinks and Blues – Cooling Towers, Part 1 138 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers – Part 2 137 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers, Part 1
We are equipment whisperers.
Imagine this: You're at a conference, surrounded by industry experts, and someone raises their hand to ask, "What's the difference between a Water Tube Boiler and a Fire Tube Boiler?" Now, most of us would expect this to be common knowledge at a water conference, right? But here’s the twist—the person asking wasn’t a water professional. He was a curious customer, frustrated because the company servicing his boiler couldn’t give him a clear answer.
This is where we, as water professionals, can really shine. Our job isn’t just to service equipment; it’s to educate our customers. We need to explain how their systems work, identify issues, discuss the solutions we’ve implemented, and most importantly, show them the results. Because when customers understand, they trust.
We are the "equipment whisperers," and our mission is heating transfer management. In boilers, everything has to work together perfectly for efficient heat transfer. But how do we prove that? And how do we share that information in a way our customers understand?
Today’s episode tackles the age-old question: What’s the difference between a Water Tube Boiler and a Fire Tube Boiler? And for those of you working in the field, here’s a challenge: Can you explain it easily to your customers?
Water Tube Boilers circulate water through tubes heated externally by combustion gasses. These systems are typically larger, with higher efficiency, and can handle extreme pressures and temperatures. On the other hand, Fire Tube Boilers have hot gasses flowing through the tubes surrounded by water. They’re simpler, more compact, and generally cheaper to install—perfect for smaller applications.
But no matter what type of boiler your customer has, scale buildup is always the enemy. When scale forms inside a Water Tube Boiler, the consequences are severe. Fire Tube Boilers are a bit more forgiving, but the goal remains the same: Keep those heat transfer surfaces clean to generate steam with the least fuel possible.
So, the next time your customer asks a question—no matter how simple it seems—take the time to explain. Prove the value of your service and remind them that you're there to help them maximize their system’s efficiency.
Tune in every day this week for a new episode of Scaling UP! H2O, and let’s make this Industrial Water Week a celebration of the amazing work we do!
Happy Industrial Water Week!
Timestamps 0:01 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Boiler Tuesday 09:32 - What is the difference between a Fire Tube Boiler and a Water Tube Boiler? 17:09- Our friend Fred Shurtz, Owner and the President of Precision Chemical, Division of Browne Labs stops by to wish everyone a happy Boiler Tuesday 19:40 - Detective H2O - The Case of Being Picture Perfect (NEW release for 2024)
Connect with Fred Shurtz Phone: +1 812 455 7378 Email: fshurtz@precisonchem.com Website: Precision Chemical Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-shurtz-7287b032/
Links Mentioned 369 Mastering New Business: A Sales Journey Water Cake Industrial Water Week Resources Page Submit a Show Idea
The wait is over! It's time to celebrate the best job in the world and each other during Industrial Water Week! As part of the Scaling UP! Nation, we want to see you in action – take a selfie in front of your favorite water softener or RO unit and tag it with #IWW24, #IndustrialWaterWeek, and #ScalingUpH2O. It can be lonely driving from account to account, but this week reminds us that we’re all part of a global community of water professionals. Let’s come together to celebrate the incredible work we do and shine a light on the countless opportunities in water.
Today is Pretreatment Monday, and we’re kicking things off with an episode packed with insights on water softener calculations, elution studies, and a special visit from Keith Karl, ICONX Chemicals, Inc. Equipment Division President, who’s here to wish everyone a happy Pretreatment Monday! Tune in each day this week as we release a new episode highlighting the critical elements of industrial water treatment.
Want to learn more about Industrial Water Week? Visit the free Resources dropdown at www.ScalingUpH2O.com to explore all things Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and Careers in water. Have a show idea? Let us know! We’re always looking for new ways to bring you the best educational content to help you scale up your water career. Happy Pretreatment Monday!
Timestamps 0:01 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the Water Treaters podcast and the very first day of Industrial Water Week 2024 10:00 - Our friend Keith Karl, ICONX Chemicals, Inc. Equipment Division President stops by to wish everyone a happy Pretreatment Monday 11:15 - Additional water resources, water softener calculations, and elution studies 25:20 - Detective H2O - The Case of Normalization
Connect with Keith Karl Phone: +1 732 715 1372 Email: keith@iconxchemicals.com Website: http://www.iconxchemicals.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-karl-4435a9249/
Links Mentioned Chloride Elution Study Procedure and Data Interpretation Industrial Water Week Resources Page Submit a Show Idea
Discover Breakthroughs in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Treatment: A Special Re-Air of Our Most Popular Episode from 2023
When it comes to oil wastewater treatment, the challenges can feel overwhelming. But what if there was a way to tackle these obstacles with cutting-edge solutions? In this special re-airing of our most popular episode from 2023, Swati Sharma, Ph.D. an expert at Water Engineering Inc. (WEI), walks us through her innovative research that’s helping water treaters around the world.
Her expertise is backed by groundbreaking research, including her thesis titled "How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process", which she graciously shares with our global audience. Gain insights into electrooxidation processes and valuable advice for aspiring water treatment researchers.
Even if you’ve heard this episode before, we promise you’ll learn something new this time around. Dr. Sharma’s expertise in electrooxidation processes and her passion for solving complex wastewater problems is sure to inspire and equip you to approach your next challenge with confidence.
What makes treating sunflower oil wastewater so difficult? Sunflower oil wastewater is particularly challenging because it contains high levels of organic pollutants. Traditional methods often fall short, leaving treaters frustrated and looking for better solutions. But as Dr. Sharma shares, every wastewater is different, and each treatment process behaves uniquely depending on the specific characteristics.
“I found that each wastewater was so different in its characteristics, that each of these treatments behaved completely differently. Electrocoagulation (EC) was really good with the canola oil, whereas I found that Electrooxidation (EO) was a better process for sugar beets, which are really high in organic loading.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
How does electrooxidation make a difference? Dr. Sharma explains that advanced processes like electrooxidation and electrocoagulation offer more precise control over treating specific types of wastewaters. Electrooxidation, for instance, can target and break down organic pollutants more effectively than conventional methods, making it a game-changer for sunflower oil wastewater.
“Wastewater is like math, it’s like a game. You have to understand it and enjoy doing it. It’s a puzzle, you need to connect the dots to make a beautiful picture.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
What advice does Dr. Sharma have for aspiring researchers? Dr. Sharma’s path to success wasn’t without challenges. In the episode, she offers valuable insights into the importance of persistence and curiosity. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, her advice applies across the board.
“Sometimes your hypothesis doesn’t match your findings and it’s hard. You dedicate so many hours of your life to your study and you are so passionate about this, and it's demotivating at times. But you have to learn what has failed and why it has failed. Find the reason behind your failure and it will lead to your success. That's what I believe in.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
What’s the key to successful wastewater treatment? Understanding the specific characteristics of the wastewater you’re dealing with is essential to finding the right solution. Dr. Sharma emphasizes that it’s not just about adding chemicals but truly understanding the problem.
“It’s not about the addition of chemicals, it’s about understanding the characteristics of your wastewater. pH, temperature, composition, where is it coming from and where is it going—all of these matters matter. Understanding how this work is important.” – Dr. Swati Sharma
Whether you’re hearing this episode for the first time or revisiting it, Dr. Sharma’s research will leave you better equipped to tackle your next wastewater challenge with new insights and practical takeaways.
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you that next week there will be a new episode heard every day as we celebrate all 5 days of Industrial Water Week 06:00 - Introducing our top five episodes since Industrial Water Week 2023 08:03 - Interview with Doctor Swati Sharma of Water Engineering Incorporated, about 43:30 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Swati Sharma, Ph.D. Phone: 402.521.4161 Email: ssharma@h2oeng.com Website: www.h2oeng.com LinkedIn: in/swati-sharma-ph-d-91449518 company/water-engineering-inc Read the Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned “How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process” - Thesis by Dr. Swati Sharma Follow Dr. Swati Sharma on Google Scholar and be updated on her publications The Rising Tide Mastermind
Top 5 Episodes since 2023’s Industrial Water Week 341 Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems with lab partner Richard Philip Beckett 348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella with Christoph Lohr 328 Industrial Water Week 2023: Pretreatment Monday with Wes Bryne 324 Endless Career Possibilities in Industrial Water Treatment with Chelsea Farmer Books Mentioned Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery by Inc. Metcalf & Eddy
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about annual reviews. Yes, annual reviews. They come due before you know it each year. Do you do annual reviews for your customers? If your answer is no, why not? I’ve always found annual reviews to be a great time to remind your customer of the value you bring to their operation. Industrial water treatment is important! Without it, it would cost more for them to operate. In many instances, their operations could be shut down. Plus, there are many safety aspects that good industrial water treatment brings to the table from helping keep boilers from exploding to helping minimize Legionnaires Disease. It’s also a good time to get everyone on the same page to both maintain and improve the water treatment operations. Sure, it could be an opportunity for the end user to complain, but that’s good! Would you rather they have an opportunity to tell you their issues face to face or in an email informing you they’re changing industrial water treatment vendors? Be sure to document the annual review with a prepared document or presentation. Also be sure to follow up on any issues they have and commitments you have made.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"What's the most economical, acceptable, compliance-based solution?"
In our latest podcast episode, we sat down with returning guest Michael J. Soller P.E. CPC, DBIA the Vice President of Business Development at Bowen Engineering Corporation. Michael shares his deep expertise in compliance, problem-solving, and project management in the treatment of industrial wastewater discharge. Drawing from his technical paper titled “Treatment of Aerospace Machining and Inspection Wastewater,” published through the International Water Conference (IWC), Michael’s insights offer valuable lessons for both seasoned professionals and newcomers to the field.
What was the challenge in treating aerospace machining wastewater? Michael’s team was tasked with solving a unique and complex problem: treating wastewater from aerospace machining and inspection processes, which included both oily and chemical-laden water. The challenge? The wastewater had a makeup that was difficult to treat using standard industrial methods due to high variability in water quality, coupled with strict environmental regulations.
Michael explains, "The project demanded an innovative approach to remove oils, emulsifiers, and heavy metals, all while ensuring that we met the discharge standards set forth by regulatory bodies." His team had to develop a custom treatment system that could handle the specific composition of the wastewater and still operate efficiently on a day-to-day basis.
How was the technical problem solved? Michael's approach revolved around advanced treatment technologies. His team implemented a combination of physical separation processes, chemical treatment, and membrane filtration to address the variable wastewater composition. They also designed the system to operate within tight environmental discharge limits.
"We needed a solution that was flexible yet robust enough to consistently meet compliance while accounting for changes in water makeup," he says. His team's strategy of using adaptable treatment methods ensured that the system could be fine-tuned as needed without sacrificing performance or sustainability.
How Can We Ensure Compliance in Wastewater Management? Michael walked us through a crucial aspect of industrial water treatment: staying in compliance with local discharge standards. Daily monitoring, regular equipment maintenance, and thorough record-keeping are essential. As Michael put it, it’s a simple equation: "Either they’re in compliance or they’re not."
One standout example is how his client wisely operated at a 60-70% capacity rather than pushing their system to 100%. This allowed room for planned maintenance and unexpected issues without jeopardizing compliance. Michael highlighted the importance of planning for maintenance, saying, "They know they’re going to have variability, so they plan accordingly." This proactive approach minimizes the risk of being caught off guard and incurring fines or downtime.
Managing Projects Without Sacrificing Capacity In industrial projects, there’s often a temptation to "value engineer" and eliminate extra capacity to cut costs. Michael shared a compelling example of how a customer made a deliberate choice to avoid this pitfall, ensuring they had the necessary leeway to maintain and repair equipment without maxing out their system’s capacity.
For customers who may be hesitant about building in extra capacity, Michael recommends having an honest and clear conversation about roles and responsibilities. He stresses that clients must make the final decision, but it’s the engineer’s job to provide accurate data and practical recommendations.
Lessons for Future Industrial Water Projects Michael’s work on aerospace wastewater treatment offers practical lessons for other industries facing similar challenges. From early collaboration with key stakeholders to thorough pilot testing of treatment methods, Michael stresses the importance of meticulous planning.
"One of the biggest lessons we learned is to engage with the operations team from the beginning. Their input is invaluable in designing a system that will work smoothly in practice," Michael points out. By incorporating feedback from plant operators and end-users, his team was able to build a solution that not only met environmental regulations but also aligned with operational needs. Dive Deeper into Michael’s Paper For those interested in a more technical dive, you can access Michael’s full paper, “Treatment of Aerospace Machining and Inspection Wastewater,” linked in our show notes. It’s a must-read for anyone tackling similar industrial water challenges or looking to enhance their knowledge of specialized wastewater treatment processes.
As always, stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your knowledge with us!
The Scaling UP! H2O Team
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for the privilege of receiving the AWT Innovation Award 02:30 Trace Blackmore’s top 5 items to do to ensure you have faith in your test equipment 11:30 - Catching up with returning guest Mike Soller, P.E. CPC, DBIA 17:30 - Interview with Mike Soller on his paper “Treatment of Aerospace Machining and Inspection Wastewater” 50:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Mike Soller Quotes “When we understand what the client's business goals are and the fact that they need water to do what they're going to do, and wastewater or used water, finish with what they've got, then we can come up with better economical, schedule driven, and operationally driven solutions.” “When you understand the constituents and you understand the volumes, you can start working with it.”
Connect with Michael J. Soller P.E. CPC, DBIA Phone: +1 317 519 4327 Email: msoller@bowenengineering.com Website: https://www.bowenengineering.com/ IWC Conference website: eswp.com/water/overview/ IWC Conference Speaker and Presenter videos: eswp.com/water/iwcspeakers/ LinkedIn: Michael J. Soller P.E. CPC, DBIA
Links Mentioned 307 How to Publish a Technical Paper International Water Conference (IWC) American Associated Cost Engineers’ Article 18R-97 The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses National Design Build Institute of America Conference Water Collaborative Delivery Association - Fundamentals of Collaborative Delivery
Books Mentioned The Greatest Salesman in the World by Og Mandino The Patriots: Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and the Making of America by Winston Groom Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…calculate the Holding Time Index on your cooling towers. Notice I said “towers” in plural. This is something you should know about all your cooling towers. My first question for you is what is a Holding Time Index, and why is such a calculation important. What information do you need to calculate it? The Holding Time Index can also be called the half-life or retention time. It is a measure of how much time it takes for a chemical that is added to a system to be diluted to 50% of its original concentration due to blowdown and possibly other water losses. This can be particularly important for biocides since some require longer contact times than others to be effective. Fast-acting biocides may only require a contact time of half an hour, while slow-acting biocides may require several hours. The Holding Time Index can also be important for polymers in a system as well. A high Holding Time Index means the polymer will be in the system longer, which could lead to the polymer losing its effectiveness as it is bound up or degraded. The equation for the Holding Time Index isn’t a hard one. It is simply 0.7 multiplied by volume and divided by the blowdown rate. Be sure the unit of measure for volumes are the same for both the cooling tower volume and its blowdown. For example, use volume in gallons if your blowdown rate is gallons per hour or gallons per minute. Lastly, the units of time that your final answer will be expressed in will be whatever follows the word “per” in the blowdown rate. If you used gallons per hour, you Holding Time Index answer will be in hours. If you used gallons per minute, your Holding Time Index answer will be in minutes. Now go out there and calculate those Holding Time Indexes!
Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
How Veolia Prioritizes Health and Safety Worldwide? At Veolia, safety isn't just a requirement—it’s embedded in the company’s core values. Leading the charge is Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac, Chief Executive Officer of Veolia Water Technologies. In this week's episode, Arnaud speaks with Scaling UP! H2O host Trace Blackmore about how safety initiatives are reshaping Veolia's culture around the world.
Arnaud emphasizes that health and safety are non-negotiable: "It's a 24/7 commitment." This episode takes you inside Veolia’s global approach, showing how the company’s 8,000+ employees have integrated safety into their daily routines.
What Drives Veolia's Health and Safety Initiatives?
For Arnaud, safety comes from a personal place: “As a father of four, ensuring everyone gets home safely is paramount.” This family-first approach reflects Veolia’s deep commitment to safety, which has been an ongoing focus for over a decade. “Ten years ago, we launched International Health and Safety Week, where every subsidiary worldwide participates in focused discussions and actions on safety.”
This annual event creates a space for employees to assess their work environments, recognize potential risks, and form long-lasting safety habits. But at Veolia, safety isn’t just about one week—it's about creating a culture that endures year-round.
Fostering a Culture of Safety Every Day
While International Health and Safety Week serves as a focal point, Veolia’s goal is to make safety a daily priority. “We need to ensure that health and safety are part of our everyday routines, not just something we think about once a year,” Arnaud notes.
To keep safety top of mind, managers at Veolia conduct at least six field visits each year, evaluating safety practices and identifying areas for improvement. Employees are encouraged to report near-misses and incidents, creating a culture were speaking up about safety is valued.
“It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to voice concerns without fear of judgment,” Arnaud says. “Building trust is essential.”
A Cultural Shift: Breaking Old Safety Norms
One of Veolia’s biggest achievements over the last decade has been a shift in how employees view safety. Arnaud recalls a time when raising safety concerns was often seen as a sign of weakness. Today, those conversations are welcomed and encouraged.
“There used to be this mentality of being a 'superman'—toughing it out in unsafe conditions. That’s behind us now, but we always stay cautious. The human element means we can never stop paying attention to safety,” Arnaud warns.
This shift has been a significant victory for Veolia, but the work isn’t finished. The company remains vigilant, continually adapting its safety approach to address both evolving risks and human factors.
Celebrating 10 Years of Health and Safety Transformation
As Veolia marks the 10th anniversary of International Health and Safety Week, Arnaud reflects on the company’s progress. One key success has been the reduction in workplace accidents and the increasing willingness of employees to report safety risks.
“Ten years ago, speaking up about safety could be seen as a weakness,” Arnaud explains. “Today, it’s a sign of strength and responsibility.”
This cultural change has transformed how employees view safety—not as a policy, but as a core value that protects their colleagues and ensures everyone returns home safely.
Starting a Safety Culture: Insights for Small Teams
For small businesses, building a safety culture might seem overwhelming. However, as Arnaud explains, it’s not about financial investment—it’s about leadership and intention.
“Safety starts at the top. Being an exemplary leader doesn’t cost anything. It’s about creating policies and following through. Take time to sit with your team and ask, ‘What are the risks?’ It’s an investment in people, not just resources. Any company, no matter its size, can do this,” Arnaud emphasizes.
Manager Visits: Fresh Eyes on the Ground
As part of Veolia’s commitment to safety, manager site visits provide an opportunity for leadership to spot issues that might have become invisible to regular operators. These visits aren’t just procedural—they’re a chance to bring fresh perspectives into the conversation.
“Even non-operational colleagues—those from HR or finance—ask valuable questions during these visits. Their common sense often uncovers risks that might otherwise go unnoticed. Safety is about asking the right questions, not about being an expert,” Arnaud explains.
One Key Takeaway: Lead by Example
If there’s one message Arnaud wants listeners to take away, it’s this: “Be exemplary. It starts with you.”
Veolia’s success in transforming its safety culture is a powerful reminder that leadership and continuous vigilance are the best tools for creating a safe working environment, no matter the size of the operation.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe!
As Veolia’s journey shows, building a culture of health and safety requires effort, commitment, and teamwork. Whether you are part of a large organization or a small team, Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac’s insights offer valuable lessons for promoting safety in any workplace.
Timestamps 01:46 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for connecting at AWT last week and thanks you for the Innovation Award 07:54 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:13 - Interview with Arnaud Valeteau de Moulliac about his commitment to safety 40:05 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac Email: arnaud.valleteau@veolia.com Website: www.veoliawatertechnologies.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/arnaud-valleteau-de-moulliac-9b85353a/ www.linkedin.com/company/veolia-water-technologies/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/VeoliaWaterTech Read or Download Arnaud Valleteau de Moulliac’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned Ep 358 Safety First: Practical Tips, Big Results in Water Treatment Walk me through this “Safety Third” thing – Mike Rowe The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a “what if” for you. What if the temperature of the softener regeneration water drops in the wintertime? Now, if you’re in an area with a warmer climate year-round, you may not have to worry about this, but for those who live in colder climates, it is something to consider. How could colder water temperatures cause an issue with softener regeneration? Have you ever considered this before? The answer is that water is denser at cooler temperatures. This could be especially important during the backwash step of the softener regeneration. A proper backwash is necessary to ensure efficient softener operation. It loosens the bed, minimizes pressure drop, cleans and classifies the resin, and maintains an even water flow across the cross-sectional area of the resin bed. Backwash flow rates must be high enough to expand the bed by 50% and typically last around 10 minutes or more. If the water is denser because it is colder, the same flow rate used in the warmer months can result in expanding the resin bed even MORE, which could ultimately lead to washing good resin down the drain. Resin manufacturers often have tables that show the required flow rate based upon water temperature. A big picture look at these tables roughly shows that, in Fahrenheit, when the temperature drops to half what it was in the summer months, the required flow rate could drop to half as well. Be sure to always refer to the resin manufacturer’s specifications for actual design numbers, though.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"There's no doubt that heavy metal waste streams come with a significant amount of occupational risks."
In this powerful episode of Scaling UP! H2O, Trace Blackmore engages with Chandler Mancuso from MacDermid Envio Solutions to share insights on this vital topic of segregating wastewater streams in heavy metals removal applications. Chandler shares his extensive expertise on the often-overlooked aspects of wastewater management, providing valuable insights into safety, strategic planning, and the power of experimentation.
Why is Segregating Wastewater Streams Crucial?
Wastewater management is more than just treating what goes down the drain. It's about understanding where your wastewater comes from and managing it effectively from the start. Chandler explains that his motivation for focusing on this area stems from two key factors: safety and technical insight. Heavy metal waste streams can pose significant risks, making safe handling and treatment a top priority. Chandler emphasizes the need for water professionals to fully understand the sources and composition of wastewater streams before diving into treatment processes. This strategic approach not only enhances safety but also leads to more efficient and effective solutions.
For Those New to the Industry: What is a Wastewater Stream?
A wastewater stream encompasses all the different sources of wastewater generated during various industrial processes before they reach the treatment stage. Chandler shifts the conversation from the treatment process itself to the strategy of managing these diverse streams upstream. By focusing on this early stage, water professionals can address challenges before they escalate, ensuring more efficient and effective treatment outcomes.
Understanding the Role of Heavy Metals in Wastewater
Heavy metal waste streams, which often originate from industries such as electroplating, metal finishing, and mining, can contain hazardous metals like zinc, nickel, copper, and chrome, along with other dangerous constituents like cyanide and fluoride. Properly categorizing and treating these complex streams is crucial for maintaining safety and effectiveness in wastewater treatment.
How to Ensure Health and Safety of People and Equipment
Safety is paramount when dealing with heavy metal waste streams. Chandler advises segregating incompatible waste streams to prevent dangerous reactions, such as the formation of hydrogen cyanide when cyanide-containing streams are mixed with acidic streams. By avoiding these hazardous combinations, water professionals can significantly reduce safety risks and protect both people and equipment.
Real-World Examples and Common Pitfalls
Chandler shares real-world scenarios, such as the critical need to keep cyanide-containing waste streams away from acidic conditions to prevent the formation of toxic hydrogen cyanide. Despite being well-known, these safety measures are sometimes overlooked, highlighting the importance of vigilance and thorough system design in wastewater management.
Best Practices for Wastewater Management
Never take safety for granted. Chandler encourages listeners to continuously question the conditions they are working with and to always prioritize health and safety. By remaining aware of potential hazards and continuously optimizing processes, water treaters can ensure safe and effective wastewater management.
Enhancing Efficiency and Effectiveness Through Stream Segregation
Segregation of wastewater streams is key to optimizing treatment processes. Chandler discusses how his team at MacDermid Envio Solutions has developed specific protocols for managing challenging waste streams separately, improving operational efficiency and optimizing chemical usage. This not only leads to cost savings but also enhances overall treatment effectiveness.
Experimentation: The Key to Success
Chandler highlights the importance of creative problem solving in wastewater treatment. A thorough understanding of waste streams, combined with a well-designed experimental approach, can reveal unique solutions that improve treatment outcomes. By being creative and flexible during jar testing, water professionals can uncover innovative strategies that provide significant benefits to their customers.
From Jar Testing to Real-Life Application
Translating jar testing results into real-world applications can be challenging, but it is essential for achieving practical, effective solutions. Chandler emphasizes the need for accuracy and adaptability in testing protocols to ensure a smooth transition from the lab to the field.
Timestamps 01:00 - Thank you for giving us the AWT Innovation Award for the work we do at the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast we are humbled and honored 08:20 - Catching up with returning guest Chandler Mancuso of MacDermid Envio Solutions 16:18 - The Importance of Segregating Wastewater Streams in Heavy Metals Removal Applications 50:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 51:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Connect with Chandler Mancuso Email: chandler.mancuso@macdermidenvio.com Website: https://www.macdermidenvio.com/ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/chandler-mancuso/ www.linkedin.com/company/macdermid-envio-solutions Read or Download Chandler Mancuso’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned Episode 064 Episode 218 Episode 269 Episode 275 Mike Rowe the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge WEF - Water Environment Federation AWWA - American Water Works Association AWT - Association of Water Technologies WEFTEC - Water Environment Federation's Technical Exhibition and Conference The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir by Matthew Perry Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey How Champions Think: In Sports and in Life by Dr. Bob Rotella
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about an elution study. Have you ever performed one? Do you know what one is or when you would perform one? Do you have a salometer in your test kit? Have you ever just watched a water softener go through all its regeneration steps to see what happens? How do you know the brine draw step is exposing the resin bed to the correct strength of brine solution? How often should you test the brine strength during the brine draw in an elution study? Every 5 minutes, 3 minutes, or 1 minute? What if you graph your brine strength results and the curve looks different than expected? What can the shape of the elution study curve tell you about what may be wrong? An elution study isn’t usually hard to do. Coupled with observing and measuring the entire regeneration cycle and testing the makeup water for any changes, it can be a great troubleshooting tool to keep a water softener running smoothly
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE
Meet the Women Behind the WOW Committee This episode features insights from six trailblazing women who are not only leaders in their respective fields but also passionate advocates for the WOW mission:
- Stephanie Choury, Enterprise Account Manager at Buckman Digital Water
- Tammy Faber Sales Director of HOH Water Technology and Co-Chair of WOW (Women of Water)
- Paule Genest, Director of Sales and ESG, Water and Energy at TGWT Clean Technologies, Host of the Paule-Cast and Co-Chair of WOW (Women of Water)
- Michelle Lunn, Marketing Director of GLA Water Consultants & Director on the AWT Board
- Janice Shawl, President of AMSA, Inc. a specialty chemical manufacturing company
- Pam Simmons, National OEM Sales Manager, Watson Marlow
What is Women of Water? WOW exists to welcome, highlight, and celebrate the contributions of women in AWT. Paule Genest articulates the mission clearly: “To encourage all the women working and thriving within the industry of water technologies to come forward and contribute their time and talents to the greater good.” WOW focuses on creating a thriving community where women can belong, elevate, and positively impact AWT.
Mission of the WOW Committee The mission of the WOW Committee is clear: to promote the professional development and advancement of women in the water treatment industry. By providing education, networking opportunities, and a strong support system, the committee aims to foster a diverse and inclusive environment where all members can succeed. This mission not only benefits women but also strengthens the industry as a whole by encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
Facing Challenges Head-On In every industry, women encounter unique challenges, and the water treatment sector is no exception. Pam Simmons, a dedicated member of the Women of Water (WOW) committee, sheds light on the obstacles women face and how the committee is striving to address them.
Pam begins by acknowledging a reality that many women are all too familiar with the gender pay gap. According to the International Labor Organization, women globally earn about 20% less than men. This disparity is not just a number; it’s a barrier that women must navigate throughout their careers. But the pay gap is only one piece of a much larger puzzle.
There is also the issue of unequal opportunities, particularly in leadership. A 2022 report from Deloitte on women in the boardroom highlights that only 19% of boardroom positions are held by women. This underrepresentation speaks volumes about the challenges women face in advancing to leadership roles. For many women, the journey to the top is not just about breaking the glass ceiling; it’s about finding the ladder to reach it in the first place.
Career gaps present another significant hurdle. Whether its time taken off to have a baby or care for a family member, these interruptions can create substantial obstacles when women return to the workforce. Pam points out that these gaps can make it difficult for women to regain their footing and continue progressing in their careers. The struggle doesn’t stop there. Navigating work-life balance is another challenge that resonates with everyone, regardless of gender, but it affects women in distinct ways. Pam reflects on how this delicate balance—or lack thereof—can leave a lasting impact on both personal and professional lives.
The WOW committee is not just identifying these challenges—they are actively working to address them. Pam shares that WOW is committed to introducing resources and strategies to help women cope with these challenges. Through support, education, and community, WOW aims to empower women in the water treatment industry to not just survive but thrive.
How is WOW Helping Women in the Water Industry? The WOW Committee is already making a significant impact. There are now three women on AWT’s Board of Directors, the most ever in the organization’s history. Stephanie Choury has seen firsthand how the inclusion of women has led to greater collaboration and innovation within the industry. She notes that the women on the Board feel they have a “seat at the table” and are making meaningful contributions alongside their male colleagues. WOW is also instrumental in providing mentorship and creating spaces for women to grow their knowledge, skills, and leadership roles.
The Power of Mentorship Mentorship is central to the Women of Water (WOW) committee’s mission, acting as a crucial tool for professional growth and community building. As the industry evolves, mentorship plays a key role in creating pathways for women in water treatment.
Tammy Faber emphasizes the importance of mentorship, referencing Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. Sandberg highlights that a mentor or sponsor can significantly boost career progression, yet women often lack such support. WOW addresses this gap by connecting seasoned professionals with newcomers. Tammy explains, “It’s not just about an older professional helping a younger one; it’s about leaning in and helping one another grow.”
WOW has prioritized mentorship this year, especially with young professionals. Both mentors and mentees experience mutual growth, as Tammy shares: “The mentor-mentee relationship is so important because I can walk in a room and already know five people that maybe I only saw at technical training in March, but yet we've connected through text and email along the way. It feels like family and a safe place.”
This focus on mentorship fosters a sense of belonging and a supportive network. Tammy notes, “We’re a group that wants one another to succeed, and that’s the power of mentor and mentee relationships.” These connections offer members a trusted group for advice and support, reinforcing that within WOW, no one stands alone.
Empowering Connections: Key Takeaways from WOW’s Leadership As we wrap up this insightful episode with the Women of Water (WOW) committee, our guests share powerful messages about empowerment, mentorship, and community.
Michelle Lunn’s closing thoughts are a beacon of encouragement: whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned professional, reaching out and connecting is crucial. Her message is clear—every woman in the industry belongs and has the potential to achieve great things. So, at the next convention or industry event, don’t hesitate to introduce yourself and make connections. You have the power to excel and belong.
Pam Simmons adds a call for self-awareness and openness to addressing subconscious biases in our interactions. She encourages all professionals to be mindful of how these biases might influence relationships and conversations. This self-reflection is essential for fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Tammy Faber challenges seasoned professionals to reach out to those who may seem hesitant or reserved. By engaging with someone who might be standing on the sidelines, you can make a significant impact. Invite them for a coffee, introduce yourself, and help them feel welcome. This simple act of kindness can make a world of difference to someone new in the room.
Janice Shawl reminds us that women are a vibrant and integral part of the water treatment industry. Her message celebrates the contributions of women and underscores the importance of recognizing and valuing their presence in the field.
Stephanie Choury underscores the immense value of mentorship. Whether at an industry event or in everyday interactions, extending a helping hand to others can be incredibly rewarding. She emphasizes that mentorship is a two-way street and encourages everyone to be both mentors and mentees. By fostering these relationships, we can all contribute to a supportive and thriving professional community.
Paule Genest reinforces the core message of WOW: we belong, we elevate, and we are WOW. She urges everyone to help others recognize their worth and potential, creating a positive impact both within and beyond the industry.
As we look at the current statistics—only 10% of surveyed AWT members are women, and a similar percentage represents women in industrial water treatment nationally—there is a clear need for continued effort. In 2024, 40% of our Scaling UP! H2O podcast guests have been women, reflecting progress and the importance of representation. Our challenge to you, Scaling UP! Nation is to connect with the remarkable women you heard from in this episode.
Together, we can empower women in the best industry in the world to make a lasting impact on the water treatment industry and build a thriving, inclusive community.
Timestamps 02:00 - Trace Blackmore hope to see you at AWT next week 04:25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 19:20 - Interview with AWT’s Women of Water (WOW): Stephanie Choury, Tammy Faber, Paule Genest, Michelle Lunn, Janice Shawl and Pam Simmons 01:06:45 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald Links Mentioned AWT’s Women of Water - Webpage AWT’s Women of Water (WOW) - Facebook AWT’s Women of Water (WOW) - Group in Linked InThe Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Read or Download Press Release HERE Episodes Mentioned Ep 096 The One That Helps Introverts Ep 202 The One Where We Learn the Best Ways to Network in a Virtual World Ep 117 The One with Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman Ep 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others Ep 281 The One About the Power of Kindness Ep 060 The One About Public Speaking Ep 363 Pricing Boost: Get Paid Well for Your Excellence Ep 192 The One with the Best Marketing Expert in the Water Treatment Industry Ep 191 The One Where We Learn About Tannin Ep 100 The 100th One Ep 252 The One About the Operations Manager Turned Sales Manager
Connect with Executive Producer Corrine Drury For any Media Inquiries or Show Ideas please reach out Email: Corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com Website: www.ScalingUpH2o.com and www.RisingTideMastermind.team LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/corrinedrury and linkedin.com/in/traceblackmore
Books Mentioned I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima Dare to Lead by Brené Brown How to Work with (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…clean and organize your OWN test kit and test equipment. Previously, I’ve challenged you to clean your customers testing area, but today we’re turning the tables. Clean your own. Your test kit should not look like Moses used it to test the waters just before he parted the Red Sea. While it does not have to look pristine and new either, it should instill confidence in those that see it that the results obtained are trustworthy and reliable. Old reagent bottles with the labels worn off, broken equipment, and a jumbled mess of bottles does not instill confidence. Your test kit and equipment are extensions of you and are critical to doing your job. They reflect upon you and your quality of output and recommendations. Show them a little tender loving care. In the end, it will make your job easier and leave a better impression upon those around you.
Welcome back, Scaling UP! Nation. Have you ever wondered about the hidden dangers of biofilm lurking in your water systems? In our latest Legionella Awareness Month episode, we deep dive into the world of biofilm and its critical link to Legionella with our returning expert, Loraine Huchler, President of MarTech Systems. Packed with invaluable insights and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the water treatment industry. Don’t miss it!
Ever Wondered How Biofilm and Legionella are Connected?
"If you have no biofilm, your risk of Legionella is very low." - Loraine Huchler Loraine Huchler provides an insightful explanation of the complex relationship between biofilm and Legionella interacting within cooling water systems.
Life Cycle of Legionella: "Legionella is an aerobic bacteria, while the bacteria inside the biofilm might be anaerobic—they don't need oxygen to thrive. Some can even switch between oxygen-loving and anaerobic states. Legionella matures and seeks a higher life form to reproduce, essentially acting as a parasite within the biofilm."
Reproduction and Spread: "In cooling water systems, especially comfort cooling systems that operate seasonally, Legionella can reproduce within the biofilm even when systems are idle. The biofilm's thickness increases due to the abundance of bacteria. When the system restarts, the force of the water shears off the top layer of the biofilm, dispersing bacteria throughout the entire chiller system."
Challenges in Bacteria Control: Loraine emphasizes, "This scenario illustrates why it's so difficult to control bacteria in cooling water systems. The constant cycle of biofilm formation and disruption means bacteria, including Legionella, are continuously spread and difficult to manage."
Implications for Industrial Water Professionals: Understanding this complex relationship is crucial for implementing effective water treatment strategies. Regular monitoring and proactive management of biofilm are essential to mitigate the risks associated with Legionella and maintain system efficiency. How Do You Measure the Amount of Biofilm, and How Does This Measuring Technology Work? "Adding a biofilm sensor will give real-time early detection of biofilm and make precision dosing a reality for biocides which can kill Legionella." - Loraine Huchler
Exploring Biofilm Measurement Technologies: Loraine Huchler delves into the intricacies of measuring biofilm, highlighting two key technologies: Electrochemical and Ultrasonic.
Ultrasonic Technology: "The ultrasonic technology is novel and proprietary. Currently, only one water treatment company has developed it, and access to this online sensor is limited to their customers. This technology is the only sensor that measures biofilm in an online system. It includes a test chamber with a heated surface and a precisely controlled water flow that matches your most vulnerable heat exchanger. Using ultrasonic technology, it determines the biofilm thickness."
Applications and Considerations: Loraine poses an intriguing question: "If you know the biofilm thickness, you could calculate the heat transfer loss in your heat exchangers, potential production loss in a process plant, or increased electrical demand in a chiller plant. However, managing biofilm effectively only requires knowing its presence so you can react. The ultrasonic technology, while sophisticated, is more complicated, expensive, and challenging to use compared to electrochemical sensors."
Electrochemical Sensors: "The electrochemical sensors don't require a test chamber, allowing them to be placed in various locations to monitor biofilm. For example, you might choose a sump, a quiet area where the biofilm may not be mobile and may not respond to water treatment dosing."
Mechanism and Sensitivity: Loraine explains the mechanism behind biofilm formation: "Quorum sensing is the process where bacteria hover above a surface and assess it before settling. The electrochemical device triggers a signal the moment bacteria sit on the surface, providing an extremely sensitive early warning of biofilm formation."
Practical Implications for Water Professionals: Understanding where to place these sensors and how they work is crucial for effective biofilm management. Loraine emphasizes, "This economical and insightful method helps you understand biofilm risks in your cooling water systems, even though I've never seen one in service. It's essential to explore these technologies to monitor biofilm and mitigate its impact on your systems."
Actionable Steps for the Scaling UP! Nation.
- Increase Awareness: Understanding the importance of biofilm can help in mitigating Legionella risks.
- Leverage Technology: Utilize biofilm sensors for early detection and effective treatment.
- Optimize Efficiency: Regular monitoring and maintenance can prevent biofilm buildup, ensuring optimal system performance.
Timestamps 00:30 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Legionella Awareness Month 02:40 - Interview with Loraine Huchler about the connection between biofilm and Legionella 37:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 39:50 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes ”Adding a biofilm sensor because the goal is to kill Legionella will give real-time early detection of biofilm and make precision dosing a reality for biocides.” - Loraine Huchler “You can connect biofilm to Legionella. If you have no biofilm, your risk of Legionella is very low.” - Loraine Huchler
Connect with Loraine Huchler Phone: 757.442.5308 Email: huchler@martechsystems.com Website: www.martechsystems.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loraine-huchler/ Technical paper: Eliminate Biofilm to Increase Energy in Efficiency in Water Systems
Read or Download Loraine Huchler’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned All links mentioned on this episode can be found on our Legionella Resources page HERE The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Ep 346 Revolutionizing Legionella Management: A 2024 Kickoff Special
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about something? What are we thinking about, you ask? We’re thinking about the impacts of writing “Everything looks good” on your field service reports when in reality, everything doesn’t look good. Does this give the recipient of your report a false sense of security? Does this help them truly manage their water systems? What about when something catastrophic happens, but your report showed “everything looks good” time after time after time? Does it count if you verbally told the end user the true condition of the system but wrote “everything looks good” on the report to make them look good to their managers? When it comes to monetary damages and legal action, which would hold up to scrutiny? As I’ve always been told, if it’s not documented, it didn’t happen. Think about that when writing your next field service report.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“It is a team effort to protect public health from Legionella.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
We are excited to welcome back Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. of Sanipur US, for his third appearance on the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. As an expert in waterborne pathogens, Alberto shares his invaluable insights and experiences about Legionella to help our audience stay informed and proactive in managing water systems. In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics from handling positive Legionella tests to the effectiveness of monochloramine in disinfection. Let's dive into the key points of our discussion.
How do you handle a call from a client panicking about their first positive Legionella test? Alberto advises us to stay calm and follow the pre-established plan outlined in the Water Management Plan (WMP). First, review the WMP to understand the specific steps to take for this scenario. Consider the positivity rates and the location where Legionella was found. By following the agreed-upon plan, you can address the client's concerns effectively and ensure proper action is taken.
Why have we seen Legionella increase by nearly ten times over the past few years? “5-6 years ago there wasn’t much information about Legionella, and today so many people are interested in this field which protects public health.” - Alberto Comazzi, PhD
Dr. Comazzi highlights two key factors behind the significant rise in Legionella cases:
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Enhanced Water Testing and Awareness: The past few years have seen a substantial increase in both awareness and testing for Legionella. Healthcare professionals are now more informed about the risks of Legionella and are conducting more tests. Since 2017, the requirement for Water Management Plans (WMPs) in healthcare facilities has led to more comprehensive water testing, contributing to the rise in detected cases.
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Increased Water Age in Buildings: Efforts to conserve water, which have important environmental benefits such as saving energy and reducing costs, have inadvertently led to higher water age in building systems. When water remains in systems for longer periods, it can lead to reduced disinfectant levels and higher water temperatures—conditions that promote Legionella growth. While water conservation is crucial, balancing it with effective Legionella control measures is essential for maintaining public health.
By understanding these factors, we can better address and mitigate Legionella risks, ensuring a safer environment for everyone.
What advice do you have for those putting together a WMP but who doesn’t have the ASSE 1280 Certification?
Get Certified or Seek Expert Help: Creating a comprehensive Water Management Plan (WMP) can be complex. While obtaining ASSE 1280 certification is highly recommended, you can also consider hiring a consultant to help you draft your plan. However, it’s crucial to ensure that you execute and document the plan effectively. Proper training for facility operators on temperature control, flushing procedures, disinfectant management, and documentation is essential.
“A Water Management Plan that’s just sitting on the shelf isn’t doing anyone any good. If no one implements the plan, it is useless.” Dr. Alberto Comazzi emphasizes, “Proactive measures are better and more cost-effective than reactive ones.” With upcoming due diligence plans addressing various waterborne pathogens, being prepared is key.
Who has responsibility when it comes to municipal water? Alberto reminds us that there is a division between the municipality and the building.
Municipal Water Responsibility: Municipal water suppliers are responsible for providing water that meets regulatory standards up to the distribution system. They conduct primary disinfection to inactivate most microorganisms and secondary disinfection to maintain a residual disinfectant. However, there are no enforceable limits for Legionella in the municipal water supply, and testing for Legionella is not required.
Building-Level Responsibility: Once water leaves the municipal system and enters a building, the responsibility for water safety, including Legionella control, falls to the building owner or manager. Building environments, with their complex plumbing systems, cooling towers, and hot water systems, can foster Legionella growth. Therefore, effective management and control measures at the building level are crucial for ensuring water safety.
Monochloramine vs. Chlorine: Which is better Disinfection and Legionella Control in Building Water Systems?
Alberto highlights the advantages of monochloramine over chlorine: Case Study Results: A case study in San Francisco showed that switching from chlorine to monochloramine in the municipal water supply significantly reduced Legionella positivity rates in buildings—from 60% to 3-4%. This demonstrates the effectiveness of monochloramine in providing better overall disinfection due to its stability and ability to maintain higher disinfectant levels in building plumbing systems.
Comparison with Chlorine: Monochloramine, unlike chlorine, is less reactive with organic materials in water and thus produces fewer regulated disinfection byproducts. It is a more stable disinfectant, which makes it less likely to form harmful byproducts while still providing effective disinfection.
Effectiveness in Building Systems: In building water systems, especially those with low water usage or higher temperatures, monochloramine's stability is advantageous. It provides a more consistent and longer-lasting disinfectant presence throughout the system, reaching all areas effectively, which is crucial for preventing Legionella growth.
What long-term effects on sustainability and equipment should we consider when balancing water conservation with the use of additional disinfectants in buildings? Alberto outlines key considerations:
Corrosion Impact: When installing additional disinfectants, consider their potential to corrode plumbing systems. High levels of corrosive disinfectants can damage plumbing, so it's crucial to balance disinfection effectiveness with the preservation of the building's infrastructure.
Water Quality Effects: Assess whether the chosen disinfectant might increase other harmful molecules in the water. Evaluate disinfection efficacy not only in the lab but also in real-world building settings to ensure it does not negatively impact overall water quality.
Review Published Data: Refer to peer-reviewed literature and research from credible sources like the EPA to verify the long-term effects of disinfectants on water systems. Reliable data helps ensure that the disinfectant does not introduce unintended consequences and maintains water quality over time.
How did monochloramine perform in controlling Pseudomonas compared to traditional methods? In a case study, monochloramine was implemented in facilities with Pseudomonas issues and proved effective in reducing colonization. "Unlike short-term solutions like flushing and hyperchlorination, monochloramine's stability allowed it to reach all parts of the distribution system, providing long-term control" shares Alberto.
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to celebrate Legionella Awareness Month 05:50 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:00 - Interview with Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. 01:01:30 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. Phone: 267-326-2353 Email: a.comazzi@sanipur.com Website: www.sanipur.com Linkedin: /in/alberto-comazzi-phd-132637128/ company/sanipur-us-llc Technical Paper: Emerging Waterbone Pathogens in Buildings' Premise Plumbing System
Links Mentioned All links mentioned on this episode can be found on our Legionella Resources page HERE The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. Today’s challenge is…test boiler sulfite both immediately after sampling and again an hour later on the same, open sample. Is there a difference? Why is there a difference? What would be the impact of waiting until later to run the sulfite test versus running it immediately? How might your recommendations be different? Could the way you run your test impact your results, such as how much you agitate the sample?
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"To find the most sensitive, accurate, reproducible, and reliable method for detecting and quantifying Legionella in a sample, qPCR is the best option.” - Michael Loewenstein
In this much-anticipated episode highlighting the findings of Part 2 of Michael Loewenstein and Joe Benzinger’s study, Michael Loewenstein, Vice President of Scientific Consulting at Q Laboratories, returns to share their surprising discoveries. He offers valuable advice to water professionals on developing strategies for incorporating qPCR in a Water Management Plan (WMP). Join Trace Blackmore and Michael Loewenstein as they guide you through the latest advancements in Legionella detection methods, the nuances of traditional culture techniques versus modern qPCR, and the future of water management.
What Are the Different Testing Methods for Legionella? Michael elaborates on the two primary methods for Legionella testing: traditional culture techniques (ISO 11731) and qPCR. Culture methods, while widely used, take a significant amount of time (7 to 14+ days) to yield results. In contrast, qPCR offers faster and more sensitive detection, identifying the presence and quantity of Legionella DNA in a matter of hours.
Is There a “Gold Standard” for Legionella Testing? The term "Gold Standard" often pops up in discussions about Legionella testing, but as Michael points out, no regulatory body has officially designated a single best method. While ISO 11731 is a trusted standard, Michael argues that qPCR provides a more reliable, accurate, and sensitive approach for detecting and quantifying Legionella in samples.
What Were the Findings from Phase 2 of His Study? Michael shares findings from a two-phase study comparing cultural methods with PCR and qPCR. Phase 1 focused on method validation, confirming the efficacy of commercially available PCR methods. Phase 2 moved to real-world samples, revealing that qPCR detected Legionella in about 67% of samples, far surpassing the detection rates of traditional culture methods.
What Can qPCR Do and How Does It Differ from Culture Methods? qPCR is a powerful tool in Legionella testing. Unlike culture methods that rely on colony-forming units, qPCR measures the number of DNA copies present in a sample, providing a clear picture of the Legionella population. It can also distinguish between viable and non-viable cells, making it a comprehensive and efficient method for routine monitoring.
How Would Michael Set Up His Water Management Plan (WMP)? When asked how he would set up his water management plan, Michael emphasizes the importance of frequent testing. He advocates for the use of qPCR due to its speed and sensitivity. However, he cautions that those uncomfortable with detecting any Legionella might find qPCR overwhelming, as it tends to reveal a higher positivity rate than traditional methods.
How Does Pricing Compare Between Culture and qPCR Methods?Interestingly, Q Laboratories charges the same for both qPCR and culture methods. Despite higher costs for qPCR, it requires significantly less analyst time, making it a cost-effective choice for many labs.
What's Next for Phase 3 of the Study? The next phase of Michael's study aims to explore additional factors such as UV light treatment. He encourages feedback from the community to ensure all relevant aspects are covered in the ongoing research.
How Can I Get Involved with the AOAC Legionella Working Group? Please visit www.aoac.org/news/legionella-in-water-wg-volunteers-needed . If you would like to support this initiative or are interested in more information, please reach out to scienceprograms@aoac.org.
Michael's key message is that qPCR is a viable, non-intimidating option for Legionella testing. He reassures listeners that the CDC does not mandate the use of culture methods exclusively. Embracing qPCR can lead to more accurate monitoring and better-informed water management decisions.
Until next Friday’s episode, stay curious, stay informed, and keep scaling up your Legionella knowledge!
Your roadside friends as you drive from client to client,
The Scaling UP! H2O Team
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to check out our Legionella Resources page 03:28 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 05:00 - Interview with Michael Loewenstein, Vice President, Scientific Consulting at Q Laboratories 51:05 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes “PCR detects whether Legionella DNA is present, while qPCR not only confirms its presence but also measures the quantity of Legionella DNA in a sample.” - Michael Loewenstein “The CDC does not say you have to use culture.” - Michael Loewenstein “An increase in Legionella positivity with a qPCR test is a feature, not a bug.” - Michael Loewenstein
Connect with Michael Loewenstein Phone: +1 513 207 4943 Email: MLoewenstein@qlaboratories.com Website: Scientific Consulting for Q Labs LLC LinkedIn: Michael Loewenstein Read or Download Michael Loewenstein’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned Ep 269 Ep 335 Read Michael Loewenstein’s technical paper HERE The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a “What If.” What if acid is overfed to a cooling tower system and drops the pH to a 3. You heard it correctly, the pH is now 3 in your cooling tower system. What damage is being done right now. How do you recover from this low pH excursion? Should you just turn off the acid feed and wait for the system pH to slowly return naturally? What could be the impact of this approach? Should you take immediate action and raise the pH as quickly as possible? What could be the impact of this approach? Should you increase blowdown? What caused the acid over feed? How could this be prevented in the future? What alarms could be setup? What do you communicate all this to the end user?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
We have the privilege of welcoming back Janet E. Stout, Ph.D., President of Special Pathogens Technology and the founder of Special Pathogens Laboratory, A Pace Laboratory. Dr. Stout has academic affiliations with the School of Public Health and Swanson School of Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh. A self-described "Legionellologist", Dr. Stout's more than 30 years of research has defined the epidemiology, microbiology and prevention approaches for controlling Legionella growth in building water systems.
In our most recent interview, Dr. Janet Stout shared what was new with Legionella standards, what state health departments are doing to combat Legionella, and she answers your burning question of “Are Legionella cases truly on the rise” with data and statistics. This is a Legionella episode you cannot afford to miss, so let’s scale up our Legionella knowledge with Dr. Stout. Also, don’t forget to check out our free Legionella Resources page where we have listed all of the articles, standards, and tools mentioned in this interview.
What Is New with Legionella Standards? How Does It Impact the Water Treatment Industry?
Dr. Stout highlights several key updates:
Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) TIR34:2023 Published in Fall 2023, TIR34 focuses on water quality for reprocessing medical devices. Dr. Stout emphasizes, "The problem is infection. The solution is the quality of the water." "There are clear chemical and microbial parameters, and these healthcare facilities need your assistance, water professionals," Dr. Stout encourages.
ANSI/AAMI ST108:2023 This new standard, “Water for the processing of medical devices,” emphasizes the critical role of monitoring water quality to prevent microbial proliferation. ST108 is a significant step forward for patient safety. “I see so many positive indications of progress and prevention, and that’s good for everyone,” shares Dr. Stout.
General Services Administration (GSA) Order PBS 1000.7A Effective in 2024, this order mandates comprehensive water testing across federal buildings to ensure health and safety. It includes stringent testing protocols for contaminants like Legionella. Compliance requires professionals to hold certifications such as ASSE 12080 or be certified industrial hygienists (CIH). Dr. Stout remarks, "It's such a big deal that you have to be ASSE 12080 certified to service government buildings now, I’m really impressed by GSA."
American Water Works Association (AWWA) Guidance Set to be updated in 2024 or 2025, the new standard will replace AWWA C651-C652 and will likely be titled “Disinfecting Potable Water.” This new guidance will provide updated protocols for disinfecting water-storage facilities, so be on the lookout for this new one.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 514:2023 This standard focuses on risk management for building water systems, covering physical, chemical, and microbial hazards. It provides comprehensive guidelines for designing, building, maintaining, and operating water systems to protect building occupants.
Challenge to the Listener:
- Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself with the latest standards, including TIR34, ST108, GSA Order PBS 1000.7A, and ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 514.
- Engage with Clients: Reach out to healthcare facilities and federal buildings to offer your expertise in water management and help them navigate the new requirements.
- Stay Informed: Keep an eye on updates from organizations like AAMI, ASHRAE, GSA, and AWWA to stay ahead of industry changes.
What's Going on in Ohio? Will Other States Follow Ohio?
Ohio's Proactive Approach Dr. Janet Stout praises Ohio's innovative approach to managing Legionella risks. Unlike most areas where Legionella water management is voluntary, Ohio has taken a significant step by mandating it through hospital licensure codes. This mandate requires hospitals to have a water management plan and to test for Legionella, making compliance a condition for maintaining their licenses. The new regulation, scheduled to take effect in October 2024, aims to enhance infection control and manage the risk of waterborne pathogens, particularly Legionella.
High Incidence of Legionnaires Disease Ohio's proactive stance is partly driven by its high incidence of Legionnaires disease. The state, along with Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York, consistently reports high numbers of cases. Ohio's health department has noted a significant increase in cases from 2022 to 2023. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for effective water management and testing protocols.
The Ohio Regulation Specifies Detailed Requirements for Hospitals:
- Each hospital must conduct Legionella testing within the first twelve months.
- Two validation tests must be performed, no fewer than four months apart and no more than six months apart.
- The regulation includes explicit language to ensure rigorous water management and Legionella testing.
The Future for Other States Dr. Stout is hopeful that other states will follow Ohio's example. She mentions ongoing legislative efforts in states like New Jersey and Pennsylvania, although the process is slow. Ohio's innovative and mandatory approach to Legionella water management sets a precedent that could influence other states. Dr. Stout's optimism reflects a broader movement towards more stringent and proactive water management practices across the country. As more states recognize the importance of these measures, we can expect a gradual but significant shift towards better management of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.
Are Legionella Cases Truly on the Rise?
"Legionella is on the rise," Dr. Stout shares. "It's not increasing just because we are doing more testing." She also points to changing weather patterns as a contributing factor. "There's a global shift with Legionnaires' disease cases extending from summer into fall. The season is getting longer, and things are staying warmer longer."
This observation highlights the need for a deeper understanding of how environmental factors and public health practices influence Legionella prevalence.
We hope you found these insights from Dr. Janet Stout valuable. Legionella management is a critical aspect of industrial water treatment, and staying informed and proactive is key to ensuring the safety and health of building occupants. As always, we encourage you to continue learning, sharing, and growing within our community.
Thank you for being a dedicated member of the Scaling UP! H2O community and for celebrating Legionella Awareness Month with us. Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against Legionnaires' disease.
Timestamps 01:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 06:00 - Interview with Janet E. Stout, Ph.D. is President of Special Pathogens Technology and the founder of Special Pathogens Laboratory, A Pace Laboratory 01:14:20 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Quotes “It is happy Legionella Awareness Month because we are making progress.” - Dr. Janet Stout “I give Ohio a round of applause for doing the right thing!” - Dr. Janet Stout “You don’t know if your efforts are working unless you test for it.”- Dr. Janet Stout “This is unacceptable: Legionnaires' disease remains a very high mortality infection. 25-30% of hospitalized patients who get legionella from the hospital die.” - Dr. Janet Stout “I see so many good indications of progress and prevention.” - Dr. Janet Stout “We need to make progress on mandatory testing because it's the only way to understand risk. We want to mitigate the risk.” - Dr. Janet Stout
Connect with Janet E. Stout, Ph.D. Phone: 412.281.5335 Email: jstout@specialpathogenslab.com Website: www.specialpathogenslab.com ST108, Utility Water (UWK) Kit LinkedIn: in/janet-e-stout-ph-d-32607612 company/special-pathogens-laboratory
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is…update your LinkedIn profile. Do it right now. If you’re driving, do it when you next stop. The days of LinkedIn being just a resume are long gone. Today, it’s your calling card, your networking tool, and a learning tool. Check out your name. Did you accidentally flip your name, so your last name comes before your first? If you did, fix it now. Is the name listed the one you actually go by? If you go by a nickname, either put it in parenthesis or replace your formal name with it. What does the headline right below your name say? You get 3 seconds to catch someone’s attention. Does this little headline phrase under your name really say what you do and who you are? What about your picture? Do you look like the person people in your network would actually meet in person or are you dressed in a tuxedo or bridesmaid gown from the last wedding you were in? I doubt many of us are doing our jobs in tuxedos and gowns. Does your picture look unprofessional in other ways, as well? The first things people see when looking at your LinkedIn calling card, as I call it, is your name, face, and headline. Ensuring these three items are correct is the first place to start. Then you can move on to experience, education (if applicable), etc.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Hello Scaling UP! Nation, August is Legionella Awareness Month, and we're excited to bring you in-depth insights on this crucial topic. Usually, we bring you four episodes every August, but this year, you're in luck! With five Fridays this month, we have five episodes packed with valuable information for you. Today, podcast host Trace Blackmore, CWT, is here to answer your pressing questions about Legionella. As industrial water treaters, you are the heroes in the fight against Legionella, protecting your communities and clients against this dangerous bacteria. Scaling up your Legionella knowledge is a great way to celebrate Legionella Awareness Month, and to support you, we've created a free Legionella resources page at www.ScalingUpH2o.com/Legionella
Understanding Legionella: Common Questions Answered
What is the difference between Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease?
Legionella is a bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease, a type of pneumonia that comes from getting ill after being exposed to Legionella. It thrives in water and poses significant health risks. Legionnaires’ disease was discovered in the mid 1970’s after several attendees of the American Legion convention got sick after attending the convention.
How does a person get Legionnaires’ disease?
Inhaling water contaminated with Legionella bacteria can lead to infection.
What are the symptoms of Pontiac Fever or Legionnaires’ disease?
Early symptoms mimic the flu, but more severe pneumonia-like symptoms can develop. Look out for high fever, cough, difficulty breathing, chills, and diarrhea.
How common is Legionnaires’ disease?
Per the CDC, in 2015 there were approximately 6,000 cases reported in the United States.
Who is at higher risk for developing Legionnaires’ disease?
While most people have resistance, fewer than 5 in 100 exposed individuals may develop the disease. High-risk groups include older adults, smokers, and those with weakened immune systems.
How does Legionella enter buildings?
Legionella enters through a building’s makeup water. This is why we need to test the water coming into a building’s system and also set up a program to test within the system so we know what to do and respond appropriately if a test comes back positive for Legionella bacteria.
What promotes Legionella growth?
Biofilm, temperature fluctuations, inadequate disinfectant levels, and water stagnation within building water systems can promote Legionella growth
What are Water Management Programs (WMPs)?
WMPs are designed to identify hazardous conditions and minimize the growth and spread of waterborne pathogens, including Legionella, in building water systems.
How Should I Discuss Legionella Testing Frequency with a Client Who Only Wants to Test Once a Year?
When discussing Legionella testing with a client who only wants to test once a year, emphasize the importance of more frequent testing for safety and compliance. Here’s how to approach the conversation:
- Encourage Regular Testing: I always encourage people to test for Legionella at least every season or quarter. Regular testing helps identify potential issues early, ensuring the safety of your water system.
- Refer to the Water Management Plan (WMP): It's crucial to refer back to your Water Management Plan (WMP) to understand the necessary steps if a test comes back positive for Legionella bacteria.
- Develop a Comprehensive Plan: Let's come up with a plan outlining what we are going to test, how often we will test, and how we will use the data. We should also decide how to handle positive results, particularly for different Legionella species. Taking some time to plan upfront will streamline the process when collecting water samples.
By emphasizing the benefits of regular testing and a proactive approach, you can help clients understand the importance of more frequent Legionella testing and the value of a detailed WMP.
Where can I find more information?
On our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page at www.ScalingUpH2o.com/Legionella there you’ll find Legionella resources collected from the CDC, ASHRAE, OSHA, ASPE, WHO, ASSE, APIC, AIHA, ANSI, ASDWA, AWT, CMS, and others along with our prior Legionella podcast episodes, Legionella Legislation, and Legionella videos.
If you have a helpful Legionella resource not listed on our page, please reach out to our Executive Producer Corrine Drury at Corrine@Blackmore-enterprises.com and we will gladly add that to our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page.
Upcoming 2024 Legionella Awareness Month Episodes:
This month, we have a special lineup of episodes focusing on Legionella, featuring expert guests who will share their insights:
Episode 376: Dr. Janet Stout, PhD Episode 377: Michael Loewenstein Episode 378: Dr. Alberto Comazzi, PhD Episode 379: Loraine Huchler
Stay tuned, and let's scale up our knowledge together to combat Legionella and ensure safer water systems.
Thank you for being a part of the Scaling UP! H2O community. Thank you for celebrating Legionella Awareness Month with us. The Scaling UP! H2O Team
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Legionella Awareness Month 03:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 06:00 - Answering Legionella Questions 31:15 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes “I always encourage people to test for Legionella at least every season or quarter. It's crucial to refer back to your Water Management Plan (WMP) to know the necessary steps to take if your test comes back positive for Legionella bacteria.” - Trace Blackmore
“Let’s come up with a plan for what we are going to test, how often we are going to test, and what we are going to do with that data, and if we do get a positive what you want to handle that if we get certain species. Take some time upfront and then get the water sample.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned Ep 355 Ep 227 Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have another “what if” for you. What if industrial water treatment did not exist. I mean no industrial water treatment equipment, no industrial water treatment chemistry, no industrial water treatment knowledge, and no people practicing the industrial water treatment profession. How would the world we live in be different? What would the rivers, lakes, oceans, and even skies look like? What would our standard of living be like? How would our health be impacted? What would be the impact upon the cost of goods if industrial water treatment did not exist? Thinking in such an extreme as this really makes one appreciate what it is we industrial water treatment professionals truly bring to the world.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Each week, we bring you insights from industry experts to help you scale up your water treatment knowledge and operations. This week, we're thrilled to share strategies for effective customer and employee surveys based on a recent interview with Brian Katarski, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AquaPhoenix Scientific. Brian's extensive experience in sales and marketing makes him a valuable source of knowledge on how to gather and use feedback to drive improvement.
How Important is Feedback? “Feedback plays a very important role in all relationships: employees, coworkers, even your spouse.” - Brian Katarski
Feedback is a cornerstone of growth. It empowers teams to improve by increasing their knowledge and confidence. Brian emphasizes the necessity of not just collecting feedback but using it as a foundation for continuous improvement.
What is Feedback? “The most important part of feedback is that we have to use it as a basis for improvement. You cannot collect feedback just to ignore it, or justify it away, or pretend like it doesn't exist.” - Brian Katarski
According to Brian, feedback should be actionable. Whether it’s from customers or employees, feedback needs to be addressed constructively. Ignoring or dismissing feedback is counterproductive. Instead, look each other in the eye and commit to acting on the feedback received.
How Do You Build a Healthy Culture of Feedback in Your Company? “The biggest piece to it is if you want to encourage this long-term over time is you have to respond to the feedback. You can't just ignore it, right? You can't ghost it, or you can't just think it didn't happen. or say. you know. justify it away. You have to respond to it in a way that lets somebody know ‘I heard you. I understand. Here's what we're gonna do with that information now’, right. And that way they and they now know that we care. That we want to hear what they have to say whether it's an employee or a customer. They know that we're going to listen to what they have to say, and they'll be more willing to share that information with us.” - Brian Katarski
Creating a healthy feedback culture starts with demonstrating that feedback is valued and acted upon. Brian highlights the importance of responding to feedback promptly and constructively. When employees or customers see that their input leads to real action, they are more likely to continue providing valuable insights.
“You've got to try some different tactics and different things to try to reach certain people. Sometimes it's a quick paper survey. You know, maybe as you're walking out. Maybe you send an email or a link with your service reports whenever you send those off on Fridays or whenever you do it. Just different ways to do it, maybe put it on an invoice you're sending off, maybe have your marketing team sending those out, but you'll kind of figure out the best ways to gather that information depending on how people do it.” - Brian Katarski
Diverse methods of collecting feedback ensure that you reach a broad audience and gather a variety of perspectives. Whether it's through paper surveys, emails, links in service reports, or even feedback sections on invoices, finding the right approach for your audience is key to building a robust feedback culture.
How Do You Start and Encourage a Feedback Process? “Build out a plan around what you want to gather feedback on. Start with the end in mind.” - Brian Katarski
Brian advises beginning with a clear plan. Identify what specific feedback you need and how you will use it to drive improvement. By focusing on the end goal, you can design a process that ensures the feedback is both meaningful and actionable.
“It depends on what you want to gather and from who. It's gotta be simple and quick.” - Brian Katarski
To encourage feedback, keep surveys short and straightforward, aiming for 1-5 questions. Use a variety of methods depending on your audience—quick paper surveys, emails, or links in service reports. Formal methods and scheduled discussions can be employed when necessary. Track and trend feedback over time to pinpoint areas of improvement.
“At AquaPhoenix, we celebrate feedback because it gives us a chance to learn and improve.” - Brian Katarski
A culture that values feedback fosters continuous learning and improvement. By celebrating feedback, you reinforce its importance and encourage ongoing participation from both employees and customers.
What Are Some Common Feedback Mistakes to Avoid? “Humility is key. Accept feedback and resist the urge to get defensive.” - Brian Katarski
Brian stresses the importance of humility in accepting feedback. Early in his career, he struggled with defensiveness, but now he focuses on understanding the underlying issues and using feedback to drive improvement.
"Every time I feel that weird reaction, that sort of tension, I ask myself: What's driving that? Where's that coming from? And 9 times out of 10, it's my ego. It's me trying to protect myself because I don't want to admit that we were wrong, I don't want to admit that something happened, I don't want to accept that feedback. I think that's the biggest thing I can tell you." - Brian Katarski
By recognizing the role of ego and defensiveness, Brian has learned to embrace feedback as a tool for growth. This shift in mindset allows him to find valuable insights in feedback, even when it's difficult to hear, and to continuously improve processes and relationships.
We hope these insights from Brian Katarski help you implement effective feedback strategies in your organization. Stay tuned for next week's episode of Scaling UP! H2O, where we continue to bring you valuable industry insights.
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore asks you to look for the things that give you butterflies in your tummy because you are doing something new and challenging 04:05 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:45 - Interview with Brian Katarski, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AquaPhoenix Scientific 51:00 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Connect with Brian Katarski Phone: 717.465.7859 Email: bkatarski@aquaphoenixsci.com Website: www.aquaphoenixsci.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bkatarski/ linkedin.com/company/aquaphoenix-scientific/ Read or Download Brian Katarski’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned Episode 325 Episode 298 Free Legionella Resources Page Industrial Water Week Resources Page Marriage App, Paired Hooper's Crab House, Ocean City, Maryland Hubspot CRM The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, we’re thinking about BOD and COD. First, what do these acronyms stand for: BOD and COD? How are they measured? Is one of them always equal to or higher than the other? Why would BOD or COD be used in water treatment? What can impact the BOD or COD of a water? What water treatment can change it?
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Collaboration: Enhancing Efficiency Through Industry Partnerships
Welcome to this week's edition of Scaling UP! H2O, where we explore the critical role of water treatment in optimizing industrial processes. Today, we are privileged to hear from two distinguished guests: Tony Mormino and Justin Lynch. Tony is Technical Sales and Marketing Director for Insight Partners and host of the The Engineers HVAC Podcast specializing in education, while Justin focuses on cooling tower Reconstruction Specialists. Together, they share invaluable insights into collaborative strategies that ensure the best and most cost-effective solutions for cooling towers and closed loop systems. Their discussion focused on the importance of collaboration, cost efficiency, and proactive maintenance in the field of water treatment. Tony and Justin's insights provide a roadmap for water treaters to enhance client outcomes and operational efficiency through strategic partnerships and informed decision-making.
What Are the Cost and Efficiency Benefits of Proper Water Treatment? Cost efficiency emerges as a significant topic. Tony Mormino underscores the financial benefits of proper water treatment, citing examples where a modest investment in water treatment can yield substantial savings. "According to the Department of Energy, 40% of a commercial building's energy consumption goes to HVAC systems," explains Tony. "Simply improving water quality can lead to 5-10% savings in energy costs. It's a quick win for green building initiatives."
How Do You Prevent Vibrations in Cooling Towers? Bad vibrations in cooling towers can be a significant issue if not addressed early. Justin Lynch highlights the importance of monitoring biological buildup and evaporative salts on the fans. "It's very difficult to do that if you don't catch it early. Let's say we go to a facility with an old tower and an old fan—there's going to be a little bit of biology on top, which is not a big deal. You can brush that off, do a light pressure washing, and it’s not going to hurt it," explains Justin. However, the real issue arises when scale develops unevenly on each blade. "At that point, the fan may look horrible, but the tower still operates without vibration. If you clean five out of six blades well but can't get the scale off one blade, you just created a vibration, leading to other issues in the tower." Justin advises that while chemical treatments are effective, they should be done with caution and under professional guidance to avoid exacerbating the problem. This proactive maintenance is less of a concern for newer towers that have had chemical treatment from the start. How Does Air in Closed Loop Chilled Water Systems Affect Performance? Tony Mormino highlights a critical yet often overlooked issue in water treatment: Air in closed loop chilled water systems. This issue not only leads to rust and oxidation but also significantly impacts the system efficiency and longevity. Studies and practical examples underscore the importance of air removal systems:
Removing air from the chill water system can result in substantial benefits:
- Increase in Tonnage Output: Youngstown State University reported a 16% increase in tonnage output, equivalent to 400 additional tons.
- Improvement in Delta T: From 8.5-10°, enhancing heat transfer efficiency across chiller barrels.
- Enhanced Building Discharge Air Temperatures: Temperatures improved from 65° to 55°, optimizing HVAC system performance.
- Reduction in Pump Energy Consumption: A notable 37% reduction in annual KWH requirements due to cleaner water and improved system operation.
Moreover, practical cases like at Waukesha Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin showed a 22% reduction in Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) speed, leading to an 85% decrease in corrosion preventative chemical usage. These examples illustrate the direct correlation between air removal and energy savings, reinforcing the significant impact of proper water treatment practices on operational efficiency and cost savings in commercial HVAC systems.
How Important is Passivation for Equipment Longevity and Performance? Justin Lynch highlights the critical role of passivation in maintaining equipment longevity, particularly in galvanized towers. "Passivation is essential to prevent corrosion and ensure optimal performance," Justin explains. "For instance, following Marley's guidelines for pH and calcium hardness during passivation can extend the life of galvanized towers significantly."
Conclusion In the fast-evolving landscape of industrial water treatment and HVAC systems, collaboration and continuous learning are paramount. Justin Lynch's closing thoughts encapsulate this spirit perfectly: “Don't be afraid to call, don't be afraid to collaborate. You are the expert in your field; I'm supposed to be the expert in mine. There's too much going on in this industry. It's growing too fast for everyone to really understand everything. So, if you don't know, ask questions and learn together. When you can do that together, you build a good network, and customers trust you and respect you after that.” Embracing this collaborative approach not only enhances our expertise but also ensures that we provide the best possible solutions for our customers, fostering trust and respect in our professional relationships.
Timestamps 01:00 - Free Legionella Awareness Month and Industrial Water Week resources can be found on our website 09:10 - Interview with Tony Mormino and Justin Lynch 50:00 - Closing thoughts about the power of collaboration with Trace 54:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 56:42 - Evaporative Salts, Scale, and using the correct language with clients 59:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes “Downtime is lost profit.” - Justin Lynch “Water quality is key. It's crucial for maintaining a tower's expected lifespan, and without it, customers could face significant costs." - Justin Lynch “I consider the water the lifeblood of the system because it touches every component.” - Tony Mormino “In our industry, collaboration is essential. As experts in our respective fields, we have a responsibility to work together, share knowledge, and tackle challenges as a unified front." - shares Justin Lynch “The best way to market is to give away good, free content.” - Tony Mormino
Connect with Justin Lynch Phone: 919.602.1658 Email: jlynch@insightusa.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justin-lynch-0355458b Read or Download Tony and Justin’s Press Release HERE Connect with Tony Mormino Phone: 828.712.4769 Email: tmormino@insightusa.com Website: www.insightusa.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tony-mormino linkedin.com/company/insightusa YouTube: @InsightPartnersHVACTV Podcast: The Engineers HVAC Podcast
Resources Mentioned All Cooling Tower resources can be found on our Free Industrial Water Week Page HERE in the Cooling Wednesday Tab All Legionella Resources can be found on our Free Legionella Page HERE Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE. Water Cake Recipe
Our lab partner today is Jed Harris, owner of Puretec Industrial Water with over 25 years of experience in the water industry, to delve into the world of Reverse Osmosis (RO) systems. Jed’s extensive experience and deep understanding of high-purity water solutions provided a wealth of knowledge, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to scale up their water treatment expertise. Below, we highlight some of the best insights Jed shared, aimed at making the complex world of RO systems more accessible and intriguing.
Reverse Osmosis: The Industry Workhorse Jed describes reverse osmosis as the workhorse of water treatment, efficiently removing up to 99% of dissolved solids, organics, bacteria, and viruses. This process involves using a high-pressure pump to force water through a semi-permeable membrane, reversing natural osmotic pressure. Whether you're in power generation, food and beverage, or pharmaceuticals, understanding RO systems is crucial as they play a pivotal role in ensuring water purity.
Common RO Applications and Challenges RO systems are ubiquitous across various industries. Jed emphasizes their versatility but also highlights the complexities involved in managing them. He notes that the feedwater chemistry can vary, making it essential for operators to understand and monitor their systems to maintain optimal performance. This is particularly critical as the industry pushes for higher recovery rates, often pushing RO systems to their limits.
Key Metrics for Monitoring RO Systems Trace Blackmore posed a crucial question; “What are some of the key things that we should be looking at to tell what's going on within the RO?”. Jed Harris provided valuable insights; “You want to look at your flows, your qualities, your pressures, and last but not least, the feedwater temperature—which has a huge effect on all this stuff. You want to look at your permeate flow, your concentrate flow, your feed pressure, your concentrate pressure, and your permeate pressure if available. And then the qualities would be your feed conductivity and your permeate conductivity.”
Practical Tips for RO System Maintenance Jed shared several practical tips for maintaining RO systems. He advises partnering with a company that can conduct water analysis and projection to set the system up correctly. Regularly collecting data—ideally daily—and using normalization software to interpret this data is crucial. He also cautioned against the impact of temperature changes, noting that a decrease in feedwater temperature can lead to a significant drop in permeate flow, potentially misleading operators to think there’s a problem when there isn’t.
Normalizing Data for Accurate Analysis One of the most insightful parts of the discussion was on the importance of data normalization. Jed explained, “By normalizing the data, what you’re doing is essentially taking data when you start up the RO system, and then, as you go into the future, you’re comparing the current performance to how it should be at the baseline.” This helps accurately assess the system’s performance, especially when dealing with variables like temperature fluctuations that can significantly impact the RO system’s output.
Temperature's Effect on RO Jed Harris explains the critical impact of temperature on RO systems: "Temperature has such a huge effect on the amount of water that will go through a membrane. RO membranes are like the Miami Dolphins; they don't do well in cold weather. The rule of thumb is for every one-degree Fahrenheit drop in water temperature, you're going to lose about 1.5% in permeate flow. You might notice a decrease in permeate flow and think, 'Hey, these membranes are dirty. They're plugged. We need to clean; something's wrong.' But in reality, nothing's wrong. It's just that the feedwater temperature has dropped."
Pre-Treatment is Key Jed Harris emphasizes the crucial role of proper pretreatment for RO systems: “Pre-treatment is the key to everything.” Jed also highlights the growing adoption of Ultrafiltration (UF) systems, which offer a more consistent quality level compared to traditional multimedia filters. He outlines three primary objectives:
- Prevent Oxidizer Damage: Once an RO membrane is damaged by an oxidizer, the damage is irreversible.
- Inhibit Scale Growth: Delay and inhibit scale growth for as long as possible.
- Reduce Suspended Solids: Minimizing suspended solids helps achieve the highest possible recovery rate.
Biofouling: The Unavoidable Challenge Trace and Jed addressed one of the most persistent issues with RO systems: biofouling. Jed explained, “Biofouling is a huge issue… it’s going to happen because we’re removing chlorine before the RO system.” As chlorine, an oxidizer, is removed to protect the RO membranes, any bacteria that enter the system will thrive due to the rich nutrient environment. Monitoring normalized data is crucial as it provides early signs of membrane fouling, indicating it’s time for cleaning. Jed highlighted a peculiar phenomenon: “When biofouling takes root in these membranes, a lot of times the normalized salt rejection will increase,” which can be misleading.
When and How to Clean Membranes Cleaning membranes is both a straightforward and complex task. Jed Harris recommends against cleaning every time there is a 10% drop in normalized permeate flow, calling this practice excessive and potentially harmful to the membranes. Instead, operators should monitor the trends in normalized permeate flow and clean based on site-specific conditions. Typically, cleaning occurs every three months, but this can vary. Jed advises operators to watch for a drop in normalized permeate flow, an increase in normalized pressure differentials, and changes in normalized salt rejection as key indicators that cleaning is needed.
Cleaning Methods There are two primary methods for cleaning RO membranes: on-site clean-in-place systems or off-site cleaning facilities. At Pure Tech, membranes are pre- and post-tested to assess their condition and effectiveness after cleaning. “Some membranes are just done… and others are returned to the customer and reinstalled,” Jed explained, highlighting the importance of thorough evaluation during the cleaning process.
Real-World RO Membrane Repurposing Jed shared a humorous yet telling story from the pandemic. While visiting Egypt, he discovered that a village was using old RO membranes as the foundation for various structures. This anecdote underscores the importance of proper maintenance and the potential for repurposing equipment in creative ways.
Resources and Contact Information For those interested in learning more, Jed recommended visiting Pure Tech’s website, where a wealth of resources is available. “Please visit our website puretechwater.com, and we have a great team here,” Jed said, inviting listeners to reach out for further assistance.
Conclusion Jed’s insights into RO systems, from biofouling to membrane cleaning and real-world experiences, provide invaluable knowledge for maintaining and optimizing these critical systems. As always, we encourage our listeners to keep learning and implementing best practices to ensure the longevity and efficiency of their water treatment systems.
Learn More For those who want to dive deeper, Jed has a comprehensive paper available on Pure Tech’s website, detailing how to collect and normalize data for RO systems. We highly recommend checking it out and implementing these best practices in your operations.
As always, we encourage you to keep learning and growing in your water treatment knowledge. Remember, as Trace’s father wisely said, "The day you stop learning in water treatment is the day you need to find a new career."
Stay curious, stay informed, and keep Scaling UP your RO knowledge!
Your Scaling UP! H2O Team
Timestamps 01:00 - Trace Blackmore encourages you to reach out to someone you admire for help and to make a bucket list 07:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 09:00 - Interview with Jed Harris, owner of Puretec Industrial Water 47:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes “Biofouling is going to happen because we're removing chlorine before the RO system, and any bacteria or living thing that makes it past into the RO system is just going to thrive. There's a big food source in there, and they're going to grow.” - Jed Harris “If you clean at a 10% drop, you're going to be cleaning nonstop, and if you clean too much, you're going to affect the membrane's ability to reject salts. You can't just clean these membranes every day.” - Jed Harris “Pre-treatment is the key to everything. When an RO membrane is damaged by an oxidizer, it’s done, it's irreversible. Delay and inhibit scale growth as long as possible, and reduce the amount of suspended solids to up the recovery to its highest possible level.” - Jed Harris
Connect with Jed Harris Phone: 805.340.6190 Email: jed@piw.io Website: puretecwater.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jedharris/ linkedin.com/company/puretec-industrial-water/ Read or Download Jed Harris’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned RO Data Collection and Normalization by Jed Harris Pure Tec Water Resources Ep 371 with Scott Slade Ep 368 with Tim Fulton Ep 35 with Wes Byrne Ep 339 with Jane Kucera The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 101 So Bad, They're Good Dad Jokes by Elias Hill Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide For Users by Wes Byrne Reverse Osmosis: Industrial Processes and Applications 2nd Edition by Jane Kucera
Drop By Drop with James In today’s episode, I have a “what if.” What if the temperature of the makeup water feeding an RO decreases? How would a lower water temperature impact the RO’s performance? Will it impact the quality of the permeate water produced? Will it impact salt passage across the membrane? Will it impact operating pressures? Will it impact dechlorination chemistry, if used? Understanding the impact of temperature on water treatment systems can be important troubleshooting knowledge to have.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“If you're calling it news. It has to be true.” - Scott Slade
In our latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore sits down with renowned journalist Scott Slade to delve into the critical role media plays in elections. With over 30 years of experience as the host of Atlanta Morning News on WSB Radio, and inducted into the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame, Scott brings unparalleled expertise and insight into the influence, accuracy, and bias of media as we approach the upcoming presidential election.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
The Importance of Accuracy in Journalism Scott Slade emphasizes that journalism is the first draft of history, highlighting the paramount importance of accuracy in traditional media. "It's your job to tell a balanced story, "He states, underscoring the responsibility of journalists to provide truthful and comprehensive coverage.
Diversifying News Sources Slade advises against relying on a single news source, advocating for a well-rounded media diet. He champions the legitimacy and depth provided by local newspapers and stresses the need to consume news from multiple outlets to avoid the echo chamber effect.
Scott advises, "Read a strong daily newspaper or two every day, even if it's online. Listen to more than one radio and TV station, and don't get caught in the echo chamber of ideas."
The Dangers of Soundbites In today's fast-paced media landscape, soundbites can easily be taken out of context when there's a sensational sound bite. Scott recommends a thorough approach: "You should try to understand the who, the what, the when, the where, and the how of where that soundbite came from and why it's being used in the story.” He warns against the sensationalism that can arise from these snippets and encourages listeners to seek out the full story to grasp the context and nuances behind the headlines, and reminds us that “It's up to the journalist to make sure you (the audience) understand the context.
Social Media as a News Source While social media can be a convenient way to stay informed, Slade cautions against using it as a primary news source due to its potential for inaccuracy. He suggests prioritizing more reliable and vetted sources for critical information.
Scott notes, "If I had to give up something, as far as being in the know about what's really going on, I think social media would be the first thing I’d give up. It has great entertainment value but when it comes to making decisions about things where you need to really rely on what's truthful and accurate. It can come up lacking."
Factors that Drive Newsworthiness Slade outlines five key news values that attract the most attention: locality, universality, celebrity involvement, conflict, and oddity. Stories that meet these criteria are more likely to engage and inform the public. Scott shares, "If your story can fill one, or even better, more of those slots, it's usually a good one."
Media’s Influence on Elections
The Power of Perception Media has a substantial influence on shaping public perception during elections. Scott explains, "Media can present a perception of someone by what they include and what they leave out." By choosing what to include and what to omit, media outlets can significantly impact voters' views.
Upholding the Founding Fathers’ Intent In a thought-provoking discussion, Slade and Blackmore touch on whether modern media upholds the First Amendment's intent. While media's role has evolved, the core responsibility of seeking and reporting truth remains unchanged.
Scott remarks, "The society of professional journalists begins with seeking truth and reporting it."
Advice for First-Time Voters For first-time voters feeling overwhelmed, Slade offers practical advice: "Preparation is the best remedy for stage fright. Knowledge is power." He encourages young voters to research candidates based on what matters most to them and to avoid the pitfalls of one-sided arguments.
Final Thoughts This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intricate relationship between media and elections. Scott Slade's insights provide valuable guidance on navigating the complex media landscape, ensuring you stay informed and make well-rounded decisions as we head into the election season.
Listen to the Full Episode
Don’t miss this enlightening conversation with Scott Slade. Tune in to Scaling UP! H2O and gain a deeper understanding of the media's role in elections.
Stay informed, stay engaged, and let's navigate this election season together!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore celebrates 4th of July with our global audience and reflects on historical figure Patrick Henry
08:15 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
18:00 - Getting to know Scott Slade and his career
31:29 - Interview with Scott Slade, unbiased news
01:22:22 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“The earth belongs always to the living generation… Every constitution, then, and every law, naturally expires at the end of 19. years. If it is enforced longer, it is an act of force and not of right.” - Thomas Jefferson
“Journalism is the first draft of history and there is nothing more important than accuracy when it comes to traditional media.” - Scott Slade
“As a journalist, it's your job to tell a balanced story.” - Scott Slade
“Nothing beats the kind of legitimacy that comes from a well-staffed local newspaper. They have the personnel and the time to dig out the details. They go deep on stories that really matter.” - Scott Slade
“There’s nothing more boring than a one-sided argument.” - Scott Slade
Connect with Scott Slade
Email: slade750@gmail.com
Scott’s Links Mentioned
Pew Research Center
Pew’s report titled “Americans’ Top Policy Priority for 2024: Strengthening the Economy”
Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame
Atlanta Journal Constitution News
Atlanta’s Morning News
Google News
Associated Press
Scaling UP! Links Mentioned
Mike Rowe reading Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty, give me death” speech
The the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics
The Hang July 11, 2024
FREE Legionella Resources Page
Industrial Water Week 2024
AWT’s Ray Baum Memorial Water Treater of the year award
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
White Tigers: My Secret War in North Korea by Ben S. Malcom and Ron Martz
The Secret: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child & Andrew Child
How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth by The Moth
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is… calculate the softening capacity of your water softener based upon incoming water. Seriously, get a pen and paper or even Excel and calculate it. Does your answer match the actual setpoint on the softener? Why would you want to set the softener lower than the theoretical maximum softening capacity you just calculated? What can impact the functional softening capacity of a water softener? Is it possible for the incoming hard water quality to change over time? How could iron in the incoming water impact softening capacity? Water softeners are more complex than that enclosed vessel you see before you day after day. Learning the nuances of how it works and what can cause it to behave differently will make you a stronger water treater.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
"Be curious, maintain an open mind, and maintain your high standards." - Lee Bainbrigge
Our water treatment community is a close-knit brotherhood and sisterhood, regardless of where we live. We face similar challenges and share a common goal: to grow and learn from each other. Our latest podcast episode features a conversation that delves into the differences and similarities in Legionella control practices and regulations between the United States and the United Kingdom. This insightful episode features Lee Bainbrigge, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of SMS Environmental Ltd as our charming lab partner.
Key Insights from Lee Bainbrigge on Legionella Control:
Differences in Legionella Management and Documentation In both countries, the primary Legionella control methods are keeping water moving and using temperature control. However, the UK places a stronger emphasis on documentation and compliance systems to record control measures. "The types of control you are using, you need to record it, you need to write it down in a compliance system," Lee explained. If a system tests positive for Legionella, it is crucial to effectively and clearly communicate to the client, "There's Legionella in the system. Let's look at doing something about it." In the UK, these communications are meticulously documented and kept as digital records for future reference.
Crafting Effective Legionella Legislation When discussing what lawmakers should consider when writing Legionella legislation, Lee advised caution and balance. He noted that the guidance in the USA is relatively proportionate and effective when in the right hands. "Effectively, the guidance you've got in the USA is relatively proportionate... In the right hands, you're going to do a good job with the guidance that you've got," he noted. In contrast, the UK's approach can sometimes be overly prescriptive. Lee suggests a middle ground, advocating for guidance that is neither too relaxed nor too stringent, ensuring efforts and resources truly reduce risk. "I think the most reasonable guidance you could come up with is somewhere in between the two. There are pros and cons on both sides," Lee mentioned.
ASHRAE 188 and Its Direction in the USA Lee affirmed that the USA is on the right track with ASHRAE 188 for Legionella control. "Yes, absolutely!" he responded when asked if the US is heading in the right direction. He highlighted the importance of competent professionals conducting Legionella risk assessments to ensure effective control measures. "Make sure that the people that are carrying out your Legionella risk assessment are competent and you're actually getting good advice at the beginning of your control scheme," he advised.
Challenges and Technology Opportunities in the UK In the UK, current challenges include maintaining competency and training within the industry, adapting to novel systems like heat pumps, and dealing with reduced water flow in buildings. Lee mentioned the potential of new technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and remote monitoring, which could revolutionize Legionella control, although current guidance has yet to fully incorporate these advancements. "We have got challenges with... new novel systems coming into our domestic hot and cold water systems. The use of heat pumps and different ways of sourcing energy and reducing water flow are all having an impact on Legionella control," Lee explained.
Building a Global Culture of Learning Lee is a strong advocate for collaboration within the industry. He believes in learning from each other and sharing best practices, which can greatly benefit organizations and improve public health protection. "I’m a big believer of us being collaborative in this industry," Lee shared. "When we see what somebody else is doing and establish what’s working for organizations, that is just so great to see."
Professional Standards and Certifications Lee discussed the significance of the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) certification. SMS Environmental Ltd. values high standards and depth of knowledge within its team, which is why they are strong proponents of the CWT certification. "We don't have in the UK an equivalent qualification specific to water treatment," Lee explained. "We've certainly looked at the CWT and gone, 'this does really what people that have been involved in the organization in the industry far longer than me tell me was very much the way the sector was born.'"
Advice for Water Professionals Lee's best advice to water professionals is to "Be curious, maintain an open mind, and maintain your high standards." This approach has helped SMS Environmental Ltd. build strong, honest relationships with their customers and maintain their status as a leading independent company in the industry.
Tune In to Scale UP Your Legionella Knowledge We encourage you to listen to the full interview with Lee Bainbrigge on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. You'll gain deeper insights into Legionella control practices and regulatory approaches in the USA and the UK, learn about new technologies and challenges, and hear expert advice for water professionals.
Stay curious, keep an open mind, and always strive for excellence.
Connect with Lee Bainbrigge
Email: l.bainbrigge@sms-environmental.co.uk
Website: https://sms-environmental.co.uk/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/lbainbrigge/
linkedin.com/company/sms-environmental-ltd/
Read or Download Lee Bainbrigge’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Hang July 11, 2024, free networking event for water professionals
203 The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources Page
The Water Management Society (WMSoc)
Legionella Control Association
Certified Water Technologist (CWT) certificate Video Prep Course
UKAS Legionella Risk Assessment and ISO/IEC 17020
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Paddle Your Own Canoe by Nick Offerman
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I’m thinking about your family and friends. You head off to work to save the world with your industrial water treatment skills each day. Do your family and friends have any idea what you do? Have you ever shown them your test kit? Have you ever tested water in front of them? Have you ever shown them your service reports? Have you ever shared the types of customers you have? Have you ever described the operations and processes you get to see? You may be an industrial water treatment superhero, but you don’t have to have a secret identity, too. Let the world around you know what you do.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Sales is never a quick process. The only way you can have a lasting sales relationship is to be honest, have a positive attitude, and hustle.” - Fred Shurtz
Discover the Roadmap to New Business Success!
In our latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Fred Shurtz, owner of Precision Chemical, to explore the intricate roadmap of acquiring new business. Fred, a seasoned expert in the water treatment industry, shares his journey, challenges, and strategies that have led to his success. Here’s a sneak peek into some of the valuable insights Fred offers in this must-listen interview.
From Engineer to Entrepreneur: Fred's Career Journey
Fred’s journey began with an engineering degree and a pivotal role at NALCO in 1988. He emphasizes the unique advantage of a sales career: controlling your destiny. “When there’s no ceiling, you can earn a lot of money if you treat people right and do the right thing,” Fred explains. He also highlights the importance of being a leader, stating, “You’ve got to be the person that people want to follow.”
Sales: It’s a Crockpot, not a Microwave
Sales, according to Fred, is a long-term process that requires honesty, a positive attitude, and hustle. “It’s never a quick process,” he notes, emphasizing that lasting sales relationships are built on these principles. The right technology also plays a crucial role in this equation.
Earning Trust to Gain New Business
Building trust is paramount. Fred listens attentively to his customers, understanding their needs through both words and body language. “If you are genuine with people and they have a need for what you have, then you’ll make sales,” he explains.
Fred stresses the importance of persistence, patience, and viewing every person at a facility as a potential door-opener. “If it’s not a win-win, it’s not worth doing,” he asserts.
Client Surveys: Building Trust from the Start
Fred emphasizes the importance of asking good questions, listening, and being attentive to clients' needs. Acting as an advocate and helper is essential in building trust with new clients.
Crafting Proposals that Resonate
Proposals should clearly demonstrate the benefits for the client. Fred believes in interactive presentations, using pen and paper to draw things out. “Hard selling doesn’t work; you need to be a soft seller,” he advises, focusing on building partnerships rather than just making sales.
Sustaining Client Relationships Over the Years
Continuous engagement and feedback are essential. Fred emphasizes fulfilling promises and regularly checking in with clients to ensure their needs are being met. “It's all about the hustle,” he says, advocating for a proactive approach to client relations.
Tune in to our latest episode to gain more insights from Fred Shurtz on building and sustaining a successful business in the water treatment industry. Don’t miss out on this wealth of knowledge!
Stay connected with us for more expert insights and strategies to scale up your water treatment business.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you about this day in history and being a kid in love with NASA’s space program
05:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
07:00 - Interview with Fred Shurtz, owner of Precision Chemical
50:40 - Lightning Round Questions
01:00:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Sales is never a quick process. The only way you can have a lasting sales relationship is to be honest, have a positive attitude, and hustle.” - Fred Shurtz
“When they say “no” they are saying I don’t need you yet, but you stay with them because you never know when they will need some help. You need to stay persistent, patient, and keep calling.” - Fred Shurtz
“You need to find out what's important to them. You need to ask good questions and listen. You need to be attentive to their needs.” - Fred Shurtz
“You have to be their advocate, their helper. You need to build trust.” - Fred Shurtz
Connect with Fred Shurtz
Phone: 812.455.7378
Email: fshurtz@precisonchem.com
Website: precisionchem.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/fred-shurtz-7287b032/
linkedin.com/company/precision-chemical/
Links Mentioned
The Hang July 11, 2024
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk by Billy Walters
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have a “What If” for you. What if the deaerator vent is closed completely? I mean there is no little puff of steam coming out of the vent at all. What is the purpose of the deaerator vent? How will it being completely closed impact your overall steam boiler system? Which parts will be impacted first? What will the short term and long term impacts be? How will this impact your chemical levels in the feedwater and boilers? Could the closed vent have any impact upon the condensate system? How did it get closed in the first place? How far open should it actually be? How would you determine this? Do the operators and customers understand the importance of the deaerator vent?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
We’re excited to bring you insights from a recent interview with Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, Vistage Chair Emeritus, and Executive Coach. Tim is a returning podcast guest and a favorite among our listeners, bringing his wealth of knowledge to help you attract and retain top talent in today’s evolving job market.
Labor Market Insights: Navigating the New Normal Tim starts by addressing a common observation: “Most business owners would tell you the labor market has improved over the past 12 months.” This improvement is particularly notable for small and mid-sized companies. Businesses have adapted post-COVID, finding innovative ways to attract candidates from diverse backgrounds, different markets, and varying levels of education and skills.
Flexibility is Key: Adapting to Workforce Needs A critical trend highlighted by Tim is the increasing need for flexibility. Companies are shifting from rigid work schedules to more adaptable models, such as offering hybrid work options and flexible hours. Tim emphasizes that the question shouldn’t just be about remote vs. in-office work but rather, “Do I trust my employees?” This trust-based approach focuses on outcomes rather than the specific logistics of where and when the work is done.
Embracing Modern Work Policies: Unlimited PTO and Remote Work Pre-COVID, concepts like unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO) and remote work were often dismissed. However, Tim believes that with the right employees, processes, and procedures, these policies can be effective across various businesses. The modern workforce, especially younger employees, highly values remote work options, making it a crucial aspect of job listings today. As Tim puts it, “Today ⅔ of employees are knowledge workers and work from home. The train has left the station, we are not going backward to office life as we knew it.”
Crafting Compelling Job Listings Job listings must reflect the current job market's demands. Tim suggests including clear expectations regarding work location, flexibility, and growth opportunities in the description and the job results in the job heading. Additionally, platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, your own company’s website, and local colleges/universities are excellent for reaching a diverse pool of candidates.
Effective Interview Strategies: Finding the Right Fit During interviews, it’s essential to assess if the candidate can perform the job, fit within your company culture, and work well with you. Tim advises using behavior assessments and post-hire evaluations to ensure you’re making the right choice. Group interviews can be beneficial when you have multiple strong candidates, and using a scorecard can help in making objective decisions.
Ensuring the Right Hire: Comprehensive Evaluation To confirm you’ve made the right hiring decision, involve various stakeholders in the hiring process, conduct thorough reference checks, and use behavioral assessments to gauge the candidate’s fit within your team.
Conclusion: Prepare to Transform Your Hiring Process Tune in to the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O to dive deeper into these insights and more from Tim Fulton. This episode is packed with practical advice and actionable strategies that can transform your hiring process and help you secure top performers for your team.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore asks you to submit your show ideas
04:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:15 - Interview with Tim Fulton
59:00 - Closing thoughts with Trace
1:06:25 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Most business owners would tell you the labor market has improved over the past 12 months.” - Tim Fulton
“When interviewing someone ask yourself: “Can they do the job, can they do it here, can they do the job with me?” - Tim Fulton
“As a manager, you need to ask yourself: Do I want to manage someone's time or their work? Do I want to manage compliance or performance?” - Tim Fulton
“Today, ⅔ of employees are knowledge workers and work from home. The train has left the station, we are not going backward.” - Tim Fulton
Connect with Tim Fulton
Email: tim@smallbusinessmattersonline.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timcfulton/
Twitter: twitter.com/tf_sbm
FaceBook: facebook.com/SmallBusinessMattersOnline/
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
Tim’s Resources:
Tim Fulton’s Small Business Matters Podcast
Small Business Matters Newsletter
SBM Mastermind Group
SBM Boot Camp
Vistage Group
Vistage Chair Executive Coach in Atlanta, GA, Tim Fulton
Vistage Speaker Top Performer Award for 2023, Tim Fulton
Links Mentioned
The Hang July 11, 2024 at 6pm EST
Ep 22 with Tim Fulton
Ep 114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
Ep 280 The One About Retaining Top Talent
Ep 353 Steam Boilers Essential Checks with Barry Higgins Part 1
Ep 354 Steam Boilers Essential Checks with Barry Higgins Part 2
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
Foolproof Hiring: Powerful, Proven Keys to Hiring HIGH Performers by Brad Smart and Chris Mursau
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins
This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen Until You Learn to See by Seth Godin
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have a challenge for you. The challenge is to ask your customer what you can do better? I mean to walk up to your customer, look them in the eye, tell them not to hold back, and ask them what you could be doing better for them. If they give you positive feedback, great! If they unload all their pent up frustration upon you. Thank them for taking the time and caring enough to share their thoughts with you. Then take the time to give careful consideration to the feedback you received, even if it offends you at first. Try to have empathy with the customer to understand where they are coming from. Then use this moment to grow and become better. Communication is a two-way street, so be sure to let them know how you have reflected upon and implemented any relevant advice.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Looking to maximize efficiency while minimizing shipping costs? Keen on shrinking your company's and clients' carbon footprint? Concerned about the complexities of transporting hazardous liquid materials? Picture this: You're tasked with moving a three-hundred-gallon tote of corrosives to the twelfth floor of an office building. Or perhaps you've encountered the challenge of maneuvering a two-hundred-pound tote across pristine mahogany floors, all while hoping against leaks on the way to the cooling tower. If these scenarios resonate with you, our latest episode is a must-listen!
Join us as Blaine Nagao, CWT, Senior Director of Smart Release Technology at Dober, answers a multitude of questions about how solid technology works and how it differs from liquid technology. Blaine debunks old misconceptions about solid technologies. Learn how to match the right equipment with the products you’re using and gain insight into controlling as many variables as possible upfront by adopting solid technology.
Discover how solid technology can eliminate the need for hefty shipping fees, significantly reduce your carbon footprint, and save money for both your company and your clients.
Tune in for an educational, insightful, and positive discussion that could revolutionize your bottom line.
Understanding the Formula for Cost Savings with Solid Chemistry Technology
Blaine explains that the cost savings from using solid chemistry technology come from several key areas:
-
- Reduced Shipping Costs
- Decreased Storage Space Requirements
- Lower Risk of Spills and Accidents
Let's break these down:
-
- Reduced Shipping Costs Solid chemistry products are more concentrated than their liquid counterparts. This means you can ship smaller quantities, which reduces the overall shipping cost. For example: - Liquid product: 100 gallons (heavy, requires special handling) - Solid product: Equivalent treatment power in a smaller, lighter package
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- Decreased Storage Space Requirements Solid products take up less space than liquid ones, meaning you can store more product in the same amount of space. This can lead to lower storage costs, especially in facilities where space is at a premium.
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- Lower Risk of Spills and Accidents Handling liquids, especially hazardous ones, carries a significant risk of spills and accidents, which can be costly. Solids minimize this risk, leading to fewer incidents and lower associated costs.
Blaine's Formula Blaine suggests considering the total cost of ownership rather than just the upfront cost. The formula he uses involves calculating the savings in the following areas:
Total Savings = Savings in Shipping + Savings in Storage + Savings in Risk Management
Let's put some hypothetical numbers into this formula to illustrate:
-
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- Savings in Shipping: $500 per shipment - Savings in Storage: $100 per month - Savings in Risk Management: $150 per month
-
Assuming these savings over a year:
Annual Savings = ($500 \times 12) + ($100 \times 12) + ($150 \times 12) Annual Savings = $6,000 + $1,200 + $1,800 Annual Savings = $9,000
By switching to solid chemistry technology, the company could potentially save $9,000 annually. This example illustrates how the cumulative savings in different areas add up to significant cost reductions.
Summary
Solid chemistry technology offers significant cost savings by reducing shipping costs, storage space requirements, and risks associated with spills and accidents. By focusing on the total cost of ownership, as Blaine suggests, companies can see the broader financial benefits of transitioning to solid chemistry solutions.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore asks you to share your future podcast show ideas with us by filling out the Submit a Show Idea form
03:15 - Come to The Hang on July 11th, a free online opportunity to connect with other water professionals
10:10 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:30 - Get to know Blaine Nagao, CWT
20:00 - Interview on Solid Technology
1:00:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Solid chemistry is good chemistry.” - Blaine Nagao
“Ask too many questions because the devil is in the details to find the right solution for your client.” - Blaine Nagao
“With water, you always need to think about Murphy’s Law - anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.” - Blaine Nagao
“Pick the equipment that works, not the one that looks pretty. You should pick equipment that you can trust.” - Blaine Nagao
Connect with Blaine Nagao, CWT
Phone: 817.913.8030
Email: bnagao@dober.com
Website: www.dober.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/blaine-nagao-cwt-953822110/
linkedin.com/company/dober/
Read or Download Blaine Nagao’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Hang July 11, 2024
Ep 13.5 Convention Tips, How to get over social anxiety at networking events
106 The One with the Agnostic Equipment Guy
Dober Smart Release Technology
AquaPhoenix
Hard Eight BBQ
The Scaling UP! H2O Podcast Website
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have a “What If” for you. What if nitrite drops in a closed loop but conductivity remains the same and the makeup water meter shows zero makeup was used? What could cause this curious pattern? Is nitrite reacting or being consumed in some way? Could the makeup water meter miss low-flow makeup? Could unwanted microbiological activity be the culprit? Have you thought of all the ways nitrite could change in a system and how other parameters may or may not change as well?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Get ready to dive headfirst into the dynamic world of Produced Water as we kick off our inaugural episode dedicated to this captivating topic on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. Join us on this thrilling expedition as we journey alongside our esteemed guest, Ivan Morales—a seasoned expert in water treatment and a beacon of innovation. With a passion for practical solutions and a knack for making complex concepts relatable, Ivan is here to guide us through the ins and outs of Produced Water management, making it accessible to all.
In this groundbreaking episode, Ivan Morales, known for his contributions to Nalco Water, the International Water Conference (IWC), and the Produced Water Society, takes center stage to share his knowledge about Produced Water with a global audience of water professionals. Drawing from years of hands-on experience and a natural intuition for problem-solving, Ivan breaks down the barriers to understanding, offering practical insights and real-world examples. From navigating EPA regulations to tackling challenges in coal mining and fracking, we're in for an engaging and enlightening ride through the fascinating landscape of water treatment.
What You'll Discover:
Navigating EPA Regulations and Produced Water:
Dive into the intricate realm of EPA guidelines governing the measurement and treatment of Produced Water. By understanding these regulations, we empower ourselves to ensure compliance and uphold environmental stewardship.
Confronting Challenges in Coal Mines:
Explore the unique hurdles faced by water professionals in coal mines, where the recycling and treatment of water are pivotal for maintaining safety standards and safeguarding downstream communities. Ivan underscores the imperative of returning water to the environment in an improved state.
Embracing Innovation and Technological Advancements:
Embark on a journey of discovery as we uncover cutting-edge technologies and collaborative initiatives revolutionizing Produced Water treatment. Ivan sheds light on the promising prospects of element extraction, such as lithium, and the ongoing innovations propelling our industry toward greater efficiency and sustainability.
Episode Highlights:
Empowerment through EPA Compliance:
Gain actionable insights into navigating EPA regulations, fostering compliance, and contributing to environmental preservation through responsible water management practices.
Community-Centric Water Stewardship:
Learn how our efforts in coal mines directly impact downstream communities, and discover strategies for enhancing water quality to create a ripple effect of positive change.
Innovative Solutions Driving Sustainability:
Embark on a journey of innovation as we explore the transformative potential of emerging technologies and collaborative endeavors, propelling us toward a future of sustainable water management practices.
Ivan delves into crucial topics such as managing PFAS contaminants, harnessing the potential of recycled water for sustainable practices, and the imperative of accurate measurement in water discharge. His insights into the challenges of treating water from fracking operations and the avenues for technological innovation are both enlightening and empowering.
Join us as we embark on this enlightening exploration of Produced Water management, where knowledge is our compass, innovation is our vehicle, and positive change is our destination.
Tune in to the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O now, and let's journey together toward a future of sustainable water stewardship!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for participating in the Global 6K For Water this year. Thank you for helping to solve the global water crisis.
6:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
8:30 - Interview with Ivan Morales about Produced Water
48:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
49:30 - Please leave a review of this podcast on your favorite podcast player
Quotes
"Produced Water can range anywhere from 1,000 to 380,000 ppm TDS, presenting a vast range of challenges and opportunities to navigate." - Ivan Morales
"Whenever we attempt to return water to the ground, the EPA provides the essential framework for doing so responsibly." - Ivan Morales
"In the coal mining industry, it's crucial to ensure that all the water we extract is returned in better condition because downstream communities rely on it." - Ivan Morales
"Go to the source to understand what is out there. Many people are working together to create a better world, and there is a lot of good news in the Produced Water industry!" - Ivan Morales
Connect with Ivan Morales
Website: www.ecolab.com/nalco-water/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ivan-morales-mba-06793b5/
linkedin.com/company/nalco/
linkedin.com/company/produced-water-society-inc/
linkedin.com/showcase/intlwaterconf/
Affiliations:
International Water Conference (IWC), Executive Board Member
Produced Water Society, Board of Directors
Read or Download Ivan Morales’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Team World Vision’s Global 6K For Water
International Water Conference (IWC)
Groundwater Protection Council - Produced Water Report
New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium
Texas Produced Water Consortium
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
Produced Water Volume 1 by John Walsh
Produced Water Volume 2 by John Walsh
Hidden Potential by Adam Grant
Atomic Habits by James Clear
It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy by Captain Abrashoff
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to test the free chlorine in a cooling tower system IMMEDIATELY after sampling, let the sample sit OPEN for an HOUR, and then test again. Was there a difference between your two readings? If so, how do you explain this? If not, how do you explain it? Why is the timing of both the sampling and the testing important when analyzing for free chlorine? Would this apply to testing for TOTAL chlorine, too? How about when testing for bromine, chlorine dioxide, etc.? Why does any of this matter?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
AI won't take your job but knowing how to use it will give you an edge over others who don't. - Beth Ziesenis
Hello Scaling UP! H2O community!
We have a treat for you in this episode! Our favorite nerdy friend, Beth Ziesenis (a.k.a. Your Nerdy Best Friend), is back on the podcast to sprinkle her magic tech dust on all things AI! 🎉
You might have spent hours Googling tech tips or demoing tools to find the perfect solution for your needs—but now you can skip the headache and just ask Beth! She's here to break down complex AI concepts into bite-sized tips that can help you personally and professionally.
AI in Action:
In this episode, Beth shares:
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- Her favorite AI tools for work and personal use.
- How to harness AI for meeting summaries and transcriptions
- Insights into AI integration in office software
- The magic of AI for data analysis in water treatment and scientific research.
Tips for Building AI Guardrails:
Beth knows AI can seem daunting, so she provides guidance on creating a strong AI policy for your workplace. She touches on essential training, data usage guidelines, and the importance of checks and balances to ensure AI serves you effectively and ethically.
Beth's Takeaway:
AI isn't here to take your job; it's here to give you an edge over those who don't adapt. Whether you're an AI skeptic or an enthusiastic early adopter, understanding how AI can enhance your work will give you a leg up!
Ready to Scale UP your AI knowledge? Tune in to this lively episode and let Beth guide you through the exciting world of AI with humor and insight.
Don't miss out—your AI journey starts here!
Cheers,
The Scaling UP! H2O Team
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore extends his gratitude to you, our listeners, for helping us reach the top 2.5% of all podcasts worldwide
06:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:00 - Interview with Your Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Ziesenis
1:00:00 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Quotes
“On November 30, 2022, a company called Open AI released ChatGPT. It was the fastest growing platform and sometimes it lies and breaks down because y'all broke it.” - Beth Ziesenis
Connect with Beth Ziesenis
Phone: 619.231.9225
Email: beth@yournerdybestfriend.com
Website: yournerdybestfriend.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nerdybff
linkedin.com/company/nerdybff
Your Nerdy Best Friend Blog
Read or Download Beth Ziesenis’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
318 Boilers: Handling the Heat and Pressure Like Pros
041 The One with Your Nerdy Best Friend
AI Cheatsheet: Guidelines for AI Use at Work
A to Z AI Tools for Associations and Their Members
The Tackle Your Tech To-Do List Card Deck
Hattie B’s Nashville Hot Chicken
James McDonald’s Star Trek episodes, VSF Blessings - A Star Trek Fan Production
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
Futureproof: 9 Rules for Surviving in the Age of AI by Kevin Roose
Future Proof: Reinventing Work in the Age of Acceleration by Diana Wu David
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, we are thinking, “What if?” What if you sneak into your customer account, quietly do your service, and sneak out without seeing anyone? What if? You were quick, efficient, got the job done, and got out so you can rush off to your next account. What could be wrong with that? Hmmm. Think about that for just a moment. First, what about safety? If no one knew you were there, what if something happened in the facility. Would they know to look for you? What if you got hurt? Second, does the customer see value in NOT seeing you? I hope not. How does the customer know you actually performed the service instead of just making the report up out of thin air? There are so many positives that come from making your face seen and showing the value of you being there. Visit with the operators and buying influencers. Show that you care and are invested in the success of their water treatment program.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
We have the technology to treat any type of water, so instead of focusing on 'water scarcity,' let's talk about 'water abundance'. - Walid Khoury
In the latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, we explore how to shift the narrative from "Water Scarcity" to "Water Abundance" with returning guest Walid Khoury, President and CEO of Desalytics. Walid’s global perspective on water technology and treatment options provides invaluable insights for water professionals, industry owners, policymakers, and anyone interested in addressing global water challenges.
Here are five strategies Walid provides to guide your thinking from the challenges of water scarcity toward the possibilities of water abundance:
-
- Embrace Long-Term Thinking and Planning: When addressing water issues or exploring new opportunities, consider both the mid- and long-term impacts. This approach is especially crucial in developing markets where sustainable growth and solutions are essential.
- Collaborate with Private Industry, Politicians, and Individuals to Achieve SDG 6: While one person cannot change the world, thousands working toward a shared goal can. Walid discusses the vital role these groups play in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure safe and affordable drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for all.
- Integrate Innovative Technologies: Embrace the innovative aspects of the water industry by implementing modern technologies and techniques. For instance, Hong Kong began using saltwater in toilets in the 1950s due to a scarcity of freshwater. Today, around 80% of toilets in Hong Kong use saltwater for flushing, which conserves fresh drinking water. Industrial water treaters can harness these advancements to enhance their practices and assist clients in achieving a "water positive" status, surpassing the goal of being "water-neutral."
- Advocate and Communicate Effectively: Promote water positivity by using language that raises awareness of the options available. Building connections and collaborating with local partners can help address local water challenges more effectively.
- Expand Your Global Understanding: Walid encourages industrial water treaters to expand their knowledge and experience beyond familiar markets by attending international water conferences and exploring global opportunities.
By tuning in to this one-hour episode, you will gain actionable insights and practical knowledge on how to contribute to water abundance, reshape water management strategies, and make a positive impact on both local and global scales. Walid’s involvement in the Water Positive Think Tank and his dedication to SDG 6 offers a roadmap for those looking to advance their careers and make a meaningful difference in the water industry.
Listen to "364 Water Abundance: A Global Perspective on Water Technology and Treatment Options" and discover how you can be part of the change toward a more sustainable and water-efficient future. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from one of the industry's most innovative and influential voices!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to participate in the Global 6K for Water
05:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
7:30 - Get to know Walid Khoury of Desalytics
22:00 - Interview with Walid Khoury on Water Abundance
57:40 - Drop by Drop with James McDonald
Quotes with interview timestamps:
“My biggest frustration in our industry is that we use the word ‘water scarcity’, but in today's age we have the technology to treat any type of water, so instead of water scarcity we should be talking about ‘water abundance’.” - Walid Khoury
"We need to shift the narrative: We have an abundance of water. The question is, how can we effectively use and consume it locally rather than sourcing it from afar?" - Walid Khoury
"We have access to a wealth of technologies; the key is in applying them effectively. This makes it an exceptional time to be in the water industry." - Walid Khoury
Connect with Walid Khoury:
Phone: +971 56 5362147
Email: walid.khoury@gmail.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walidkhoury
linkedin.com/company/desalytics
Think Tank: https://www.linkedin.com/company/water_positive/
Vlog: walidkhoury.com
Links Mentioned
Scaling UP! H2O’s Free Legionella Resources Page
Upcoming Events for Water Professionals
May 18, 2024 The Global 6K for water
Episode 230 with Walid Khoury
2024 WEFTEC conference
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Tools Mentioned
NALCO Water Handbook
ChatGPT
Complexity.AI
Drop By Drop with James
Do you know what I like to do sometimes? Do you? I like to read the summary of methods and the interferences for water testing. I do! You should hang out at parties with me, I’m a real riot. Anyway, there is a LOT to be learned by just reading these two sections of a test procedure. For example, did you know the FerroVer method for Total Iron “converts all soluble iron and most insoluble forms of iron in the sample to soluble ferrous iron?” Then the soluble ferrous iron reacts with 1-10 phenanthroline indicator to form an orange color in proportion to the concentration of iron in the sample? The summary said it converts “most insoluble forms of iron,” so right away, I could imagine exceptions to this caveat. Reading the interferences for the Total Iron test, I see that insoluble iron oxides in the sample may require a digestion to make them soluble. I also notice that molybdate at 50 mg/L has no effect on results, but what about over 50 mg/L? That’s where the FerroMo Method for Total Iron comes in. I learned all of that by just reading those two little sections of the test procedure. What else is out there waiting to be learned?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Dogs and prospects can smell fear.” - Casey Brown
Are you struggling with pricing your products and services confidently? Do you fear presenting proposals to clients and dealing with objections? Are you unsure how to have effective conversations around price increases?
If these questions sound familiar, you’re going to love today’s episode featuring Casey Brown, founder of Boost Pricing. Boost Pricing has the singular goal of helping organizations get paid well for their excellence, and in this informative conversation, Casey shares invaluable insights on how to elevate your pricing game and communicate your value effectively to your customers.
Sales is challenging, and as someone who’s been in the industry, you know how tough it can be. There’s pressure to be personable, negotiate well, and ask the right questions, yet proposals still get rejected. So, how do you get paid well for your company's superior products and services?
In this episode, Casey provides practical tips, strategies, and tactics to boost your pricing confidence and navigate price negotiations successfully. Learn how to deal with customers who focus solely on price and how to differentiate your value proposition effectively.
Casey emphasizes the importance of handling client objections well, sharing “The best answer to an objection isn't an answer at all, it's a question. I think questions are a salesperson's superpower and they are largely underused in the price portion and the negotiation process.” She goes on to say “The root of confidence is value. You need to truly understand how your products and service are of value to your customer.”
By tuning in, you'll gain insights on:
-
-
- Approaching conversations about pricing with confidence and clarity. - Understanding when and how to offer tiered packages to customers. - Communicating the value of your offerings to clients to justify your prices. - Navigating tricky situations like price match requests and objections.
-
Casey’s wisdom on pricing and negotiation will empower you to become more confident in your sales approach. Don’t miss out on this educational discussion!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to participate in the Global 6K
07:00 - Interview with Casey Brown founder of Pricing Boost
1:01:30 - Lightning round questions
1:10:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Key Quotes from Casey Brown
“I think sales is the hardest job in a company. Selling is an incredibly hard profession.” - Casey Brown
“Dogs and prospects can smell fear.” - Casey Brown
“The root of confidence is value. You need to truly understand how your products and services are of value to your customer.” - Casey Brown
“‘No’ is the most powerful word in a sales person's vocabulary, and often the most underused.” - Casey Brown
“A price match request is an objective statement of preference from the customer for your company.” - Casey Brown
Connect with Casey Brown
Phone: 614.679.7999
Email: casey@boostpricing.com
Website: boostpricing.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/caseybrownboost/
linkedin.com/company/boostpricing/
Read or Download Casey Brown’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
Outlive: The Science and Art of Longevity by Peter Attia MD
Make The Noise Go Away: The Power Of An Effective Second-In-Command by Larry G. Linne
10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, we’re thinking about a line I read in an article called “AWT Recommendations and Guidelines for Corrosion Coupons in Cooling Systems” found under Resources in the Members-Only section of the Association of Water Technologies website. This section of the article was discussing the proper order of installation for corrosion coupons. The line said, “In reality, if an appropriate water treatment program is in place, the actual coupon order will make little or no difference to the results.”
That line made my brain stop for a minute. The actual order will make little or no difference to results if an appropriate water treatment program is in place? Hold up! I’ve had the galvanic series drilled into my head for corrosion coupons! The most active or least noble metal or alloy must be placed first…the farthest upstream. What kind of crazy talk is this?
Of course, in a perfect world, we wouldn’t do a lot of things. The article goes on to explain further, though. It says, “There is an argument for limiting the number of factors to be considered when analyzing results, and if the coupons are installed according to the galvanic series, any high loss rates will not be blamed on or associated with galvanic differences (regardless of whether these could our could not impact results).”
So to keep things logical and free of noise that may only confuse the issue, we should continue to install corrosion coupons according to the galvanic series, regardless of how good our water treatment program is. Where else do we apply this logic in our day-to-day industrial water lives? Where else do we try to eliminate variables so we can see the true problems? Do we mix and match our sample bottles or do we reserve select ones for higher-purity samples and others for higher-conductivity samples? Do we test for conductivities from low to high, vice versa, or a random mix? That’s some food for thought, right there. Eliminating variables.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
“Achieving a well with reliable water quality and supply requires a significant amount of effort and work” - Mike Taraszki
In this engaging episode of Scaling UP! H2O, hydrogeologist Mike Taraszki delves into California's Process Memo 97-005, a key resource for direct potable water use from extremely impaired sources. If you’re eager to learn about the criteria and steps outlined in Process Memo 97-005 and how to keep your water permits current, this episode provides all the details you need.
Mike examines the nationwide impact of 97-005 on potable water and shares his expertise in hydrogeologic principles for environmental investigation and remediation projects. He also highlights trends in potable groundwater, including managing PFAS, water recycling, desalination, and the removal of contaminants and microplastics.
Offering practical guidance on the evolving landscape of water treatment technologies, Mike emphasizes the importance of consistent monitoring and adapting treatment trends to address emerging contaminants. His insights equip listeners with a comprehensive understanding of today’s water challenges.
"Putting a well in the ground and getting as much water as you want anywhere is just not reasonable, whether it's from a water supply or quality standpoint," Mike notes. He stresses, "We keep discovering new contaminants, and our water supply options are becoming more limited and constrained."
Join Trace and Mike for a captivating discussion that will deepen your understanding of the complexities and potential of groundwater management. Don’t miss this chance to expand your knowledge and stay ahead in the dynamic world of water treatment in under an hour!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to solve the Global Water Crisis by joining the Global 6K for Water this year. Learn more at ScalingUpH2O.com/6K
04:10 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:00 - Interview with Mike Taraszki, passionate hydrogeologist about Process Memo 97-005
45:00 - You never know the ripple effect when you share about your water career with others
52:00- Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Connect with Mike Taraszki
Phone: 510.368.4549
Email: michael.taraszki@wsp.com
Website: www.wsp.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/michaeltaraszki/
linkedin.com/company/wsp/
Proces Memo 97-005 Policy Resources
Process Memo 97-005-R2020
Process Memo 97-005-R2020 User Guide
Applicability of Process Memorandum 97-005 Examples of Checklists
Links Mentioned
Global 6K For Water
347 Ripple Effect: How Utah's Water Strategies Impact Us All
356 Unlocking the Future: Collaborative Water Management
National Groundwater Association
California’s Groundwater Resources Association
(CLU-IN) Contaminated Site Clean-Up Information
(ITRC) Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council
Audible
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have a “what if” for you. What if the cooling tower’s blowdown stopped flowing? There is no more blowdown going down the drain. Period. First, what could cause this to happen? What could cause a valve to fail closed? What could block the blowdown line? What setting could have been changed in the controller? Second, what would be the impact upon the cooling tower system next? Would the impact be quick or slow? What would the water start to look like? What data in the cooling water system would start to change and in what direction? How could you have detected this problem early and been alerted that action was required?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“I have never regretted having too much data when collecting a sample.” - Trace Blackmore
In this insightful episode of Scaling UP! H2O, join your host Trace Blackmore as he helps water professionals scale up their water testing knowledge, addressing listener questions and providing invaluable expertise for water treatment professionals.
Water testing stands as a cornerstone of effective water treatment, and Trace serves as your guide through this vital terrain. With a wealth of expertise, he addresses listener questions, offering invaluable insights to elevate the practices of water treatment professionals.
Trace's guidance spans essential topics, from analyzing water samples to deciphering past data and ensuring the precision of collected samples. His pragmatic approach unveils indispensable tips for securing quality samples, choosing suitable tests for labs, and mastering sample preparation techniques.
Listeners will find clarity on concepts such as grab and composite samples, quantitative versus qualitative analysis, and the pivotal role of lab procedures in securing accurate results. Trace's exploration extends to the comparison between tests conducted with test kits versus labs, alongside illuminating insights into specialized tests like Legionella testing and titration manipulation.
Through engaging dialogue and expert advice, Trace underscores the significance of meticulous data collection and adherence to lab protocols. This episode serves as a catalyst for water professionals, empowering them to refine their testing methodologies and optimize water treatment strategies.
Join Trace Blackmore on this enlightening expedition into the realm of water testing, where every lesson learned enhances practical expertise, and every insight gained fuels professional growth. Tune in to Scaling UP! H2O, and let's scale up our knowledge together.
Timestamps
01:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:00 - Trace Blackmore answers listener questions about Testing on this informative Pinks and Blues episode
40:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“It's not just collecting samples, it’s about collecting data around those samples. I always take a picture of what I’m taking the scale off of and what is around it. I reference the photos so that when I get the report back, I can do more analysis.” - Trace Blackmore
“I have never regretted having too much data when collecting a sample.” - Trace Blackmore
“Collect all the data that you can, when you can.” - Trace Blackmore
“Learn what your lab needs from you before sending them your samples, and follow your lab’s procedures. The procedures are there to help you.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Global 6K for Water
244 The One About Water Treaters For Clean Water (with Steve Spear)
294 The One About Getting Involved so the Profession Can Grow (with John A. Mullen)
348 Credentials and Codes: Plumbing Strategies Against Legionella (with Christoph Lohr)
Blackmore Enterprises, Inc. Testing Services
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources Page
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s segment, I have another challenge for you. Today’s challenge is…draw a process flow diagram for your water systems. Having a good process flow diagram will help both you and your customer. The exercise may correct some assumptions you have or open your eyes to challenges you never knew existed.
Be sure to include chemical feed points, water meters, blowdown lines, valves, waste streams, pretreatment equipment, pretreatment equipment waste streams, boilers, cooling towers, chillers, closed loops, dead legs, pressure and temperature gauge locations, pH probes, controllers, heat exchangers, makeup lines, outfalls, and whatever else you may run across. Feel free to make notes about frequency of equipment rotation, flow rates, temperatures, pressures, etc.
Lastly, hand-drawn diagrams can be just fine because ANY process flow diagram has got to be better than NO process flow diagram, right? No need to get fancy if that will just slow you down and prevent you from making process flow diagrams in the first place.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Ready to uncover how to win RFPs, boost profits, and make a tangible positive impact – all while championing sustainability in your industry? Discover how to demystify sustainability and align your company's practices with environmental, social, and economic goals in the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O. Host Trace Blackmore sits down with Andy Reimink, CEO of HOH Water Technology, Inc., to explore practical strategies for water professionals to embrace sustainability.
Learn how small changes in energy efficiency, understanding sustainability scopes, and having sustainability data on hand can give your company a competitive edge in RFPs. Discover the economic benefits of environmental stewardship, including tax advantages and improved ROI.
With insights from Andy's presentation at the AWT convention, uncover actionable tips for retaining younger employees by showcasing your company's positive impact on the world. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the industry, this episode offers valuable tools to enhance your company's sustainability outlook and drive long-term success.
Join the conversation and discover how sustainability isn't just a buzzword—it's a pathway to a more resilient and prosperous future for your company and the planet. Tune in now to start making a difference!
Timestamps
01:00 - Earth Day 2024 and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
9:00 - Interview with Andy Reimink, Chief Executive Officer at HOH Water Technology
01:03:45 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Our clients, whether we know it or not, care about our sustainability because it affects their bottomline or reputation.” - Andy Reimink
“Publicly traded companies have RFPs (Request for Proposal), but it’s going to become commonplace for smaller water treatment companies. I expect it to grow in intensity.” - Andy Reimink
“Data centers have a lot of pressure to be as sustainable as possible.” - Andy Reimink
Connect with Andy Reimink
Phone: 616.901.9769
Email: areimink@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andy-reimink-a7711711/
linkedin.com/company/h-o-h-water-technology-inc-/
Links Mentioned
EarthDay.org
What are Scopes 1, 2 and 3 of Carbon Emissions?
LEED Exam Preparation and Continuing Education
Sense Energy Monitoring System
TED TALK: (how to wash and dry your hands) How to use one paper towel | Joe Smith
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World
287 The One About How To Create Aligned Employee Engagement
358 Safety First: Practical Tips, Big Results in Water Treatment
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
The Dream Manager: Achieve Results Beyond Your Dreams by Helping Your Employees Fulfill Theirs by Matthew Kelly
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we’re asking ourself, “What If?” What if the acid feed stops working on a cooling tower? What happens if suddenly there is no acid being fed to a cooling tower on an acid-control program? Does something happen immediately? Does something happen gradually? Where within the system could this something happen? How long could this lack of acid feed occur before anyone would find out? How could you determine remotely that the acid feed had stopped working? What alarms could be setup? Once the problem has been determined, should the acid feed be turned back on immediately? Could turning the acid feed back on immediately cause any problems within the system? What should be communicated to the end user about this occurrence? What could be done to prevent it from happening again? Should blowdown be adjusted during the response to the lack of acid feed? How might the other water treatment chemicals be impacted due to the lack of acid?
A cooling tower’s water treatment program is an expertly-balanced chemistry. If one part is negatively impacted, it may very well impact the other parts of the chemistry as well. There’s a lot to think about when just one part goes wrong. Knowing the root cause will help prevent you from chasing your tail when trying to get the program back under control.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Visualization helps water professionals better understand equipment, processes, and problem-solving techniques
Often, as water professionals, we breeze past the intricate inner workings of the equipment we handle, missing out on valuable insights that could enhance our understanding and effectiveness.
But what if we took a moment to visualize what's happening inside that cooling tower? Through the simple act of visualization, we can unlock a whole new perspective on the systems we work with, gaining profound insights into their operation.
Step into the fascinating world of industrial water treatment with host Trace Blackmore and special lab partner, James McDonald as they embark on a remarkable journey through the heart of a cooling tower. Shrinking down into water molecules, they vividly visualize the processes at play, offering a captivating glimpse into the complex world of water treatment.
James McDonald, Director of Technology & Marketing at Chem-Aqua, founder of Industrial Water Week, and weekly contributor to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, shares his profound insights into the importance of creativity and visualization in engineering. By harnessing these tools, water professionals can deepen their understanding, sharpen their problem-solving skills, and foster better communication within the industry.
Join us for this enlightening discussion and discover how visualization techniques can revolutionize your approach to industrial water treatment. Let's unlock the full potential of our creativity and imagination, together shaping a brighter future for water professionals everywhere.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares fun facts about the IRS during this tax return season
05:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:30 - Interview with James McDonald, CWT, about the importance of visualizing systems
33:09 - Shrinking down and going inside a cooling tower
01:06:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
01:08:00 - The power of visualization
Quotes
“I like doing visual exercises because it teaches me the gaps in my knowledge so I can learn about those ideas.” - James McDonald
"It serves as an excellent learning tool, offering a dynamic approach to problem-solving by providing a visual representation of the situation." - James McDonald
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Connect with James McDonald
Website: www.chemaqua.com
Industrial Water Week: www.industrialwaterscience.com
Read James’ Industrial Water Week Jokes and Comics at www.industrialwaterscience.com/fun
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcdonald-pe
www.linkedin.com/company/chem-aqua
Read or Download James McDonald’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
How Cooling Towers Operate
Water Softener Regeneration Process
Understanding Cycles of Concentration
Global 6K for water
Episode 21 The One with James McDonald
Episode 49 The One with James McDonald, Again
Episode 113 Pinks and Blues (with James McDonald)
Episode 290 The One About Making Time For What Matters Most (with James McDonald)
Episode 291 The One About Nitrite (with James McDonald)
Episode 31 The One with Mark Lewis
Episode 34 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
Episode 112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis
Industrial Water Week Resources
Water Cake Recipe
Episode 161 Trace shared a story about the koi fish in the cooling tower
Sharknado Series
Die Hard Series
Criminal Minds
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Drop By Drop with James
Today we’re thinking about safety. Working around steam, hot water, high pressures, moving parts, confined spaces, hazardous chemicals, pathogenic organisms, extreme environments, deep water, and even people, there are hundreds of ways we could get hurt or worse every single day. Of course, there are guidelines, regulations, laws, safety programs, engineering controls, training, and so forth to help keep us safe, but the ultimate thing in charge of our safety day to day is ourselves. If we don’t follow the rules, learn from the trainings, are unaware of our surroundings, and/or circumvent engineering controls, we are much more likely to get hurt. So be both smart and aware when you are performing your industrial water treatment duties. You’re probably NOT the only one relying upon you returning home safely.
A personal example of when I encountered an unsafe condition is from when I was brand new in industrial water treatment and was being trained on boiler inspections. My manager and I were just about to enter the mud drum of a watertube boiler when steam started coming out of the manhole. My manager and the plant manager both looked at each other and were a little white in the face. An operator had blowndown one of the nearby boilers, and steam had backed up into the one we were literally just about to enter. If we had climbed in just a little sooner, we could have suffered steam burns and worse. Neither lockout/tagout nor proper communication had been conducted. Lessons were learned quickly very early in my career.
I’ve heard stories of people dying in confined spaces due to the space being filled with nitrogen or argon. Proper confined space entry procedures had neither been established nor conducted. I’ve heard stories about water hammer blowing elbows, valves, etc. apart and injuring people. I once had a colleague who had live steam blown inside his work boot. Never have I ever seen blisters that big in my life. I’m sure too many of you may have scary stories to tell as well.
So please, today and every day, think about the safety of yourself and those around you. Your safety matters to you, your family, your coworkers, and your colleagues. Your safety matters to both Trace and me as well.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Did you know that integrating safety practices into your organization's culture can lead to significant improvements in employee engagement and overall performance?
Step into the world of safety excellence alongside two industry leaders, Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison, in this enriching episode of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. As seasoned experts in their respective fields, Michael and Reid bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table, making this conversation a must-listen for anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of safety practices in the water treatment industry.
With over two decades of experience in insurance, Michael Highum is no stranger to the intricacies of risk management. As a partner at McGowan Insurance Group, he has played a pivotal role in providing businesses with tailored insurance solutions and strategic risk management advice. His insights into the importance of leading by example and fostering a culture of safety within organizations are invaluable.
Reid Hutchison, the COO of HOH Water Technology, Inc., carries on a proud family legacy in the water treatment sector. With a lineage that spans three generations, Reid brings a deep understanding of the industry's nuances and challenges. His emphasis on proactive safety measures, team engagement, and the integration of safety practices into organizational culture resonates throughout the episode.
In this educational and uplifting discussion, Michael and Reid share practical tips, real-life anecdotes, and actionable strategies for enhancing safety practices in water treatment facilities. From the significance of starting small and being proactive to the crucial role of continual improvement, listeners will gain valuable insights into building a robust safety culture that safeguards businesses and empowers teams.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the industry, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help you scale up your safety game. Join Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison on this enlightening journey towards safety excellence and discover how you can create a safer, more resilient future for your organization.
Tune in now to Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and embark on your path to safety success with insights from two industry expert guides!
Timestamps
00:01 - Trace Blackmore shares what it means to be a CWT and where to find FREE Industrial Water Week and Legionella Resources
04:00- Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:00 - Introducing returning guests Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison
14:40 - Interview with Michael Highum and Reid Hutchison on the Water Treater’s Blindspot, Safety
59:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Safety isn’t compliance, an afterthought, or a box you check, you need to find ways to make it relevant to the team to get the attention and engagement it deserves.” - Reid Hutchison
“If you're excited about growing your business, begin to put some thought into how you're going to grow the culture around safety in your company. As you grow and scale whatever vulnerabilities, weaknesses, or issues grow as well.” - Reid Hutchison
“Talk about the WHY - it’s about truly developing a team where you care about each other. Employees watch leadership and when they see leaders take initiative on wanting to protect the team, it shows what the leadership cares about - safety. Safely for each and every person and ensuring they go home safely as possible.” - Michael Highum
“Safety. It takes time and effort, but you’ve got to start somewhere. The need is not going away. There's no better time than today to start the safety process. It’s not just employee safety, it's customer site issues, employee injury, vehicles - it's up to leadership to enable and empower people.” - Michael Highum
“Lead by example. No matter where you are in the organization, you are responsible and accountable to each other.” - Michael Highum
Connect with Michael Highum
Phone: 317.490.2322
Email: michaelh@mcgowaninsgrp.com
Website: www.mcgowaninsgrp.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhighum
www.linkedin.com/company/mcgowan-insurance-group
Connect with Reid Hutchison
Phone: 847.702.1708
Email: rhutchison@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/reid-h-3a329431
www.linkedin.com/company/h-o-h-water-technology-inc-
Links Mentioned
CWT Prep Course
Industrial Water Week Resources
Legionella Resources Page
025 The One On Insurance with Mike
107 Day 2 Of Industrial Water Week (Boilers) with Reid
107 Day 5 Of Industrial Water Week (Careers) with Mike
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World with Reid
287 The One About How To Create Aligned Employee Engagement with Reid
McGowan - Advisory & Compliance Services
McGowan - Risk Solutions
How Alcoa quintupled their revenue by focusing on worker safety
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
Drop By Drop with James
Today’s segment is a “What If” and the topic is about boiler bottom blowdown. What if an operator opens and closes the boiler bottom blowdown valves in the wrong order? What will be the impact? Will this impact be felt immediately or long term? What is the logic of why boiler bottom blowdown valves are opened and closed in a certain order? Is there logic? Is there any additional wear and tear on the valves based upon the order opened? What if a valve starts to leak through and needs to be repaired? Which valve would be easier to repair possibly without requiring the boiler to be taken offline? Are the bottom blowdown valves of the same design or different design? Why?
The boiler manufacturer’s operations manual should be followed when determining the proper order to open and close the bottom blowdown valves, of course, but if the boiler operator asked you, would you know how to answer?
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
How does a high school dropout go on to earn a Ph.D. from the University Of Iowa and become the host of one of Apple Podcast’s Top 15 shows on Management? Dr. Andrew Temte's mission is to Teach, Coach, Mentor, and Inspire, and today, the Scaling UP! H2O podcast is honored to feature him.
In this transformative interview, Andrew discusses the foundational elements of building company culture, emphasizing that it starts with leadership. He shares valuable insights on why companies should prioritize defining their purpose before diving into marketing strategies. Additionally, Andrew explores the concept of leadership as stewardship and offers guidance on identifying core values while ensuring that everyone's voice is heard and valued.
Discover the Value of People in Business: Emphasizing the importance of supporting and empowering employees, the conversation delves into how people are the most valuable asset in any organization. The need for leaders to embrace diversity of thought and opinion to create a culture where every voice is valued is highlighted.
Explore Leadership Mindset: The transition from directive to non-directive leadership styles is discussed, emphasizing the importance of fostering an environment where diverse perspectives are welcomed and respected.
Embrace a Stewardship Mindset: Advocating for adopting a stewardship mindset as a leader, the discussion focuses on the long-term success of both the business and its people, rather than personal power or ego.
Learn about Compassionate Leadership: The concept of compassionate leadership is explored, which involves empathizing with employees and taking proactive steps to address their needs and concerns.
Key Takeaway: Discover the importance of purpose and adopting a stewardship mindset, especially in cross-generational leadership, as highlighted in this insightful conversation.
Everyone knows what it’s like to work for a horrible boss, but what could your life look like if you had a great boss - one who viewed you as the greatest asset in the company, ensured everyone's voice was heard, and lived out the company values in their daily lives. A leader with empathy is what every team wants.
If you're eager to enhance your leadership skills and empower yourself and your team in the water industry, join us to uncover essential insights on making your team flourish, regardless of the challenges you may face.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the second quarter of 2024, a good time to review your goals and make a plan for the next quarter
07:00 - The Hang is coming up April 11, 2024 and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:30 - Interview with Dr. Andrew Temte
48:00 - Lightning round questions
59:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Values and behaviors go together like peanut butter and jelly. Values are the nouns that you are creating for the overall structure of what you want your business to be. Behaviors are the verbs, they are the actions, they are the ‘how’ we should show up each day in the business. Don’t shy away from that work, engage in that work, and pay it the attention that it's due.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
“Far too many leaders leave the business world and take all of their accumulated knowledge with them; maybe it gets disseminated to a small group of folks, maybe they do a little teaching and coaching on the side. I wanted to do something much bigger than that. I wanted to reach a much larger potential audience.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
“Go to the Gemba - where the work happens and how teams interact. Listen to the people who interact with your customers. Set your ego aside and go to where the work happens, and listen to where the work is going on.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
“As a leader, you need to create clarity. Clarity for everybody involved: your customers, your vendors, your people, your investors, your stakeholders.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
“As a compassionate leader, you need to hear the successes and the pain points across the organization.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
“Compassionate leadership is Empathy + Willingness and the ability to do something about it. You are putting yourself into the shoes of your people, and you are pledging to make their work better.” - Dr. Andrew Temte
Connect with Andrew Temte
Phone: 608.385.9050
Email: andy@skillsowl.com
Website: www.andrewtemte.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/atemte
Links Mentioned
Skills Owl
Add a link to Andy’s podcast show, The Balancing Act Podcast
Listen to Episode 109 of The Balancing Act Podcast with Trace Blackmore HERE
Podify
Episode 4 with Charlie Cichetti
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
The Balanced Business: Building Organizational Trust and Accountability through Smooth Workflows by Andrew Temte
Balancing Act: Teach Coach Mentor Inspire by Andrew Temte
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
What the Heck Is EOS? by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Unmanaged: Master the Magic of Creating Empowered and Happy Organizations by Jack Skeels
The NEW ROI: Return on Individuals by Dave Bookbinder
The People Side of Lean Thinking by Robert Brown
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Drop By Drop with James
Today’s topic is Reverse Osmosis data normalization. Over time, RO membrane performance changes. The quality and quantity of permeate water produced and the energy required to produce it will vary. In Episode 339, Jane Kucera, author of the book “Reverse Osmosis,” said, “There are six things that affect membrane performance: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration.”
I really like that succinct list: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration. The impacts of each of these are interrelated and complex. Changes in one of them can either hide or exasperate the effects of another. For example, dropping temperature may reduce the permeate flow rate while increasing pressure may increase it, thus canceling out the effects of each. This makes it next to impossible to determine the true performance of an RO system by simply looking at the raw data.
So, what’s the solution? If we lived in the world of scifi, we could take today’s RO membranes, put them into a time machine, activate the flux capacitor like in “Back to the Future,” travel back in time, and install those membranes in the RO machine at the same time they were started up, replaced, or even cleaned so you could measure how they would perform under the exact same conditions as the baseline. The same pressure, same temperature, and same water concentration. I keep saying the word “same,” but that is key here. How would today’s membranes perform in yesterday’s machine under the same baseline conditions? Then you could eliminate the influences of changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration and figure out the real impacts of fouling, scaling, and membrane degradation. Simple, right? Now where did we put that flux capacitor? It’s got to be around here somewhere. Oh, wait. Flux capacitors don’t actually exist yet. Dang it! Now what?
That’s where normalization comes into play. Normalization is a fancy way of saying you are going to MATHEMATICALLY take those membranes back in time and adjust for changes in temperature, pressure, and concentration. This will allow you to make an apples-to-apples comparison of permeate flows by calculating the normalized permeate flow (NPF) of today to compare to the permeate flow at the baseline conditions. The same goes for normalized pressure differential (NPD) and normalized salt rejection (NSR).
Your next logical question may be, “Well, where do I get these miraculous normalization equations?” While there are ASTM standards for such calculations, your easiest route is probably to visit your RO membrane manufacturer’s website to download their normalization tool. It may be as simple as an Excel worksheet. If you manage an RO system, it is worth your time to learn how to use these tools to normalize your RO data so you know when it is time to clean the membranes and to find problems as they occur.
Collaborate strategically, embrace AI innovations, and champion data access, and scale up your knowledge to conquer industry challenges. - Dragan Savić FREng
On this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we're diving into the future of water management with our distinguished guest, Dragan Savić FREng, the CEO of and Professor of Hydroinformatics at the KWR Water Research Institute. With over 30 years of experience in numerical optimization and AI tools, Dragan Savić has been a driving force in reshaping the water sector. As an engineer and the leader of KWR, he's at the forefront of collaborative efforts, bringing together computer scientists, water technologists, and PhD students to tackle real-world water challenges.
What you’ll learn:
Collaborative Mastery: In this episode, learn the first secret of successful water professionals – collaboration. Dragan Savić shares how collaborating with diverse experts, including computer scientists and environmentalists, can unleash your collaborative superpower. Be the hero who bridges gaps and solves water industry challenges through the strength of working on challenging problems together.
AI Innovations: Explore how numerical optimization and AI tools like evolutionary computing and genetic algorithms can be your allies in designing resilient water systems for the future. As a Professor of Hydroinformatics, Dragan unveils his in-depth knowledge of AI tools, including numerical optimization, evolutionary computing, and genetic algorithms. Learn how these technologies have been harnessed to solve real-world challenges, offering practical insights for professionals navigating the complexities of water infrastructure.
Championing Data Access: Having access to all the data, not part of it, leads to better decisions. It’s time to advance data democratization, and remove data silos that so frequently exist within water utilities. Gain insights into the digital transformation of data, empowering professionals to access and utilize information efficiently. The future of water is data platforms to house all the data to make things better and avoid duplication which decreases costs and gives everyone involved with the water the ability to analyze and utilize the data.
Tune in to Scaling UP! H2O and embark on a transformative adventure with Dragan Savić. Remember, water heroes collaborate strategically, embrace AI innovations, and champion data access and scale up your knowledge to conquer industry challenges.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to submit a show idea
03:45 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
14:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
19:00 - Interview with Dragan Savić FREng
Quotes
“Data needs to be accessible and understandable to everyone in the same company. With data platforms to host, the data you avoid duplication, doing the same work or collecting the same data, so you get cost efficiency and also the ability to analyze and utilize more of that data.” - Dragan Savić
“The water industry is conscious about cyber security. Water engineers are looking at what could go wrong.” - Dragan Savić
“We have to work with younger generations because those are the ones that will grow through the ranks and become the next experts, professors, or people who are implementing the new scheme.” Dragan Savić
Connect with Dragan Savić
Email: directiesecretariaatkwr@kwrwater.nl
Website: www.kwrwater.nl/en/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dragansavic/ www.linkedin.com/company/kwr-water-research-institute/
Read or Download Dragan Savić FREng’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
KWI’s “Stop It” program
Gwinnett County Georgia, The Environmental and Heritage Center
NAP Visitorcentre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Drop By Drop with James
In this week’s episode, I offer up another challenge to you. This week’s challenge is…to send handwritten notes to those who have helped you. I mean truly handwritten notes. In this digital world we live in with emails, voicemails, text messages, social media posts, and so forth, actually taking the time and effort to handwrite a sincere note to someone takes on a lot of meaning.
I’m a note writer. I’ve handwritten notes to my employees telling them how much I appreciate them. I’ve handwritten notes to mentors and those who have influenced my professional and personal development over the years. I’ve handwritten notes to operators for doing a good job or taking the extra time to help me. I’ve handwritten notes of condolences to those who have lost loved ones and congratulations to those who have brought new life into the world. I’ve handwritten notes on Christmas cards so it’s more than just a pretty card with a signature. I once had a customer pull me into his office and gesture at all the tins and boxes of cookies and treats he had been sent at Christmas from various vendors. He sincerely told me that all of that didn’t mean as much to him as my handwritten Christmas card hanging on his wall. I was once on assignment in Puerto Rico for three months and sent a handwritten postcard back to one of my customers. That postcard hung on their bulletin board above their testing area for 15 years.
Even better, I’ve gotten handwritten notes back. I still have many of them because they remind me of that person, that event, those times, or all of the above. You never know when your kind, sincere words may be just what that person needs to get through that particular day or week. Words mean things. Actions mean things. Handwriting a note to those who have mattered to you combines both words and actions.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“Why is the water weirdly blue? Why does it smell bad? Why does it taste bad? The culprit is frequently Backflow.” - Kalpna Solanki
Delve into the mysteries behind strange-tinted water, unpleasant odors, and off-putting tastes – all signs pointing to an all too common culprit: Backflow. Uncover the shocking narrative of over 50,000 residents enduring weeks without water due to industrial chemicals infiltrating their drinking supply in Ontario, Canada. Join Kalpna Solanki, President and CEO of the Environmental Operators Certification Program, on a mission to safeguard our drinking water.
In this episode, Kalpna Solanki delves into the concealed dangers of Backflow, the inadvertent reverse flow of harmful substances into water systems. Through gripping case studies, she paints a vivid picture of the potential consequences of backflow incidents, emphasizing the critical need for proactive prevention measures. Kalpna shares insights on emergency response teams, navigating legislative challenges, and the ongoing commitment to professional development in ensuring water safety.
Immerse yourself in the latest Scaling UP! H2O episode, where Kalpna Solanki, as a water quality advocate, exposes the unseen threat jeopardizing our drinking water – Backflow. As the dynamic leader of the Environmental Operators Certification Program, Kalpna narrates real stories from the front lines of water treatment, underscoring the paramount importance of backflow prevention.
Episode Highlights:
Backflow Unveiled: Kalpna guides listeners through the unexpected dangers of Backflow, shedding light on instances where the safety of our water supply teeters on the brink. Explore the indispensable role of Backflow prevention devices and the unsung heroes, Environmental Operators, dedicated to ensuring these guardians of clean water fulfill their duty.
Importance of Emergency Response Teams: Kalpna discusses the need for emergency response teams to address issues related to extreme weather events and climate change. Highlighting the importance of contingency plans and teams in industrial water treatment facilities, she provides insights on working with legislators to formulate a plan before disaster strikes.
In the Trenches: Real Backflow Incidents: Listeners will be captivated by narratives of actual Backflow incidents, where the absence of prevention measures led to contamination crises – stories that underscore the urgency of our collective responsibility.
A Path Forward: Kalpna and her team have developed resources to help water professionals learn about Backflow, partner with local legislation to improve public drinking water, and enhance safety through education, maintenance, and laws.
Kalpna's passion for water quality and preventing water disasters is contagious, and these stories resonate with the heart of every water professional and concerned citizen. Join the episode to become part of the solution, unveiling the hidden threats to our most precious resource. Tune in now to Scaling UP! H2O and stand as a defender of clean water!
Timestamps
01:00- Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:00- Interview with Kalpna Solanki
46:10 - Lightning Round Questions
56:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“This industry is recession-proof. There will always be a need for environmental operators. It's a career with lots of opportunities. You can work anywhere because everyone needs people to take care of drinking water and wastewater management.” - Kalpna Solanki
“Knowledge is never wasted.” - Kalpna Solanki
“You are putting the public’s health at risk when you don’t have the proper systems in place.” - Kalpna Solanki
“I would love people to find out about Backflow, what exactly it is, why it's important, and why lawmakers should be paying more attention to this so that we don't have these incidents of people accidentally, literally, being poisoned via their drinking water because it is completely preventable. That's the thing about it. It is completely preventable, and it's not a big ticket item.” - Kalpna Solanki
“There's a finite amount of water on this planet, and we really need to spend a bit more time looking at not just water conservation, but water treatment, water reuse and the circular water economy.” - Kalpna Solanki
Connect with Kalpna Solanki
Phone: 778.688.9196
Email: ksolanki@eocp.ca
Website: eocp.ca
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
LinkedIn: in/kalpnasolanki
company/eocpbcy
Read or Download Kalpna Solanki’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Join Team Scaling UP! Nation’s Global 6K on May 18th
British Columbia Institute of Technology for Water and Wastewater Operations
Read Kalpna’s Publications on Operator Digest Magazine
Become a #watergeek - What is an Environmental Operator and what do they do?
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Examples of Backflow Incidents in Canada
2021 Floods in Merritt, B.C.: Review and Repair
Cleaning Up Edmonton's Sewer Smell
Ontario Canada Petrochemicals 50,000 Residents Impacted from Backflow
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Legionella Resources Page
Books Mentioned
Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen
The Big Necessity: The Unmentionable World of Human Waste and Why It Matters by Rose George
Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide for Industrial Users by Wes Byrne
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Drop By Drop with James
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about reverse osmosis. In particular, we are thinking about the dissolved solids and some of the things that influence their passage through the RO membrane. More than simply filtration, reverse osmosis is a diffusion process through a semipermeable polymer membrane. That sounds fancy, I know, but it can be more than simply size that matters for dissolved solids trying to pass through the RO membrane.
One of my go-to books for RO is written by Wes Byrne and is called “Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide for Industrial Users,” 2nd edition. I have not read it cover to cover, but drop by drop as I have questions or needs. It’s a good, well-written, practical book that makes a complex subject digestible.
Right in the very beginning, it sneaks in some important concepts, on pages 8 through 14 in particular, that opened my eyes more as I thought about them. First, it talks about the size versus apparent size of atoms and molecules trying to pass through the RO membrane. When you think of sodium or calcium atoms, you probably think of just a single sodium or calcium atom floating around the water solution. However, as we learned in last week’s episode of Drop by Drop, we know water molecules are sticky because of hydrogen bonding. Sodium and calcium are charged ions, and they will be surrounded by water molecules hydrogen bonding to them, making an ion group with a larger apparent size. Did you hear that? The apparent size of the sodium and calcium ions are bigger than their individual sizes because of the entourage of water molecules attracted to them. This is called ion hydration. The higher the charge of the ion, the greater the number of water molecules attracted to it, and the more difficult it is for it to diffuse through an RO membrane.
Now, before I had read this part of the book, I had heard that the higher the ionic charge the higher the percent rejection typically was, but I had never considered the role that water’s hydrogen bonding played in that rejection. That’s one more reason to love hydrogen bonding.
I’m not done yet, however. A second concept that this book drove home for me can be found on page 9. It mentions that the water solutions we commonly deal with are neutrally charged with no charge imbalances overall. Sure, there are positively charged cations and negatively charged anions, but they will tend to stay close together, resulting in a net neutral charge. This also means that you will not have a cation passing through an RO membrane unless an anion or anions of EQUAL charge quantity passes through as well. Your plusses must equal your minuses of what passes through.
Woah! Now not only do dissolved solids have a larger “apparent” size because of ion hydration, but there is a balancing act of what can pass through an RO membrane based upon their charges as well? Yes, and it is FASCINATING! The example given is of sodium sulfate or Na2SO4. When it dissolves in water, we will have sodium ions with a +1 charge and sulfate ions with a -2 charge. They'll both be surrounded by water molecules making their apparent sizes bigger. The sulfate ion with its larger -2 charge will have an even larger apparent size than the sodium ion, so the sulfate will have a much harder time getting through the RO membrane. One would think the sodium ion, with only its +1 charge, might sail on through, but hold your horses. Because the total charges of what passes through the membrane must balance out, if the sulfate can’t go, then the sodium won’t go either. Now that’s loyalty! However, if we add some calcium chloride or CaCl2 to the water, things change. Now you have positively charged calcium ions with their +2 charge and negatively charged chloride ions with their -1 charge. Chloride’s -1 charge is smaller than sulfates -2 charge, so its apparent size will also be smaller, and it will more readily pass through the RO membrane. Now, the charges passing through the membrane will be balanced as both sodium (+1) and chloride (-1) pass through as calcium and sulfate stay behind. The entire dynamic changed!
Man! That’s a lot! I hope I made it somewhat understandable and did the topic justice. You might have to rewind to listen again because this water’s deep. I’ve just had these bits of RO information rattling around in my brain for years and have seen many “Aha” moments when sharing them with others.
“Don’t shortcut boiler safety. Do it once, do it right, and don’t put your life or someone else's life at risk.” - Barry Higgins
Happy days are here again! Dive deeper into the realm of steam boilers with Part 2 of our exclusive interview with the brilliant Barry Higgins from AquaChem. If you enjoyed last Friday's episode, get ready for an even more profound exploration into the intricacies of boiler management.
In this episode, Barry takes us on a journey through advanced topics crucial for every water treater and industry enthusiast. Discover the significance of pH management, from its intricate relation to alkalinity to the cautionary notes on caustic demand above pH 11. Barry emphasizes the importance of precise pH meter calibration, advocating for separate probes in high pH ranges and the use of single-use cells for calibration.
Explore the nuances of the blowdown system as Barry stresses the effectiveness of short, pulsating blowdowns for optimal sludge removal. Uncover the distinctions between bottom and top blowdowns and the potential pitfalls of leaving the blowdown open for extended periods. Safety measures take center stage as Barry shares a personal account, highlighting the critical importance of regular checks on low and high-level probes, weekly boiler checks, and alarm tests.
Water level monitoring becomes a fascinating topic, discussing variations due to steam density, the significance of steady levels, and the importance of checking sight glasses for signs of corrosion. Barry wraps it up with insights into boiler water sampling, offering guidance on ideal sampling locations and considerations when a sample cooler is unavailable.
Join host Trace Blackmore as he continues his conversation with Barry Higgins, unraveling advanced boiler checks and sharing invaluable wisdom. Get ready for a knowledge-packed episode that elevates your expertise in industrial water treatment. Happy days, indeed!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to share your water resources with others
03:40 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
08:30 - Interview with Barry Higgins, Boilers Part 2 34:30 - Lightning round questions
40:00 - Closing thoughts with Trace
48:15 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Do it once, do it right, and don’t put your life or someone else's life at risk.
It’s not worth your life. Don’t shortcut boiler safety. Get the steam properly in one hour, not two minutes.” - Barry Higgins
“You have to check all your levels and check all your probes and make sure all these alarms are working.” - Barry Higgins
“Jump in, you’ll love working with water. If you like to solve problems this is a job for life. You will never have two days that are exactly the same.” - Barry Higgins
“I'm a water treater, I'm not a Magician.” - Barry Higgins
“Advice for water treaters on day one: Be bold. Make hard decisions that come your way, don't be scared of them. It’s gonna be a roller coaster. It's gonna be up. It's gonna be down, but just go with the flow and learn. If you get a knock get back up again and and learn learn from why you failed and just keep going” - Barry Higgins
Connect with Barry Higgins
Phone: +353 87 987 8606
Email: bhiggins@aquachem.ie
Website: www.aquachem.ie
LinkedIn: in/barry-higgins-bagrsc-59030225
company/aquachem-dac
Read or Download Barry Higgins’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Ep 340 Alkalinity and pH
Ep 281 The One About The Power of Kindness with Kathleen Edelman
Ep 117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Ep 179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
Robert Boyle, Boyle’s Law
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
Drive by Daniel Pink
Traction by Gino Wickman
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
I Said This, You Heard That, Workbook by Kathleen Edelman
I Said This, You Heard That, Workbook, 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman
Adults Guide to Kids Wiring by Kathleen Edelman
Talking To Strangers by Michael Harding
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about one of water’s absolutely amazing properties. We are going to talk about hydrogen bonding, one of my favorite types of bonding in the atomic world. Yeah, I’m weird that way.
Water is H2O or two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The two hydrogen atoms are not stuck to each other but are stuck to the oxygen atom instead. It’s HOW they are stuck to the oxygen atom that makes all the difference in the universe! They are NOT stuck directly across from each other on the oxygen atom at 180 degrees like the buns on Princess Leia’s hair. No buddy. That would have been disastrous for life as we know it! We would have had no hope.
Instead, they are stuck at an angle; at approximately a 104.5 degree angle. Think Mickey Mouse with his two ears representing the two hydrogen atoms and his head the oxygen atom. THAT is water. This kink of an angle leads to a very important superpower. Because the hydrogen atoms are small and only have 1 measly electron, they’re easy to push around and take their electrons. The much bigger oxygen atom only needs 2 more electrons to fill its outer shell and be in a state of nirvana, and it gets these from the two hydrogen atoms. Because the water molecule looks like Mickey Mouse with the hydrogen atoms more on one side of the molecule than the other, you end up with a partial positive charge on the more hydrogen side and a partial negative charge on the more oxygen side.
We’ve all heard that opposites attract, and that’s true in the world of chemistry as well. The partially positive side of one water molecule is attracted to the partially negative side of another water molecule, making water “sticky.” This, my friends, is called hydrogen bonding. It doesn’t just end with water molecules sticking to each other, though. Water molecules will also be attracted to other positively and negatively charged ions, too. For example, this explains why table salt or NaCl dissolves so easily in water. The positive sodium ions are attracted to the partially negative oxygen side of the water molecule while the negative chloride ions are attracted to the partially positive hydrogen side.
Hydrogen bonding leads to all kinds of unique properties of water. Water is a liquid at room temperature. That may sound like a “duh” comment, but when one considers that other molecules of similar or heavier weights are gasses at room temperature, such as methane, propane, and butane, it suddenly seems a little more amazing.
Water has a high heat capacity, meaning it takes more heat to raise the temperature of water and especially to make it change phases from solid to liquid to gas. We use this property every day in industrial water applications with boilers, cooling towers, etc., and it’s all thanks to hydrogen bonding.
There are more examples, but it should suffice to say that hydrogen bonding is one of water’s primary super powers that influences our industrial water lives in so many ways every second of every minute of every day.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“It’s my nature, I want to help people and solve their problems.” - Barry Higgins
Happy days! We're excited to welcome industry expert Barry Higgins of AquaChem to Scaling UP! H2O for a special two-part series unraveling the complexities of boilers. In Part 1, Barry meticulously explores the essential checklist for professionals engaged in boiler treatment.
Gain profound insights into water treatment as Barry discusses pretreatment, feed water samples, condensate samples, and the crucial role played by steam traps. Delve into a comprehensive comparison of boiler standards between the US and the UK, offering a global perspective on industry best practices and regulations. Barry generously shares solutions for common issues like softener malfunctions, steam trap leaks, and optimal boiler maintenance during low periods and sudden demand spikes. This episode is an invaluable source of knowledge.
Join us on this enlightening journey into the world of boiler water management, where you'll acquire practical insights to elevate your understanding of industrial water treatment. Barry's expertise, shared generously, ensures that our listeners gain actionable takeaways applicable to their daily operations.
Prepare for an episode packed with knowledge, exploring the intricacies of boilers and delivering valuable lessons for water treaters and industry professionals. Happy days, indeed!
Timestamps
00:01 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to think about your next step and to follow your passion
04:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:00 - Interview with Barry Higgins, Boilers Part 1
53:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Boiler Joke: Q: How do you stop a runaway steam boiler?
A: With a steam trap 😄
Quotes
“I love the variety of water treatment, the characters we serve, and that we get to go somewhere new and learn new things every day.” - Barry Higgins
“The point of doing tests is to get data points and improve things for your customers. You want to show your customers how they are wasting or saving money.” - Barry Higgins
“Customers see the value of you putting the extra effort in and going the extra mile for them and let them know why you’re doing it and how you’re saving them money.” - Barry Higgins
“It’s my nature, I want to help people and solve their problems.” - Barry Higgins
Connect with Barry Higgins
Phone: +353 87 987 8606
Email: bhiggins@aquachem.ie
Website: www.aquachem.ie
LinkedIn: in/barry-higgins-bagrsc-59030225
company/aquachem-dac
Read or Download Barry Higgins’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Global 6K, join our team
Episode 113 with James McDonald (using your five senses)
Episode 318 with Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor of WARE (Boiler)
Events in Water Treatment
Lori O'Donoghue of AQUACHEM DAC
Steam Boiler Essential Checks
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Like you, we all want our water business to be profitable.
Embark on a journey to make your water business not just successful, but wildly profitable! While many believe that sales alone can solve all challenges, the truth lies in understanding the intricate dance of profitability and cash flow.
In the wise words of Stephen Covey, "No margin, no mission." We all share the conviction that a thriving business is one that can afford to invest in its people and resources. Even for non-profits, the bottom line remains crucial — successful organizations, whether for-profit or not, need to pay their bills and ensure sustainability.
Sales are undoubtedly a driving force, but the misconception that more sales always mean more success can lead businesses astray. Ever witnessed a company sell itself out of business on Shark Tank? It happens when the demand exceeds the capacity to deliver due to a lack of cash flow.
Enter the eye-opening world of Profit and Loss statements and explore your business through the lens of the Eight Cash Flow Drivers, outlined in the groundbreaking Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) by Gino Wickman. These drivers — Price, C.O.G.S. (Cost of Goods Sold), Margin, Ancillary Sales, Service Time, Errors, Compensation/Labor Costs, A/R Days, and G&A Expenses — form a strategic roadmap to enhance your water business's cash flow and profitability.
This new Scaling Up H2O episode unravels the secrets behind these drivers and shows how implementing them can transform your business landscape. Don't miss the chance to elevate your company's profitability starting tomorrow — tune in now to scale up your financial success knowledge! Your friend as you drive from client to client,
Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
01:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
04:40 - How to know if a conference is worthwhile to attend
05:30 - Showing up with a full cup mentality
10:45 - Trace Blackmore invites you to Scaling UP! Your Cash Flow
39:23 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
"Sales for sales’ sake can put you out of business" - Mary Kay Ash, the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics
"No margin, no mission." - Stephen Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Ep 204 Being Profitable with the Boilermaker Hamburger
Ep 260 Profit First
Ep 267 Making a Profit
Ep 315 The Intentional Growth Framework with Ryan Tansom
Shark Tank TV Show on ABC
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Books Mentioned
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
What the Heck Is EOS?: A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS by Gino Wickman
Drop By Drop with James
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about what happens when a large steam user in a facility suddenly starts using steam. What happens inside the boiler? How is the steam pressure impacted? How does the water level change in response to this suddenly large steam demand? When is feedwater triggered? What is the impact of this cooler feedwater upon the hotter water inside the boiler? How could this impact steam output rate? Could it cause boiler carryover and why? How could low level alarms be triggered if the high demand continued long enough?
The answers are actually very interesting and interrelated. Spirax Sarco has a nine-part series on YouTube called “The Inside Story.” This is a CLASSIC series that every industrial water treatment professional should watch. They actually let you view inside the boiler as steam is being produced and show what happens at low pressures, high pressures, increased demand, etc. If you’ve already seen the series, they are worth watching again. If you haven’t seen it, get your popcorn and pocket protector, because you’re in for a treat! Part 6 addresses the topic of today’s Drop by Drop episode on increased demand. I’ll be sure to get the links to Trace so he can hopefully include them into the show notes for this episode. Otherwise, if you search for “steam boilers the inside story” in your favorite search engine, you are likely to find the series.
Spirax Sarco's Steam Boilers - The Inside Story: Part 1 - Introduction
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 2 – Basic Boiler Control
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 3 – Water Level and Gauges
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 4 – Feed Water Control
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 5 – Low Pressure Operation
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 6 – Increased Demand
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 7 – Very High Demand
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 8 – TDS Control
Steam Boilers – The Inside Story: Part 9 – Summary
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“Pre-treatment is the key to everything.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
Learn about the profound impact of cutting-edge technology on the realm of industrial water treatment, accompanied by the insights of esteemed reverse osmosis specialist, Dr. Kelle Zeiher from Garratt-Callahan. With over three decades of dedicated experience in the water industry and a distinguished background in chemistry, Dr. Zeiher shares invaluable insights into the transformative synergy between advanced technology and the pivotal role of water treaters.
At the heart of our conversation is Dr. Zeiher's revolutionary technology, AROS (Aqueous Reuse Optimization System), a groundbreaking solution allowing for multiple cycles of water usage, unlocking unprecedented opportunities in water treatment efficiency. Join us as we delve into how this winning duo of technology and water treaters is redefining standards in equipment health, water optimization, and overall sustainability.
This data-driven water episode illuminates the global demand for water and the challenges tied to shortages, despite Earth's abundant water resources. Dr. Zeiher explores how variations in water usage and availability underscore the critical need for sustainable water management.
Discover the concept of a "water footprint" and its implications, showcasing the amount of water required to produce everyday items like gasoline, steel, cars, cell phones, and data.
Delve into the challenges of water management, particularly in cooling processes for industrial applications. Dr. Zeiher introduces a patented process designed to recycle and reuse water efficiently, addressing the challenge of liquid discharge in industrial settings.
The episode emphasizes the importance of respectful communication with customers, understanding their specific challenges, and presenting tailored solutions. Learn about quick wins for water treaters, focusing on chemical treatments to maintain system health, control scale, fouling, and corrosion, along with implementing pre-treatment strategies.
For water treaters seeking to enhance their expertise and contribute significantly to sustainable water usage, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration. Tune in for a journey into the future of water treatment, where technology and the expertise of water treaters harmonize to maximize water's potential.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to read Daniel Pink’s book, Drive and introduces you to the three concepts from the book: Autonomy, Mastery, and Purpose
05:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
8:30 - Interview with Dr. Kelle Zeiher of Garratt-Callahan
45:00 - Trace’s challenge to you: write and present a technical paper
48:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“Pre-treatment is the key to everything.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
“I help industries save money and keep their equipment in better health over the long haul. I help keep all of the water in our world safer and more readily available for people to use and enjoy.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
“When it's a large system, there are costs and benefits everywhere.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
“We cannot always get to zero, but we can try.” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
“Yes, it’s going to cost you money - all solutions cost money, but are you spending the money wisely, and what are you getting for it?” - Dr. Kelle Zeiher
Connect with Kelle Zeiher
Phone: 630.660.3457
Email: kzeiher@g-c.com
Reverse Osmosis email: ro_info@g-c.com
Website: garrattcallahan.com
LinkedIn: in/kelle-zeiher-6bab221
company/garratt-callahan-company
Read or Download Kelle Zeiher’s Press Release HERE
Check out Kelle’s mystery, romance, and adventure books: kellezriley.net
Links Mentioned
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
Episode 347 with Emily E. Lewis of Clyde Snow & Sessions
Episode 307 with Bowen Engineering and the International Water Conference (IWC)
Innovative Water Treatment Supports Conservation by Kelle Zeiher
Kelle Z. Riley's Undercover Cat Series
Erin Brockovich directed by Steven Soderbergh (Watch on Prime Video)
The Big Bang Theory created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady (Watch on Max - Prime Video)
Garratt-Callahan's Water Treatment Technologies
Industrial Water Conference
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, by Daniel Pink
Undercover Cat Series by Kelle Z. Riley
The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum
Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide for Industrial Users by Wes Bryne
Reverse Osmosis: Industrial Processes and Applications 2nd Edition by Jane Kucera
The NALCO Water Handbook, Fourth Edition by Ecolab
Drop By Drop with James
It’s in the middle of winter. It’s cold. You’ve had a long day as an industrial water treatment professional battling scale, corrosion, unwanted microbiological activity, and inefficiencies. You’re tired. You just want to go home, kick your feet up, relax, and get warm. You forget to take your test kit out of the car. You wake up in the morning, drive to the next industrial water system, open up your test kit, and it is FROZEN SOLID!
What do you do? Do you run around in circles? Do you sit the test kit as closely to a boiler as you dare to thaw it out? Do you dunk it in hot water?
The first thing you should do is learn your lesson and never let your test kit freeze again. Ever. I’ll admit, I learned this lesson the hard way. Next, I consulted with a trusty test-kit manufacturing expert, and his suggestion was to allow it to thaw at room temperature. He said do NOT artificially heat it, even in hot water. Most reagents are likely to recover. To be safe, you should compare your test results to new reagents or another rep’s results. Personally, I found my iodide/iodate titration solution used in the sulfite test was never the same after it froze and gave me low readings. You could also just replace all your reagents, but I understand that could get expensive.
Another thing to consider when a test kit freezes is the impact upon testing equipment such as the pH probe, which may have cracked or broken as its internal solution froze and expanded. Plus, plunging a cold pH probe into a warm solution may induce cracking as well.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to another enriching episode of "Scaling UP! H2O," your go-to education podcast created by and for water professionals. Join us as we learn together with lab partner and three-time guest, Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives at MFG Chemical.
In this episode, discover valuable insights and expertise from Mike, a seasoned professional who has been working extensively in water since 1986. In today’s interview, Mike shares insights on his recent technical paper titled “Purposely Built - Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications.” Explore copolymer innovations, unraveling the complexities and gaining a deeper understanding of their multifunctional applications.
As we scale up on knowledge, Mike guides us through the past, present, and future trends in polymer technology. Join the community of water professionals seeking growth, learning, and connection in the best industry in the world – water. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your understanding of copolymer innovations in water treatment on "Scaling UP! H2O."
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore invites you to celebrate our 350th episode!
04:00 - AWT’s technical training offerings
10:50 - Interview with Mike Standish about his paper: ”Purposely Built - Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications”
46:30 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
Quotes
“The one point I would make is that since the 1980s, everything has been a variation on the same theme. What we use today, it doesn't matter what brand of product you use: Copolymer, Terpolymer, Tetrapolymer, or whatever - it's all a variation on the theme of carboxylate-sulfonate and then potentially the addition of the nonionic monomer as the enhancer.” - Mike Standish
“At least 80 % of the copolymers that you're going to see out there are going to contain AA/AMPS as the monomer.” - Mike Standish “Systems that can impart very, very different properties to the polymer, so you need to engage with your supplier and really, you know, kind of ask those next levels of questions because you know Polymer A is not the same as Polymer B.”
Connect with Mike Standish
Phone: 423.316.9877
Email: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com
Website: www.radicalpolymers.com
mfgchemical.com
LinkedIn: in/mike-standish-7890627
Read or Download Mike Standish’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
AWT’s Technical Training
WEST - March 6 to 9, 2024 in Frisco, Texas
EAST - April 17 to 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio
Episode 14 with Mike Standish
Episode 176 where Mike Standish talked about Tagged Polymer Technologies
Episode 31 with Mark Lewis
Episode 34 (another episode) with Mark Lewis
Episode 112 where Mark Lewis interviewed Trace Blackmore
Episode 125 with Justin Ranger
Purposely Built - Introduction of a New Copolymer for Multifunctional Applications
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Media Mentioned
Book: Killers of the Flower Moon written by David Grann
Movie: Killers of the Flower Moon directed by Martin Scorsese (Watch on Apple TV+)
Documentary: The Doughnut King directed by Alice Gu (Watch on Hulu)
Documentary: Honeyland directed by Tamara Kotevska (Watch on HBO Max)
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we’re thinking about the cooling tower conductivity setpoint. Picture it, if you will. The cooling tower is running like normal. As water flows, recirculates, and evaporates, we see the conductivity continues to increase. Then it happens. The conductivity reaches its setpoint on the controller. Then what? Seriously, what literally happens next?
Does the controller immediately send a signal to the blowdown valve to open up? How does the controller’s deadband or differential or whatever your controller manufacturer chooses to call it come into play? The controller uses a deadband so the blowdown valve does not try to chatter open and close as the conductivity fluctuates from being EXACTLY on the setpoint to NOT being exactly on the setpoint. Such chatter trying to open and close the valve could very quickly wear a valve out as well as the relays in the controller itself. Plus, the valves may not even be given enough time to reach their minimum energize times.
Does the deadband sandwich your conductivity setpoint or is it a one-way setup where it starts at the setpoint? For example, if your conductivity setpoint is 1,000 microsiemens and your deadband is 100 microsiemens, would your blowdown valve first open at 1,000 or 1,050 microsiemens? This will depend upon your setup in the controller and the options the manufacturer has made available to you. Another point to consider is whether any biocide lockout timers are currently active which would prevent the cooling tower from blowing down during a biocide application.
Once your blowdown valve is actually open, though, does the cooling tower conductivity start to drop IMMEDIATELY? Have you ever thought about this before? The answer is, actually, it probably does NOT start dropping immediately. The conductivity may even continue to rise until enough water has been removed from the system to drop the level low enough to trigger the makeup water valve to open. As fresh makeup water starts flowing, it will dilute the cooling tower water, and THIS is when the conductivity will begin to drop.
Next, how low will the conductivity drop until the controller closes the blowdown valve? This is where the deadband or differential will come into play again. In our previous example of a conductivity setpoint of 1,000 microsiemens and a deadband of 100 microsiemens, when the conductivity drops to 900 microsiemens, the controller closes the blowdown valve, and the overall conductivity pattern repeats itself.
As you can see, the control of conductivity in a cooling tower is not as simple as opening and closing a valve. There are design considerations to limit the wear and tear on the blowdown valve plus the reality of having to trigger makeup water flow as the water level lowers for the conductivity to actually start to drop.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“Traditionally, the Achilles’ heel of using membrane technology with wastewater, especially industrial wastewater, is the irreversible loss of performance due to fouling.” - Chris Drover
Welcome to Scaling UP! H2O, the go-to resource for professionals in the extraordinary world of industrial water treatment. In today's episode, we're excited to unveil a revolutionary ultrafiltration technology that promises to redefine wastewater treatment. Our guest, Chris Drover, CTO & Co-Founder at ZwitterCo, Inc., introduces us to their groundbreaking Zwitterion-based filtration technology, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional membrane systems.
Discover the unique hydrophilic properties of Zwitterions that make these membranes resistant to fouling, a common challenge in industrial wastewater treatment. Unlike traditional membranes, ZwitterCo's technology excels at removing oil, grease, organic biopolymers, algae, viruses, and bacteria, positioning it at the forefront of ultrafiltration solutions.
If you're grappling with issues related to uptime, cleaning costs, or seeking a more sustainable water treatment solution, this episode is tailor-made for you. Uncover the answers to pressing questions such as: What sets ZwitterCo's technology apart? How does it compare to traditional water treatment methods? What percentage of oil and emulsifiers can it handle in wastewater? Learn about the frequency of membrane cleaning with bleach, real-world applications, and the strategic balance between economic and environmental considerations.
Whether you're dealing with landfill leachate, meat processing, or navigating the complexities of water treatment, join us to gain invaluable insights into a transformative technology designed for industrial water treaters. Scale up your knowledge today to ensure your system scales up efficiently. Tune in and stay ahead of the curve in industrial water treatment innovation!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore thanks you for being part of the global Industrial Water Treatment Community
05:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:15 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 12:00 - Interview with Chris Drover, the CTO & Co-Founder at ZwitterCo, Inc.
45:30 - Lightning Round Questions
53:00 - In memory of a water professional we lost not that long ago, Rob Ferguson of WaterCycle, please become a mentor in 2024 and pour your knowledge into the next generation of water professionals
Quotes
"What Zwitterions do for membranes is by building these membranes out of zwitterionic materials, we can give them this really hydrophilic property that makes them virtually immune to the type of fouling, that permanent absorption of oil and organics into the pores of a membrane." - Chris Drover
"A neat thing about Zwitterions is that oils and other organics have a really hard time sticking to them and absorbing them because they're just soaking up water." - Chris Drover
“Traditionally, the Achilles’ heel of using membrane technology with wastewater, especially industrial wastewater is the irreversible loss of performance due to fouling and keeping them performing for long enough to recoup the investment, that's what our market focuses on unconventional waters that have a lot of challenges with membrane fouling.” - Chris Drover
Connect with Chris Drover
Phone: 508.562.9916
Email: cdrover@zwitterco.com
Website: zwitterco.com
LinkedIn: in/cdrover
company/zwitterco-inc
Links Mentioned
Tangential Flow Model
What is a Zwitterion?
Tufts University
Aquatech Conference
Rob Ferguson of WaterCycle in episode 43 “The One With The Water Cycle Guy”
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Books Mentioned
MARS TRILOGY: Red Mars, Green Mars, and Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
The Nature of Technology: What It Is and How It Evolves by W. Brian Arthur
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, I have a useful little quote from the 2021 edition of the “Consensus on Operating Practices for the Control of Feedwater and Boiler Water Chemistry in Industrial and Institutional Boilers” (catchy title!) by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers or ASME.
It says, “Where a choice is available, the reduction or removal of objectionable constituents by pretreatment external to the boiler is always preferable to, and more reliable than, management of these constituents within the boiler by internal chemical treatment, which involves boiler blowdown and chemical feed to the boiler system.”
Chew on that for a minute. “Where a choice is available, the reduction or removal of objectionable constituents by pretreatment external to the boiler is always preferable to, and more reliable than, management of these constituents within the boiler by internal chemical treatment.”
As vital and important as internal chemical treatment is to a boiler, consider all the ways it could fail. Would you rather manage hardness in your boiler with internal chemical treatment or by using pretreatment such as a water softener? Think about the benefits of other pretreatment as well.
I’ve always considered this one particular line within these guidelines to be a very powerful sentence. I’ve used it to help justify my pretreatment recommendations as third-party support for softeners, reverse osmosis, etc.
2024 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
“Credentials have been one of the most important ways to help promote public health and safety and prevent disease, dismemberment, or death.” - Christoph Lohr
Elevate your expertise in water treatment by diving into this enlightening episode, where we explore the realm of certifications and their profound impact on the water treatment community. Join Christoph Lohr, Vice President of Technical Services and Research at IAPMO, an advocate for education and collaboration, as he unravels the world of credentials, codes, and the driving force of litigation in shaping cutting-edge water system designs.
Discover the wealth of educational opportunities offered by IAPMO (The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials) and how pursuing certifications like ASSE 12080 (Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel) can pave the way for a brighter tomorrow. Christoph delves into the nuances of several certifications, shedding light on their significance for water treaters.
Unravel the debate on pronouncing ASSE’s (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) "12080" correctly—hint: it's "twelve thousand eighty." Gain valuable knowledge on the ASSE 12080 certification process, how plumbers and water treaters can learn from one another to improve public health, how to become involved with standards, the buffet of options for plumbing design and installation plumbing codes, and preventing water-borne illness through collaboration.
Furthermore, this episode touches on IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator replacement for Hunter's Curve and its profound impact on pipe size, stagnation, biofilm, and the factors contributing to Legionella growth.
For industrial water treaters, this episode serves as a treasure trove of information, guiding them in selecting certifications aligned with their career aspirations. Christoph's expertise illuminates the importance of certifications in building a knowledgeable workforce for water management programs, ultimately contributing to enhanced public health. Tune in, scale up your education, and embark on a journey towards a more impactful and informed career in water treatment.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore encourages you to get your CWT in 2024
06:25 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
09:35 - Interview with Christoph Lohr, Vice President of Technical Services and Research at IAPMO, about the importance of credentials for water professionals
55:00 - A bit more about IAPMO (The International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials)
Quotes
“The true benefit of a certification is that it gets everyone speaking the same language. The real strength is that it gets everyone on the same page.” - Christoph Lohr
“The plumbing industry needs industrial water treaters and industrial water treaters need the plumbing industry. It's a really symbiotic relationship.” - Christoph Lohr
“One of the biggest misnomers that people think about plumbing codes is that they are restrictive. We have to realize when it comes to plumbing design and installation, that plumbing codes are more like a buffet of options than a restrictive methodology.” - Christoph Lohr
Connect with Christoph Lohr
Phone: 248.736.4940
Email: christoph.lohr@iapmo.org
Get involved with IAPMO: standards@iapmostandards.org
IAPMO Website: IAPMO.org
UniformCodes.org
LinkedIn: in/christoph-lohr-pe
company/iapmo
Listen to the The Authority Podcast: Plumbing and Mechanical on your favorite podcast player or on YouTube.
Read or Download Christoph Lohr’s Press Release HERE.
IAPMO Links Mentioned
Get involved with IAPMO - standards@iapmostandards.org
The Authority Podcast's episode with Trace Blackmore
AWWA IAPMO 2022 Manual - The Safe Closure and Reopening of
Building Water Systems
IAPMO and AWWA's Recommended Practices for the Safe Closure and Reopening of Building Water Systems
IAPMO’s Uniform Plumbing Codes
IAPMO’s Water Demand Calculator
ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI Series 12000-2021
IAPMO’s Water Efficiency and Sanitation Standard (WE•Stand)
Organizations and Articles Mentioned
The Risks of Sizing Plumbing Systems Using Hunter’s Curve
Dr. Janet Stout’s Special Pathogens Laboratory
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The International Water Conference (IWC)
Emerging Water Technology Symposium (EWTS)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
NASEM’s article Management of Legionella in Water Systems
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM)
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Plumbing & Mechanical Engineer
Manual of Water Quality for Plumbing Industry Professionals and Building Managers
The Environmental Science, Policy and Research Institute (ESPRI)
American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)
ASPE Engineering Methodologies to Reduce the Risk of Legionella in Premise Plumbing Systems
Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
Water In Healthcare Facilities: The Public Health And Economic Nexus
International Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Foundation (IWSH)
Other Links Mentioned
CWT Prep Course found at Scalinguph2o.com/CWTprep
Mary Ann Dickinson of the Alliance for Water Efficiency (A4WE)
Episode 3 with Tom Tinney
Episode 294 with John Mullen
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned
The Three Ages of Water: Prehistoric Past, Imperiled Present, and a Hope for the Future by Peter Gleick
The Crux by Richard Rumelt
Let There Be Water: Israel's Solution for a Water-Starved World by Seth M. Siegel
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, I have a challenge for you. My challenge is… to test for phosphate in your makeup waters.
You may be very surprised by what you find. Municipalities frequently add phosphate-based products for corrosion, scale, and staining control. Unknown sources of phosphate can certainly throw a boiler or cooling tower program out of control. Start with the orthophosphate test. If polyphosphates are used, you may need to run a digestion procedure or have your lab do it. Lastly, calling your municipality to ask if they use phosphate-based products in their water may actually be the first place to start. Don’t let an unknown phosphate source throw your water treatment program out of control.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
"With water, everybody loses or everybody wins." - Emily Lewis
Embark on a transformative journey into the intricate world of water management with Emily E. Lewis on the latest episode of Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. Join us as Emily, Director and Shareholder, Co-Chair of Clyde Snow & Sessions’ Natural Resources and Water Law Practice Group, unravels the complexities of water law, making it not just informative but relevant to your daily life as a water professional.
In this episode, Emily shares her wealth of expertise, garnered from advising a diverse clientele, including individual water right owners, municipalities, and mining companies. As the Utah Water Banking Project Manager and host of the Ripple Effect podcast, Emily brings a unique perspective that transcends the confines of Utah, offering insights that resonate with water professionals nationwide.
Delve into the future of water management as Emily discusses regulations, permits, and laws related to groundwater and water access. No need for legal jargon; Emily breaks down the role of water attorneys, offering practical insights into water laws, discharge and runoff permits, and the delicate balance between water quality and quantity.
This isn't just theory; Emily addresses the real challenges you, as water treaters, face daily – from increasing water demands and population growth to the pressing need for innovative water management strategies. Gain the tools to have meaningful conversations with customers, stay abreast of local water legislation, and empower yourself to contribute when water laws are on the table in your state.
Emily shares real-world examples, such as the Utah Water Banking Project, showcasing how a drought-stricken state overcame water challenges with inventive marketing strategies. Learn from a century of water management in Utah and understand the unique water challenges faced by water management of the Great Salt Lake.
Discover collaborative efforts between industrial water treatment teams and legal experts, providing you with a roadmap to shape effective water policies. For Emily, water access is not just about wins and losses; it's about collective victories and shared successes.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore shares the best unexpected Christmas gift he got
06:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
12:30 - Interview with Emily E. Lewis the Director and Shareholder, Co-Chair of Natural Resources and Water Law at Clyde Snow & Sessions
Quotes
“The ability to drop a well and get more water is getting more and more limited, and physically the water is not there, and then legally it's a heavily regulated space these days.” - Emily E. Lewis
“With water, everybody loses or everybody wins.” - Emily E. Lewis
“In the West, we are in an acute water crisis. We do not have very much water and we have ballooning populations and ballooning needs. As we grow, where are we getting the water to support our new growth?” - Emily E. Lewis
“In Utah, 70% of our water is used by agriculture and so we are working hand in hand with our agricultural partners to try and figure out ways to make those operations as efficient as possible because we really want to also keep our agricultural community. You know the solution is not to dry up Ag. The solution is to work with Ag.” - Emily E. Lewis
Connect with Emily E. Lewis
Email: eel@clydesnow.com
Website: www.clydesnow.com
Utah Water Banking Project
LinkedIn: in/emily-e-lewis-4a50321b
company/clyde-snow-&-sessions
Emily also teaches Water Law for Professionals at the University of Utah
Listen to Ripple Effect – A Podcast Putting Water in Context HERE
Read or Download Emily Lewis’ Press Release HERE
Utah's Five Key Milestones to Successful Water Marketing
Links Mentioned
Water Marketing Strategy Report
The Ripple Effect Podcast
Natural Resources and Water Law Practice Group - Clyde Snow
Ep 166 Reading The Raven
Undone (The Sweater Song) by Weezer
State of Utah’s Water Rights Handbook
Kevin Mercer - RainGrid, Inc
Aquacycl - Industrial Wastewater Treatment Solutions
Margaret Mitchell House in Atlanta
John Wesley Powell - Former Director of the United States Geological Survey
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books and Articles Mentioned
A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Mark Dawidziak
Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning (9th Ed) by Betz Laboratories
The New York Times' Uncharted Waters: America Is Using Up Its Groundwater Like There’s No Tomorrow
New York Times Opinion: Getting Real About Coal and Climate by Paul Krugman
Natural Law and Prior Appropriation in Water Law (Page 46) by Robert W. Adler
Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Beyond the Hundredth Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West by Wallace Stegner
Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we’re thinking about the carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate distribution as a function of pH. Now, I sometimes have the memory of a goldfish, but this is one time I get to claim to have a photographic memory by saying, “Oh yes, that is found in the graph on page 6 of the 9th edition of the ‘Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning.’” I don’t know why the exact page number has always stuck with me, but I cut my teeth on this book, and apparently parts of it adhered to my brain.
Anyway, as gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves into water, it reacts with the water molecules to form carbonic acid. This carbonic acid can depress the pH of the water, but being a weak acid, it won’t lower the pH below 4.3 by itself. If we raise the pH of the water, you will see the carbonic acid gradually start to transform into bicarbonate ions or HCO31-. This transformation is complete at a pH of about 8.3. If we keep raising the pH, we see this bicarbonate then transforms into carbonate ions or CO32-. By simply adjusting the pH of the water up and down, these three species of carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate can be converted from one into the other.
Now, alkalinity is the acid absorbing property of water, and as we just heard, these bicarbonate and carbonate ions are absorbing acid. Typically, when we talk about alkalinity, we are talking about bicarbonate and carbonate ions, although there are other ions that can impact alkalinity as well, such as hydroxide.
You may have recognized the key pHs I mentioned previously: 4.3 and 8.3. Those just happen to be the pHs where the Total Alkalinity and P-Alkalinity endpoints are, respectively. These are two of the tests you use to measure alkalinity in water.
All this is shown in that graph I mentioned before found on page 6 of the 9th edition of the “Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning.” It’s found in Figure 1-2, actually. I’ll be sure to share a link to the graph for Trace to include in the show notes of this episode.
Understanding the carbonic acid, bicarbonate, and carbonate distribution as a function of pH is important for many reasons, such as when trying to reduce alkalinity with a degassing tower, troubleshooting why carbon dioxide is found in RO permeate, understanding how alkalinity impacts scale forming potential, and more.
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of Scaling UP! H2O, where we delve into the innovative world of Legionella pneumophila management in evaporative cooling water systems. Loraine Huchler, P.E., CMC®, FIMC of Martech Systems, joins our host Trace Blackmore to unravel the complexities and share valuable insights from her technical paper titled: “Managing Legionella Using an Innovative Bacterial Control System and Rapid Genetic Legionella Testing.”
The challenges of combating Legionella in cooling water systems are vast, but Loraine introduces us to a game-changing on-site, on-line, rapid genetic test method for Legionella and an ingenious plasma disinfection system (PDS). These advancements not only address the longstanding issues of ineffective biocide treatment strategies but also provide timely Legionella test results.
In this educational interview, Loraine guides us through the results of a comprehensive laboratory study conducted on a model cooling tower. She discusses the application of the on-site, rapid genetic test method for Legionella and shares findings from a subsequent study conducted on a cooling tower at a corporate headquarters of a medical device company. The documented validity of the results highlights the practical value of these innovative approaches.
Tackling key questions, Loraine provides practical insights into Legionella growth techniques, testing methods, biofilm management, and effective treatment strategies. Delving into the specifics, she addresses fundamental queries such as how to measure biofilm, assess treatment method effectiveness, determine Legionella testing frequency, and manage challenges like low flow or dead legs.
Throughout the conversation, Loraine maintains a positive and educational tone, offering not only valuable information but also actionable advice for water treaters worldwide. Her expertise shines as she shares conclusions drawn from her research and provides insightful recommendations for biofilm management and Legionella risk mitigation.
Curious about the key takeaways from Loraine's study? Join us on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast to uncover the groundbreaking discoveries and practical applications that will reshape your approach to Legionella management. Tune in today for a journey into the future of water treatment.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore challenges you to set annual goals this January
08:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald 13:45 - Interview with Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC about her technical paper titled: “Managing Legionella Using an Innovative Bacterial Control System and Rapid Genetic Legionella Testing.”
44:12 - Lightning round questions
Quotes
“If you don’t have biofilm, you don’t have Legionella.” - Loraine Huchler
“Biofilm is insulating; it’s 4-5 times more insulating than calcium carbonate.” - Loraine Huchler
“I was surprised by the efficacy of the nonthermal plasma.” - Loraine Huchler
“Dead legs are a known hazard for Legionella.” - Loraine Huchler
“Biofilm causes a lot of health problems and increases your electrical costs.” - Loraine Huchler
Connect with Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC
Phone: 609.865.8151
Email: huchler@martechsystems.com
Website: www.martechsystems.com
LinkedIn: in/loraine-huchler
Twitter: @WaterTalk
Read or Download Loraine Huchler’s Press Release HERE
Published Articles by Loraine Huchler P.E., CMC®, FIMC
TP22-24: Managing Legionella Using an Innovative Bacterial Control System and Rapid Genetic Legionella Testing
IWC 23-33: Passivation in Steam Generating Systems
Operating Practices for Industrial Water Management, Influent Water Systems by Loraine Huchler
Loraine will be presenting her paper, Design Guide: Compatibility of Materials of Construction for Evaporative Cooling Water Systems, at the 2024 Annual Conference and CTI Expo in Houston, Texas. To register, go HERE.
Links Mentioned
Ep 345 Scaling UP! Relationships: Navigating the Waters of Connection
Ep 344 Toasting Triumphs: Reflecting on A Year of Water Wisdom
Ep 339 with Jane Kucera - Reverse Osmosis
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Audible
Operating Practices for Industrial Water Management, Influent Water Systems by Loraine Huchler
The Sum Of All Fears by Tom Clancy
Companions In Christ by Reuben Job
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Reverse Osmosis: Industrial Processes and Applications 2nd Edition by Jane Kucera
Woke, Inc.: Inside Corporate America's Social Justice Scam by Vivek Ramaswamy
Drop By Drop with James
In today’s episode, we’re asking “What if?” What if a cooling tower’s blowdown valve gets stuck open. What would happen? Sure, the conductivity would probably start to drop. Would the cooling tower basin be completely drained? Why or why not? What is the size relationship between the makeup water line and blowdown line? Is there one? What could cause a cooling tower blowdown valve to get stuck open? How could you diagnose this problem remotely? How could you be alerted to this problem remotely? What would you recommend to recover from this situation? What would be the impact upon the water treatment program if the blowdown valve for a cooling tower got stuck open? Are some valves more susceptible to failure than others? In the event of an electrical failure, should a cooling tower valve be chosen that fails open, closed, or last position? These are some things to think about when asking yourself, “What if?”
On this special episode of Scaling UP! H2O, your host Trace Blackmore takes a detour from our usual industrial water treatment discussions to delve into a profound topic that resonated deeply with him in 2023. Join Trace as he shares insights from the game-changing book, "The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships" by the esteemed Dr. John Gottman.
Discover the transformative power of understanding and combating the "4 Relational Horsemen": Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling. Trace unpacks these destructive communication patterns and reveals how they can erode the fabric of relationships, whether personal or professional.
In this episode, you'll gain timeless tools to douse the flames of relational friction before they become an uncontrollable bonfire. Dr. Gottman's principles aren't just about salvaging troubled relationships; they're a compass for building stronger connections with those in your circle. As we step into 2024, Trace guides you through practical applications of these principles, ensuring that your most important asset—your relationships—flourish and thrive in the coming years.
Tune in, and embark on a journey towards healthier, more fulfilling connections. Because when we invest in our relationships, we're investing in a successful and rewarding 2024 and beyond.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore asks you to reflect on 2023’s victories and plan for this year with the 12 Week Year
04:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:00 - Drop by Drop With James McDonald
14:15 - The purpose of relationships and inspiration for this episode
18:30 - Reminders about what we’ve learned about relationships from Kathleen Edelman, Major Dick Winters, and Tim Fulton
21:12 - Introduction to “The 4 Relational Horsemen” from Dr. Gottman: Criticism, Contempt, Defensiveness, and Stonewalling
Quotes
“Our life is all about the relationships we have.” - Trace Blackmore
“We need to diffuse situations, acknowledge what people are going through, and ultimately make the relationship better.” - Trace Blackmore
“Stop and think: how do I take responsibility and not shift the blame to the other person?” - Trace Blackmore
“The Temperaments is one of the best things I’ve ever done to understand myself and every key relationship in my life.” - Trace Blackmore
“Today is a great day to build relationships and to make this year a year of kindness, a year of building relationships.”
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Ep 344 Toasting Triumphs: Reflecting on A Year of Water Wisdom (Last episode of 2023)
Ep 132 Pinks and Blues: 12 Week Year
Ep 179 with Kathleen Edelman - Communicate Better with Others
Ep 281 with Kathleen Edelman - Power of Kindness
Ep 117 with Kathleen Edelman - The One With Temperament Expert
Kind Words Are Cool
Band of Brothers - 2001 Miniseries
Ep 22 with Tim Fulton
Ep 280 with Tim Fulton - Retaining Top Talent
Dr. John Gottman’s 6 Things that Predict Divorce
Dr. John Gottman’s 4 Horsemen of Conversations
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books:
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington
I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition (2023) by Kathleen Edelman
I Said This, You Heard That (Workbook) by Kathleen Edelman
The Relationship Cure: A 5 Step Guide to Strengthening Your Marriage, Family, and Friendships by John M. Gottman
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert, Revised and Updated by John M. Gottman
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey
The Emotional Bank Account by Franklin Covey
Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Dick Winters
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Drop By Drop with James McDonald
In today’s episode, we’re wandering through a reverse osmosis unit. Starting after the pump just when the water enters an 8” RO membrane element itself. Imagine it, if you will. Imagine the water flowing into the feed channels between the membrane envelopes themselves. Imagine the pressure. Think about how suspended solids could behave at this entry point, if they made it beyond the prefilters. How might any suspended solids interact with the feed spacer material or surface of the membrane? Think about where any chlorine allowed into the RO system would start to impact first. What damage could it do? How soon? We have not passed through the RO membrane itself yet. No, we continue to flow down membrane elements, passing from one to another still on the feedwater side of the membrane. As our journey continues, we slow down a little as pure water passes through the membrane, and there’s less and less water on our feedwater side. The speed probably picks up as we move from one stage of the array to the next, with a lower number of membrane housings to ensure proper velocity and turbulence to help keep the membrane surfaces clean as we press onward to navigate around the feed channel spacer material. Although we are flowing between the membranes, we may be tempted to flow around the membrane elements themselves, out by the membrane housing. What could stop us, right? But something does. What is that thing? Is it the brine seal?
Something we haven’t paid much attention to until now is that our water chemistry is changing. It is becoming more concentrated. When does this become a problem? Where does it become a problem? How does it become a problem? As we wind our way through the RO array’s stages, membranes, and piping, we finally reach our point of exit where we are called reject or concentrate. From here, we are either sent down the drain or sometimes captured and reused in other applications with less restrictive water quality requirements.
As we bid farewell to 2023, let's come together for a joyful celebration on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast with your host, Trace Blackmore, in this special year-end episode, "Toasting Triumphs." Take a deep dive into the ocean of water treatment wisdom and growth that characterized the past year.
In this episode, we unravel the highlights, explore your favorite episodes, the invaluable lessons learned, and extend heartfelt gratitude to our exceptional listeners, the generous podcast guests, the CWT graduates thirsting for growth, and every remarkable personal milestone achieved throughout 2023 – a year truly worth celebrating.
Embark on this journey of reflection, appreciation, and insight, delving into the fascinating world of water treatment! Join us as we clink glasses to the triumphs and lessons of the past year, paving the way for an even more enriching 2024. Cheers to the shared passion for knowledge and growth in the best industry in the world, water treatment!
Timestamps
1:00 - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
3:00 - Thank you to Mike Standish, our Sponsors, and James McDonald
7:50 - Sneak peek of James McDonald’s 2023 podcast episodes
9:00 - Celebrating our most popular episodes
15:00 - Submit a show idea for Legionella Month
18:30 - Launching the Scaling UP! H2O Academy and the CWT Prep Course
23:00 - Thank you to new CWTs in 2023
24:00 - Take advantage of our Events page
27:00 - Trace’s Personal Achievements and Milestones
42:00 - Encounters with Influential Individuals: Jane Kucera, Andy Stanley, Kathleen Edelman
52:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
57:21 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald # 51
Why and how is cobalt used in industry water treatment? What products do you use with cobalt in them? Can cobalt ever precipitate out of solution and cause problems? Under what conditions can this happen? Can cobalt in a product become a foulant or degradation catalyst for an RO membrane if used?
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald # 52
With everything happening during Industrial Water Week on the podcast, we didn’t have room for that week’s edition, but don’t worry, because the 52nd and last Periodic Water Table with James topic is none other than…
Water or H2O or dihydrogen monoxide or even oxidane, the IUPAC-compliant name for water. There are many names for water. It has inspired art, poetry, music, architecture, comics, inventions, love, and more. It has helped both create and destroy civilizations. It is at the very heart of what you and I do every day as we practice the noble profession of industrial water treatment. It is water. How much do you know about water though? Why is water a liquid at room temperature when other molecules of similar or even heavier molecular weights are gasses? How does its density change with temperature? How conductive is pure water? Is water a stable molecule or does it ever disassociate? Have you taken out a steam table lately and looked at the trends as pressures and temperatures change? Take this opportunity to dig in and learn more about water…drop by drop.
Our listener’s favorite 2023 episodes:
Ep 300 with Chris Yee - Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 1
Ep 319 Pinks and Blues: Legionella Month Kick Off
Ep 320 with Dr. Janet Stout - Legionella Prevention: Insights, Updates, and Actionable Advice
Ep 321 with Dr. Alberto Comazzi - The Pros and Cons of Legionella Disinfectant Options
Ep 336 Swati Sharma - Innovations in Sunflower Oil Wastewater Solutions
Links Mentioned
Legionella Resources Page
CWT Practice Course
IWC Conference
The Rising Tide Mastermind
World Vision Global 6K
North Point Community Church
Andy Stanley - the best motivational speaker of our generation
Alton Brown - influencer in my style of podcast shows
Kathleen Edelman - using kind words
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary - Texas
Diving in Bonaire - Southern Caribbean
Take Special Pathogen’s Lab 3-day training and get certified to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Standard: Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel
Episodes Mentioned
Ep 014 Mike Standish
Ep 117 Kathleen Edelman - The One With Temperament Expert
Ep 179 with Kathleen Edelman - Communicate Better with Others
Ep 281 with Kathleen Edelman - Power of Kindness
Ep 292 Scott Wozniak - Customer Experience Engine
Ep 295 with Jeff Garratt, part 1 - Keep Employees Happy
Ep 296 with Jeff Garratt, part 2 - Lead a Successful Multigenerational Company
Ep 310 with Louis Godbout and Simina Alungulesa - Carryover
Ep 322 with Brent Baird - Flow Meters
Ep 324 with Chelsea Farmer - Career Possibilities in Industrial Water Treatment
Ep 328 Pretreatment Monday 2023
Ep 329 Boiler Tuesday 2023
Ep 330 Cooling Wednesday 2023
Ep 331 Wastewater Thursday 2023
Ep 332 Careers Friday 2023
Ep 335 Pinks and Blues: Enhanced Chiller Tubes
Ep 325 The Rising Tide Mastermind Live Event
Ep 339 with Jane Kuchera - Reverse Osmosis
Books Mentioned
Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Dick Winters
Band of Brothers - 2001 Miniseries
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
I Said This, You Heard That (2nd Edition) - Kathleen Edelman
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
2024 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Dive into the world of water professionals with a seasoned thought leader, Adam Tank, co-founder of Transcend, as he guides you through the maze of marketing challenges in the water sector. In this episode, Adam brings over 15 years of industry expertise to unravel the complexities of building an online presence for water companies.
Feel the tug of limited time and budget? Adam Tank understands the struggle. Join us for a candid conversation infused with humor and anecdotes as we explore Adam's water journey. Whether you're just starting your online presence or a marketing enthusiast in the water treatment industry, Adam shares practical insights on the dos and don'ts of marketing, the impact of social media, and effective budgeting and communication strategies.
This episode promises more than just knowledge; it's a journey toward clarity in your marketing strategies. Adam's powerful wisdom unfolds as he declares, "Social media, used properly, is the most powerful network building and brand building tool that has ever existed in the history of the world." Don't miss the chance to gain a unique perspective and elevate your approach to marketing in the water treatment realm.
Tune in for a wealth of actionable insights and discover the secrets to authentic engagement. Enhance your marketing strategies with Adam Tank's expertise, and let's navigate the waters of the industry together.
Timestamps
1:00 - Trace Blackmore emphasizes continuous learning to prevent burnout
8:00 - Call to action: Leave reviews, like, and subscribe to the podcast
12:18 - Upcoming events for water treatment professionals
23:00 - Introduction of Adam Tank and discussion on mentorship
29:55 - Importance of digital presence and advice for starting marketing
32:00 - Customer engagement and rules for creating a message
38:00 - Consequences of not investing in marketing
41:00 - Exploring different social media types and content strategies
50:00 - Advice on budgeting for marketing
52:00 - Humorous stories about dealing with online critics
58:00 - Reflection on the impact of positive feedback from fans
1:02:00 - Lightning round questions
1:07:00 - Closing thoughts and a sneak peek of James McDonald’s 2024 podcast episodes
Quotes
“The internet is an amazing vehicle for serendipity. Start small. Don’t overthink it. Share about your day and go from there.”- Adam Tank
“People want to connect with people. People want to connect with people who they like and trust.”- Adam Tank
“Authenticity. Authenticity is key when using social media platforms.” - Adam Tank
“Social media, used properly, is the most powerful network building and brand building tool that has ever existed in the history of the world.”- Adam Tank
“Going viral isn’t the goal, the goal is to find a tribe of people online.” - Adam Tank
“Start with a single post. Start with a single reshare. Write a couple of sentences, put it out into the world, and see what happens.” - Adam Tank
Connect with Adam Tank
Phone: 913.940.4381
Email: atank@transcendinfra.com
Website: www.adamtank.com
Transcendinfra.com
Podcast: Water We Talking About
LinkedIn: in/adamtank
company/transcend-infra
Read or Download Adam Tank’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Water We Talking About Podcast
Write of Passage Online Writing Course
Build Your Second Brain
Evernote
Monday.com
WEF video game “Water 2050”
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
Episodes Mentioned
Ep 181 with Jim Lauria and Adam Tank - Social Media Water Geeks
Ep 279 with Jim Lauria and Adam - Water We Talking About Hosts
Ep 22 with Tim Fulton
Ep 230 with Walid Khoury
Ep 278 with Antoine Walter
Ep 280 with Tim Fulton - Retaining Top Talent
Books Mentioned
To Know Water Is To Love Water (Coming Soon) by Jim Lauria
The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss
1000 True Fans: Use Kevin Kelly's Simple Idea to Earn A Living Doing What You Love by Jon Longhurst
The Black Swan, Second Edition: The Impact of the Highly Improbable: With a new section: "On Robustness and Fragility" by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
First off, what is BCDMH? Is it considered an oxizider or nonoxidizer? In what form is BCDMH available? How is BCDMH fed to a system? What are its reaction byproducts with water? How is its concentration in the system measured? How is it controlled? Is it fed continuously or intermittently? Does pH have any impact upon BCDMH? Water temperature? What’s its chemical formula?
Elevate this holiday season by giving and helping
One Simple Wish (www.onesimplewish.org/site/donate) 🌈: Grant wishes for foster children and be the reason behind their smiles. Your generosity can make a lasting difference in their lives.
Salvation Army’s Angel Tree(www.saangeltree.org) 🎄: Share the joy of the season by providing gifts to children in need through the Angel Tree program. Every donation brings warmth and happiness to a child's heart.
Operation Santa - US Post Office (www.uspsoperationsanta.com/letters) 💌: Fulfill holiday wishes by sending gifts and letters to Santa, making this season magical for families in need. Your support can create cherished memories for them.
Toys for Tots - US Marine Corp (www.toysfortots.org) 🎁: Support the Marine Corps Reserve in their mission to bring the joy of Christmas to less fortunate children. Your contribution can make a child's Christmas brighter.
Love for Our Elders (www.loveforourelders.org) 💖: Combat loneliness with love by sending heartfelt cards to people in nursing homes. Your words can brighten someone's day and remind them they are not alone.
Cards for Hospitalized Kids (www.cardsforhospitalizedkids.com/donate) 🌈: Spread joy and magic by writing cards for children in the hospital. While doctors provide medicine, your cards provide hope, joy, and a touch of magic to brave young hearts.
Soldier’s Angels (www.soldiersangels.org/donate) 🇺🇸: Stand in solidarity with military families by supporting Soldier Angels. Discover ways you can make a difference and bring comfort to those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we delve into the intricacies of the Steam Electric Generation Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs). In this enlightening conversation, our esteemed guest, Bill Kennedy, PE of Stantec, an authority in the field, imparts invaluable insights into this pivotal aspect of environmental regulation.
Our journey begins with a fundamental question: What are the Steam Electric Generation ELGs? Bill systematically demystifies these guidelines, clarifying that they are Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations specifically tailored for the electric power generation industry, profoundly influencing wastewater treatment technologies.
Why are ELGs of significance to water professionals? Bill eloquently underscores their criticality, emphasizing that beyond regulatory constraints, these guidelines embody technology-driven limitations. They serve as instrumental benchmarks propelling the application of state-of-the-art wastewater treatment technologies, steering the industry towards sustainable practices.
But it's not a one-way street. Bill encourages active participation from water treatment professionals to play an active role during the EPA’s revision period, stressing the tangible impact of their contributions. Yes, your input matters! Learn how to actively engage in shaping these guidelines and extend your involvement beyond official input periods.
Feeling inundated by the myriad rules and regulations? Bill has a solution: Stay informed. Immerse yourself in industry groups, attend conferences, and keep an eye on reputable publications. It's through continuous learning and engagement that water professionals can navigate the ever-evolving landscape of regulations.
In a fascinating twist, Bill scrutinizes the nuanced distinction between pollutants and constituents of concern. Drawing parallels with daily life, he illuminates mass loading and concentration-based limits, urging us to discern between what truly poses a risk and what is a vital element in our environment.
Join us in this intellectually stimulating episode where we unravel the intricacies of the Steam Electric Generation ELGs. Bill's wealth of knowledge and practical advice empowers water professionals not only to comprehend regulatory frameworks but also to actively contribute to shaping the trajectory of water treatment. It's a journey beyond compliance — towards forging a sustainable and resilient future for water management. Tune in now to scale up your understanding and take your career in water to new heights!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore ponders, ‘Why do we procrastinate and put off shopping for Christmas gifts?’
09:15 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:00 - Interview with Bill Kennedy of Stantec about Steam Electric Generation Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs)
30:45 - IWC and the importance of mentoring and training for emerging professionals
41:10 Lightning Round Questions
48:45 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“Go ask a question, you may not get the answer right away, but if you keep asking, and you keep pursuing, you'll connect the dots, and it will make sense one day. Knowledge is good!” - Bill Kennedy “ELGs are technology-based limits for various effluent streams that would come from an industry, and are one of several criteria that permit writers must consider when they're putting a discharge permit together for that facility. or the steam electric industry.” - Bill Kennedy
“Empirical data trumps theory, every time.”- Bill Kennedy
“Pay it forward and mentor young professionals in this industry.” - Bill Kennedy
“Safety and ethics need to be at the forefront of any mentoring and training for emerging professionals.” - Bill Kennedy
Connect with Bill Kennedy, PE
Phone: 980.721.7626
Email: bill.kennedy@stantec.com
Website: www.stantec.com
LinkedIn: in/bill-kennedy-pe-063bb623/
company/stantec/
Read or Download Bill Kennedy’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Hang – January 11, 2024
EPA Effluent Guidelines
International Water Conference (IWC)
Ep 292 with Scott Wozniak
Ep 339 with Jane Kucera
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned
The Disappearing Spoon: And Other True Tales of Madness, Love, and the History of the World from the Periodic Table of the Elements by Sam Kean
Special Forces Berlin: Clandestine Cold War Operations of the US Army's Elite, 1956-1990 by James Stejskal
Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey: An American Heritage by Michael R. Veach
Mark Twain: The Adventures of Samuel L. Clemens by Jerome Loving
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is ACH used for? What is its chemical formula? Does it have a single chemical formula? Would it be classified as organic or inorganic? What impact could it have on sludge production based upon other similar chemicals? What form or forms does it come in? Solid, liquid, or gas? How is ACH used outside of industrial water treatment within the world we live in?
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Tune in as lab partner Richard Philip Beckett, Global OEM Relationship Manager at Global Water Solutions, delves into the critical realm of water treatment, focusing on the often-overlooked yet potentially perilous components of water systems: Dead Legs and Legionella. As the overseer of large OEM customers at Global Water Solutions, Richard sheds light on the risks associated with these factors and underscores the importance of understanding and addressing them to ensure water safety.
Richard challenges our conventional thinking, urging us to consider the entire water system rather than just its components. Thermal expansion tanks, often neglected in our surveys, take center stage as Richard guides us through their significance in maintaining water flow and preventing stagnant pockets within the system.
Our gratitude goes out to Richard for compelling us to broaden our perspective and rethink our approach to water systems. This episode serves as a call to action for listeners to better educate themselves, viewing water systems holistically. From abandoned sinks to capped-off systems, every inch without water flow becomes a potential breeding ground for Legionella.
Join us as we explore the urgency of eliminating Dead Legs, whether by removing abandoned pipes entirely or introducing innovative solutions like the Flow-Thru device. In safeguarding against Legionella, we are not merely addressing water components but fortifying our communities against hidden dangers lurking within our water systems. Stay informed, stay vigilant, and let's collectively drive water safety to the forefront of our consciousness.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the National Handwashing Week
07:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
10:20 - Interview with Richard Philip Beckett of Global Water Solutions about Guarding Against Legionella: The Hidden Dangers of Dead Legs in Water Systems
41:05 - Detective H2O in “The Case of Seeing the Dead”
54:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“A Dead Leg is basically anywhere on a water system where the water is not flowing… What happens in there if the temperature is correct, you will get microbial growth and legionella bacteria growing where a Dead Leg is.” - Richard Philip Beckett
“Flow-Thrus are essential to prevent micro bacterial growth in Dead Legs in thermal expansions.” - Richard Philip Beckett
“There is no reason whatsoever why everybody in the world should not be fitting Flow-Thrus on every single hot water system to prevent Legionella.” - Richard Philip Beckett
Connect with Richard Beckett
Phone: +44 7775 510330
Email: richard@globalwatersolutions.com
Website: www.globalwatersolutions.com
Flow-Thru Technology
LinkedIn: in/richard-beckett-3714a916/
company/globalwatersolutions/
Read or Download Richard Beckett’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Legionella Resources Page
How to use one paper towel | Joe Smith
Legionella (LD) in Italy
ASSE Certification
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What should we do with all my chemistry jokes? Barium. How could barium cause issues in a water system? Does barium combine with carbonates, sulfates, or other groups to cause potential problems? How do you test for barium in water? Have you analyzed a water sample for barium? At what concentrations could barium cause issues? If barium is an issue, what tools do you have available to control it?
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to another insightful episode of Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast created exclusively for industrial water treaters. In this episode, our knowledgeable host, Trace Blackmore, answers listener-submitted questions and takes a comprehensive analysis of the familiar and critical topic of alkalinity in water treatment.
For our dedicated audience of industrial water treaters, this episode offers invaluable insights into:
Crucial Role of Alkalinity: Understand the pivotal role alkalinity plays in water chemistry and its significance in neutralizing acids, ensuring your systems are resilient against pH fluctuations.
Ion Composition Deconstructed: Gain clarity on the composition and behavior of alkaline ions, including carbonate, bicarbonate, and hydroxyl ions, providing a solid foundation in water chemistry.
pH-Alkalinity Dynamics: Explore the intricate relationship between pH and alkalinity, enabling you to predict and manage water conditions more effectively in your industrial processes.
Tailored Monitoring Approaches: Learn how to tailor your monitoring approach based on the specific needs of your systems, whether it's focusing on carbonate and bicarbonate in cooling systems or hydroxyl in boiler systems.
Addressing System-specific Concerns: Delve into practical insights on addressing alkalinity concerns at different pH levels, such as avoiding condensate grooving in boiler condensate lines below pH 4.3.
Efficient Testing Methods: Optimize your testing methods by embracing the titration method, and discover the importance of regular cleaning and calibration for accurate and reliable results.
Proven Field Tips: Benefit from field-tested tips, including using phenol failing to verify system flushing and ensuring the proper care and calibration of pH meters, saving you time and resources in real-world scenarios.
This episode is a reservoir of valuable insights that empowers industrial water treaters with the information they need to enhance their understanding of alkalinity, streamline their testing processes, and proactively address challenges in their systems. Tune in to elevate your expertise and make informed decisions in the dynamic world of industrial water treatment.
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to December, the most productive month of the year
03:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
05:00 - Answering listeners’ Alkalinity questions
41:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“Alkalinity is a measure of the ability of a solution to neutralize acids. It's a property of water and other substances, and it's usually expressed in terms of equivalent concentration of calcium carbonate, in milligrams per liter, or parts per million. alkalinity is a crucial parameter in water chemistry and is often associated with the presence of carbonate, bicarbonate and hydroxyl ions. In simpler terms, Alkalinity reflects the water's capacity to resist changes in pH when an acid is added.” - Trace Blackmore
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Isothiazoline or isothiazolone. Is there a single molecular formula or is there a family of chemistries available? What is isothiazoline used for? Can you test for it? Does pH have an impact? What dosages are recommended? What microorganisms is it effective against? How much contact time is required for isothiazoline to be effective? What is the mode of action for isothiazoline? What systems is it used in? Is isothiazoline ever blended with anything else?
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
86 Pinks and Blues: Alkalinity, Part 1
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Oh Boy! We are scaling up our Reverse Osmosis knowledge with expert guest Jane Kucera, the brilliant mind behind the book "Reverse Osmosis" and the Senior Technical Consultant-Industrial at NALCO Water. Hold onto your hats, folks, because this episode is the ultimate deep dive into the intricacies of RO!
Discover the ins and outs of Reverse Osmosis, from its applications to why it's chosen over other filtration methods. Jane spills the secrets on sizing RO systems, explores the market's different membrane types, and demystifies the challenges of water recovery using reverse osmosis. Ever wondered if you can clean in less than 12 hours, and how to know when it's time for a cleaning? Jane's got you covered!
But that's not all—tune in to unravel how water value influences RO adoption and hear her forecast about emerging water technologies. Jane even shares insights into the next generation of RO developments, making this episode a must-listen for water treatment enthusiasts.
And wait, there's more! Jane reveals common mistakes she encounters during her consulting adventures and shares what to do when you encounter something you’ve never tackled before. With her wealth of knowledge and passion for RO, this episode is your one-stop-shop for all things reverse osmosis.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just dipping your toes into the water treatment world, this episode is your golden ticket to understanding reverse osmosis. So, why settle for anything less when you can learn from the person who quite literally wrote the book on it? Tune in now!
Timestamps
01:00 - Trace Blackmore challenges you to be intentionally grateful this Thanksgiving week
05:50 - Thank you to the Rising Tide Mastermind Members for bringing a full cup mentality to each meeting
08:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:15 - Interview with Jane Kucera from NALCO and IWC, about Reverse Osmosis (RO)
42:03 - The International Water Conference (IWC)
49:50 - Lightning Round Questions
58:00 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“In a nutshell, Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a separation process where you remove dissolved ions and solids like sodium, chloride, calcium, and things that are dissolved in water from the water. In RO, you have one influent stream coming in, a product water stream that's very low in minerals, a high concentration stream that's low volume but very high concentration of dissolved solids, and it's a pressure-driven process. You use pressure to force the water through the membrane and the membrane retains the minerals and dissolved solids.” -Jane Kucera
“There are six things that affect membrane performance: fouling, scaling, membrane degradation, temperature, pressure, and concentration.” -Jane Kucera
Jane Kucera’s advice for success: “Be proactive. Be your best advocate. Nobody's going to do it for you and if you wait around for somebody to do it for you, it's not going to happen. You need to speak up for yourself and do the best you can to try and move yourself forward.”
Connect with Jane Kucera
Phone: 815.258.6418
Email: jkucera@ecolab.com
LinkedIn: in/jane-kucera-94366530
company/nalco
NALCO Website: www.ecolab.com/nalco-water
IWC Website: https://eswp.com/water/overview/
Read or Download Jane Kucera’s Press Release HERE
Jane Kucera is the 2021 recipient of the IWC Merit Award
Books by Jane Kucera
Reverse Osmosis 3rd Edition (2023)
The NALCO Water Handbook, Fourth Edition (2017)
Articles by Jane Kucera in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Biofouling of Polyamide Membranes: Fouling Mechanisms, Current Mitigation and Cleaning Strategies, and Future Prospects (2019) in Membranes
Reverse Osmosis (2017) in the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology
Membrane Materials and Module Development, Historical Perspective (2013) in The Encyclopedia of Membrane Science and Technology
Links Mentioned
American Society of Testing
Impacts of support membrane structure and chemistry on polyamide–polysulfone interfacial composite membranes by Eric Hoak and Asim Ghosh
Impacts of reaction and curing conditions on polyamide composite reverse osmosis membrane properties by Asim Ghosh, Byeong-Heon Jeon, Xiaofei Huang, and Erik Hoek
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Its chemical formula is C3H12NO9P3. It is a phosphonate. What is AMP used for? Is it synergistic with other ingredients to improve its corrosion inhibitor abilities? What is the impact of oxidizing biocides upon AMP? How does AMP compare to other phosphonates? What is its calcium tolerance? When would one choose to use AMP? Can it help control calcium sulfate precipitation?
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to 'The PFAS Playbook: Essential Knowledge for Water Pros,' where we embark on an illuminating journey into the world of PFAS with our knowledgeable guest, Tonya Chandler, who serves as the Director of Commercialization, Strategic Marketing, and Business Development at BioLargo, Inc. Tonya's passion for PFAS has fueled her career, and she's here to share her expertise with water professionals looking to scale up their PFAS knowledge, know what regulations to be aware of, and debunk common PFAS myths.
In this episode, Tonya takes us through the multifaceted landscape of PFAS, from its definition and historical presence to its growing importance in water and wastewater treatment. We'll discuss concerns related to PFAS exposure, including regulatory limits and practical suggestions for minimizing risks. Get ready to explore PFAS in drinking water and strategies for what to do when the water you are treating tests positive for PFAS.
For those involved in industrial wastewater treatment, Tonya offers valuable insights into effective strategies and the importance of understanding the treatment process. We'll also dive into the world of point-of-use filters, considering the effectiveness of carbon filters and ion exchange systems, and the limitations of NSF's filter rating 53.
Join us for a closer look at upcoming regulatory changes, including CERCLA and RCRA updates, and their potential impact on municipalities and businesses. Uncover the significance of certification and product labeling, as well as ongoing PFAS-related lawsuits and their implications for the industry.
Learn about the importance of knowing your products and processes, including labeling for manufacturers 'free of intentionally added PFAS.' We'll share valuable resources, from books to documentaries and websites, to further your PFAS knowledge.
And that's not all! Dive into the latest PFAS treatment technologies, including the groundbreaking aqueous electrostatic concentrators developed by Tonya herself, along with supercritical water oxidation and bioremediation.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career in the water industry, this episode is your ultimate guide to mastering PFAS challenges and safeguarding our most precious resource—water. Tune in now and scale up your PFAS knowledge so you can communicate with your customers and teams with confidence!
Timestamps
1:00 - Trace Blackmore reminds you to connect with others because our entire industry benefits when we learn from each other
6:25 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
9:15 - What water professionals need to know about PFAS with Tonya Chandler
40:05 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“PFAS is per- or polylorinated Alkaline substances which sounds like a lot of big words, but it really boils down to the compounds that make plastic moldable or bendable. They are what makes components or what makes products grease-proof, what makes them waterproof. They are what help us in the manufacturing process to help things slide evenly through manufacturing or not clog. They're emulsifiers. They're surfactants so they're in a lot of our cleaners. They're in products you may not even know they're in but the reality is they're everywhere.” - Tonya Chandler
“Municipally, we're going to have to treat the drinking water (for PFAS). It's coming. We all know this.” - Tonya Chandler
“It's in the rainwater. It's in the grass. It's in the food we eat. It's in the air we breathe, so you can minimize your exposure but you're not going to eliminate it. They've found PFAS three feet deep in the Arctic. They found it on the top of Mount Everest, and they found it in the rainforest. It follows the water cycle and it travels. You're not going to escape it completely.” - Tonya Chandler
“A misconception is that we can solve all our problems with GAC and ionic exchange. There isn't enough granulated carbon in the world to remove all the PFAS.” - Tonya Chandler
“Ask for an ingredients list. Ask the manufacturers of the chemicals you use in the manufacturing process: “Do you have PFAS compounds in your products?”. Arm yourself. Do your testing. Be proactive and work with the municipality to get it (PFAS) out rather than point a finger.” - Tonya Chandler
Connect with Tonya Chandler
Email: tonya.chandler@biolargo.com
Email: pfas@biolargo.com
Website: www.bestpfastreatment.com
LinkedIn: in/tonya-chandler-a4b20ba
Read or Download Tonya Chandler’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
BioLargo PFAS Brochures and Studies
www.bestpfastreatment.com
AWWA website
PFAS and Water Contamination
Lawsuit Multidistrict litigation lawsuit for AFFF Foam, firefighters
World Health Organization 100 parts per trillion PFAS levels
EPA Resources
Action To Address PFAS
Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems
PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Proposal Hazard Index
National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Plan 15 ( landfill side POTW systems/municipal systems)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and Federal Facilities
PFAS Strategic Roadmap
Books Mentioned
Plastic: An Autobiography by Allison Cobb
Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer's Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes
Films Mentioned
Oppenheimer - docu-drama about the man who developed the atomic bomb
Dark Waters - docu-drama about Robert Bilott’s case against DuPont
The Devil We Know - about the Parkersburg, West Virginia lawsuit documentary
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Its molecular formula is C6H15NO. What is DEAE used for in water treatment? What is its neutralizing capacity? What is a “distribution ratio” and what is DEAE’s distribution ratio? How does this compare to morpholine and cyclohexylamine? What does distance from the feedpoint have to do with selecting DEAE as a best fit? Are feed limitations placed upon DEAE when used in food production and humidification? If so, what are they? Is DEAE blended with anything else? Why?
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
In the bubbly world of water treatment, we're about to burst some myths and unveil the incredible power of Nanobubbles. Join us as we chat with John Crisman, Senior Water Process Engineer with Moleaer.
Key Takeaways for Listeners:
Nanobubbles and Water Scarcity: Discover how Moleaer's groundbreaking Nanobubble technology is revolutionizing water and wastewater treatment, offering unique solutions to the ever-growing problem of water scarcity.
Pandemic's Impact on Wastewater: Explore the surprising effects of the pandemic, where increased use of disinfectants and surfactants has significantly impacted wastewater treatment processes, potentially leading to unexpected issues.
Toxicity Risk Assessments and the Future of Regulation: Learn about the importance of toxicity assessments and the future of regulations in wastewater treatment. Find out how industries may need to adjust their processes to comply with forthcoming requirements.
Community Outreach: Understand the vital role of community outreach in educating the public about their actions and their effects on wastewater systems. Discover how simple changes in behavior can make a significant difference.
Mitigating Fats, Oils, and Greases: Explore practical tips for both households and industries to reduce the impact of fats, oils, and greases on wastewater systems. Discover how small changes can lead to significant improvements.
Certifications and Education: Gain insights into the importance of pursuing certifications and educational opportunities in the water and wastewater industry to advance your career and contribute to solving pressing water challenges.
Join us for an engaging and enlightening conversation with John Crisman as he shares his wealth of knowledge and experiences in the water treatment field. Be prepared to unlock the secrets of nanobubbles and their potential to revolutionize water treatment as we know it. Don't miss out on this eye-opening episode that can bring significant value to both your personal and professional life.
Timestamps
01:00 - Host Trace Blackmore thanks listeners for helping us get to our global ranking of the top 3% of all podcasts
07:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
09:15 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
11:00 - Interview with John Crisman, Senior Water Process Engineer with Moleaer about Nanobubble technology
38:00 - Closing thoughts with Trace
Quotes
“Nanobubbles have a unique property, different from micro and macro bubbles. They attract certain chemicals like oils, surfactants, fats, and grease. When these tiny bubbles burst, they release the energy that breaks apart these complex compounds.” - John Crisman
"Our company and our technology actually work to partially oxidize these types of chemicals before they get to the biological process, breaking them down to a level where they're no longer toxic and instead, they're actually food for the biological process." - John Crisman
“With water scarcity we have to deal with these chemicals and not just dilute them. The increased concentrations of waste is going up in industrial facilities as they recycle more of their own water and use less. So really, we have to come up with a solution.” - John Crisman
“ Bring in your community. Bring them into your waste water treatment plant to see what's going on and partner with them to reduce surfactants.” - John Crisman
Connect with John Crisman
Phone: 805.286.6905
Email: JohnC@moleaer.com
Website: www.moleaer.com
LinkedIn: in/john-crisman-31b35b46
company/moleaer
Links Mentioned
Moleaer's Nanobubble Technology Instrumental in Removal of Surfactants at Goleta Sanitary District
Opinion: Simple ways to lighten the load on our water treatment plants by John Crisman
Goleta Sanitary District Case Study: Selective Oxidation of Inhibitory Compounds to Improve WRRF Efficiency
Sales of Lysol Up as a Result of the Coronavirus Pandemic
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
The molecular formula for magnesium hydroxide is Mg(OH)2. That’s one magnesium atom and two oxygen-hydrogen or hydroxyl groups. How does this compare to sodium hydroxide? In what form is magnesium hydroxide available? What color is it? How do you get magnesium hydroxide into solution? How much mixing does it need? What are its uses in industrial water treatment? Why would one use magnesium hydroxide over sodium hydroxide, lime, or other similar chemistries?
Sunflower oil wastewater can be a real challenge for water treaters. Explore innovative solutions to the complex problem of oil wastewater treatment in this insightful episode featuring Dr. Swati Sharma. Swati Sharma, Ph.D., a distinguished expert in the field from Water Engineering Inc.
Dr. Swati Sharma's credentials are impressive. She holds an engineering degree in environmental and biotechnology with a minor in chemical engineering, specializing in wastewater treatment. Her expertise is backed by groundbreaking research, including her thesis titled "How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process", which she graciously shares with our audience today. Gain insights into electrooxidation processes and valuable advice for aspiring water treatment researchers.
Here are five key takeaways from this engaging conversation:
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- The Journey of an Industry Expert: Dr. Swati Sharma shares her remarkable journey into the water treatment industry, highlighting her academic background and the motivating factors that led her to become a lifelong learner. It's a testament to the dedication and commitment of water professionals.
- Sunflower Oil Wastewater Treatment: Explore Dr. Sharma's groundbreaking research on treating sunflower oil wastewater. Understand the challenges faced by industries, what options are out there, and which process is best for your wastewater.
- Electrooxidation Processes Unveiled: Delve into the world of electrooxidation processes, including electrocoagulation, electrooxidation, and electrochemical peroxidation. Discover how each process can effectively treat different types of wastewater.
- Tips for Aspiring Researchers: Dr. Sharma offers valuable advice for aspiring researchers in the water treatment industry. Learn the importance of selecting specific problems to solve, reading existing research, embracing failures, and turning them into opportunities for growth.
The episode delves into the heart of Dr. Sharma's groundbreaking research, focusing on the treatment of sunflower oil wastewater—an issue faced by countless industries. As you immerse yourself in this enriching conversation, you'll not only enhance your understanding of wastewater treatment but also gain inspiration from Dr. Sharma's expertise and unwavering commitment.
Timestamps
[01:00] - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
[06:45] - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
[09:00] - Introducing Swati Sharma Ph.D
[15:15] - Exploring Dr. Swati Sharma’s Thesis “How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process”
[41:00] - Trace Blackmore encourages you to write your own technical paper and present your findings at an upcoming conference
Quotes
“You need to use different chemicals for different kinds of waste removal.” - Dr. Swati Sharma
“I found that each Wastewater was so different in its characteristics, that each of these three treatments behaved completely differently. Electrocoagulation (EC) was really good with the canola oil, whereas I found that Electrooxidation (EO) was a better process for sugar beets, which are really high in organic loading.” - Dr. Swati Sharma
“Sometimes your hypothesis doesn’t match your findings and it’s hard. You dedicate so many hours of your life to your study and you are so passionate about this, and it's demotivating at times. But you have to learn what has failed and why it has failed. Find the reason behind your failure and it will lead to your success. That's what I believe in.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “Wastewater is like math, it’s like a game. You have to understand it and enjoy doing it. It’s a puzzle, you need to connect the dots to make a beautiful picture.” - Dr. Swati Sharma
“It’s not about the addition of chemicals, it’s about understanding the characteristics of your wastewater. Ph, temperature, composition, where is it coming from and where is it going - all of these matters matter. Understanding how these work is important.” - Dr. Swati Sharma “Advice for all water professionals: Ask for help. We hesitate to ask for help, but we are one nation. It's not necessary for you to know everything. We are all together in this. Be there for everyone else and also seek help and guidance from everyone else. I'm so proud to be a part of this industry as a whole because, not only do I enjoy doing what I do, and I get to learn so much every single day. It's a new learning opportunity for me every single time. I just cannot be happy enough to be in this industry.” - Dr. Swati Sharma
Connect with Dr. Swati Sharma
Phone: 402.624.2286
Email: ssharma@h2oeng.com
Website: www.h2oeng.com
LinkedIn: in/swati-sharma-ph-d-91449518
company/water-engineering-inc
Read or Download Dr. Swati Sharma’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
“How to Estimate the Best Treatment Conditions for Sunflower Oil Wastewater Using Advanced Electrooxidation Process” - Thesis by Dr. Swati Sharma
Follow Dr. Swati Sharma on Google Scholar and be updated on her publications
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned
Wastewater Engineering: Treatment and Resource Recovery by Inc. Metcalf & Eddy
Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
How soluble is calcium phosphate? Is it more or less soluble than calcium carbonate? How could the degradation of other water treatment chemicals lead to formation of calcium phosphate in a system? How could the inclusion of phosphate-based chemistry in the incoming makeup water, such as city water, impact the formation of calcium phosphate, especially if you aren’t checking for such chemistry? How do you clean calcium phosphate scales? What is the impact of pH and temperature on calcium phosphate scale formation? Can you predict the solubility of calcium phosphate? How do you prevent calcium phosphate scale? When would you actually WANT to produce calcium phosphate precipitation in a water system?
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to Scaling Up H2O, the podcast that empowers water treatment professionals like you to level up their knowledge and systems. I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and in this educational "Pinks and Blues" episode, we're unraveling the fascinating world of Enhanced Chiller Tubes.
The Basics Enhanced Chiller Tubes are engineered marvels, designed to turbocharge heat transfer while keeping fouling at bay. Think of them as elite athletes for your chiller system, ensuring unparalleled efficiency.
Unveiling the Benefits Discover how Enhanced Chiller Tubes can supercharge chiller efficiency, leading to energy savings, reduced downtime, and enhanced reliability. We'll explain how they make your clients happier and your bottom line healthier.
Exploring Types Explore the diverse universe of Enhanced Chiller Tubes, including microfin, rifled, low-finned tubes, and more. Learn how each type offers distinct advantages tailored to different applications.
Challenges and Considerations We'll address potential challenges, such as increased pressure drop and fouling concerns, providing insights on how to mitigate these issues for optimal performance.
Maintenance Maintaining Enhanced Chiller Tubes is crucial for sustained efficiency. We'll discuss cleaning methods, surfactants, dispersants, and other strategies to keep your system in top shape.
Success Stories Discover real-world success stories where Enhanced Chiller Tubes transformed heat exchanger efficiency, leading to smaller footprints and impressive results.
The Future Peek into the future of Enhanced Chiller Tubes, where nanotechnology and innovative coatings promise even greater efficiency gains. The future is bright, and we're ready to push boundaries.
Join us on this enlightening journey to scale up your knowledge and keep your water treatment systems at their peak performance. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your expertise in industrial water treatment!
Timestamps
[01:00] Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
[10:00] Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
[12:00] Answering Listener questions about Enhanced Tubes
-
-
- Understanding Enhanced Chiller Tubes - Benefits of Enhanced Chiller Tubes - Types of Enhanced Chiller Tubes - Challenges and Considerations - Maintenance - Industry Success Stories - The Future of Enhanced Chiller Tubes
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[44:30] Closing thoughts
Quotes “Enhanced Chiller Tubes deliver a colossal boost to chiller efficiency, which translates into undeniable energy savings and a substantially elongated operational lifespan.” - Trace Blackmore “The diversity within the world of enhanced chiller tubes is truly a sight to behold. We've got microfin, rifled, and even low-finned tubes, each boasting their own unique characteristics and advantages. These tubes aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, my friends.” - Trace Blackmore
“Every triumph has its trials, and enhanced chiller tubes are no exception. While they bring forth a plethora of perks, it's crucial to remain cognizant of potential downsides, such as an uptick in pressure drop or a susceptibility to erosion.” - Trace Blackmore
“From cutting-edge nanotechnology to innovative coatings, the horizon holds tantalizing prospects that could potentially catapult chiller efficiency to even loftier heights. The future is bright, water treaters, and it's beckoning us to push the boundaries of what's possible.” - Trace Blackmore
“Our job is all about the management of efficient heat transfer. It's because we are heat transfer efficiency managers and we want to keep the surfaces clean. Why? Because clean surfaces allow us to efficiently take heat from wherever we are taking it from and pass it all the way down the line.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
96 The One That Helps Introverts
202 The One Where We Learn The Best Ways To Network in a Virtual World
Legionella Resources
Guidelines for Treatment of Systems Containing Enhanced and Super-Enhanced Tubes published by Association of Water Technologies (AWT)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is polyacrylate? What is it used for? What is a typical molecular weight range for polyacrylate? Is it any good at inhibiting calcium carbonate scale? What about calcium sulfate? What about iron? At what concentrations is polyacrylate typically applied? Does the molecular weight of polyacrylate impact the method in which it inhibits scale formation? What is the chemical formula for the basic monomer in polyacrylate?
Today, we are scaling up our knowledge of supply chain management and small business resilience with our special guest, Dave Fitzgerald. Dave, who oversees a small team at a 102-year-old chemical manufacturing company, shares his expertise on critical topics that impact water treatment professionals. From understanding the complexities of molybdenum and the challenges of azole tariffs to navigating the phosphonates market, Dave provides valuable insights to help you make informed decisions in a dynamic landscape.
Discover how small businesses like Dave's thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic by prioritizing customer needs and maintaining inventory, even in the face of higher costs and delays. Dave's commitment to reliability and customer satisfaction shines through as he discusses the importance of serving customers and shares his willingness to go the extra mile.
Join us as we explore the key takeaways from Dave's experience, including the importance of small businesses in finding innovative solutions, the challenges of reshoring, and the potential for lower tariffs to reduce costs. Learn how to apply inventory intelligence to enhance profitability and make better inventory decisions.
This episode is a must-listen for water treaters looking to scale up their knowledge and optimize their operations. Tune in to gain valuable insights that can help you thrive in today's ever-changing market. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your inventory intelligence and boost your bottom line.
Timestamps
1:00 Trace Blackmore invites you to be part of the water community 4:15 Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
6:10 Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
11:00 Interview with Dave Fitzgerald Of North Metal & Chemical Co. about mastering inventory and product costs
49:30 Lightning Round Questions
Quotes
“Molybdenum is a crazy product. Most of the primary molybdenum mines have closed down because there is residual molybdenum available in copper mines. It's a byproduct of copper mines, meaning that the copper market ends up driving how much molybdenum is dug out of the ground.” - Dave Fitzgerald
“The volatility of azoles has been difficult to manage and to import.” - Dave Fitzgerald
“Phosphonates go through cycles over the course of the year.” - Dave Fitzgerald
“We found during COVID, that it was the small companies that could go ahead and dig in and find ways to take care of customers, when larger companies (just because of the nature of their size), because of the different silos, and sometimes because their key performance indicators would keep them from doing the right thing and making the purchases, it may be these higher prices.” - Dave Fitzgerald
Connect with Dave Fitzgerald
Phone: 717.845.8648
Email: dfitzgerald@northchem.com
Website: northchem.com
LinkedIn: in/dave-fitzgerald-b9809475
Read or Download Dave Fitzgerald’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Industrial Water Week 2024
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The Gap and Gain by Dan Sullivan with Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Be Your Future Self Now: The Science of Intentional Transformation by Dr. Benjamin Hardy
10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt with Jeff Cox
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
The chemical formula of citric acid is C6H8O7. Its preferred IUPAC name is 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid. How is citric acid used in industrial water treatment? In what concentrations is it available? Have you ever used it? Is citric acid a strong or weak acid? Does it react with metals? If used to clean a system, what precautions or special measures should be taken? Can citric acid in a system interfere with any water analysis you may be conducting?
Water treatment is not just a crucial element of our infrastructure; it's the very foundation of clean, safe drinking water for our communities. Imagine a scenario where hackers breach a community's water supply, contaminating it with hazardous chemicals, and suddenly, everyone is at risk. This isn't a distant threat; it's a reality we must confront. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we're here to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity within the water treatment industry.
Water treaters, it's time to scale up on knowledge! Your role is pivotal in ensuring the well-being of countless individuals who rely on clean water. Unfortunately, cybersecurity in water treatment often takes a backseat, leaving systems vulnerable. Attorney Justin Daniels, our esteemed guest, a seasoned expert in corporate M&A and tech transactions, shares why this issue demands immediate attention.
As Justin Daniels aptly puts it, "Water treatment is on the forefront of concern from a cybersecurity perspective because it can have such widespread and significant consequences. The other thing that makes it so challenging is it doesn't always get the tender love and care from a budgetary and resource perspective which makes it an even more attractive opportunity to make a splash in the worst way of the word, not the pun we would intend."
Join us as we scale up on knowledge about:
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-
- Protecting sensitive data in water treatment. - Safeguarding customers and communities from cyber threats. - Navigating government regulations tied to cybersecurity. - Cultivating robust cybersecurity habits and a proactive mindset. - The influence of artificial intelligence on cybersecurity. - Scrutinizing and securing your technology ecosystem's applications and permissions. - Immediate actions for a safer approach to phone usage.
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Don't miss "The Hidden Threat: Cybersecurity in Water Treatment." Ignoring this critical issue is not an option. Our water supply's security is on the line, and it's time to take action. Join us and be a part of ensuring clean water access for all communities.
Timestamps
1:00 Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
8:30 Public speaking, TED talks, and entrepreneurship
10:30 Interview with Justin Daniels on how water treaters can protect themselves and their communities from cyber security risks
31:00 Justin’s TED Talk experience and public speaking advice
43:00 Justin’s advice on M&A and risk management
51:30 Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“Water treatment is a critical part of critical infrastructure.” - Justin Daniels
“One of the biggest challenges you have is that you have OT (operational technology) and (IT) your system network, so you need to narrowly focus who has access to them and to what level they have access. This requires high effort and resources.” - Justin Daniels
“Technology is only as good as the motivations behind the people using it.” - Justin Daniels
“I want business owners to use cyber security to build customer trust. I want to use privacy to build trust because ‘how you treat people's data is how you treat them’.” - Justin Daniels
Connect with Justin Daniels
Phone: 404.229.6847
Email: jdaniels@bakerdonelson.com
Website: www.bakerdonelson.com
LinkedIn: in/justinsdaniels
/company/baker-donelson
Read or Download Justin Daniels’ Press Release HERE
Listen to the She Said Privacy/He Said Security Podcast with Justin and Jodi Daniels
Data Reimagined: Building Trust One Byte at a Time by Justin and Jodi Daniels
Justin Daniels Links Mentioned
The Oldsmar, Florida Sodium Hydroxide Case
The Colonial Pipeline Hacking Case
SEC Adopts Rules on Cybersecurity Risk Management, Strategy, Governance, and Incident Disclosure by Public Companies
Homeland Security Division CISA (Critical, Infrastructure, and Security Agency)
FBI and CISA's #StopRansomware
National Institute of Standards and Technology’s The Cyber Security Framework (CFF)
TEDxTalk: Justin Daniels’ You hold the key to overcoming cyber-threats
Justin Daniels headlined Atlanta Cyber Week 2017
The 7-38-55 Rule
Podcast Links Mentioned
Industrial Water Week 2024
The Hang
325 Rising Together: Conquering Challenges through Collective Support
060 The One About Public Speaking
TED Talks
TED YouTube Channel
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Data Reimagined: Building Trust One Byte at a Time by Justin and Jodi Daniels
TED Talks by Chris Anderson
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What do the letters ATP stand for? How do cells use ATP? How do you test for ATP? Why would you want to test for ATP? Is ATP found only in living cells or can it be found in dead cells, too? Does this distinction matter? Can the concentration of ATP be correlated to plate counts of microorganisms? When cleaning a system, what do changes in the ATP concentration tell you?
Welcome to the grand finale of Industrial Water Week 2023, Careers Friday! As we bring this year's celebration to a close, we're placing a spotlight on the significance of careers in industrial water treatment. Our goal is to provide water treatment professionals of all ages with the tools to enhance their understanding of generational perspectives on work, individual needs, and unique working styles. Our goal is to educate and serve as a valuable resource for professionals in the water industry, empowering employees to recognize the value of their own contributions and appreciate the diverse strengths that individuals from different generations bring to the company. Together, we create healthy and balanced water workplaces that benefit everyone.
We are pulling the most valuable insights from our episode vault featuring Chris Yee, the owner of Zenith Search Partners. We've carefully curated the most impactful segments from Chris' previous episodes, "Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 1 and 2." Whether you're embarking on your career journey or are a seasoned professional, Chris shares invaluable wisdom. He's a trusted authority in crafting a resilient and harmonious multigenerational workforce, dedicated to bridging unnecessary generational divides.
Are you curious what are the five generations currently active in water treatment and their age ranges? Wondered how each generation approaches work? Chris addresses these questions, shedding light on the unique work styles and needs of employees from each of the five generations.
And here's a fantastic reminder – Industrial Water Week isn't just a one-time event; it's an annual celebration that occurs every first week of October. Mark your calendars and join us in commemorating this important occasion.
As always, we're here to help you scale up on knowledge so you don't scale up your systems.
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
-Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
0:01 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Careers Friday
9:50 - Chris Yee, owner of Zenith Search Partners talking about how to build the best multi generational company
20:10 - Detective H2O in The Case of Hard Diagnosis
Quotes
“No matter what generation an employee falls into, all employees need the following 4 things: Trust, Compassion, Stability, and Hope.”- Chris Yee “Have a clear corporate vision, clear corporate values, and make sure that they're not just talk or words or a poster, or a tagline, or part of your signature block.” - Chris Yee
“Engage your employees. Act like you care. Show them that you care by asking, “how are you doing?” - Chris Yee
Connect with Chris Yee
Phone: 713-936-9601
Email: Chris@ZenithSearchPartners.com
Website: Zenith Search Partners
LinkedIn: company/chemrecruiter
Understand a Multigenerational Workforce better by downloading the infographic HERE
Learn the 4 things all employees need HERE
Links Mentioned
Free Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
scalinguph2o.com/300
scalinguph2o.com/301
Water Cake
Welcome to a special episode of Wastewater Thursday, part of this year's Industrial Water Week celebration. I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and today, we're revisiting an enlightening conversation from earlier this year with the distinguished Dr. Rakesh Govind.
In this episode, Dr. Govind delves into the pressing issues and the future of wastewater treatment. He highlights the challenge of our current centralized wastewater treatment systems, where vast networks of sewer lines transport water to centralized plants. Unfortunately, most of these plants discharge their treated water into rivers that ultimately lead to the ocean, resulting in a loss of precious groundwater resources. The consequences of this unsustainable practice are far-reaching and could have severe repercussions for future generations.
Dr. Govind advocates for a paradigm shift towards decentralized wastewater treatment. By treating water locally and returning it to the ground where it originates, we can restore and regenerate groundwater tables. This proactive approach is not just an environmental necessity; it's vital for our survival. Without a sustainable water supply, we jeopardize not only our environment but also our economies and societies.
But what about the return on investment (ROI) for transitioning to decentralized systems? Dr. Govind asserts that the ROI is compelling. Decentralized treatment offers a more resilient and reliable solution, especially in the face of natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, or rising sea levels. Unlike centralized systems that can leave entire communities without wastewater treatment during such events, decentralized systems provide a more robust safety net for everyone.
As Dr. Govind emphasizes, the technology and water sensing capabilities for effective wastewater treatment exist today. It's time for industries and individuals to seriously consider reducing their net water consumption. Freshwater is a finite resource, and its scarcity threatens our way of life. The responsibility falls on all of us to safeguard our water resources for the generations to come.
Join us in exploring these crucial topics and more as we unlock the potential of wastewater, an often overlooked resource. Be sure to check out our Industrial Water Week Resources page for additional insights into Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling, Wastewater, and Careers.
Don't forget to tune in tomorrow as we wrap up this year's Industrial Water Week with Careers Friday.
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
0:01- Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Wastewater Thursday
7:45 - Dr. Rakesh Govind on The Future of Wastewater
13:30 - Detective H2O in The Case of Seeing the Dead
Quotes
“I want to leave the listeners with the idea: that the technology of wastewater treatment is advanced enough today and the technology of water sensing is advanced enough today to be able to do a very good job on a local level, thereby reducing the net water consumption. They should seriously look at reducing their net water consumption because freshwater on the planet is running out. If freshwater runs out at the location where they have their plant, their company cannot operate as they are operating right now; their existence is at stake.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Free Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
Episode 303 with Dr. Rakesh Govind
NextGen Septic
Welcome back to Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast for water treaters, by water treaters, and happy Industrial Water Week’s Cooling Wednesday, Scaling UP! Nation! Today, we're delving into a topic that's crucial for our industry: effective communication and understanding the cooling equipment we're treating.
In this episode, we revisit a fantastic moment from the podcast vault, featuring Chris Nagle. Chris, a Legionella Bacteria and Cooling Tower Expert at EVAPCO, joined us in 2021 for an episode titled "The One About Cooling Towers and Legionella Bacteria." Thanks to Chris and the EVAPCO team, water treaters worldwide have gained invaluable insights into our craft.
During this enlightening conversation, Chris and I explore the idea that not all equipment is cut from the same cloth. From adiabatic systems to evaporative condensers, each type boasts unique characteristics that require tailored water treatment approaches. Chris eloquently sums it up with, "When we stop thinking of everything as a cooling tower, we can fine-tune our programs and think in terms of how the water is actually being used in that process."
Discover the transformative power of using precise language when communicating with equipment manufacturers, and witness how it can elevate your water treatment prowess. Prepare to scale up your knowledge and sharpen your approach to water treatment equipment.
Join us in celebrating Industrial Water Week 2023 and gear up for a week filled with enrichment. Don't miss this insightful episode that's bound to help you become a master of water treatment equipment. Remember, we're scaling up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems!
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
-Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
0:01- Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Cooling Wednesday
4:30 - Chris Nagle of EVAPCO talking about what is and isn’t a Cooling Tower
10:45 - Detective H2O in The Case of the Dye Job
Quotes
“When we stop thinking of everything as a cooling tower, we can fine-tune our programs.” - Chris Nagle
“It's important for the water treatment professional to think about what is this equipment I'm actually treating, let's get the right name so that we can communicate effectively and get the right program.” - Chris Nagle
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Free Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
scalinguph2o.com/199
Website with James McDonald’s H2O Stories
Welcome to another exciting episode of Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast that's taking you through Industrial Water Week 2023! I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and today, we're diving deep into the world of boilers on this special "Boiler Tuesday" episode.
In honor of Boiler Tuesday, we're revisiting Episode 318, where Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor from WARE shared their insights on the power of steam and its immense impact on our daily lives. These guys make boilers fun, and their materials are fantastic for training, even for those who aren't technically inclined.
Steam is everywhere, and most people don't realize just how crucial it is. It's in your carpet, your drywall, your appliances, your food, and so much more. If we removed steam from the equation, our lives would look drastically different. We need more people to understand the significance of what we do in this industry.
This is a rewarding field, but it's not without its challenges. However, it's a trade that makes a real difference, and the heart of many industrial operations is the boiler. When that boiler goes down, no matter how great your team is or how fantastic your products are, everything grinds to a halt. It's a reminder of the vital role we play in the world.
So, let's make it our mission this week and beyond to invite more people into this incredible industry. Let's keep celebrating, learning, and growing together. And don't forget to share your boiler photos with the hashtag #IWWeek23.
Join us tomorrow for another episode dedicated to "Cooling Wednesday." Until then, keep scaling UP! in the best industry in the world – Industrial Water Treatment!
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
-Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
0:01- Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Boiler Tuesday
6:19 - Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor of WARE on the power of steam
12:45 - Detective H2O in The Case of Standing
Quotes
“Stack temperature is the quickest way to find out if we ever have a heat conversion problem.” - Steven Taylor “I wish everybody understood how important steam is.” - Ritchie Ware
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Free Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
Episode 318 Boilers: Handling Pressure Like the Pros
WARE’s website www.wareinc.com
Welcome to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, your go-to source for all things industrial water treatment. I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, and I’m thrilled to kick off this year’s Industrial Water Week 2023 with a bang! This year marks our 6th year celebrating our industry’s favorite holiday, and we're making it extra special by bringing you a brand new episode every single day this week.
We’re raising the bar of the water treatment industry on this Pretreatment Monday with past guest, Wes Bryne, the esteemed author of "Reverse Osmosis."
As Wes shares, "The particular Pretreatment, of course, will have a lot to do with the quality of the incoming water and how bad it is for that RO system if we had to put it in the RO system." The importance of proper Pretreatment cannot be understated, and Wes provides invaluable insights into its impact on system efficiency and longevity.
But that's not all! We've got an exclusive Detective H2O story titled The Case of Normalization written and presented by industry favorite, James McDonald. In the entertaining and educational story, James reminds us that, “Reverse Osmosis systems are a great technology, they can save a ton of money in boiler fuel costs and water costs.”
At Scaling UP! H2O, our mission goes beyond merely expanding your knowledge; we're dedicated to kindling enthusiasm and inquisitiveness about the diverse careers and professional possibilities within industrial water treatment. As we mark Pretreatment Monday, we invite you, our listeners, to unite with us in amplifying awareness about this amazing industry. Whether you're considering a fresh career path or you've recently donned the graduation cap, the realm of industrial water promises boundless avenues for professional advancement.
And here's a challenge for all you wonderful listeners: Take a moment today to reflect on your career journey and send a heartfelt thank-you card to the people who helped you get to where you are today. Because just like the world of industrial water, gratitude flows in all directions.
Join us in celebrating Industrial Water Week 2023, and get ready for an enriching week ahead.
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
-Trace Blackmore, CWT
Timestamps
00:01- Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Industrial Water Week’s Pretreatment Monday
07:30 - Clip with Wes Bryne from Episode 35 about Pretreatment
11:15 - Detective H2O in The Case of Normalization
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Free Industrial Water Week Resources
Industrial Water Week
317 Cracking the Code of the Workforce Crisis: Understanding the Demographic Drought with Ron Hetrick
300 Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 1 with Chris Yee
301 Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 2 with Chris Yee
035 The One with RO Expert, Wes Byrne
Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide for Industrial Users by Wes Bryne
Welcome back to a special re-airing of the most popular episode from 2022 on Scaling UP! H2O - the Pinks and Blues series titled "Cooling Towers, Part 1." I'm your host, Trace Blackmore, CWT, and we're taking a deep dive into the world of Cooling Towers.
For our newer listeners, Pinks and Blues episodes are our team’s favorite way of answering our listener’s burning questions, and this time, we're tackling a question that's crucial to anyone involved in water treatment: "What are the dos and don'ts of cleaning a Cooling Tower?"
But before we can uncover those important dos and don'ts, we need to truly understand what a Cooling Tower is and why its maintenance is so vital. Cooling Towers are the unsung heroes working behind the scenes, responsible for the efficient exchange of heat in various industrial processes.
This episode marks the beginning of a favored two-part series where we explore the ins and outs of Cooling Towers. So fasten your seatbelts, because we're about to embark on a knowledge-packed journey that will transform the way you think about these vital components of heat exchange.
Why should you care about keeping your Cooling Towers in top shape? Well, I'll tell you why proactive maintenance matters and how neglecting these systems can lead to decreased efficiency, higher energy costs, and even safety concerns.
As I always say, a Cooling Tower that's not operating at its best is a missed opportunity for optimal heat transfer. Throughout this episode, we'll be unraveling the intricacies of Cooling Tower performance and the fine balance between chemical treatments and mechanical processes. Remember, it's all about achieving that perfect "quadrinity" for the best results.
Your roadside friend on the journey to better water treatment,
Trace
Timestamps
1:00 - Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the most popular episode from 2022
6:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
12:00 - Answering Listener Questions
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- What do we need to know about cleaning a Cooling Tower? - What is a Cooling Tower and how does it work? - What does it mean when “a Cooling Tower is not running efficiently?” - How do you stay safe when inspecting a Cooling Tower? - What is the ripple effect when a Cooling Tower isn’t working properly? - How often should we clean a Cooling Tower? - What is Cooling Tower Quadrinity? - Why a filter is important
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38:00 - What do you want to hear about on future podcast episodes?
41:00 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes:
“Less surface area for the water to come in contact with the air means that the Cooling Tower is less efficient as a heat exchanger.” - Trace Blackmore
“A Cooling Tower is a heat transfer device because it allows air to interface with water, and that interface is the heat exchange.” - Trace Blackmore
“If there is dirt and debris in that tower somewhere, it's not allowing us to be efficient.” - Trace Blackmore
“A non-efficient heat transfer device is not doing a very good job at transferring heat.” - Trace Blackmore
“A successful Legionella program is not that you have no Legionella in the system ever, it's that you know how much Legionella is in the system.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
004 It’s Not Easy Being Green! (the episode with Charlie Cichetti)
The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Episode 240 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 2
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
I tried to think of a bromide to say with this one, but my brain had no reaction. How soluble is sodium bromide? Is sodium bromide itself a biocide? If not, how is it used for microbiological control? When mixing sodium hypochlorite and sodium bromide, what is the theoretical mixture ratio to achieve complete conversion? Should an excess of sodium hypochlorite be fed to ensure complete conversion? What if you want a mixture both hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid? What ratios of sodium hypochlorite and sodium bromide should you feed? What challenges could one face when using sodium bromide for microbiological control?
Are you ready to elevate your expertise and tackle the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) exam? Join us for an engaging episode that promises to supercharge your CWT study journey without adding additional stress!
Trace Blackmore and Justin Reyes, Regional Manager at EAI Water, share their best advice for taking the CWT exam, unveiling a treasure trove of insights and expert strategies.
Tune in to discover:
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- Behind-the-scenes insights into EAI's leadership team's CWT preparation. - Managing time constraints and exam jitters for a stress-free test-taking experience. - A sneak peek into the exam center setting and do's and don'ts for the test day. - Unlocking your reference materials' potential for optimum preparation. - Justin's empowering advice for confidence-boosting. - Tailored testing strategies for technical degree holders. - EAI's recognition and rewards for accomplished CWTs. - Justin's personal recommendation: The Scaling UP! H2O CWT Prep Course.
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Trace and Justin's wisdom will steer you towards triumph as you embark on your mission to become a Certified Water Technologist. Scale up your knowledge today by tuning in to this career boosting episode.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore challenges you to get your Certified Water Technologist designation this year [1:00]
Getting to know Justin Reyes, Regional Manager at EAI Water [6:00]
Getting your Certified Water Technologist designation [13:00]
Lighting Round Questions [41:30]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [49:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [51:05]
Even more Events for Water Treatment Professionals [52:00]
Quotes
“There’s over 5,000 questions that could appear on your CWT Exam; everyone’s test will be unique.” - Trace Blackmore
“I enjoyed the CWT Prep Course and felt well prepared after taking it.” - Justin Reyes
“For your slow test takers, be careful. The clock never stops during the exam.” - Justin Reyes
“Even if you don’t pass it, it’s a win because you are getting experience. You have a laser focused study approach when you retake it.” - Trace Blackmore
“We believe in compensation. We encourage people to take the exam. We give employees a bonus for passing, and achieving, and becoming a CWT, and a merit increase or a pay raise too once they achieve it as well. As a company, we're putting our money where our mouth is by encouraging people to get their CWT and rewarding them as well.” - Justin Reyes
Connect with Justin Reyes
Phone: 909.841.7476
Email: jnreyes@eaiwater.com
Website: eaiwater.com
LinkedIn: in/justin-reyes-6118a7184/
Links Mentioned
Episode 297 The Latest About Getting Your CWT (with Chris Golden)
Episode 262 The One About Hiring the Best Water Treaters (with Chris Bellizzi)
Episode 198 The One Where We Revisit The Entrepreneurial Operating System (with Mark Winters)
Episode 146 The One Where We Bring EOS and Sales Together (with Adam Shapiro)
Episode 85 The One With The Business Operating System (with Mike Paton)
Episode 38 The One That Shows Us How To Run Our Business (with Mark Winters)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
What the Heck Is EOS?: A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS by Gino Wickman
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
The Jack Reacher by Lee and Andrew Child
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Today’s topic is a little basic, but what is borate? What is it used for? What’s its chemical formula? Is there only one? How are borate and borax related? In what products is borate used? What are typical dosages for borate? How do you measure the level of borate within a system? What are common pH levels maintained when using borate? What could a high level of borate but a low level of nitrite indicate in a closed loop system?
Venture beyond the confines of your comfort zone and embark on an exhilarating journey of personal growth and discovery, all through the power of public speaking. Are you prepared to embrace a challenge that promises to elevate both your professional path and life's trajectory? Our latest podcast episode is a resounding call to action, inviting you to step out of the ordinary and conquer the obstacles that hinder your progress.
Picture this: a group of visionaries from The Rising Tide Mastermind, driven by their thirst for excellence, tuned in to the wisdom of Chris Anderson's masterpiece, TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking. But they didn't stop at absorbing knowledge; they transformed Chris’ words into action.
Fast forward to May 2023. Imagine a room filled with dozens of Mastermind Members ready to put their public speaking prowess to the ultimate test. Each Member presented on a topic they selected because it was important to themselves, and having that personal connection to the materials being presented shone through in their voices as they took the stage. Within this space, water professionals, much like you, embraced the TED Talk public speaking format, revealing their insights to an audience of peers and professionals. This dynamic event wasn’t just about sharing ideas; it was a celebration of pushing boundaries, fostering camaraderie, and nurturing growth.
This special episode serves as a testament to what's attainable when you confront a fresh challenge, surrounded by kindred spirits who champion your triumphs. As a water treatment professional, you're no stranger to the transformative potential of processes, and this scenario is no exception. While you listen, keep in mind that the avenue to advancement often meanders outside of your comfort zone.
Would you like to nominate a speaker from this episode for the illustrious TED stage? Your path to scaling up the water treatment industry begins below. ⬇️
Discover firsthand the heights achievable when determination meets unwavering support. It's an ode to what can be achieved when you set your intentions and lean on a supportive community to cheer you on toward greatness.
Timestamps
Introducing this year’s Rising Tide Mastermind Live Event challenge [1:00]
James Courtney The Importance of Global Fish Sustainability [22:00]
Mindy Petrocy Embracing Individuality and the Invisible Diagnosis [31:20]
Jill Cavano What are You Waiting For; Start Your Bucket List Today [38:20]
Thomas Hardy It is never the right time to Volunteer [44:50]
Brett Glenna Seeing The World with Chartreuse Colored Glasses [51:00]
Connor Hanrahan Memento Mullet: The Story of Two Fish Learning to Swim [58:28]
Closing Thoughts with Trace [1:08:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:14:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [1:15:30]
Nominate a Speaker from this episode to appear on the TED stage. It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3:
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- Follow the instructions in THIS link to Nominate a Speaker to TED 2. Copy the Speaker’s professional profile, see links below, and paste the link into the “Please share a brief biography that includes information about this potential future TED speaker’s connection to their talk topic” section 3. Copy this podcast episode link (scalinguph2o.com/325) in the “Please provide links to online video or audio featuring the proposed speaker” section
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*Don’t forget to click the “Submit” button in the bottom right once you’ve completed your Nomination.
Speakers professional profiles:
James Courtney: in/james-courtney-cwt-leed-ap-379a6877
Mindy Petrocy: in/mindy-petrocy-71b84599
Jill Cavano: scrantonassociates.com/about_the_owner.html
Thomas Hardy: in/thomas-hardy-3410b728
Brett Glenna: in/brettglenna
Connor Hanrahan: in/connor-hanrahan-6a19021b
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
mulletparty.com
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking by Chris Anderson
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Some of these words are fun to say and impress your family and friends. But back to the subject at hand, EDTA. What is it used for? What’s its chemical formula? What does EDTA typically react with? It’s called a chelant, but does the word chelant mean? What are the advantages of using EDTA in a boiler water system? What are some warnings and precautions with using EDTA in a boiler system? What are the dangers of overfeeding EDTA? What about underfeeding? Does EDTA react stoichiometrically with cations? What does this mean? Is EDTA synergistic with any other water treatment chemistries, such as polymers and phosphates? How do you test for EDTA? What do the phrases free chelant, combined chelant, and total chelant mean? Are there any other chelant alternatives to EDTA? Do you use any treatment products that contain EDTA?
Are you curious about the myriad career paths available within the realm of water? Join your host, Trace Blackmore, CWT, on an engrossing journey as he engages in a riveting conversation with Chelsea Farmer, the brilliant Product Manager at Radical Polymers and a distinguished recipient of AWT’s esteemed Rising Star Award.
In this episode, we unveil Chelsea's unique expedition into the industry. Raised in a family deeply rooted in water knowledge and technology, Chelsea's trajectory into water wasn't entirely unexpected. Yet, armed with a recent degree in chemistry, biology, and entomology, her venture into the field took an unforeseen turn. Discover how Chelsea's diverse skill set, coupled with the allure of growth, propelled her into becoming a pioneer within this dynamic industry.
Step into Chelsea's laboratory and witness the nexus of experimentation and ingenuity, shaping the future of water treatment technologies firsthand.
Embark on a journey through the revolutionary realm of Tagged Polymers, as Chelsea unveils their game-changing potential—enabling meticulous tracking and profound customer insights.
Unveil the secrets of new product development as Chelsea unravels the complexities, triumphs, and exhilarating odyssey of innovation.
Delve into the meticulous testing protocols that underpin product effectiveness, pushing industry benchmarks to new heights and ensuring utmost customer satisfaction.
Chelsea casts a retrospective gaze on the industry's most transformative breakthroughs, offering a tantalizing glimpse into its remarkable evolution.
Engage in an insightful dialogue about the industry's deliberate pace of transformation and the myriad factors that mold its trajectory.
Peer into the future of water treatment as Chelsea paints a compelling picture of forthcoming prospects, providing an all-encompassing view of the industry's boundless expansion.
Whether you're navigating your career path, contemplating shifts, or seeking to enrich your water treatment acumen, Chelsea's wealth of experience and expertise promises a trove of insights for every podcast enthusiast.
Chelsea Farmer's narrative, woven with unexpected twists and unwavering passion, shines a beacon on the limitless potential within industrial water treatment.
Timestamps
1:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
8:00- Captain H2O invites everyone to celebrate Industrial Water Week 2023
13:00 - AWT Convention and the AWT Rising Star Award
18:00 - Interview with Chelsea Farmer, Product Manager at Radical Polymers about Career Possibilities in Industrial Water Treatment
44:00 - Sponsoring the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast
49:00 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“I never planned to work in this industry. I majored in chemistry and biology and went to grad school for entomology. When I finished graduate school I realized there was a great opportunity to learn a lot of new skills and there was a lot of room for growth and development in this industry. It has been a great opportunity, I’ve grown a lot and learned a lot.” - Chelsea Farmer
“There's room for everybody out there in this field.” - Chelsea Farmer
“I’ll never be done learning in this industry.” - Chelsea Farmer
Connect with Chelsea Farmer
Phone: 423.883.1901
Email: chelsea.farmer@radicalpolymers.com
Website: www.radicalpolymers.com
LinkedIn: company/radicalpolymers
Read or Download Chelsea Farmer’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Industrial Water Week is Oct 2-6
IWC 2023 event Nov 12-16
Scaling UP! H2O’s Industrial Water Week Resources Page
Water Cake Recipe
Episode 224 with Laith Charles
Episode 62 with Laith Charles
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The Liberal Redneck Manifesto: Draggin' Dixie Outta the Dark by Trae Crowder, Corey Ryan Forrester, Drew Morgan
Calypso by David Sedaris
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water & Wastewater, Centennial Edition
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
How is hydrochloric acid used in industrial water treatment? How is its dosage controlled? How is its concentration measured? Is hydrochloric acid ever produced as a byproduct from other industrial water treatment applications? What are recommended safety precautions when handling hydrochloric acid? Why would hydrochloric acid be used instead of sulfuric acid in some pH control applications? Are there material compatibility concerns when storing, pumping, and applying hydrochloric acid that you need to know? How will the use of hydrochloric acid impact the level of chlorides in a water system? Why is it sometimes called muriatic acid?
Massive leaks in industrial water systems can strike at any time, and even seasoned experts like Steve Suzanne, Senior Technical Advisor at ChemTreat, aren't immune. With 20 years in the field, Steve thought he had seen it all until he faced a nightmare scenario: a chiller closed loop system with a staggering 10 million gallon volume was losing a jaw-dropping 100-110 gallons per minute.
In this gripping episode, Steve unveils his recent high-stakes battle to troubleshoot this colossal leak, existing somewhere across 26 miles of concealed piping beneath the ground, spanning more than 110 buildings. Thanks to meticulous groundwork, insights from his Mastermind group, and an unparalleled rapport with his client, Steve navigated the chaos and uncovered the elusive source of the problem.
Don't wait until you're knee-deep in a massive leak crisis! Tune in and gain unparalleled insights into tackling unforeseen water system challenges. This episode isn't just essential for new field reps—it's a must-listen for seasoned technical advisors too. Get ready to conquer any water system disaster that comes your way!
Timestamps
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [7:40]
Getting to know Steve Suzanne Senior Technical Advisor at ChemTreat [9:35]
How to Troubleshoot a Massive Leak in Your System [22:30]
Quotes
“When you have a massive leak, there's going to be a telltale sign somewhere. You need to start looking.” - Steve Suzanne
“A water meter is another data point that helps the client, and helps the water treater.” - Steve Suzanne
“Know your systems. Take the time to understand your systems. Make a paper drawing so you know where relief valves are, water meters are, points of chemical injection, what room the water is coming from and going to so if there is a leak, you know where to look.” - Steve Suzanne
“My best career advice: Build relationships with your customers. If I had not had a great relationship with this customer (who experienced the massive leak), it could have gone wrong. The healthy relationship opened up a very good line of communication (once the leak was discovered). I did not get “It's the water treaters fault that we're having this problem”, it doesn't fall back to “It's always the water treatment problem”, because I had developed relationships with customers and it really helped me along my career.” - Steve Suzanne
“Don’t ever be the smartest person in the room. If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room. I’m always learning.” - Steve Suzanne
Connect with Steve Suzanne
Phone: 919.414.3145
Email: steven.suzanne@chemtreat.com
Website: www.chemtreat.com
LinkedIn: in/steven-suzanne-cwt-cpo-26484115
company/chemtreat-inc-/
Read or Download Steve Suzanne’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
TED Talks by Chris Anderson
Who Moved My Cheese by Spencer Johnson
The Fast Track to Your Extra Class, HAM Radio by Michael Burnette
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
A neutralizing amine. What does this mean: neutralizing amine? Why is morpholine considered a neutralizing amine? What is its neutralizing capacity? What’s its chemical formula? How does morpholine compare to other neutralizing amines such as cyclohexylamine and DEAE? How does morpholine’s distribution ratio compare to other amines, and why does this matter? Should morpholine be used in low pressure boilers? Where should morpholine be fed into a boiler system? Could the use of the steam impact where you would recommend feeding the amine? Are there limitations on how much morpholine you can feed in some applications?
Step right up and get ready to snicker and learn as we welcome the one and only "Flow Meter Guy," Brent Baird of Instruments Direct, on this week's episode of Scaling UP! H2O! Prepare to be entertained and educated as Brent, with his comical and dry sense of humor, takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of flow meter technology.
As water treaters, we know that knowledge is power, and understanding flow is the key to effective water treatment. And who better to guide us than Brent, a true industry expert with a lifetime of experience? He's the go-to enthusiast when it comes to ultrasonic flow meters, and he's here to share his wisdom with all of us.
From ultrasonic technology to magnetic flow meters, Brent dives into the different types of flow meters and their applications in the water treatment industry. He'll teach you how to select the perfect flow meter for your specific needs, whether you're dealing with potable water or non-potable water applications. Brent shares his comical anecdotes and stories from the field. He's not your average industry expert, and his witty banter will keep you engaged and entertained throughout the episode.
And that's not all! Brent unveils the future innovations that promise to make flow meters even smarter and user-friendly. Imagine flow meters that practically do the job themselves! If you've ever wondered how to troubleshoot flow meter issues or validate the data they provide, Brent's got you covered with essential tips to ensure your flow meters work accurately and efficiently.
The Scaling UP! H2O podcast is globally ranked in the top 3% of all podcasts, and this week's episode with Brent Baird promises to be a true gem. So tune in and discover why he's earned the title of "The Flow Meter Guy." Get ready to scale up your knowledge and revolutionize your water treatment processes with Brent's insights.
Timestamps
1:00 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
5:30 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
8:00 - Interview with Brent Baird, “The Flow Meter Guy”, from Instruments Direct
39:00 - Lightning Round Questions
Quotes
“Flow Meters are becoming easier and easier to use each day.” - Brent Baird
“Trying to make an engineer laugh is hard.” - Brent Baird
“You need to be like your customers. Dress like them, and act like them because that’s how you build trust.” - Brent Baird
“Don’t micromanage: Hire smart people, surround them with smart people, and get out of their face and let them do their job.” - Brent Baird
Connect with Brent Baird
Phone: 678.445.7675
Email: bbaird@instrumentsdirect.com
Website: www.instrumentsdirect.com
LinkedIn: in/brent-baird-33b3b927/
YouTube: @InstrumentsDirect
company/instruments-direct/
Read or Download Brent Baird’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Legionella Resources Page
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The Theory of Sound by J. W. S. Rayleigh
The Aqueducts of Rome by Sextus Julius Frontinus
The Salesman of the Century by Ron Popeil
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
How is alum used in industrial water treatment? What is the chemical formula for alum? Is this a simple question or could alum mean different things to different professions and industries? In regards to industrial water treatment, what function is alum performing when used? How does the use of alum impact solids produced as compared to inorganics? Can alum be used in both raw water and wastewater treatment? What are common strengths of alum used? What could happen if alum is overfed? What could be the impact upon downstream unit operations?
Welcome to a special episode of Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast specifically tailored for industrial water treaters looking to scale up their Legionella knowledge. As part of our Legionella Awareness Month celebration, we are honored to bring you an insightful interview with a leading expert in the field. Join us as we sit down with Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D, Technical and Business Development Manager at Sanipur US. For those unfamiliar with Dr. Alberto Comazzi, he was our guest on episode 212 What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella, our most popular episode of 2021.
Throughout this episode, we explore the various disinfectant options used to combat Legionella, gaining invaluable insights into their strengths and limitations. Alberto sheds light on the key considerations water treaters should keep in mind when choosing the most effective Legionella remediation strategy.
Join us as we discuss the steps water treaters can take before a positive Legionella test, including the benefits and drawbacks of shock disinfection methods. We delve into the advantages and challenges of using fast oxidants like chlorine or chlorine dioxide, as well as the challenges of relying solely on temperature increase to eradicate Legionella from building plumbing systems.
Alberto offers his expertise on implementing continuous disinfectant and how to have meaningful conversations with customers about this treatment option. We explore the supplemental disinfectants available, such as Monochloramine and Copper Silver, and learn about their long-term efficacy and potential impact on plumbing systems.
As we navigate the regulatory landscape, Alberto shares crucial insights on the frequency and interval of testing required for continuous disinfection compliance. He also emphasizes the significance of permits and the role they play in protecting public health.
Join us for a comprehensive discussion on "The Pros and Cons of Legionella Disinfectant Options" with Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. Whether you're an experienced water treater or just beginning your journey in the industry, this episode promises to provide essential knowledge to help you make informed decisions and enhance your Legionella remediation strategies.
Timestamps
2:30 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
13:22 - Preparing for a Positive Legionella Test
15:50 - Actions for Legionella Counts Exceeding 30%
20:20 - Shock Disinfection Options and Challenges, and Validating the Effectiveness of Shock Disinfection
27:40 - Establishing and Installing Continuous Disinfectant
36:16 - Frequency and Interval of Testing for Continuous Disinfection
37:00 - Permits and Compliance for Supplemental Disinfectants
42:00 - Liability and Due Diligence: Choosing the Right Method
52:00 - Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Quotes
“Healthcare buildings need to have a water management plan.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“Shock disinfection options: you want fast oxidants, so chlorine or chlorine dioxide. Or heating the temperature to a point where the bacteria will die, but it’s harder to kill Legionella in a plumbing system because there are so many facets, and it’s impossible to
Building owners want this because it’s easy, but it’s not effective and usually comes back. You may want to get to 140, but you actually need to get up to 150 or 160, which creates water restrictions.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“The states that require a permit to feed supplemental disinfectant will require how often you test, and you will need to show your data back to the state. You would need to research who has authority for drinking water in your state (EPA, DOH, DP), and then you would ask them if a permit is needed for the application of supplemental disinfectant on drinking water.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“Right now there is a greater awareness about pathogens in general, building managers are more likely to be testing for Legionella to make sure the residents of those buildings are safe.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“It’s well reported in the literature that shock treatment is not effective over the long term. Chlorine and Chlorine Dioxide do damage a building’s plumbing system. In a shock treatment, you would not use heat and hyperchlorination because the higher the temperature, the faster the chlorine will decay in the water.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“A building is a completely different ecosystem than a water treatment utility and a municipal distribution system.” - Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
Connect with Alberto Comazzi, PhD:
Phone: 267-326-2353
Email: a.comazzi@sanipur.it
Website: www.sanipur.com
Linkedin: /in/alberto-comazzi-phd-132637128/
company/sanipur-us-llc
Read or Download Alberto Comazzi’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Trace Blackmore invites you to check out our Legionella Resources Page
212 The One About What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella
Environmental Protection Agency’s "Technologies for Legionella Control in Premise Plumbing Systems: Scientific Literature Review"
Environmental Protection Agency’s “Guidance Manual for Compliance and Disinfection Requirements for Public Water Systems Using Surface Water Sources”
The Global 6K
The Rising Tide Mastermind
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Ammonia comes into play in several different ways within industrial water treatment. What are some sources of ammonia that may be coming in with the makeup water? How is ammonia used in refrigeration? Could this ammonia contaminate the water side? How is ammonia sometimes used in boilers? Are there some industries that prohibit such use of ammonia in boilers? How does ammonia react with chlorine? Why is this reaction important, and what does it have to do with breakpoint chlorination? How do you remove ammonia from water? How does pH affect the removal of ammonia? How does the impact of pH on ammonia removal compare to the impact of pH on carbon dioxide removal? Which metallurgies may be less compatible with ammonia?
Welcome to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast – your ultimate source of inspiration and knowledge on all things Legionella Awareness Month! With the ever-evolving world of Legionella prevention and water treatment, there's always something new to discover and learn.
As we celebrate Legionella Awareness Month 2023, we’ve brought back podcast-favorite guest, the brilliant Janet E. Stout, PhD, a renowned legionellologist from the esteemed Special Pathogens Laboratory to share cutting-edge updates on Legionella and impart crucial information to water treaters.
Gone are the days of 'ignorance is bliss' when it comes to water treatment and Legionella. As regulations tighten, we all must stay informed and be proactive in safeguarding our systems. By scaling up our knowledge, we can effectively scale down the risks and ensure the safety of our communities.
At Scaling UP! H2O, we believe in the power of education to empower individuals and communities. Armed with knowledge, we can confidently tackle water treatment issues, educate others effectively, and create a ripple effect of better decisions for a safer environment. Join us to boost your Legionella Awareness knowledge and equip yourself to face new challenges, embrace advancements, and make a difference in the fight against Legionella. Tune in, absorb the insights, and be part of the movement to create a safer world through increased Legionella knowledge.
Timestamps
Captain H2O reminds us that everyone can celebrate Industrial Water Week 2023 [2:30]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [6:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [9:00]
Interview with Dr. Janet E. Stout for Legionella Awareness Month 2023 [11:00]
Lightning Round Questions [1:02:00]
Quotes
“Dr. Stout’s Legionella Chill Pills: for the treatment of Legionella Related Anxiety. Take 2 one hour before Legionella testing. If anxiety persists, contact the experts at Special Pathogens Laboratory.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“As a legionellologist, I’m always asking myself “How can we best protect people?” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Legionella testing will keep you out of trouble.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Test to protect. The only way to verify that your (water treatment) program is working is to test.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Janet Stout , PhD, legionellologist is on a mission to end Legionella. She doesn’t take things at status quo, she makes everything better” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Janet E. Stout, PhD
Phone: 412.281.5335
Email: jstout@specialpathogenslab.com
Website: www.specialpathogenslab.com
LinkedIn: in/janet-e-stout-ph-d-32607612
company/special-pathogens-laboratory
Read or Download Janet E. Stout, PhD’s Press Release HERE
Janet’s podcast episodes
264 The One About The Legionella Chill Pill
222 The One Where Janet Stout Shares Key Industry Updates
140 The One That Helps Us Reopen Building Water Systems
121 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 2
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 1
009 The L Word
Links Mentioned
Puzzled By Legionella (A Guide to Understanding Detection, Prevention, and Water Management)
Take Special Pathogen’s Lab 3-day training and get certified to the ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Standard: Professional Qualifications Standard for Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel
Environmental risk of nontuberculous mycobacterial infection: Strategies for advancing methodology by Janet E. Stout, PhD, et al.
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What’s the difference between sulfate and sulfite? What is the chemical formula for sulfate? What problems can sulfate cause in an industrial water system? What impacts its solubility with calcium? What about barium? What chemical products adds more sulfate to an industrial water system? What treatment technologies can remove sulfate from water? How is calcium sulfate scale cleaned? Can you predict the solubility of sulfate salts in a water system? What rules of thumb or calculation programs are available?
Welcome to Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast designed to empower industrial water treaters like you with the Legionella knowledge you need to excel in your field. As Trace Blackmore, the Scaling UP! H2O host kicks off Legionella Awareness Month 2023, Scaling UP! H2O is excited to present an episode that answers listener questions about Legionella so you can scale up your Legionella knowledge.
To stay up-to-date with the latest developments in Legionella research and regulations, visit scalinguph2o.com/Legionella. There, you'll find a treasure trove of Legionella resources, podcast episodes, legislative updates, and informative videos to help you bolster your knowledge and sharpen your ability to guide clients effectively.
This Legionella Awareness Month, we encourage you to embrace this opportunity to expand your expertise and fortify your communication skills on this critical topic. With Trace Blackmore as your guide, you'll be better equipped to navigate the world of Legionella and make a positive impact as a water professional. Tune in to this episode, and let's scale up our knowledge together!
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness month [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [6:00]
What is Legionella? [8:27]
How does Legionella bacteria cause illness? [10:19]
Who is most at risk of getting Legionnaires Disease? [12:00]
What to do when your system tests positive for Legionella? [17:00]
How did Legionella get its name? [20:00]
What’s the difference between testing for Legionella and a water management plan? [23:00]
What are the 7 steps in a Water Management Plan? [27:00]
When was the latest outbreak of Legionnaires Disease? [30:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [35:00]
Quotes
“You are never going to get zero Legionella Bacteria, but we can not allow it to concentrate up. We need to monitor and treat it. The goal isn’t no Legionella, the goal is no Legionnaires Disease.” - Trace Blackmore, CWT
“A water management plan, in my opinion, is something that everybody should have.
Just testing the client’s water is not a water management plan.” - Trace Blackmore, CWT
“You need to build trust with your client and that means having a plan for what to do if a system tests positive for Legionella with your client before it happens.” - Trace Blackmore, CWT
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
Legionella Resources Page
264 The One About The Legionella Chill Pill
212 The One About What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella
140 The One That Helps Us Reopen Building Water Systems
121 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 2
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 1
009 The L Word
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Toolkit
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
This week’s topic is a little basic, but let’s go. What are all the uses for sodium hydroxide in industrial water treatment? How is the solubility of sodium hydroxide impacted by concentration and temperature? In what environments and what times of the year may this make a difference when shipping and using sodium hydroxide? What’s the chemical formula of sodium hydroxide? What problems can it cause in an industrial water system? Why is sodium hydroxide used in some chemical product formulations? What safety precautions should be taken when handling sodium hydroxide? Why is sodium hydroxide also called caustic or caustic soda?
Prepare to plunge into the high-pressure, adrenaline-pumping realm of boilers and steam with Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor of WARE on this steamy episode of Scaling UP! H2O. These charismatic and playful guests are here to share their wealth of knowledge that will leave you energized and craving more. WARE, a renowned boiler solutions provider, is on a mission to educate operators and empower them to be top-notch professionals. With over 200 instructional videos on YouTube and the creation of WARE University, they're determined to teach the best ways to service boilers. In this episode, they discuss everything industrial water treaters need to know about boilers, providing essential information for anyone in the field.
Some of the questions tackled in this interview include: What are the crucial aspects that industrial water treaters need to understand about manufacturers? How do you maintain a healthy fireside of the boiler? Should we bid farewell to our linkage systems? Apart from stack temperature, what should customers monitor? Can old boilers be upgraded, or is it better to replace them with newer technology? What are the common miscommunications between boiler manufacturers and water treaters, and how can we fix them? Plus, discover how WARE produces their fun and informative Boiling Point videos and get a glimpse into the intriguing world of the WARE Boiler University training program and facilities.
Join us for an episode that breaks the mold and pushes boundaries, as these dynamic guests reveal the secrets of boilers and steam with their irreverent charm. Don't miss out on this electrifying journey into the world of industrial water treatment, where WARE takes you on a wild ride you won't forget.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites you to attend professional conferences this year [1:00]
Interview with Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor of WARE share what water treaters need to know about Boilers and All Ways Steam [5:15]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [51:40]
Quotes
Everything is about the water. If you don't, if you don't have good water in the front end, then you won't have good steam.” - Steven Taylor
“Boilers haven’t changed much. Steam isn’t going anywhere. Steam will be done differently, but it is the medium that will stay around.” - Ritchie Ware
“It takes 12-14 months of training before we ever put a technician in a truck. It’s a pretty big investment”- Ritchie Ware
“As we look to the future, we are going to see more unmanned boiler rooms where we use technology to monitor boiler equipment, and you are going to see a lot of outsourcing of operators because manpower is a big issue.” - Steven Taylor
“Our biggest challenge is educating the industry on what steam does and how important it is to the world economy. That's our biggest challenge.” - Steven Taylor
“I wish everyone understood how important steam is and how much it impacts everyone's lives. It’s amazing how much steam affects our lives.” - Ritchie Ware
Connect with Ritchie Ware
Phone: 502.314.8011
Email: steven.taylor@wareinc.com
Website: www.wareinc.com
LinkedIn: in/ritchie-ware
Connect with Steven Taylor
Phone: 502.314.8002
Email: ritchie.ware@wareinc.com
Website: www.wareinc.com
LinkedIn: in/steven-taylor-9b110035
Connect with WARE
Website: www.wareinc.com
Boiler University: WARE Boiler University
Facebook: @WareInc
Twitter: @wareinc
LinkedIn: company/ware-inc/
YouTube: @wareboilers
T Shirts from WARE
BoilerWAREhouse
Videos Mentioned
The Boiling Point YouTube channel
Feel Like Making Steam music video
How to Roll a Boiler Tube
Links Mentioned
Read or Download Ritchie Ware and Steven Taylor’s Press Release HERE
American Boiler Manufacturers Association
Boiler 2024 event from ABMA
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
This one is a volatile topic, but what is cyclohexylamine used for? What is its chemical formula? What is cyclohexylamine’s distribution ratio? How does its distribution ratio compare to that of similar chemistries? How does this relate to distance? Where is the best place to feed cyclohexylamine to an industrial water system? Can this recommended feed point change according to the industry? Can you test for cyclohexylamine? Are there limits on how much you can feed in certain applications? Where is cyclohexylamine consumed or lost in a system? Can cyclohexylamine precipitate with carbonate or bicarbonate? What pretreatment equipment can be used to reduce the amount of cyclohexylamine needed?
Experience the eye-opening insights on the Demographic Drought that will revolutionize your understanding of today's job market. Join Ron Hetrick of Lightcast as he shares his decade-long expertise on this global phenomenon in a captivating interview on the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. Discover how the decline in population is impacting the workforce, leaving you struggling to find quality applicants for your company's open positions.
In this episode, Ron Hetrick addresses pressing questions, including the influence of an aging population on the labor force and the disparities between STEM graduates and skilled trades. Gain valuable knowledge about the role of birth rates in exacerbating the Demographic Drought and debunk misconceptions surrounding individuals who choose to “opt out” of the workforce. Delve into the implications of the Demographic Drought for the United States and explore strategies to attract applicants and recent graduates to the water industry. Furthermore, explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and the labor force.
Prepare to be astounded by thought-provoking quotes from the episode, such as the far-reaching effects of managing population on the labor force and the startling increase in job openings during and after the pandemic. Uncover the compounding problem of declining birth rates and the urgent need for immigration to sustain future growth. Challenge traditional notions about college education and embrace the importance of all types of jobs in society. Witness the reality of more men in their 20s and 30s living with their parents, and discover the marketing challenges faced by industries competing for labor.
This episode will reshape your perspective on hiring challenges, inspire innovative approaches to workforce development, and prompt you to reevaluate your expectations and attitudes. Explore the transformative potential of AI in the labor market, envisioning the new job opportunities it can create. Embrace the possibilities offered by robotics, not as job-stealing adversaries, but as partners in creating more fulfilling and less labor-intensive work environments.
Don't miss this enlightening episode that will equip you with invaluable insights for navigating the complexities of the Demographic Drought and revolutionizing your approach to workforce management.
Timestamps
Legionella Awareness Month is in August and other upcoming events [1:00]
Interview with Ron Hetrick of Lightcast [9:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [51:00]
Connect with Ron Hetrick
Phone: 904.415.6558
Email: ron.hetrick@lightcast.io
Website: lightcast.io and tallo.com
LinkedIn: in/ronlhetrick
company/lightcastdata
YouTube: The Demographic Drought, part 1
YouTube: The Demographic Drought, part 2
Economic Modeling: economicmodeling.com/demographic-drought/
Quotes
“We have a service economy, but there isn’t anyone to serve us.” -Ron Hetrick
“Our growth in the future will only come from immigration, not from domestic populations in the US.” -Ron Hetrick
“Gen Z wants to determine their own hours, work remote, and have a work life balance.” -Ron Hetrick
“Bottomline Advice: Develop a less labor-intensive model whenever possible. Change the delivery model.” -Ron Hetrick
Links Mentioned
IWC Conference, Trace Blackmore will be 2023’s Keynote Speaker
mikeroweWORKS, hosted by Mike Rowe
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Now, Trace recently did a Pinks & Blues episode on Total Dissolved solids and conductivity. Let’s see how much you remember. How do you define total dissolved solids or TDS? Are suspended solids included in this definition? What are examples of chemicals included? Are TDS and conductivity the same or different? How are they related? Is there one rule of thumb to convert from one to the other or can the conversion differ for different waters? How is TDS measured? How is this different from how suspended solids are measured? How does cycling up affect TDS in a water system? What might be the impact on TDS if a water system is over cycled or chemical feed is interrupted?
Join host Trace Blackmore in an exhilarating episode of Scaling UP! H2O as he delves into the world of solid dissolver technology with industry experts Matt Horine and Matt Haikalis from APTech Group Inc. Discover the transformative power of this innovative approach as they discuss the benefits, applications, and practical considerations of transitioning to solid chemistry solutions.
Join Matt Horine and Matt Haikalis as they unravel the potential of solid dissolver technology, revolutionizing water treatment practices and paving the way for more efficient and effective solutions. Tune in to this episode of Scaling UP! H2O for an enlightening exploration of the future of water treatment.
Key Questions Explored
Winning AWT's Supplier of the Year - what was that process like? (7:50)
How did APTech Group start? (11:30)
How is solid chemistry different from liquid chemistry? (13:00)
Can any system convert to a solid product system? (17:30)
What equipment is needed to use solid technology? (19:55)
How do you know the product is dissolving? (21:50)
What pressure requirements are needed for the dissolvers? (26:50)
Who is requiring solid chemistries for safety these days? (28:20)
What's the difference in volume between a liquid and a solid product? How much space is saved? (29:50)
What are the top 5 troubleshooting advice for those looking to start using solid chemistries? (32:00)
How can you determine the amount of water you are treating with an app? (36:00)
Connect with Matt Horine
Phone: 513.247.2461
Email: matt.horine@aptechsolids.com
Website: www.aptechgroup.com
LinkedIn: in/matt-horine-20aa157
company/aptech-group-inc.
Read or Download Matt Horine and Matt Haikalis’ Press Release HERE
Connect with Matt Haikalis
Phone: 513.748.1815
Email: matt.haikalis@aptechsolids.com
Website: www.aptechgroup.com
LinkedIn: in/matt-haikalis-cwt-4b573025/
company/aptech-group-inc.
Read or Download Matt Horine and Matt Haikalis’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Learn more about APTech’s products and technologies by visiting www.aptechgroup.com
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What are polyphosphates? What are some examples of polyphosphates used in industrial water treatment? What function do they serve? Are they corrosion inhibitors or scale inhibitors or both or neither? How do they work? What pH range are polyphosphates most effective? Are they synergistic with any other water treatment chemicals? Can polyphosphates revert back to phosphate? What factors can increase this reversion? Do you use any chemical products with polyphosphates in them?
Key Quotes
"Our solid products differ from liquid formulations as we incorporate all active ingredients derived directly from raw materials. We handle solubility and neutralization in-house, resulting in highly active and functional chemistries that perform exceptionally well." - Matt Haikalis
"When considering a solid product system, it's essential to assess the right equipment and factors such as chemical management, handling, logistics, and disposal. Solids can alleviate these challenges and streamline processes." - Matt Haikalis
"Utilizing our solid technology is remarkably simple. Whether through a filter feeder or a tower base, applying the product and generating enough spray with pressure enables rapid dissolution and solution creation." - Matt Haikalis
"By equipping water treaters with effective tools and knowledge, we can elevate the industry and enhance product utilization. It's about empowering individuals to achieve exceptional results." - Matt Haikalis
"In our evolution over the past five years, we aimed to be known as a resource within the water treatment community. Our staff, with their industry experience and scientific expertise, enables us to provide valuable insights." - Matt Horine
"Our concentrated solid treatments offer a remarkable advantage, being 4-6 times more potent than most liquid treatments. Additionally, our products never freeze, which is a significant benefit in colder climates." - Matt Horine
What if you could shape the future of your business exactly as you desire? Imagine having clarity on what you truly want from your business and envisioning its trajectory even after you leave. Would you choose to maintain it as a thriving financial asset, allowing you to bask in the sun at the beach while escaping the daily grind? Or perhaps you adore the day-to-day operations but crave the freedom of being financially secure. If you find yourself unsure about how to navigate forward or explore the exit options available to you, then this podcast episode is an absolute must-listen.
Your future awaits, and the only thing missing is your decision on what that future looks like. Every business owner has their own hopes and dreams of the future, which is why Ryan Tansom, founder of Arkona, built his company. He helps business owners “Get clear on what they want their leadership role to be, and how they want it to evolve on the way toward your target equity valuation.” Once that is nailed down, business owners can “Clarify a target equity valuation they want at a point in the future as well as the income they want along the way.” When Ryan is involved in the Intentional Growth plan, it will “Save money and reduce conflict with any stakeholders (partners, investors, family members) by getting alignment on your long-term goals.” So why wait, let’s start planning your future.
Your future awaits, and the power to shape it lies within your hands. As a business owner, you hold unique hopes and dreams for what lies ahead. Understanding this, Ryan Tansom, the visionary founder of Arkona, established his company to guide entrepreneurs like you. His mission is to empower business owners to gain clarity on their desired leadership roles and envision the evolution toward their target equity valuation.
By working with Ryan and embracing the Intentional Growth plan, you can embark on a transformative journey. First, you will define the precise nature of your leadership role and chart its evolution in alignment with your objectives. Simultaneously, you will determine a target equity valuation for the future, as well as the income milestones you wish to achieve along the way. This strategic clarity not only paves the path to your desired financial outcomes but also serves as a catalyst for savings and minimizes conflicts with critical stakeholders such as partners, investors, and family members. Through the Intentional Growth Framework, you can forge alignment on your long-term goals, fostering a harmonious and prosperous business ecosystem.
Why wait any longer? The time has come to embark on this transformative journey and shape the future you envision for your business. Let’s scale up on knowledge today and start planning the extraordinary future that awaits you.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares 10% off the CWT Prep Course with you. Visit scalinguph2o.com/cwtprep and use code "CWT10" at checkout [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [5:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [8:40]
Interview with Ryan Tansom, the visionary founder of Arkona [11:00]
Lightning Round Questions [49:00]
Quotes
“Intentional Growth: Purposeful action toward a clearly identified outcome.” - Ryan Tansom
“When you own your own business, there is no Plan B, it’s all on you.” - Ryan Tansom
“Think about your company as an asset: monetize when and how we want without sacrificing what's important to us.” - Ryan Tansom
“It is possible to engineer the outcome that you want as long as your expectations and reality around time, capital, and energy are aligned with your goal.” - Ryan Tansom
“What is your existing goal: What do you want from the business and why come up with a target equity valuation you want at a point in time? What do you want your leadership role to evolve to on the way to your exit?” - Ryan Tansom
Connect with Ryan Tansom
Phone: 612.720.6530
Email: ryan.tansom@arkona.io
Website: arkona.io
Podcast: arkona.io/podcasts
LinkedIn: in/ryan-tansom-4a440710/
company/cfoadvantage/
Facebook: @ryan.tansom
Twitter: @RyanTansom
Read or Download Ryan Tansom’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Intentional Growth™ Boot Camp
Inc. Magazine
The Hang
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Finish Big: How Great Entrepreneurs Exit Their Companies on Top by Bo Burlingham
Small Giants: Companies That Choose to Be Great Instead of Big by Bo Burlingham
Start a Successful Business (Inc. Magazine): Expert Advice to Take Your Startup from Idea to Empire by Colleen DeBaise
Buy Then Build: How Acquisition Entrepreneurs Outsmart the Startup Game by Walker Deibel
The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel
Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker
Magicians of the Gods: The Forgotten Wisdom of Earth’s Lost Civilization by Graham Hancock
Thinking Fast And Slow by Daniel Kahneman
The Advantage by Patrick Lencioni
Podcasts Mentioned
Arkona Podcast
The Founder
Huberman Lab
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Sulfuric Acid: What are all its uses in industrial water treatment, for both water treatment and testing? What is its chemical formula and molecular weight? When used for pH control in cooling towers, what is the feed ratio of sulfuric acid to alkalinity? What can happen when sulfuric acid is overfed? How does the density of sulfuric acid compare to water? What concentrations of sulfuric acid are used in water treatment? When combining acid and water, which should be added to which? Should acid be added to water or vice versa? What are the consequences if you get this wrong? Can feeding sulfuric acid actually cause scale formation? What alternative acids are available? Can bacteria produce sulfuric acid?
Welcome to a special episode of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, where we delve into the world of water industry updates in 2023. Join us as we navigate through the challenges faced by water professionals and explore the ever-evolving landscape of industrial water treatment.
In this insightful discussion, our esteemed guest, Gary Garcia, President of Masters Company, Inc, returns for his third guest appearance to share his wealth of knowledge and expertise. Together, we uncover key updates in the water industry, offering valuable insights into supply chain dynamics, financial outlooks, and the impact of a changing workforce.
Discover the implications for investors eyeing water treatment companies or family members planning to inherit such businesses in the near future. Gary sheds light on the graying of the industry and how it shapes our strategic decisions.
This episode is a treasure trove of essential information for listeners seeking to anticipate the future of our industry over the next two years. Gain valuable insights to empower your financial planning and navigate the evolving landscape with confidence.
Tune in today as we honor Gary Garcia, the recipient of the prestigious Ray Baum Memorial Award in 2022. Explore everything from practical tips on reducing shipping costs to Gary's pioneering work in developing new phosphonate testing standards. Don't miss out on this eye-opening conversation that will reshape your perspective on the future of the water industry. Join us as we embrace the challenges, celebrate the achievements, and envision a brighter future together.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares 10% off the CWT Prep Course with you. Visit scalinguph2o.com/cwtprep and use code "CWT10" at checkout [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [7:00]
Interview with Gary Garcia, Technical Director at LiquiLogic [11:00]
Lightning round questions [40:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [45:30]
Quotes
“I have an inquisitive nature, and I love to investigate, and I'm not afraid of failure.” - Gary Garcia
“When you allow other people to communicate, you learn, and the more you learn the better it is.” - Gary Garcia
“In my humble opinion, the marketplace should be conservative. You've seen some things get better, some prices come down, availability and some raw materials have improved, but overall, I'm still rather pessimistic about the next two years.” - Gary Garcia
“If you can get raw materials supplies, great, but be prepared to continue to pay a higher price for the most part.” - Gary Garcia
“There is a graying of the industry.” - Gary Garcia
Connect with Gary Garcia
Phone: 630.238.9292
Email: gary@masterscoinc.com
Website: www.masterscoinc.com
LinkedIn: in/garret-garcia-8838bb206/
/company/liquilogicllc/
Links Mentioned
Ep 206 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
Ep 221 The One That’s All About Customer Solutions In A Drum
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
I like how that one roles off the tongue… hexametaphosphate. So, what is Sodium Hexametaphosphate used for? What’s its chemical formula? What systems is it used within? What dosages are used for Sodium Hexametaphosphate? When used as a corrosion inhibitor, does it function as an anionic or cathodic corrosion inhibitor? When used for scale inhibition, is it considered a stoichiometric or threshold scale inhibitor? Does pH have an impact upon its performance? How do you test for it and does the test required differ according to which water system it was used within? What is the acronym used for Sodium Hexametaphosphate?
Welcome back to Scaling UP! H2O, where we have the pleasure of hosting Tim Cooper, Principal Consultant at The Table Group and founder of Cooper Coaching. With over 15 years of Team Leadership experience and an impressive client list, including Renaissance Learning, Chick-fil-A, Southern New Hampshire University, and Ørsted, Tim brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.
In this captivating episode, Tim delves into the fascinating world of The 6 Types of Working Genius. These six distinct gifts are essential for any group striving to achieve their goals: The Genius of Wonder, The Genius of Invention, The Genius of Discernment, The Genius of Galvanizing, The Genius of Enablement, and The Genius of Tenacity. Discover what these Working Geniuses are and how you can leverage this understanding to enhance your leadership skills, teamwork, and personal growth.
Tim's approach to consulting is driven by building strong relationships and addressing challenging interpersonal dynamics within the teams he supports. With a focus on cultivating healthier relationships within executive teams that positively impact the entire organization, Tim's expertise is unrivaled.
Passionate about the intersection of Organization Health and the interplay between Smart and Healthy Organizations, Tim considers The 6 Types of Working Genius the ultimate tool for boosting team morale, productivity, and overall organizational health. Join us now as Tim shares practical insights that will empower you to become a better version of yourself and lead your teams to unprecedented success.
Bottom line: Healthy teams result in higher productivity. Tim Cooper will take listeners on a deep dive to learn how they can use The 6 Types of Working Genius to promote Organization Health .
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore challenges you to take the first step in the right direction[1:00]
Returning guest Tim Cooper shares how The 6 Types of Working Genius promote Organization Health, prevent burn out, show where gaps are in our projects, and allow everyone on your team to do what they love so they can do more together [7:00]
Lightning Round Questions [1:08:20]
Defining a healthy team and organization [1:11:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:18:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [1:20:00]
Quotes
“What’s the healthiest, most sustainable way to work for the long-haul?” - Tim Cooper
“The work I do helps teams get over the ‘invisible walls’ that they bump into and don't realize they're doing so because those ‘invisible walls’ are the things that are hardest to identify, so Working Genius is one of those things that makes those walls visible and helps us to understand how to work better with each other, which just makes for a better work environment all around. It’s about getting work done.” - Tim Cooper
“When something is a frustration, we tend to shortcut or really shortchange how much work is required to get that stuff done. One way to solve this is to surround yourself with people that are great at that thing that frustrates you so I don't pull those shortcuts often and sacrifice the quality of work.” - Tim Cooper
“When you are working on a project and skip a stage, you skip people. When you skip people at work, they feel skipped at work. Nobody wants to feel skipped over at work. People don't leave jobs because the strategies are off or the tech isn't as good as it is somewhere else, they leave jobs for emotional reasons. They leave when they feel skipped over, or the workplace is too confusing, or they don’t know what their role is, or how to feel successful in the workplace.” - Tim Cooper
“Organizational Health is a condition not a destination. We're never going to get there, but you can be moving in the direction of it starting now.” - Tim Cooper
Connect with Tim Cooper
Phone: 678.327.7460
Email: tim.cooper@tablegroupconsulting.com
Website: www.tablegroup.com
https://www.workinggenius.com/
LinkedIn: in/tim-cooper-80bab0143
company/thetablegroup
Read or Download Tim Cooper’s Press Release HERE
Know your and your team’s Working Genius! – Buy the Assessment Now!
The 6 Types of Working Genius book: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Links Mentioned
Episode 259 The One About The 6 Types of Working Genius with Tim Cooper
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Okay, I almost always ask this, but what is Polyaluminum Chloride used for? What is its chemical formula? Does Polyaluminum Chloride come in a solid or liquid form? What does it remove? How does it compare to other aluminum compounds? What dosages or ratios are recommended? What could happen if you overfeed Polyaluminum Chloride? What could be the impact downstream?
Join us as we delve into the world of water recycling with Pat Sinicropi, an esteemed expert dedicated to addressing freshwater challenges. With an extensive background in the Clean Water Act, Water Safety, and Wastewater, Pat currently serves as the executive director of the WateReuse Association, a prestigious organization comprising over 450 members committed to safeguarding our planet's most precious resource.
An eloquent speaker and staunch advocate for water recycling, Pat brings her wealth of knowledge to the Scaling UP! Nation. In this captivating episode, she shares her expertise on various critical topics, including:
-
- Exploring the diverse array of readily available options for water reuse
- Unveiling the latest cutting-edge technologies revolutionizing water reuse practices
- Showcasing inspiring success stories of organizations embracing water recycling
- Astonishing figures on the colossal volume of water saved each day through recycling (Prepare to be amazed!)
- Dispelling common myths surrounding water tables and outlining effective aquifer management strategies
- The upcoming WateReuse Association’s symposium and where listeners can find resources and submit abstracts
Bottom line: With Pat Sinicropi at the helm, recycling water is no longer an idealistic vision but an actionable plan for addressing today’s freshwater challenges. Tune in as we gain invaluable insights into the world of water recycling, empowering us to make a positive impact on our environment and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore reminds you that you are the voice of the Water Treatment community [1:00]
Interview with Patricia Sinicropi, the Executive Director of WateReuse Association about revolutionizing water recycling [5:15]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [27:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [30:00]
Quotes
“When you become a water geek, you are always a water geek because you fall in love with the challenges and the people.” - Pat Sinicropi
“We're also seeing new emerging technologies that can treat the water justice cleanly as membrane, and that includes biological activated carbon filtration.” - Pat Sinicropi
“Q: How many gallons of water are recycled in the US each day? A: 300 million gallons!” - Pat Sinicropi
“There are a wide variety of beneficial applications for the use of recycled water.” - Pat Sinicropi
“We’re seeing more interest in capturing rainwater and stormwater.” - Pat Sinicropi
Connect with Pat Sinicropi
Phone: 202.270.6232
Email: psinicropi@watereuse.org
Website: watereuse.org
LinkedIn: in/patriciasinicropi/
company/watereuse-association/
Join the WateReuse Association at the 2024 WateReuse Symposium on March 10-13, 2023 in Denver, CO
Interested in becoming a member of the WateReuse Association? Learn the benefits HERE
Read or Download Pat Sinicropi’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Hang
303 The Future of Wastewater
87 The One That Takes You to AWT’s 2019 Technical Training
90 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Boilers)
91 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Closed Loops and Cooling Towers)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What are Film Forming Amines? Within which systems are they used and for what? What concentrations are recommended for Film Forming Amines? How are they first dosed to a system? What could be the impact if not properly dosed? Are Film Forming Amines just a single chemical formula or are there multiple Film Forming Amines available? Can you test for Film Forming Amines? Are there any possible negative impacts upon applying a Filming Forming Amine to a system? How do today’s Film Forming Amines compare to those of yesteryear? When would Film Forming Amines be used in place of other traditional industrial water chemicals?
Empower your customers to achieve unprecedented success in water management by adopting a comprehensive approach that goes beyond boilers and chillers. Embrace the holistic potential of water management, including irrigation systems, and witness remarkable water savings.
Today, we have the privilege of hosting the brilliant Andy Humphrey, a seasoned Irrigation Technology Consultant from Sprinkler Supply Store. Join us as we explore the future of irrigation, delve into the intrinsic value of water, discuss e-commerce in the B2B and D2C sectors, unravel the process of creating a water budget, and examine the latest advancements in irrigation technology.
Furthermore, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of reusing water runoff, the significance of enhanced sensors and data analytics, the influence of Andy's own podcast, the importance of establishing a positive and educational online presence, and gain insights from his experience as a guest on Shark Tank.
Bottom line: when it comes to water savings for our customers, it is crucial to emphasize that it encompasses more than just their boilers and chillers. We must encourage them to think innovatively and expand their focus on every aspect of water usage. By embracing irrigation technology, we can collectively contribute to the conservation of billions of gallons of fresh water daily. Together, let’s make waves and pave the way for a sustainable future.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore galvanizes you to be the very best heat transfer efficiency manager [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [8:30]
Interview with Andy Humphrey, Irrigation Technology Consultant [14:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [01:03:05]
Quotes
“We undervalue water. There are low-hanging opportunities to reduce water usage that doesn’t take a lot of technology, yet we still let it happen.” - Andy Humphrey
“I saw how we were using water in the irrigation industry and decided to go headfirst into the irrigation industry with technology both in the hardware and software side.” - Andy Humphrey
“Rain: money falling from the sky. When water is falling you should not be irrigating.” - Andy Humphrey
“There’s only so much water the soil can use.” - Andy Humphrey
“We need to make money AND we need to be able to have margin in order to make customers happy.” - Andy Humphrey
“You get better the more you do it. You just have to start and try something new.” - Andy Humphrey
“We are heat transfer efficiency managers, everything we do is about heat transfer.” - Trace Blackmore
“Talk about your value with your clients. Show them how much money your work saves them.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Andy Humphrey
Phone: 208-908-3229
Email: andyhum@gmail.com
Website: SprinklerSupplyStore.com
Podcast: The Sprinkler Nerd Show
Sharktank: https://www.sharktankblog.com/business/ecomowers/
LinkedIn: in/andyhum/
YouTube: @Andy_Humphrey
Read or Download Andy Humprey’s Press Release HERE
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Some of you may be thinking I made this one up, but no, I haven’t. Fenton’s Reagent. What is it? What chemicals are involved in the Fenton reaction? What are the chemical reactions happening? When and where would one use Fenton’s Reagent? What dosage ratios between components are recommended? Do low and high pH have an impact upon the reaction? Conversely, will Fenton’s Reagent have an impact upon water pH? What is a hydroxyl radical and how is that different from the hydroxide ion?
Welcome to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of industrial water treatment. In this episode, we're debunking the misconceptions around carryover and exploring the scientific truth behind it. We've invited Louis Godbout and Simina Alungulesa from TGWT to share their latest research and insights on the subject. Have you ever wondered what tannins are and what they do? Or what the reason for carryover is? How about the impact of bubble size and defoamers? And what does salt have to do with it all? Don't miss this episode, where we uncover the answers to these questions and more. So join us and discover how the right chemistry can make cycling-up possible.
Bottom line: Cycling-up is possible for those who dare to use the right chemistry.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares the upcoming June holidays and challenges everyone to choose kind words [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [7:00]
Interview with Louis Godbout and Simina Alungulesa on their latest carryover research [10:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [1:03:00]
Quotes
“Your cycling up, your savings go down as the cycles go up. If you go from 10 to 20, that's a big game changer, but from 20 to 40, it's a diminishing return.” - Louis Godbout
“Most of the time, we find carryover is due to mechanical issues, but if it is combined with high TDS, the problem is really worse, it worsens everything and it makes a boiler more sensitive to any variation in pressure” - Louis Godbout
“How far can we go? How far can we go with this treatment or that treatment?
People overuse antifoams.” - Louis Godbout
“You cannot use conventional antifoams to cycle-up.” - Louis Godbout
“There were many mysteries about tannins, and because the chemistry is complicated, it is extremely complex.” - Louis Godbout
“Tannins react readily with oxygen; they are oxygen scavengers. - Louis Godbout
“We realized that: YES indeed, a lot of the antiforms that are presently used in the industry do have a positive effect on bubble coalescence.” - Simina Alungulesa
“If you look at typical antifoams based on polyglycols, if you put them in boiler conditions, what actually happens is that they degrade into surface-active substances, which means they actually create even MORE foam.” - Simina Alungulesa
Connect with Louis Godbout
Phone: +1 (438)940-6809
Email: lgodbout@tgwt.com
LinkedIn : in/louis-godbout-96641972/
Website: https://www.tgwt.com/company
Connect with Simina Alungulesa
Phone: +1 (514) 266-1282
Email: salungulesa@tgwt.com
LinkedIn: in/simina-alungulesa-p-eng-009052156/
Website: https://www.tgwt.com/company
Check out the 2023 Spring Edition of The Analyst and read Louis and Simina’s articles: Cycling Up: Truth or Dare? and Clozit – Certified by CTGN: Steam Boiler Mass Balance Tool
Check out Simina and Louis’ AWT Presentation Cycling-Up without Carryover
Read or Download Louis and Simina’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
USA How To Properly Display an American Flag
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Hydrogen Peroxide or H2O2: While we may find it in our medicine cabinets, it has uses in industrial water treatment, too. First, what are these uses? How is hydrogen peroxide introduced into a system? Do you purchase pure hydrogen peroxide or is it generated in-situ? If in-situ, what other chemicals are involved? Is hydrogen peroxide fast or slow acting? What can cause a hydrogen peroxide solution to decompose? Is this decomposition reaction exothermic or endothermic? What are the reaction byproducts of decomposed hydrogen peroxide? Can decomposition cause a dangerous situation? How do you test for hydrogen peroxide?
Welcome to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. As water treaters, we have a multitude of tools at our disposal, but it's crucial to understand what we're testing for and how our tests work on a basic level. In this week's episode of Pinks and Blues, we're delving into the intricacies of water treatment by focusing on the difference between two important measurements: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Conductivity.
TDS and Conductivity are crucial metrics in water treatment, as they provide key information about the quality and purity of the water we're treating. However, many water treaters don't fully understand the nuances of these measurements, which can limit the effectiveness of their treatment methods.
On this episode of Pinks and Blues, we'll explore the science behind TDS and Conductivity, and how these measurements can be used to optimize water treatment processes. Whether you're a seasoned water treatment professional or just starting out, you'll gain valuable insights and knowledge that will help you scale up your water treatment expertise.
Bottom line:
Get ready to expand your understanding of water treatment and join us as we explore the critical difference between TDS and Conductivity.
Timestamps
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [4:30]
Trace Blackmore answers your Pinks and Blues questions about the difference between TDS and Conductivity [6:00]
Quotes
“Where you take the temperature really does matter.” - Trace Blackmore
“The solution to pollution is dilution…or said another way ‘The solution to concentration is dilution’.” - Trace Blackmore
“Calcium Carbonate (equation) - a water treater’s nemesis, because it impedes heat most often.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
You might already know that HEDP is a phosphonate, but what does that mean? What does HEDP stand for? What is its molecular formula? What percentage of HEDP is phosphate? Is HEDP used for scale control, corrosion control, or both? Is HEDP synergistic with anything else? Does pH have an impact? Can HEDP precipitate with anything? If so, how might this be controlled? Do oxidizing biocides, such as chlorine, have an impact upon HEDP? How does this impact compare to that of other phosphonates? Do you use any products with HEDP?
Is there a magic plan to prepare for the CWT Exam? Can you sign up for the CWT exam and have enough time to study for it in as little as 12 weeks? Connor Hanrahan, the Technical Manager at IWE Industrial Water Engineering found a way that worked for him and his team to feel prepared for the CWT Exam, and all it took was a little planning.
If you are looking for a strategy for studying for the CWT Exam, tips for taking the exam at the testing facility, ways you can mentally prepare for a 200-question exam, want to know what to expect prior to having the test in front of you, and numerous resources to help you study, this podcast episode is for you.
Bottom line:
Connor Hanrahan is going to give you the 12-week strategy for taking the CWT Exam.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites all water treaters around the world to scale up on knowledge together [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [5:30]
Interview with Connor Hanrahan, Technical Manager at IWE [10:00]
Lightning round questions [1:04:00]
Are you intentionally putting yourself in environments and situations that help you to get better? [1:08:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [1:21:00]
Quotes
“Water is where my passion, my source of living, and something the world needs intersects.” - Connor Hanrahan
“I love water chemistry. The more I learn, the less I know. I’m always opening new fields of questions.” Connor Hanrahan
“Water is endlessly complex, in a beautiful way.” Connor Hanrahan
“I'll be honest, the CWT Exam was harder than I expected. It is pretty tough, they do not joke around.” Connor Hanrahan
“Training maintains an excellent organization.” Connor Hanrahan
“The CWT does such a good job of setting a bar right for water treatment excellence.” Connor Hanrahan
“My CWT experience was challenging and extremely worthwhile.”- Connor Hanrahan
Connect with Connor Hanrahan
Phone: 505-280-0561
Email: connorphanrahan@gmail.com
Website: Industrial Water Engineering
Website: mulletparty.com
LinkedIn: in/connor-hanrahan-6a19021b/
Read or Download Connor Hanrahan’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Martian by Andy Weir
Three-Body Problem Boxed Set by Cixin Liu and Ken Liu
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Traction by Gino Wickman
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
The building blocks of polymers. What is a monomer? What are the various forms of monomers used in industrial water treatment? What functionality can each of these monomers bring? Are there synergies between them? How are monomers used to make polymers? When monomers are combined to form polymers, do all the polymers in a batch have the exact same discrete composition of monomers, or is the batch of polymer described more as an average of what the molecules are estimated to be when examined together? How can supply-chain shortages of a monomer impact industrial water treatment?
Are you feeling intimidated by the thought of publishing a technical paper? Don't worry, you're not alone! But fear not, because on this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we have the one and only Michael J. Soller P.E. CPC, DBIA, here to provide you with all the guidance you need to get that paper out into the world.
Mike is no stranger to the water industry - as Vice President of Business Development at Bowen Engineering, he's seen it all. Bowen is an EPC/Design-Build Contractor that focuses on building Water, Wastewater, Energy, and Industrial projects. Mike jokes, “If you drink it, flush it, or turn it on, that’s what we do.”
When Mike isn’t working at Bowen, he serves on the International Water Conference (IWC) Executive Committee. The IWC is a tactical conference focused on industrial water treatment and its members are known for their expertise in emerging issues associated with water treatment; AKA tough-to-treat waters. This includes working on issues associated with the energy, PFAS, and water markets that are interdependent. Whether you're a seasoned water pro or just starting out in your water career, this episode is for you.
Bottom line: By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with the tools, resources, and references you need to publish that technical paper with confidence. So sit back, relax, and let Mike guide you through the process.
Timestamps
Join our Global 6K for Water team [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [7:20]
Interview with Michael J. Soller P.E. CPC, DBIA , the Vice President of Business Development at Bowen Engineering Corporation and part of the International Water Conference (IWC) Executive Committee [10:00]
Closing thoughts about volunteering for and attending water conferences with Trace Blackmore [48:00]
Connect with Michael J. Soller, P.E. CPC. DBIA
Phone: 317-576-8730
Email: msoller@BowenEngineering.com
IWC Conference website: eswp.com/water/overview/
IWC Conference Speaker and Presenter videos: eswp.com/water/iwcspeakers/
Company Website: BowenEngineering.com
LinkedIn: in/michael-j-soller-p-e-cpc-dbia-01426013/
Read or Download Mike Soller’s Press Release HERE
Quotes
“The International Water Conference is a tactical conference focussed on industrial water treatment and the expertise and emerging issues associated with water treatment; the expertise associated with tough-to-treat waters.” - Mike Soller
“These are the smartest folks on earth about water and if they don’t know the answers to the questions, they will find someone who can give the answers.” - Mike Soller
“There's not a person (in our industry) who does everything themselves. We rely upon each other, it's about the people and the product.” - Mike Soller
“There are 72 papers presented in 2.5 days at IWC Conferences. We are here for education and dialogue.” - Mike Soller
“The IWC has some of the most robust questions at their conferences.” - Trace Blackmore
“Anyone can present at IWC, you don’t have to be a member.” - Mike Soller
“There are a lot of different topics covered on this podcast. In the travel I do, it is enjoyable and rewarding to listen to. I'm not kidding. it's just a lot of fun.” - Mike Soller
Links Mentioned
The Global 6K for Water
Episode 184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor with Aaron Walker
Episode 248 The One About Taking A Sabbatical with Aaron Walker
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Aside from sodium sulfite, what are the other forms of sulfite used in industrial water treatment? What are their chemical formulas? What are some advantages of using one form over another? If used in boilers, what pressures can sulfites be used or not used? Why? How do you test for sulfite? What may interfere with the sulfite test? Does age of the water sample matter when testing? Does how vigorously you stir the sample matter? How accurate is the sulfite test? Have you ever tried running the sulfite test on sulfite-free makeup water just to see what it might show? In what unit of measure is the sulfite test result expressed? How quickly does sulfite react? Is a catalyst ever used to speed the reaction? If yes, which catalyst? Can this catalyst ever cause issues itself? How should one control the feed of a sulfite-based product? Are sulfites ever fed ahead of pretreatment, such as RO? Why? Can the speed and stroke settings impact the effectiveness of such a feed?
“Don’t settle for the way it’s always been done, instead, push for excellence, and it will pay off.” Back for part two of his 2-part series, Darius Barkauskas, CWT, LEED-AP of HOH Water Technology, has learned over his 20 years in water that you cannot settle for the status quo. There is always something at your company that could be better, which is why he pushes his team to find better ways to treat water, take care of clients, work their company’s internal systems, and communicate better as a team.
Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation that will empower you to make positive changes in your water treatment business. Tune in now and get ready to scale up your H2O knowledge today!
Bottom line: There is always room for improvement, and Darius Barkauskas is back on the show to share what has worked well with his team.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites you to reflect on your 2023 goals and make the most out of the rest of your year [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [6:45]
Interview with Darius Barkauskas, CWT, LEED-AP [9:00]
Lightning round questions [33:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [36:00]
Quotes
“You’ve gotta put people in a position to win.” - Darius Barkauskas
“Learn something you didn’t know before.” - Darius Barkauskas
“We are educating everyone in our organization about our company’s financials, from the CEO to the admin staff.” - Darius Barkauskas
“We’ve been trying to uncover opportunities. I want to get things better than they were and uncover opportunities at existing accounts.” - Darius Barkauskas
“The cheapest account to sell to is the one you already have vs spending money to go after a new one.” - Darius Barkauskas
Connect with Darius Barkauskas
Phone: (630) 272-3944
Email: darius.k.barkauskas@gmail.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dariusbarkauskas/
Read or Download Darius Barkauskas’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Great Game of Business, Jack Stack
The Global 6K
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
The Gap and the Gain by Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick M. Lencioni
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is chlorine dioxide? What is it used for? Does the presence of ammonia impact it? What forms of delivery are available for chlorine dioxide? Can it be stored or does it need to be generated onsite? What methods are there to generate chlorine dioxide? What are some of the hazards of chlorine dioxide? How do you test for it? What usage concentrations are typically used? How does chlorine dioxide compare with other antimicrobials, such as chlorine and bromine? How selective is its reactivity? Can chlorine dioxide be used on a reverse osmosis system or not?
Some people are born into water treatment, and others fall into it. Darius Barkauskas, CWT, LEED-AP water career journey started after graduating from Purdue and serendipitously landing his first job at HOH Water Technology, where he has been working and growing for over 20 years. As a water treatment professional, Darius understands the importance of creating a well-balanced workforce and hiring the right people for your team. He reveals valuable insights on coaching others effectively, ensuring that people feel heard and empowered to contribute their best work. Darius also emphasizes the significance of getting to the root source of an issue rather than treating symptoms, and how embracing constructive feedback can drive continuous improvement.
But that's not all! Darius also discusses the importance of asking clarifying questions to unlock the full potential of your water treatment company and team. With his wealth of experience, Darius provides practical tips and strategies to help you create a thriving work environment where employees rave about their "best job ever" experiences.
Join us for Part 1 of this two-part series, where Darius Barkauskas shares his insights on building a winning water treatment team, coaching for success, and unlocking the true potential of your company. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation that will empower you to make positive changes in your water treatment business. Tune in now and get ready to scale up your H2O knowledge!
Bottom line: Darius will share how to build a water treatment team or a company where employees boast that they have “the best job ever”.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore thanks you for turning your windshield time into learning time and for saying “hello” at AWT [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [9:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [11:15]
Interview with Darius Barkauskas, CWT, LEED-AP [14:00]
Quotes
“When I hire people, I tell them “I want your time at HOH to be the best job you’ve ever had.” - Darius Barkauskas
“Getting constructive feedback can make you feel stressed, lean into that, it's okay to feel stressed. Feelings are natural. Be willing to lean in and get real value.” - Darius Barkauskas
“You need to have a balanced team.”- Darius Barkauskas
“When people are complaining they are not actually complaining. They're just not able to articulate their vision of how they want things to be, so the complaint is derived from not being able to share what the vision of what it ‘should be’ is, they want their vision to come to fruition.” - Darius Barkauskas
“I'm a firm believer that Everybody deserves a coach, and not necessarily your boss.” - Darius Barkauskas
“You need some sort of an outlet to vent or get guidance. Someone who will not judge you and allow you to be vulnerable to give you that space to work through that stuff you’ve got going on.”- Darius Barkauskas
“Everyone’s got issues, if someone says they don’t have issues they are probably lying to you.”- Darius Barkauskas
“Ask clarifying questions. I like to give people solutions, so I force myself to slow down and listen.”- Darius Barkauskas
Connect with Darius Barkauskas
Phone: (630) 272-3944
Email: darius.k.barkauskas@gmail.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dariusbarkauskas/
Read or Download Darius Barkauskas’ Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Let’s start off with why fluorescein is used? Why is fluorescein typically used in boilers but PTSA used in cooling systems? What would be the impact if they were switched? At what concentrations is fluorescein used? What is the chemical formula? How does one test for fluorescein? Can any colorimeter or fluorometer be used or does it take a special one? What wavelength of light is being measured? What can interfere with this test? Can it be measured online? How would the level of fluorescein be controlled with an online feed and monitoring system?
Unlock the power of Corrosion Coupons for better water treatment with this Pinks and Blues episode! Get precise insights on setting up metals, sending coupons for testing, analyzing data, and adhering to standards. Plus, a deep dive into the Galvanic Series - the key to understanding metal erosion.
Learn the right order for setting up metals, from aluminum to stainless steel, and how adhering to guidelines is crucial for meaningful data. Scale up your Corrosion Coupon knowledge to become the best water treater and provide top-notch support to your clients. Don't miss out - listen now!
Bottom line: Using Corrosion Coupons will make you a better water treater.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares what the Rising Tide Mastermind members will experience at this year’s Mastermind Live Event [01:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [7:00]
Answering listener questions about Corrosion Coupons [12:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [53:30]
Quotes
“Corrosion Coupons are the most economical way to monitor corrosion in a system.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are thousands of alloys you can get Corrosion Coupons made out of. You’ll want to mimic the metal to get accurate corrosion rates.” - Trace Blackmore
“If we (the lab) don’t have the starting date, starting weight, and date out, then it’s useless. We need that data.” - Trace Blackmore
“Wear your gloves! When you handle it, the small amount of oils from your finger will change, for it will interface with water in the lab.” - Trace Blackmore
“Pitting is never good. Pitting is never acceptable. A pit is always a fail.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Producer: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O
Links Mentioned
ASTM Standard Practice for Corrosion Test Specimens
ASTM Guide for Conducting Corrosion Coupon Tests
AWT Standards for Corrosion Rates
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Is bromine an oxidizing or non-oxidizing antimicrobial? What is its chemical formula and how does it differ from bromide? What are typical usage concentrations of bromine? How does it interact with microbes? How do you test for it? How quickly should you test for bromine after sampling? Should you test for free bromine, total bromine, or both? What is the impact of pH on bromine? Is bromine more effective than chlorine at higher pHs or is the story a little more complex than the dissociation curves would indicate? How quickly does bromine act on unwanted microbiological activity? What methods are there for getting bromine chemistry into the water? Can bromine be over stabilized at times with some of these methods? If so, how likely is this to happen and how would the system recover? How does ammonia interact with bromine and is this a concern? What is bromine’s impact upon corrosion?
Welcome to Scaling UP! H2O, the podcast where we're passionate about water treatment, and we're committed to sharing that passion with you. Without water, we do not have a job. Without water, our planet cannot sustain life. That's why we're excited to introduce our guest today, Dr. Rakesh Govind.
Dr. Rakesh is a professor at the Chemical & Materials Engineering Department at the University of Cincinnati, and the president of NextGen Septic, a company that provides technical expertise on biological treatment processes for soil, air, groundwater, and wastewater clean-up applications.
Dr. Rakesh knows that if we don't change our water consumption and wastewater processing, some countries will run out of fresh water in the next 12 years. In this episode, he challenges the way we process wastewater and gives the biggest call to action we've EVER had on this podcast.
Dr. Rakesh answers many questions related to wastewater processing, including why we're doing it wrong and what we should be doing instead, why septic tanks aren't a good alternative to centralized treatments, and what the ideal decentralized system looks like. He also explains where aeration fits in, how we can retrofit systems to make them more efficient, and whether the size of the bubble matters when picking the right bubble for your wastewater system.
Furthermore, Dr. Rakesh shares insights into the ideal wastewater system design based on science, the ROI for industries switching from centralized to decentralized wastewater systems, and the language we should use when trying to persuade and inspire others to move away from centralized wastewater treatment.
Bottom line:
We must make swift and effective changes to the way we treat wastewater. If we don't change how we do wastewater today, we won't have any water to waste in the future. So, join us for this thought-provoking episode with Dr. Rakesh Govind, and let's explore the challenges and solutions in wastewater processing.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore challenges you to learn and try something new [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [4:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [8:00]
Interview with Dr. Rakesh Govind, Professor, Chemical & Materials Engineering Department, University of Cincinnati [10:30]
Ideas on how water treaters can work together to change the world [42:30]
Quotes
“We are depriving the land of the groundwater that is being used to make wastewater.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
“The future of wastewater is decentralized treatment.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
“We have to remember that fresh water on this planet is running out. It's not going to happen in 100 years, it's going to happen in the next 10 years. By treating the water locally, industries can reuse the water, and that reduces their net consumption of water.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
“Water doesn’t have to go in the sewer line, save money on utilities, reuse the water.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
“Microbubbles benefits: 1. They don’t stay in the water long enough to become nitrogen bubbles 2. They coalesce, they do combine and do not repel each other which allows the nitrogen to escape 3. High efficiency of oxygen transfer.” - Dr. Rakesh Govind
Connect with Dr. Rakesh Govind
Email: rgovind@nextgenseptic.com
Website: NextGen Septic
LinkedIn: in/rakeshgovind
Read or Download Dr. Rakesh Govind’s Press Release HERE
Check out Dr. Rakesh Govind paper “Sustainable Treatment and Reuse of Water Using Decentralized Systems” HERE
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. What’s the chemical formula of orthophosphate? Is it an anion or cation? Even more complex is whether it is considered an anodic or cathodic corrosion inhibitor. Which is it? Why are phosphates used in boiler systems? What concentrations of orthophosphate are used in cooling and boiler systems? Can orthophosphate be present in makeup water? If so, why and how could this impact the cooling and boiler systems? How do you test for orthophosphate? Is orthophosphate the same as polyphosphate or organophosphate? How does pH impact the effectiveness of orthophosphate? Does phosphate react with calcium?
Welcome to the latest episode of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, where we bring you the latest insights and strategies to help water treatment professionals excel in their craft. In this episode, we have the pleasure of hosting Justin Nichols, the National Sales Manager of OptConnect’s industrial markets, to discuss the future of remote monitoring for water treatment companies.
During the podcast interview, Justin shares his extensive knowledge of IoT technology and its potential to revolutionize the way water treatment companies operate. He discusses the difference between IoT and M2M regarding remote monitoring, the equipment needed to implement remote monitoring, and how to maintain 100+ remote systems without having to inherit 100+ of your client’s internal IT teams.
As a water treater, you may have concerns about how to best communicate the benefits of remote monitoring to your customers, how to future-proof your business, and how to prove the ROI to your clients. Justin Nichols answers all these questions and more in this insightful interview.
OptConnect, an IoT technology company, provides simple, easy, and ultra-reliable solutions for connecting unattended equipment to the cloud for remote operating and monitoring platforms. Justin Nichols shares his expertise on how water treatment companies can use cellular tech to monitor remotely safely and overcome challenges such as poor cellular signal.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve in the water treatment industry, then this episode is a must-listen. Justin Nichols’ insights and strategies will help you future-proof your business, better serve your customers, and excel in your craft. So, tune in to this episode of Scaling UP! H2O podcast to learn from the best in the industry.
Bottom line: Justin Nichols is here to pave the way for the future of remote monitoring for water treaters.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites you to participate in the Global 6K for Water [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [8:00]
Interview with Justin Nichols, National Sales Manager at OptConnect [10:00]
Lightning round questions [44:14]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [49:45]
Quotes
“Manage more sites by leveraging remote capabilities.” - Justin Nichols
“IoT allows the end user that's trying to scale a connected solution to be able to do it more efficiently and more cost-effectively.” - Justin Nichols
“The more we can leverage technology, the more valuable our service contracts will be.” - Justin Nichols
“Data plan costs have gone way down, it may only be $10 to $20 a month. We encourage our customers to look at the cost of a cellular data plan vs. the overhead of paying an employee windshield time.” - Justin Nichols
“Soon we will be on-site less because we will be able to do so much more remotely.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Justin Nichols
Website: OptConnect.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/justin-nichols-sales
Read or Download Justin’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Global 6K for Water
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Episode 46, Phosphate Testing
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
“The Power of Moments: Why Certain Experiences Have Extraordinary Impact” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Alkalinity is an important concept to learn. It can be both simple and complex at times. What is the definition of alkalinity? What chemical species can make up alkalinity? Are pH and alkalinity the same or different? How are they related? What is a dissociation curve in regards to various forms of alkalinity versus pH? How does the level of alkalinity impact the solubility of other chemical elements? How is the P-Alkalinity test different from the M-Alkalinity test? What units are used to express these test results? Do you test for the OH alkalinity or do you calculate it or both? What chemical species are typically represented by each of these tests? What can interfere with an alkalinity test?
Last week Chris Yee, owner of Zenith Search Partners recruiting firm, shared the ways that each of the 5 Generations in the workplace was different. In this episode, Part 2 of his 2-part series on building the best multigenerational workforce, Chris will be sharing the things that unite them and the common needs that every employee, no matter their generation, requires from their workplace leader.
Chris and his team specialize in connecting talented people with great employers in the water treatment space. Welcome back to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, Chris, we are looking forward to hearing your research findings about:
-
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- What are the 4 common things that all employees need, no matter their generation? - What are the top 3 reasons people leave their companies? - What are the typical lengths of time that an employee from each of the 5 generations will stay with their company, and what is their motivation for leaving? - What should we as interviewers do to best prepare before interviewing a candidate? - What are the best questions to ask a candidate in an interview?
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Bottom line: Chris Yee is going to share how you, too, can build the best Multigenerational Workforce in this special 2-part podcast series.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites you to The Hang on April 13th at 6 pm EST 2023 [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [8:40]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [12:24]
Interview with Chris Yee about Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce, Part 2 [14:30]
Lightning round questions [46:40]
Quotes
“Hire for culture, and not for checklists on a resume.” - Chris Yee
“Hope is our most precious asset in times of turmoil and trouble.” - Chris Yee
“Leverage your network, that’s the most efficient and direct path to success.” - Chris Yee
“Care about people, not the deals. If we care more about the people, the deals will come.” - Chris Yee
“Listen and listen well.” - Chris Yee
“Communication matters, make sure your desires, drivers, and expectations are clear. We all have the responsibility to connect on that level of dialogue.”
“The lack of preparation on some hiring managers is sometimes pretty alarming. Sometimes they don’t read the candidate’s resume until they are in the interview.” - Chris Yee
Connect with Chris Yee
Phone: 713-936-9601
Email: Chris@ZenithSearchPartners.com
Website: Zenith Search Partners
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chemrecruiter
Read or Download Chris Yee’s Press Release HERE
Link to Chris' AWT Presentation HERE
Understand a Multigenerational Workforce better by downloading the infographic HERE
Links Mentioned
Episode 300 Chis Yee’s Part 1 episode of this 2-part series
Register for The Hang happening on April 13th HERE
Angela Duckworth’s TED Talk
Simon Sineck’s Start With Why TED Talk
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is the chemical formula for calcium carbonate? What is its molecular weight? How is calcium carbonate formed? How soluble is calcium carbonate? What impacts the solubility of calcium carbonate? How can one predict its solubility? What can be done to increase the solubility of calcium carbonate? Why is calcium carbonate used to express concentrations of other chemistries such as alkalinity, total hardness, etc? What does calcium carbonate scale look like? What are field tests that can be done to identify calcium carbonate scale. How can calcium carbonate scale be cleaned?
Today's guest is Chris Yee, who owns a recruiting firm called Zenith Search Partners. He and his team specialize in connecting talented people with great employers in the water treatment space. Before he started Zenith, he held a variety of roles in the chemical industry including engineering, sales, finance, and supply chain. Today, he is on our show to talk about how to build the best multigenerational workforce. Welcome to the show, Chris!
In Part 1 of this 2-part series, Chris is talking to the Scaling UP! Nation about how to build the best multigenerational workforce. In this episode, he will be touching on:
What are the 5 generations working in water treatment today, and what are those age ranges?
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- What are each generation’s work styles? - Where did all the applicants go? - What do we need to do to attract applicants? - How can we do a better job when recruiting people to join our industry? - What are the reasons people want to work these days? - What are some of Chris’ favorite interview questions?
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Bottom line: Chris Yee will share how you, too, can build the best Multigenerational Workforce in this special 2-part podcast series.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore thanks you for helping us achieve our 300th Episode [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [11:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [14:30]
Interview with Chris Yee about Building the Best Multigenerational Workforce [ 17:00]
Quotes
“Our goal is to be a different type of recruiter. We strive to be true industrial participants of the industries we serve.” - Chris Yee
“The water industry is a 2-hump camel: a large group of folks is 50+, and then you have this 30-year-old and younger crowd, but there is a gap between those 2 ‘humps’ of people who are 35-50. 35-50-year-olds are not as prevalent in this industry.” - Chris Yee
“Employers must evaluate if people must be in the office.” - Chris Yee
“It is hard to find people who want to do that type [water treatment] of work, the pool is simply getting smaller.” - Chris Yee
“We need to communicate the benefit of water and water treatment and the role it plays in our society when recruiting newer generations of employees.” - Chris Yee
“‘Would you like to be part of this movement, if so, come over and work for us’. If you use this pitch when marketing job openings to applicants your world will change.” - Chris Yee
“‘How would you define your perfect job?’; this is a great interview question!” - Chris Yee
Connect with Chris Yee
Phone: 713-936-9601
Email: Chris@ZenithSearchPartners.com
Website: Zenith Search Partners
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chemrecruiter
Read or Download Chris Yee’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Listen Notes
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What impact can chloride have on industrial water system? What is the difference between chloride and chlorine? Does chloride typically take part in precipitation reactions? How do you test for chloride in the field? Where is the titration endpoint for chloride? Why would one calculate chloride cycles of concentration in addition to other cycles of concentration (or concentration ratio) for water systems? What could add more chloride to a system to interfere with this calculation? At what level does chloride pose a corrosion danger to stainless steels?
For the past few years, the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast has had the humbling opportunity to partner with World Vision to help bring an end to the Global Water Crisis. This year, we are inviting Crystal O'Rourke, Sr. Representative at World Vision, on the show to share how Water Treaters and Water Treatment companies can get involved to bring clean drinking water to the millions of women and children who need it most.
If you’ve ever wondered about the questions below, then this episode will inspire you to join water treaters around the world to end the world water crisis by 2030:
What does Team World Vision do?
How many people in the world do not have access to close and clean drinking water?
How can someone sponsor a child through Team World Vision?
Why a 6K and not a 5K?
Why the bright orange shirts?
How does World Vision provide clean drinking water for one person for only $50?
How does World Vision work with indigenous leaders and engineers to find the best source of water for those communities facing a water crisis?
How does having access to close and clean drinking water change communities?
How can I get involved to end the Global Water Crisis by 2030?
Bottom line: Water Treaters are on the front lines of resource management and partnering with World Vision is a great way to solve the Global Water Crisis.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to World Water Day and invites all listeners to join our podcast’s 6K Team [1:15]
Interview with Crystal O'Rourke, Sr. Representative at World Vision, about ways water treaters can help to end the Global Water Crisis [3:20]
Trace invites all water treaters to participate in the Global 6K for Water [30:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [37:00]
Quotes
“World Vision focuses on humanitarian work, bringing advocacy for the poor and oppressed, bringing justice and humanitarian affairs, including community development, and even emergency response.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“We help communities by providing needs to the communities by providing supplies, food, water, first aid.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“It is a 6K, not a 5K, because 6K is the average distance women and children have to walk to a water source that is usually diseased and dirty and carries a 50% mortality rate for children under the age of 5.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“Every 6K registration brings a lifetime of clean water for one person.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“Hope, joy, and justice for all children.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“Giving parents, families, and companies an opportunity to teach that we can make a difference.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“The clean water crisis is big, 1 in 10 people are lacking access to close clean drinking water, but we can do something about it. If you and I participate in the Global 6K, we’ve just given 2 more people access to clean drinking water.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“World Vision works in 100 countries.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“With something as little as $50, you can change someone's life.” - Crystal O'Rourke
“Not every day do you get to do something big like saving a life.” - Crystal O'Rourke
Connect with Crystal O'Rourke
Phone: (760) 490-4209
Email: crorourke@worldvision.org
LinkedIn: in/crystalnorourke/
Website: worldvision.org
Sponsor a Child HERE
Donate or Run with Scaling UP! Nation’s 6K Team HERE
Learn how to set up a 6K Team for your company HERE
Links Mentioned
Join the Global 6K
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
First, what’s the difference between molybdenum and molybdate? Is molybdate an anionic or cathodic corrosion inhibitor? How does it inhibit corrosion? Does molybdate have any similarities to chromate? How do you field test for molybdate? What are the ranges for the tests? How are the test results expressed? What could happen if two different molybdate test results are expressed in two different units? What are common molybdate dosages for both open and closed water systems? Does microbiological activity have any impact on molybdate? Which test and at what level may the presence of molybdate impact testing for iron?
Brian Katarski loves using Lean Management techniques to continuously improve AquaPhoenix Scientific’s warehouse. By using Lean Management at their warehouse, their team can quickly and effectively deliver orders to satisfied customers, layout their warehouse to keep their employees safe, and keep prices down by not over or under-ordering products for their shelves.
Brian Katarski is VP of Sales at AquaPhoenix Scientific and when he first started there was only a crew of 10 staff, now they are a company of over 300 people, and one of the ways they were able to grow was because they implemented Lean Management in their warehouse and across their company.
In this podcast interview, Brian dives into these questions:
What are the foundations of Lean Warehouse Management?
How does a Continuous Improvement Warehouse Management system work?
Why is Lean Warehouse Management important?
What Lean systems and tools work best in warehouse management?
Why is inventory management important?
What are the 8 Wastes of Lean Management?
What are the 5’s of Lean Management?
What are the best tips when implementing Lean Management?
How do you help your team feel comfortable in the midst of constant change?
Bottom line:
Brian Katarski introduces Lean Warehouse Management tips and suggestions to help your water treatment company take tiny steps that will lead to big payoffs.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore encourages you to try something new and learn from your mistakes [1:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [5:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [9:30]
Interview with Brian Katarski VP of Sales at AquaPhoenix Scientific about his career journey [12:00]
Introduction to Lean Warehouse Management [20:00]
Brian’s tips to keep yourself Continuously Improving and where to find Lean resources [52:00]
Quotes
“You need to recognize and own a process. It’s not easy. Then you need to fix it and get help from someone outside of your organization who has experience, then make it a repeatable and sustainable practice.” - Brian Katarski
“When you have a new problem to solve, get halfway to the goal you want to achieve, implement it, celebrate it, then keep going.” - Brian Katarski
“If you make a mistake, great. Celebrate it. Win it. Let’s move on. Make it better. You’ll never make that mistake again.” - Brian Katarski
“Have an open mind and be able to admit that you could be wrong.” - Brian Katarski
“You have to help people get comfortable being uncomfortable.” - Brian Katarski
“You will never get ahead if you stay in your comfort zone.” - Brian Katarski
“Take the first step, recognize the problem, and do something about it. Make tiny little improvements; you'll be surprised how they add up.” - Brian Katarski
Connect with Brian Katarski
Phone: 717-465-7859
Email: bkatarski@aquaphoenixsci.com
Company Website: aquaphoenixsci.com
Education Website: aquaphoenixeducation.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bkatarski
Read or Download Brian Katarski’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
NIST
MANTEC
Episode 257 The One About Lollipop Moments with Drew Dudley
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Join our Global 6K Team for clean drinking water
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual by Jocko Willink
The Dichotomy of Leadership: Balancing the Challenges of Extreme Ownership to Lead and Win by Jocko Willink
Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss
This Is Day One by Drew Dudley
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Not just a dietary supplement, but an industrial water treatment chemical, too. What is zinc used for in water treatment? How does it function? Does zinc work better alone or along with other water treatment chemicals? How does pH impact zinc, and what can be done about it? What’s a typical dosage level for zinc? What could happen if it is overfed? How about underfed? Are there any restrictions that may prevent the use of zinc? Do any of the products you currently use have zinc in them? Can you test for zinc in the field? If so, how?
Chris Golden, Director of Sales at Taylor Water Technologies and CWT Certification Chair, is our returning guest and he is here to share the latest information about water treaters getting their Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation.
Today Chris is answering these listener questions and so many more:
How does one become a CWT?
Why get your CWT?
What does having your CWT do to differentiate you from other water treaters at the same company?
Does a CWT employee make more money than an employee without a CWT?
Why should business owners encourage employees to get their CWTs?
Why should customers opt for water treaters with a CWT designation?
What are some places customers should research to learn more about CWTs?
What happens after the exam has been passed?
What does the CWT recertification process look like?
Once someone has their CWT, what do they need to do to maintain that certification?
What is the difference between a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and a Continuing Education Hours?
The CWT Certification Process:
Bottom line: Chris Golden shares the latest information about getting and maintaining your Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [5:45]
Interview with Chris Golden, Director of Sales at Taylor Water Technologies and CWT Certification Chair, about getting your CWT [9:00]
Trace’s message for those considering getting their CWT in 2023 [45:00]
Links Mentioned
Download the CWT Certification Process HERE
CWT Prep Video Course taught by Trace Blackmore
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Quotes
“The CWT certification shows that you’re a good, committed, and ethical water treater.” - Chris Golden
“Getting your CWT shows that you have competence which builds trust.” - Chris Golden
“Employees with CWTs are proving their value by getting certified.” - Chris Golden
“As a business owner, having employees with CWTs is a valuable thing, and you should pay them more.” - Chris Golden
“Younger generations value being able to grow and progress. If you can show them a path of progression they will stay with you.” - Chris Golden
“I believe this is a designation that elevates your commitment to this industry and allows everyone who sees those three initials behind your name that you are taking this more seriously than other people in this industry.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Chris Golden
Phone: 800-TEST KIT (837-8548)
Email: cgolden@taylortechnologies.com
Website: taylortechnologies.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chrisgoldentaylortech
How to Choose a Water Treater article by Chris Golden
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Aha, we’re touching upon raw water clarification and wastewater treatment here. What is alum used for? What is its chemical formula? What weight percentage of alum is aluminum? What could happen if alum is overfed? What form does alum typically come in? Solid? Liquid? How is alum fed to a system?
Welcome to our 3rd interview with Jeffrey L. Garratt, president of Garratt-Callahan. Jeff is back to talk about how to lead a multigenerational company.
Garratt-Callahan is the largest privately-owned industrial water treatment company in North America, with offices and manufacturing plans across the United States - in California, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, and Georgia. It was founded in 1904 by Edward C. Garratt and John Callahan in Seattle, Washington. Jeff is a 4th generation company president and has learned so many lessons over the course of his time at Garratt-Callahan working shoulder-to-shoulder with an excellent team.
In this episode, Jeff Garratt and Trace Blackmore dive into the following questions and touch on so many more:
What are Jeff’s best practices for a multigenerational company?
How to start the conversation about taking the reins at a legacy company?
How should healthy leaders gracefully remove unhappy family members from a family business?
How has taxation impacted multigenerational companies?
What are all the factors business leaders should consider before attempting growth?
Why is it important for water professionals to have positive relationships with their competitors?
Bottom line: Jeffrey L. Garratt is going to share advice on how to lead a successful multigenerational company based on the lessons he learned along the way and those passed down to him since the company was founded over 100 years ago.
Timestamps
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [6:40]
Interview with Jeffrey L. Garratt, president of Garratt-Callahan Company [9:20]
Lightning Round Questions [35:15]
Quotes
“Find the next generation of leaders.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“My best advice for family members in a multigenerational company: Get involved or let it go.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“If the next generation doesn’t want to take the company’s reins, really great people from the company will step up and you have to find them.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“The people right next to you can give you this unbelievable information and listening to them is a big step in the right direction.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“Surround yourself with a bunch of people who care and who want the company to be successful.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“Before you grow, you’ve got to know where you want to go, what you want to do, and what kind of company you want to be.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“Be careful not to grow too fast because you can develop a reputation that you don’t want.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
Connect with Jeffrey L. Garratt
Phone: (650) 697-5811
Email: jgarratt@g-c.com
Website: www.garrattcallahan.com
LinkedIn: company/garratt-callahan-company/
Links Mentioned
Episode 268 The One With the President of Garratt-Callahan
Episode 295 The One About Keeping Employees Happy with Jeff Garratt
Inc Magazine’s article about why multigenerational businesses fail
Every Person Has A Story Chick-Fil-A training videos
Global 6K
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Revenue Growth Engine by Darrel Amy
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What are silicates? What are they used for? What metals do they protect? How quickly do silicates act to form their protective film? What is the most effective pH range for silicates? What is the typical dosage range for silicates? How do you test for them? Does microbiological activity have an impact upon silicates? What other chemistries are silicates often blended with to add additional protection?
Top 6 Ways to Keep Employees Happy In today’s episode, Jeffrey L. Garratt, president of the Garratt-Callahan Company, is on the show to talk about keeping employees happy. In 2023, we know it's harder than ever to find quality employees and keep the top-notch employees you already have.
Garratt-Callahan Company has been in the Garratt family since 1904. Four generations have dedicated their lives to providing effective, efficient, and safe industrial water treatment, and over the decades, they’ve found timeless ways to keep employees happy.
In this episode, Jeff Garratt and Trace Blackmore dive into the following questions and touch on so many more:
What are the top things we need to do to ensure the team is happy?
What are the business workforce struggles in 2023?
What to do when you don’t have a lot of applicants?
How has the Supply Chain changed over the past 12 months, and how will it change in the future?
What are the lessons learned from lost accounts?
How should we develop employees?
How and why should water professionals embrace AI and remote monitoring?
Bottom line: Jeff Garratt is going to share how the largest privately-owned industrial water treatment company keeps its employees happy by doing the things that can be done at any company, no matter the size.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore invites you to The Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. The podcast created by water treaters and for water treaters [1:01]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [2:35]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [7:48]
Interview with Jeffrey L. Garratt, president of the Garratt-Callahan Company [9:45]
Quotes
“If you want to hire people, you need to train your people.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“Give employees authority for their own success and allow them to do what they need to do.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“We must let our employees know we are standing behind them.” -Jeffrey L. Garratt
“You have to put the time into employees, it is a process to build up new employees' confidence.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“You cannot fear making a mistake. You need to learn from them.” -Jeffrey L. Garratt
Connect with Jeffrey L. Garratt:
Phone: (650) 697-5811
Email: jgarratt@g-c.com
Website: www.garrattcallahan.com
LinkedIn: company/garratt-callahan-company/
Read or Download Jeffrey L. Garratt’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Download the Top 6 Ways to Keep Employees Happy HERE
Episode 268 The One With the President of Garratt-Callahan
Episode 296 The One about Leading a Successful Multigenerational Company (airs 2.24.23)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is nitrite used for? What systems is nitrite used within? What is a typical dosage range? Can you test for nitrite in the field? If so, what tests are available? How are the units expressed for nitrite? What could happen if two people are unknowingly talking different units when comparing nitrite test results? What happens if nitrite is overfed? What happens if nitrite is underfed? What is the potential impact of microbiological activity upon nitrite? What are possible byproducts from any microbiological impact? What could it mean when the conductivity of a closed loop system has remained the same but nitrite levels are dropping? What is nitrite often blended with for more complete system protection?
John A. Mullen brings new energy into the plumbing and mechanical industry. With nearly 2 decades of unique leadership experience and a vision for more intelligent and sustainable systems, he was the perfect guest to have on this week’s podcast interview. A fourth-generation plumber, John has engaged in a multitude of complex projects, from the position of apprentice to a highly accountable company executive. As director of Technical Services at IAPMO, John engages with industry professionals throughout the world, bringing together the best and brightest minds to work together on safety initiatives and code-related topics, and creates technical content for education and advocacy, continuing the tradition of helping to provide safe plumbing systems to the public.
In this podcast interview, John answers these questions and so many more:
How can water treaters work better with plumbers to get the best product to their customers and to ensure things are designed and operating correctly?
What’s happening in 2023 at IAPMO?
What do we need to know about Hydrogen Piping and its codes?
How has the plumbing industry changed in the past 100 years?
What was John’s journey as he transitioned from a member to a leader at IAPMO?
What can people find in the IAPMO library?
Why should professionals get involved with a professional organization and how can organizations best support their volunteers?
As an author and content creator, what advice does John have for those on the creative sidelines?
Bottom line: John A. Mullen shares why you should share what you know so the entire industry can grow.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to our 294th podcast and thanks listeners for our top 3% rating [1:01]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [6:27]
Scott Wozniak was right; listening to Audible at a faster speed [10:37]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [13:46]
Interview with John Mullen, Director of Technical Services at IAPMO [17:00]
Lightning Round Questions with John Mullen [39:35]
Quotes
“I try to build relationships with others in the industry and make sure we are all working together.” - John A. Mullen
“I like making things smarter and automating systems, watching systems virtually is a pretty cool thing to see.” - John A. Mullen
“At the end of the day, we all help move the industry forward.” - John A. Mullen
“I do the best I can to represent the industry as a whole and help everybody.” - John A. Mullen
Connect with John A. Mullen
Phone: 631-219-4190
Email: John.Mullen@iapmo.org
Website: iapmo.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnamullen/
Read and Subscribe to John’s Newsletter HERE
Read or Download John’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Scott Wozniak's episode 292
Audible
Uniformcodes.org
IAPMO’s The Authority podcast
The Global 6K with Team World Vision, May 20th
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Drop by Drop by James McDonald
Throw a Wrench in your Plans, An Atlas to the Industry - Plumbing & Mechanical newsletter by John A. Mullen
Every interaction anyone on your team has with a client is Sales, from your Support Line to your Sales Managers. Learn the Sales skills you need to increase Sales and Profit at your water company so that the entire team benefits.
Adam Shapiro has been helping individuals, teams, and enterprises since 2004. Using a sales process, messaging and disciplines framework, Adam applies his proven process to what and how his clients sell resulting in improved sales performance.
Today Adam is answering these questions and so many more:
Why does the Sales Team’s process frequently look like the “Wild West”?
What are the 2 reasons Sales Teams struggle?
What are Adam’s lessons learned after working 18 years in Sales?
Are Salespeople made or born?
When hiring a Salesperson, what qualities are most important?
What do you need to successfully transition from a Salesperson to a Sales Manager?
What does sales coaching look like?
How do your Sales Managers report to your Executive Team?
How do we efficiently move clients through the sales process?
Bottom line: Adam Shapiro is going to teach podcast listeners how to prepare and professionalize their sales teams.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore shares Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [8:50]
Interview with Adam Shapiro, President of SalesReformSchool [10:35]
Adam Shapiro answers the Lightning Round Questions [45:11]
Quotes
“Your sales process must be repeatable and intentional, and your team needs to be prepared.” - Adam Shapiro
“The Sales Team needs to define its client profiles and its market so the team can do it in a clear, convincing, and confident manner.” - Adam Shapiro
“If Sales was easy, everyone would do it. Sales is hard, that’s why the payoff can be so good.” - Adam Shapiro
“Nearly all sales calls in a B2B world is a complex sales made up of multiple decision makers and multiple decisions. Make sure you have a conversation with all of them.” - Adam Shapiro
“Do your reps know your sales process, and can they identify where they are in that process?” - Adam Shapiro
“Everyone on the Executive Team should know the company’s Sales Process.”
“If you are not documenting your sales calls in the form of the email back to your prospects to where that's the start of your next conversation is what did you think of my email recap you're doing it wrong so every meaningful conversation deserves a recap of that conversation.” - Adam Shapiro
“A proposal should be defined within every company that the prospect will learn nothing new from it, it's just a combination of all the conversations and process steps we’ve done before, put into writing including the terms and conditions so we can get a signature.” - Adam Shapiro
Connect with Adam Shapiro
Phone: 404-798-8397
Email: adam@salesreformschool.com
Book 30 mins with Adam: HERE
Website: salesreformschool.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adshap
Twitter: AdamShap
Read or Download Adam’s Press Release HERE
Links Mentioned
Episode 146 with Adam Shapiro
Can She Sell Blog Post
CWT Exam Prep Course
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses
Submit a Show Idea
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Traction by Gino Wickman
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Glutaraldehyde. What is the nefarious sounding chemistry? What is glutaraldehyde used for? Does it have an optimum pH range, and is it a narrow or broad range? What are typical dosages for glutaraldehyde? How quickly does it do its job? What is it effective against? Will anything cause glutaraldehyde to degrade? If deactivated, what impact could this have on a Closed Loop system? Can glutaraldehyde be tested for in the field or in the lab? Is it fed continuously or intermittently?
Some companies are legendary brands. They set the standard for their category and have raving fans, not just regular customers. And these companies make this happen year after year. In this episode, you’ll learn the systems and methods used by these legendary brands. These aren’t abstract theories, but practical methods, and insider stories, learned from working inside a lot of exceptional companies, including Disney, Nucor Steel, and Chick-fil-A.
Today’s guest is going to teach the best practices around the Customer Experience Engine and building a strong brand, even in a more technical, municipal space. It’s none other than Scott Wozniak. Who is Scott Wozniak? Scott leads a consulting company, speaks at conferences, hosts 2 podcasts, writes a weekly newsletter and books, and coaches CEOs.
You can become a brand legend in your space with the Customer Experience Engine that continuously delivers exceptional results.
Bottom line: Scott Wozniak is going to introduce us to the Customer Experience Engine and teach you how to create growth year after year in your company.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore talks about Planning for 2023 before it passes you by [1:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [5:40]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [7:30]
Interview with Scott Wozniak about the Customer Experience Engine, building a trustworthy brand, getting outside of your bubble to learn new perspectives, getting to know your customers, and hiring the right people [ 13:31]
Lightning round questions [1:00:00]
Reflecting on core values with Trace [1:18:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
Now, I know some people pronounce it tolytriazole, but there is a second “l” in there. I was taught to pronounce it tolyltriazole. It’s also often shortened to TTA or just TT. What is tolyltriazole used for? What is its chemical formula? At what concentrations is tolytriazole effective? What is the impact of oxidizing biocides upon it? How does it react with metal surfaces? How does one test for tolyltriazole? Are there challenges with blending a product with tolyltriazole in it?
Quotes
“If you want a legendary brand or a solid brand in your category, you need to create trust. If they don’t trust you, it doesn’t matter how good your sales and marketing engines are.” - Scott Wozniak
“How to run your brand into the ground: have world-class marketing and sales and poor operations.” - Scott Wozniak
“Even if I make the sale, I can sour the relationship if I cannot deliver on the sale. The point isn’t short-term sales, the point is a long-term brand. The more your brand grows, the more success and reputation it gets.” - Scott Wozniak
“Go to where the customers are and watch them interact with your stuff.” - Scott Wozniak
“Customers ask: do you see me, do you care about me, do I matter as a real person to you?”- Scott Wozniak
“You have to put more time and effort into hiring than ever.” - Scott Wozniak
“You don’t have a choice. You either put in the time to hire with excellence, or you put in the time to manage misfit employees. You only get to pick where you want to spend the time.” - Scott Wozniak
“If you are sloppy with hiring, everything else gets harder.” - Scott Wozniak
“Hire for character (what are the unique character qualities of your company), chemistry (do we like this person, do we enjoy each other), and competency (can they do the job, which is the least important because you can always train them).” - Scott Wozniak
Connect with Scott Wozniak
Email: scott@swozconsulting.com
Phone: 678-395-1538
Consulting Website: swozconsulting.com
Branding Website: scottwozniak.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/scottwozniak
Scott’s Podcast 1: Upgrade Engines
Scott’s Podcast 2: Alpha Pack Podcast
Sign up for Scott’s weekly email to upgrade your life: HERE
Scott Wozniack Press Release: Read or download HERE
Links Mentioned
Audible
Kathleen Edelman talks about Temperaments in Episode 281
mcbroken.com (map showing ice cream machines that are broken)
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
How to Fail as a Leader: A fast-paced fable about leaders who totally biff strategy and execution but learn enough to win in the end by Scott Wozniak
The Cornerstone PATH: A business fable about saving your project and your career by Scott Wozniak
Awake From Atrophy: Rethinking Church (Not the Bible) And Finishing the Reformation by Scott Wozniak
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
12 Week Year by Brian Moran
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery by Eric Metaxas
We’re bringing back listener favorite, James McDonald, CWT on the show to talk about Nitrites. Today, he answers listener questions such as:
-
-
- How do you convert Nitrite to Sodium Nitrite? - How do you make sure your Nitrite levels are not too high or too low? - Does microbiological activity impact nitrite levels? - What can cause a reaction in a closed loop system when there’s Nitrite involved? - What do you need to know before adding a biocide to a system that has Nitrite in it? - How can you prevent pitting from happening when you are using Nitrite? - What is Nitrite used for?
-
Bottom line: Tune in to learn all about Nitrite from James McDonald.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the podcast made by water professionals for water professionals [01:01]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [4:15]
All about Nitrite with James McDonald, CWT [8:20]
What sparks inspiration [16:00]
How to get involved with the AWT Technical Committee [27:00]
Trace and James tell Chuck Norris Jokes [36:00]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [38:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
With the right lighting, this molecule has a certain glow about it. Why is PTSA used? Can PTSA be used in both cooling towers AND Boilers? Why or why not? How about closed loops? What does PTSA stand for? What is a typical dosage of PTSA? How is the concentration of PTSA measured? What can cause PTSA to degrade? Is PTSA compatible with all biocides? Why did PTSA come into more widespread use within the last decade or so? Should other parameters be measured regularly in addition to PTSA or can one rely solely upon the PTSA reading when monitoring product dosage?
Quotes
“Nitrite can be tested in the field, which is great because not everything can be.” - James McDonald
“To convert from Nitrite to Sodium Nitrite, you multiply Nitrite by 1.5; that's a big multiplier. So if you're not talking apples to apples, you're talking apples to oranges, and you may be out of range and not know it.” - James McDonald
“Having too low of Nitrite levels can be worse than no Nitrite in the system because of the pitting that can occur.” - James McDonald
“Nitrite can be bug food. Do some tests and make a plan.” - James McDonald
“Nitrite can get a reaction in a closed loop when adding sulfites and biocides.” - James McDonald
Connect with James McDonald
Phone: (937) 689-4031
LinkedIn: in/james-mcdonald-pe
Websites:
industrialwaterscience.com
Chemaqua.com
Industrial Water Treatment Cartoon:
industrialwaterscience.com/fun
James McDonald Press Release:
Read or download Here
Links Mentioned
The Rising Tide Mastermind
CWT Practice Course from the Scaling UP! H2O Academy
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Book Mentioned
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald
James McDonald, CWT the Director of Technology and Marketing at Chem-Aqua, creator of the Industrial Water Comic, the creative mind behind Detective H2O water mysteries, and the spark that ignited Industrial Water Week is today’s guest.
James McDonald has a full-time job and still finds the time to volunteer on AWT’s Technical Committee, create a holiday for industrial water treaters, create weekly podcast episodes, and design humorous comics that will bring a smile to any water treater’s face. He does these things because they are the things that bring him joy and help the water industry grow and learn.
Bottom line: James McDonald is going to teach us how to make time for the things that are most important to us, so we can focus on our professional passions.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to 2023 and shares some new video course content with you [01:00]
Interview with James McDonald, CWT [14:00]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [44:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald
What is DBNPA? What is its full, molecular name? What is DBNPA used for? What is its method of action to do what it does? What is the optimal pH range for DBNPA? What are typical use concentrations? What is it effective against? How long does DBNPA take to be effective? What could make it ineffective in one system but effective in another?
Quotes
“I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the job I have. I enjoy the career I’m in, industrial water treatment.” - James McDonald
“Even though the world isn’t knocking at our doors asking for our help to save the universe, we still save the universe behind the scenes, and I personally love that.” - James McDonald
“We need to celebrate. Sometimes we need an excuse to celebrate, an excuse to talk about what we do, and trumpet to the world what we do; which was the idea behind starting Industrial Water Week.” - James McDonald
“I love January because it always feels like a new start. Let’s make 2023 the best year ever.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with James McDonald
Phone: (937) 689-4031
LinkedIn: in/james-mcdonald-pe
Websites:
industrialwaterscience.com
Chemaqua.com
Industrial Water Treatment Cartoon:
industrialwaterscience.com/fun
James McDonald Press Release:
Read or download Here
Links Mentioned
Rocketbook
Water Cake
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Industrial Water Week, Oct 2-6, 2023
CWT Practice Course from the Scaling UP! H2O Academy
Episode 276 Detective H2O’s The Case of Seeing the Dead
The Rising Tide Mastermind
List of January 1st podcast episodes by year
1st one of 2022
1st one of 2021
1st one of 2020
1st one of 2019
1st one of 2018
2023 Events for Water Professionals
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Happy New Year, Scaling UP! Nation. It's amazing how much we can accomplish in a year, and right now, at this moment, you get an entire year to accomplish your goals.
Take this week to plan your year because we all know that life set to default doesn’t get us where we want to go. Don’t live life by default; instead, do something new each and every day to make sure that you are getting the most out of it. Make sure you're working towards your goals every day this year. Build a life you can reflect back on and be proud of in 2023.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore is going to teach you how to start the year off right by doing a SWOT Analysis with a twist.
Timestamps
Trace Blackmore’s advice on making a plan for 2023 so you don’t live life by default [01:30]
Periodic Water Table With James McDonald [08:25]
SWOT Analysis with a twist [10:30]
What’s in store for the podcast in 2023 and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [21:30]
Periodic Water Table
…PBTC. First, what does PBTC stand for? What is its chemical formula? What is it used for? What systems is it used in? How does it compare with other phosphonates? What does “calcium tolerance” have to do with PBTC? What concentrations is it used in industrial water treatment? Is it synergistic with any other water treatment chemicals? Do you use any products with PBTC in it right now? Which ones?
Quotes
“Instead of doing SWOT, do TOWS. Start with the Threats and work backward to your Strengths. By being externally focused on what Threats are out there vs. we are thinking about protecting what we already have you’ll learn more.” - Trace Blackmore
“We want to make sure everyone has access to clean drinking water.” - Trace Blackmore
“There is always something new to learn out there.” - Trace Blackmore
“Take this week to plan your next year.” - Trace Blackmore
“If your brain is getting bored, challenge it, and I promise it will change everything.” - Trace Blackmore
“Don’t sell on price. Sell on your values.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O
Email Executive Podcast Producer, Corrine Drury: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Links Mentioned
Legionella Resources
Ep 249 Jill Cavano’s SWOT Analysis
Ep 288 The One Where Trace Blackmore Reflects On 2022
Global 6K (May 20th, 2023)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Events
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned
Will It Fly by Pat Flynn
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran
What was the best thing you learned this year? What about water treatment surprised you this year? Who helped you learn this year? What did you take the time to research? What is sparking your curiosity?
In keeping with tradition, we are using the last episode of the year to encourage ALL of our listeners to reflect back on 2022 and make a plan for 2023.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore is going to inspire you to celebrate what you’ve learned in 2022 and make a plan to grow in 2023.
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the last episode of 2022 [1:00]
Thinking On Water With James [17:40]
Industrial Water Week, AWT, Building a community of water treaters, Team World Vision, Sneak Peek of 2023 episodes, The Rising Tide Mastermind, and the new Scaling UP! H2O Academy [20:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about evaporative condensers. What is the difference between an open-air cooling tower and an evaporative condenser? What unique challenges do evaporative condensers present? How might system volume be different between an evaporate condenser and an open-air cooling tower? How could the water treatment need to be different in an evaporative condenser? What about antimicrobials? Why and how should an evaporative condenser be cleaned and passivated prior to starting up a new system? Could a common sump for multiple units provide any benefits? Is white rust and common coil metallurgy a consideration? Take this week to think about evaporative condensers and how they can offer their own unique challenges when treating their water.
Be sure to follow #TOW22 and #ScalingUpH2O to share your thoughts on each week’s Thinking on Water. I’m James McDonald, and look forward to learning more…from you.
Wait…one last note as we bring 2022 to an end. Together, we’ve thought about 52 Thinking on Waters with James. We’ve covered everything from industrial water in to industrial water out and everything in between. For being a profession that few people have heard of, there sure is a LOT to know about it to do it correctly. I want to thank you for taking this journey with me yet again. What will 2023 hold? More learning, I can assure you. What format will it take? You’ll just have to wait and see…next year…drop by drop.
Quotes:
“How do you know what you don’t know?” - Tim Fulton
“It's always great to take a Victory Lap and see what life has given you as a gift but also what is life trying to teach you so you can make the next year even better.” - Trace Blackmore
I always want to be the first person to say ‘I’ll help you with that.” - Trace Blackmore
“How can you serve? Take a moment to find one thing you can do to serve other people. Line up your volunteer opportunities before the end of the year.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email Executive Podcast Producer, Corrine Drury: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: youtube.com/@ScalingUpH2O
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Links Mentioned:
Scaling UP! H2O Academy
Tim Fulton’s website
James McDonald’s Thinking On Water With James
Industrial Water Week
Team World Vision’s Global 6K
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Thank You to 2022’s Podcast Sponsors!
AquaPhoenix
Reinert Consulting
Special Pathogens
Fluid Maintenance Solutions
McGowan Insurance
Scranton Associates
Everyone is looking for new ways to increase employee engagement and employee retention, which is why we brought back podcast guest Reid Hutchison of HOH Water Technology in Palatine, IL to talk about the best ways he has found to entice Millennials and Gen Zs to his company.
What is your company known for? What reputation does your company have in the professional sphere? Why does top talent opt to apply to your company or remain at your company?
If you are looking for the secret sauce to entice the next generation of water professionals to your company, then this episode is for you.
Bottom line: Reid Hutchison is going to share how companies that give back create better employee engagement.
Timestamps:
Merry Christmas and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:01]
Thinking On Water With James [08:13]
Interview with Reid Hutchison of HOH Water about his involvement with AWT [10:00]
Why everyone needs to consider joining The Rising Tide Mastermind [22:00]
Inspire employee engagement and solve the Global Water Crisis with The Global 6K [32:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about something a little different. We’re thinking about Santa Claus and all the gifts he brings. Assuming you have been a good industrial water treatment professional if Santa Claus could leave you a new piece of water-testing equipment in your stocking, what would it be? Would it be a replacement for something you already have? Would it be something you’ve always wanted, instead? If either of these, why haven’t you already replaced it or why haven’t you already gotten it? Could you make it a goal to get it in the new year? What if Santa Claus could bring you a piece of water-testing equipment that doesn’t even exist yet? What would that be? Take this week to think about what you carry around for water testing every day and how you might just be your own Santa Claus this year.
Quotes:
“It's a challenge, for all of us collectively, to continue to attract talented people.” - Reid Hutchison
“I would love to be a part of a company that makes a difference, to be a part of an industry that makes a difference in the world.” - Reid Hutchison
“Ending the global water crisis is a team effort.” - Reid Hutchison
“It costs about $50 to deliver water to one person.” - Reid Hutchison
“I am always looking to learn and improve.” - Reid Hutchison
“By 2030, it is possible that the global water crisis will be solved or ended. The only way to reach that goal is to mobilize more people to engage in the effort to help millions of people.” - Reid Hutchison
Connect with Reid Hutchison:
Email: rhutchison@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: in/reid-h-3a329431
Press Release
Links Mentioned:
Watch this video as Reid Hutchison shares how you as an individual or as a company owner can participate in this year’s Global 6K for Water scalinguph2o.com/ReidGlobal6K
Make a donation or Join Team Scaling UP! Nation’s Global 6K scalinguph2o.com/6K
Team World Vision
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Episodes Mentioned:
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World
284 The One About The AWT Convention Experience
What do you do when you encounter an issue you’ve never seen before in the field? What is the process you work through to figure out what is wrong? Where do you go to look for the information you need? What do you test for? How do you know if your treatments are working? How do you communicate and collaborate with your customers when there is a problem with one of their systems?
If you want to know the Secret 6 Steps you need to take today to resolve a new problem you encounter in the field, Adam Sites has the solution you are looking for.
1.) Identify the problem
2.) Think through what could be going on in your memory banks
3.) Reach out to others who might have more experience with your problem (the client, fellow Mastermind Members, professionals in your network, mentors, your suppliers)
4.) Test what you think the issue is until you’ve narrowed it down
5.) After testing and you’ve figured out what the issue is, treat and observe
6.) Document what you did and learned, and share what you learned with others
Adam Sites, CWT has worked with Capital Technologies for over 15 years and, like many smaller water treatment companies, he wears many hats, including service manager and sales manager. Working with his team and finding new opportunities to grow their business are equally rewarding to him. In short, Adam is always up for new opportunities to grow and learn.
Podcast host and CWT, Trace Blackmore reminds us that when we educate ourselves, we get better; and when we learn individually, the entire water industry benefits. Trace Blackmore interviews Adam Sites about what Adam did when he was up against a new
Bottom line: Adam Sites shares the 6 steps you need to do in the field when you come up against unexpected challenges.
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore shares Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Thinking On Water With James [7:45]
The career journey of Adam Sites CWT, Service Manager and Sales Manager of Capitol Technologies [9:00]
The Purple Goo Mystery: AKA working a problem until it is solved [18:11]
Sales, new business, PSA take care of your Mental Health, Lightning Round questions with Adam Sites [38:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the Heat Exchanger Fouling Factor. What is a Fouling Factor? What does it tell about the efficiency of heat transfer across a heat exchanger? How is a Fouling Factor calculated? What assumptions do design engineers make about Fouling Factors when designing a new heat exchanger, and how might these assumptions impact the water flow rate? What can impact a Fouling Factor over time? Why is understanding Fouling Factors important? Take this week to think about and learn more about the heat exchanger Fouling Factor.
Quotes:
“I used the Pandemic to work on my messaging, and what I wanted to say. I built up my knowledge in new areas and established a better plan to figure out ‘What is the right kind of business and who do I want to talk to?’ Now I’m better prepared to talk to new customers.” - Adam Sites
“One of the cool things about water treatment is the mysteries, and things that are new to us.” - Adam Sites
“If you don’t know the answer, ask and find it out. It’s okay to ask.” - Adam Sites
“PSA - take care of your mental health. There are so many resources out there. Check out the National Suicide & Crisis Hotline - call 988 if you need help.” - Adam Sites
Connect with Adam Sites:
Phone: 724-747-7446
Email: adam@captec.us
Website: captec.us
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/adam-sites-cwt-64a14265
Press Release
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
National Suicide & Crisis Hotline - call 988
Audible
Episodes Mentioned:
Episode 110 about Boiler Surging (episode question provided by Adam Sites)
Episode 257 with TED Talk speaker and author, Drew Dudley
Episode 117 Part 1 with Kathleen Edelman
Episode 179 Part 2 with Kathleen Edelman
Episode 281 Part 3 with Kathleen Edelman
Books Mentioned:
This is Day One by Drew Dudley
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
The Walking Dead: Invasion by Jay Bonansinga and Robert Kirkman
I Said This, You Heard That – Workbook by Kathleen Edelman
A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring by Kathleen Edelman
We’ve talked about what Legionella bacteria is and how to prevent Legionella from developing in your clients’ systems on previous podcast episodes, but what do you do when your building does test positive for Legionella bacteria? We’ve had so many questions about this topic that the Scaling UP! H2O team decided to re-release our most listened-to episode on this topic.
Dr. Alberto Comazzi answers dozens of listener-submitted questions about what to do when your system tests positive for Legionella, and what options water professionals need to consider when treating Legionella bacteria in your client’s systems.
For those of you who don’t know Alberto Comazzi: he is a member of the ASHRAE SSPC 188 committee, AWWA premise plumbing committee, and the AWT pre-treatment committee. Alberto is certified to ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel. The author and co-author of fifteen scientific papers, and the Technical Director at Sanipur US, based in Philadelphia PA, Alberto was the first person I thought to have on the show to answer questions about treating systems positive for Legionella.
Alberto Comazzi has a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Milan, Italy. His research during his academic experience was focused on the study of the stability and the interaction among different chlorine-based water disinfectants. He has presented at over 20 conferences and there was no one our listeners enjoyed learning from more on the topic of Legionella than Alberto.
Bottom line: Alberto knows exactly what you should do when treating a system that tests positive for Legionella bacteria.
Want to learn more about Legionella?
Check out our free Legionella Resources page HERE
Timestamps:
A thank you from podcast host, Trace Blackmore [1:00]
Introducing Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. [10:19]
No silver bullet for Legionella remediation [15:00]
The three Legionella remediation options and their drawbacks: Heat and Flush, Filters, and Supplemental Disinfectant [17:00]
If a customer requests Supplemental Disinfectant, what should you consider, and what questions should you ask so you can develop the right plan for them? [30:00]
Other harmful water pathogens and re-opening buildings after COVID [39:00]
Why should your company get involved with Water Hygiene? [48:00]
What are some unforeseen pitfalls to look out for and your best advice for our water treatment listeners? [52:00]
Lightning round questions [57:00]
Quotes:
“The awareness about Legionella is much higher than it was two years ago for two main reasons: buildings are reopening and public awareness of infections in general.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“There isn’t one silver bullet for water management.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“You need to be proactive about testing for Legionella; that’s the only way to know if your plan is working.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“A water treatment provider needs to give their customer what they want and be able to do what’s best for them.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“We’re coming out of COVID, and as buildings are reopening there is definitely an increased awareness about Legionella and other waterborne pathogens from the people outside of the healthcare industry.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“When you do water hygiene, you are helping public health and buildings, and you are saving lives.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“The most important reason to do water hygiene is to help public health.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
Connect with Alberto Comazzi:
Phone: 267-326-2353
Email: a.comazzi@sanipur.it
Website: www.sanipur.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-comazzi-132637128/
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about infrared thermometers or guns. Why would you want to use an infrared thermometer on industrial water systems? What pieces of equipment should they be used upon? How far away are they accurate? What does the distance-to-spot ratio tell you about the size of area the infrared thermometer is measuring? How does the design of the steam trap impact where and what temperatures you should see around a trap? Take this week to think about infrared thermometers, their strengths, weaknesses, and uses.
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Have FOMO because you were unable to attend the 2022 AWT Convention in Vancouver, Canada this year? Get ready for all that guilt and stress to melt away because Trace Blackmore is bringing the Convention experience to you.
Trace Blackmore brought his microphone to the 2022 AWT Convention in Vancouver, Canada, and recorded the Convention experience so even if you were not able to attend this year, you can hear all about the Convention through the voices and stories of Convention guests.
Listen as Trace Blackmore interviews AWT Presidents, Attendees, Vendors, Suppliers, Sponsors, Award Recipients, and Business Owners as they describe everything they are experiencing and learning at the 2022 AWT Convention.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore brings the AWT Convention experience to podcast listeners.
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the latest episode and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:50]
Introducing the AWT Convention to podcast listeners [6:17]
Interview with Steve Hallier, AWT President [8:52]
Interview with Janice Shawl, Vice President of Operations; Marketing & Sales Director of AMSA, Inc. [14:00]
Interview with Stephanie Choury, Segment Marketing Specialist at Buckman [15:45]
Interview with Tom Marcone of Walchem, Corporate Vice President of Marketing at Iwaki America Inc. [17:15]
Interview with Chelsea Farmer, recipient of the 2022 Rising Star Award [19:15]
Interview with Jill Cavano, owner of Scranton Associates [21:50]
Interview with Noah Baskin, AWT President-Elect [26:00]
Thinking On Water With James [30:20]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the purpose of the slow and fast rinse of softener regeneration. After the brine draw, why are these two different flowrates of rinse required? Why not just a slow rinse or just a fast rinse? What is being accomplished with each? What is the impact if either step is too long or too short? What is the proper flowrate for each? Can you measure the flowrate? Take this week to think about the purpose of the slow and fast rinse of softener regeneration.
Quotes:
“We are looking forward to a phenomenal convention in Grand Rapids, MI in 2023. We hit a home run because historically it’s been a great venue.” - Steve Hallier, AWT President
“It is very rewarding to be part of the AWT Committees, it’s been great.” - Steve Hallier, AWT President
“I’m excited that we, as an organization, have been able to get back together. It’s nice seeing each other's faces and the professional network that we have.”- Stephanie Choury
“The AWT is in great hands.” - Trace Blackmore
“For those of us who attended the 2022 AWT Convention, it was fantastic.” - Trace Blackmore
“James McDonald painstakingly creates a segment on our podcast each and every week because he cares about the Scaling UP! Nation. He cares about the water treatment industry and he cares about our friendship. He wants to make sure that we are all raising the bar one water treater at a time.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Links Mentioned:
About Trace Blackmore
Ep 249 with Jill Cavano
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
What are the secrets to a successful leadership transition? What do you need to know before you hand over the company you built to someone else in your family, your team, or a competitor? What are some of the most common mistakes that happen in a leadership transition? What is the hardest part of phasing out of leadership? And what is the significance of 57?
Today, Trace Blackmore is interviewing Bruce Ketrick Sr., CEO of Guardian CSC, and Bruce Ketrick Jr. (BJ), President of Guardian CSC about how to successfully transition into a leadership role.
Bottom line: By the end of this episode, you’ll know how to handle a leadership transition with ruthless honesty and grace.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Giving Friday and being Thankful with Trace Blackmore [1:01]
Thinking On Water With James [7:26]
Interview with Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce (BJ) Ketrick Jr. of Guardian CSC [08:50]
Closing thoughts with Trace [42:40]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the mass balance around a closed loop system. What are all the possible ways water may enter and leave a closed loop system? How would you know if a closed loop was losing water? Could a water meter miss small water losses? Is there more than one makeup water source? Is the recirculation pump leaking? Are there process leaks or even water loses due to repairs? Is water being lost through the pressure relief valve or surge tank? How much water is lost through sidestream filtration or pot feeder equipment? Take this week to think about the mass balance around your closed loop system and the impacts this knowledge may have.
Quotes:
“I wanted to pass it down to family. I built the company because I needed to supply an income for my family, and it grew.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“We respect each other.” - Bruce Ketrick Jr.
“The hardest thing to do is to step back; you need to set aside your ego and let someone else run the show.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“Nothing happens without some disagreement.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Sr.:
Email: bketrick@guardiancsc.com
Website: guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-94111511
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Jr.:
Email: bjketrick@guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-jr-cwt-9b11189
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
In this year’s Industrial Water Week, Trace Blackmore invited Semra Gül, Technical Manager at Syntec Corporation to answer Scaling UP! Nation’s Pretreatment questions. This week, Trace Blackmore welcomes her back to talk about her career, how she got her start in the water treatment industry, volunteering, troubleshooting.
Semra Gül is originally from Turkey and had worked in Turkey and Europe before coming to the United States. She is an active member of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), serving as a member of the cooling committee and chair of the Pretreatment committee. Aside from AWT, Semra is also a member of the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Water Work Association (AWWA, Water Environment Federation (WEF), International Water Association (IWA), and Water Quality Association (WQA).
In this Episode, Trace asks Semra:
Why do European countries want to source their water treatment chemicals from the USA?
Why get involved with a professional organization and serve on a committee?
What are the ways a water treater can stay up-to-date on new water technologies?
What should someone consider when joining a professional organization?
How can Industrial Water Treaters save the environment?
How can we be better stewards of water?
Whose responsibility is it to conserve water?
What are the unseen repercussions of ‘cheap water’?
How does Semra decide what to learn next?
How to improve your troubleshooting?
What should Water Treaters stop doing?
Where will the Water Industry be 20 years from now?
What can Water Treatment companies do to attract new hires?
Bottom line: Semra Gül is a passionate Water Treater, and today, she will share with us how bad water quality pushes us to find creative solutions.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
How Trace narrows down episode topics [01:01]
Trace Blackmore interviews Semra Gül, Technical Manager at Syntec Corporation [07:06]
Lightning Round Question [37:37]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals and closing thoughts [40:30]
Thinking On Water With James [43:43]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about other uses for reverse osmosis concentrate or reject. What is the quality of the RO concentrate? Is it softened or was antiscalant used to protect the RO from scale formation? What is the volume of RO concentrate available? Is the RO located close enough to another possible use to make it feasible? Could the RO concentrate be used in a cooling tower? If so, could it provide 100% of the makeup throughout the day or would a secondary makeup be required? What would the quality of that secondary makeup need to be? Could the RO concentrate be used as a wash water for a process? Could the RO concentrate be used as a water source for a process itself? Take this week to think about the RO units you may have, and if the concentrate waste stream could become a treasure instead.
Quotes:
“How can I help?” - Semra Gül
“We have to give back to nature.” - Semra Gül
“Be sure to share your experience with other people.” - Semra Gül
“Besides networking, joining different organizations will help you to be up-to-date with new water technologies.” - Semra Gül
“The best chemist is the one who uses fewer chemicals.” - Semra Gül
“Education changes everything” - Semra Gül
“If you want to be successful, you have to be a life-long learner.” - Semra Gül
“We have to learn how to conserve water. Every single person has the personal responsibility to conserve or reuse water.” - Semra Gül
Connect with Semra Gül:
Phone: 646-988-7081
Email: semra.gl@gmail.com
Website: www.syntec.com
LinkedIn: in/semra-gul-2a572541
company/syntec-corporation
Links Mentioned:
American Chemical Society (ACS)
American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Water Environment Federation (WEF)
US Energy Information Administration
Audible
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned:
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Best Thomas Jefferson Biographies
The work that Kathleen Edelman does has given thousands of people, including podcast host Trace Blackmore, the communication tools they need to speak the language of kindness which has the power to change every relationship in your life.
There has never been a better time to choose kindness. And Kathleen would punctuate that kindness is a constant choice, and once you understand how to use words that build others up, you’ll realize that you can eliminate conflict and miscommunications.
Hear coach Edelman's advice on:
How do you know if you are communicating with kindness?
How do you create a positive atmosphere at the office for all employees?
What’s the difference between kindness and positive thinking?
How do we know if we are speaking in a negative tone?
How do we stay in our strengths in difficult situations?
How does choosing kindness improve our health?
What should we do when we see fighting in public?
How do you create an atmosphere at the office to allow for better communication?
How do we use kind words in the HR process?
Bottom line: Once you tap into the power of kindness, doors will open like you never imagined.
Your roadside friend as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy World Kindness Day [01:10]
Interview with Author, Speaker, Coach, and founder of Kind Words Are Cool, Kathleen Edelman [05:50]
Closing thoughts with Trace and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [56:29]
Thinking On Water With James [01:01:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the boiler bottom blowdown procedure. What is the purpose of performing a bottom blowdown? What are the types of valves typically seen on a bottom blowdown for a boiler? Are they different types, and, if so, why are they different types? What order should they be opened during a bottom blowdown? Why is this order important? How long should they be opened? What might happen if they are open too long? What order should they be closed? Why is this order important? Take this week to think about boiler bottom blowdown and the why’s and how it is performed.
Quotes:
“Are you being kind to yourself? - Kathleen Edelman
“Where your focus goes is where your energy flows.” - Kathleen Edelman
“When you move from Selfishness to Servitude, everything changes.” - Kathleen Edelman
“It’s proven that once you speak kindness to yourself, it increases self-esteem, increases empathy, improves your mood, and helps your blood pressure and your stress hormones.” - Kathleen Edelman
Connect with Kathleen Edelman:
Phone: (770) 846-4980
Email: hello@kindwordsarecool.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachkathleenedelman
Websites:
kathleenedelman.com
isaidyouheard.study
kindwordsarecool.com
Books:
I Said This, You Heard That
The Grown-Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring
Links Mentioned:
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
The work that Kathleen Edelman does has given thousands of people, including podcast host Trace Blackmore, the communication tools they need to speak the language of kindness which has the power to change every relationship in your life.
There has never been a better time to choose kindness. And Kathleen would punctuate that kindness is a constant choice, and once you understand how to use words that build others up, you’ll realize that you can eliminate conflict and miscommunications.
Hear coach Edelman's advice on:
How do you know if you are communicating with kindness?
How do you create a positive atmosphere at the office for all employees?
What’s the difference between kindness and positive thinking?
How do we know if we are speaking in a negative tone?
How do we stay in our strengths in difficult situations?
How does choosing kindness improve our health?
What should we do when we see fighting in public?
How do you create an atmosphere at the office to allow for better communication?
How do we use kind words in the HR process?
Bottom line: Once you tap into the power of kindness, doors will open like you never imagined.
Your roadside friend as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy World Kindness Day [01:10]
Interview with Author, Speaker, Coach, and founder of Kind Words Are Cool, Kathleen Edelman [05:50]
Closing thoughts with Trace and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [56:29]
Thinking On Water With James [01:01:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the boiler bottom blowdown procedure. What is the purpose of performing a bottom blowdown? What are the types of valves typically seen on a bottom blowdown for a boiler? Are they different types, and, if so, why are they different types? What order should they be opened during a bottom blowdown? Why is this order important? How long should they be opened? What might happen if they are open too long? What order should they be closed? Why is this order important? Take this week to think about boiler bottom blowdown and the why’s and how it is performed.
Quotes:
“Are you being kind to yourself? - Kathleen Edelman
“Where your focus goes is where your energy flows.” - Kathleen Edelman
“When you move from Selfishness to Servitude, everything changes.” - Kathleen Edelman
“It’s proven that once you speak kindness to yourself, it increases self-esteem, increases empathy, improves your mood, and helps your blood pressure and your stress hormones.” - Kathleen Edelman
Connect with Kathleen Edelman:
Phone: (770) 846-4980
Email: hello@kindwordsarecool.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/coachkathleenedelman
Websites:
kathleenedelman.com
isaidyouheard.study
kindwordsarecool.com
Books:
I Said This, You Heard That
The Grown-Ups Guide to Kids’ Wiring
Links Mentioned:
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Trace Blackmore brings back podcast favorite Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, Vistage Chair Emeritus, and Executive Coach back to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast to talk about being a small business owner, leadership, how to become a better leader, Masterminds, and so much more!
Tim Fulton is one of Trace Blackmore’s most trusted mentors. It is an honor to have Tim back on the show to talk about a topic that will surely help your business, your employees, and you as a leader.
Tim answers:
What is Vistage and what is the purpose of Masterminds and Peer-to-Peer Groups?
What is Talent Matters and how can business owners keep the talent they already have?
What are the 12 questions that employees want to be answered by their employers?
What’s the importance of a mission statement for a company?
Why is it important to have a best friend at work?
What can companies do to foster good relationships with employees?
Why shouldn’t businesses do reviews, and what should they do instead?
What can the Scaling UP! Nation take away from how SeaWorld trains their whales?
How can business owners make sure that they have a culture their employees thrive on?
What’s the most important thing a leader needs to do?
What was it like being a business owner in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida?
Bottom line: Tim Fulton tells us how to retain top talent today.
Timestamps:
Learning from your mistakes[01:00]
Thinking On Water With James [04:55]
Inspiring interview Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, Vistage Chair Emeritus, and Executive Coach [06:14]
Closing thoughts on joining a Mastermind and how it helps you create your best self [57:27]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:06:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about mixing acid and water together. If you get this wrong, it can be quite dangerous and destructive. Should you mix acid in water or vice versa? What happens when you mix acid and water together? What’s the worst that can occur if you get this wrong? What concerns could you have with feeding acid to a cooling tower, upstream of an RO, or other applications? Seriously, take this week and think about the proper way of mixing acid and water together and how acid should be fed in various applications. Your safety and that of those around you may depend upon it.
Quotes:
“Companies with strong purpose and strong mission outperform companies whose focus is on revenue and profit - every time.” - Tim Fulton
“Stop the madness. Performance reviews don’t work. Instead, do performance previews where we talk about the future.” - Tim Fulton
“So much about leadership is not having all the answers, but asking the right questions.” - Tim Fulton
“As leaders, we need to celebrate success and under-criticize failure.” - Tim Fulton
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Connect with Tim Fulton:
LinkedIn: in/timcfulton
Twitter: @tf_sbm
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
Small Business Matters Bootcamp: smallbusinessmattersonline.com/small-business-boot-camp
Links Mentioned:
Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
The University of Georgia: Small Business Development Center
022 The One with Tim Fulton
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
Small Business Matters Conference
Association of Water Technologies’ Trainings and Seminars
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned:
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham et. al
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Trace Blackmore brings back podcast favorite Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, Vistage Chair Emeritus, and Executive Coach back to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast to talk about being a small business owner, leadership, how to become a better leader, Masterminds, and so much more!
Tim Fulton is one of Trace Blackmore’s most trusted mentors. It is an honor to have Tim back on the show to talk about a topic that will surely help your business, your employees, and you as a leader.
Tim answers:
What is Vistage and what is the purpose of Masterminds and Peer-to-Peer Groups?
What is Talent Matters and how can business owners keep the talent they already have?
What are the 12 questions that employees want to be answered by their employers?
What’s the importance of a mission statement for a company?
Why is it important to have a best friend at work?
What can companies do to foster good relationships with employees?
Why shouldn’t businesses do reviews, and what should they do instead?
What can the Scaling UP! Nation take away from how SeaWorld trains their whales?
How can business owners make sure that they have a culture their employees thrive on?
What’s the most important thing a leader needs to do?
What was it like being a business owner in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida?
Bottom line: Tim Fulton tells us how to retain top talent today.
Timestamps:
Learning from your mistakes[01:00]
Thinking On Water With James [04:55]
Inspiring interview Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, Vistage Chair Emeritus, and Executive Coach [06:14]
Closing thoughts on joining a Mastermind and how it helps you create your best self [57:27]
Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [1:06:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about mixing acid and water together. If you get this wrong, it can be quite dangerous and destructive. Should you mix acid in water or vice versa? What happens when you mix acid and water together? What’s the worst that can occur if you get this wrong? What concerns could you have with feeding acid to a cooling tower, upstream of an RO, or other applications? Seriously, take this week and think about the proper way of mixing acid and water together and how acid should be fed in various applications. Your safety and that of those around you may depend upon it.
Quotes:
“Companies with strong purpose and strong mission outperform companies whose focus is on revenue and profit - every time.” - Tim Fulton
“Stop the madness. Performance reviews don’t work. Instead, do performance previews where we talk about the future.” - Tim Fulton
“So much about leadership is not having all the answers, but asking the right questions.” - Tim Fulton
“As leaders, we need to celebrate success and under-criticize failure.” - Tim Fulton
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
Connect with Tim Fulton:
LinkedIn: in/timcfulton
Twitter: @tf_sbm
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
Small Business Matters Bootcamp: smallbusinessmattersonline.com/small-business-boot-camp
Links Mentioned:
Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
The University of Georgia: Small Business Development Center
022 The One with Tim Fulton
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
Small Business Matters Conference
Association of Water Technologies’ Trainings and Seminars
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned:
First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently by Marcus Buckingham et. al
Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek
Good To Great by Jim Collins
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Trace Blackmore brings back Jim Lauria, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Mazzei Injector Company, and Adam Tank, Chief Customer Officer at Transcend H2O, to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. This time, the hosts of the Water Online sponsored podcast Water We Talking About? will discuss how mindmapping, creative
storytelling, and teamwork allowed their podcast to elevate the water industry.
The Water We Talking About? podcast started during the pandemic as a way to tell water stories in a meaningful way. Now, 30 episodes in, Jim and Adam have plenty of experience hosting a podcast about water stories, and today we are fortunate enough to hear the things they’ve learned along the way.
Water We Talking About in this episode:
Why did Jim and Adam decide to do the podcast, and how do they feel now that they have 30 episodes under their belt?
What benefits did they get working with Water Online and vice versa?
Why did they decide to join forces rather than have their own individual podcasts?
How do Jim and Adam keep up with their engaging and cohesive banter?
What have they learned since starting the podcast?
What is writing to Jim and Adam, and what is their advice to those hesitant to write?
What do they wish people in the water industry would STOP doing?
Why should people in the water sector tell water stories?
Bottom line: Jim Lauria and Adam Tank share how they educate everyone, both those in and outside of the water industry, by telling water stories.
Timestamps:
Happy Halloween to the Scaling UP! Nation and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Thinking On Water With James [08:56]
Inspiring interview with the hosts of the Water We Talking About? podcast, Jim Lauria, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Mazzei Injector Company, and Adam Tank, Chief Customer Officer at Transcend H2O [09:52]
Closing thoughts on podcasts about the water industry [39:18]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about resin traps. First, what is a resin trap? Why would resin need to be caught in a trap? What can cause resin to even make it to such a trap? Are resin traps only for capturing resin, or can they be installed on other water treatment equipment with other types of media? What are the various designs for resin traps? How are they cleaned? Do any of your systems have resin traps installed? Take this week to think about resin traps and the benefits they may provide.
Quotes:
“In the beginning, I was very intent that if we are going to do the podcast, people are gonna learn actual tactics on how to tell water stories in a meaningful way.” - Adam Tank
“The podcast is a partnership.” - Jim Lauria
“Jim and I both appreciated the way each other presented our story.” - Adam Tank
“Talk about general trends in the water industry, and you will get more engagement.” - Jim Lauria
“If our industry could tell better stories, we could radically elevate the conversation about water globally.” - Adam Tank
Connect with Jim Lauria:
Email: jimlauria@teamchem.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlauria
Website: www.mazzei.net
Newsletter: To Know Water Is To Love Water
Connect with Adam Tank:
Email: atank@transcendh2o.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtank/
Website: www.transcendh2o.com
Newsletter: At Water’s Edge
Listen to ‘Water We Talking About?’ on all major podcast streaming platforms, or on Water Online, where you can watch all 30 of Jim and Adam’s episodes!
Links Mentioned:
166 Reading The Raven and Haunted Boilers
181 The One Where Water Geeks Talk About Social Media
047 The One with the Guy Who Writes About Water
Water Online
Megan Casey Glover of 120 Water
Creating A Customer Ecosystem With Megan Glover, Founder Of 120Water
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books and videos Mentioned:
The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
The Control of Nature by John McPhee
Brave Blue World (2020 film)
Halloween (Franchise)
/! elementor - v3.7.4 - 31-08-2022 /
.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=".svg"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}
Trace Blackmore brings back Jim Lauria, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Mazzei Injector Company, and Adam Tank, Chief Customer Officer at Transcend H2O, to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. This time, the hosts of the Water Online sponsored podcast Water We Talking About? will discuss how mindmapping, creative
storytelling, and teamwork allowed their podcast to elevate the water industry.
The Water We Talking About? podcast started during the pandemic as a way to tell water stories in a meaningful way. Now, 30 episodes in, Jim and Adam have plenty of experience hosting a podcast about water stories, and today we are fortunate enough to hear the things they’ve learned along the way.
Water We Talking About in this episode:
Why did Jim and Adam decide to do the podcast, and how do they feel now that they have 30 episodes under their belt?
What benefits did they get working with Water Online and vice versa?
Why did they decide to join forces rather than have their own individual podcasts?
How do Jim and Adam keep up with their engaging and cohesive banter?
What have they learned since starting the podcast?
What is writing to Jim and Adam, and what is their advice to those hesitant to write?
What do they wish people in the water industry would STOP doing?
Why should people in the water sector tell water stories?
Bottom line: Jim Lauria and Adam Tank share how they educate everyone, both those in and outside of the water industry, by telling water stories.
Timestamps:
Happy Halloween to the Scaling UP! Nation and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Thinking On Water With James [08:56]
Inspiring interview with the hosts of the Water We Talking About? podcast, Jim Lauria, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Mazzei Injector Company, and Adam Tank, Chief Customer Officer at Transcend H2O [09:52]
Closing thoughts on podcasts about the water industry [39:18]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about resin traps. First, what is a resin trap? Why would resin need to be caught in a trap? What can cause resin to even make it to such a trap? Are resin traps only for capturing resin, or can they be installed on other water treatment equipment with other types of media? What are the various designs for resin traps? How are they cleaned? Do any of your systems have resin traps installed? Take this week to think about resin traps and the benefits they may provide.
Quotes:
“In the beginning, I was very intent that if we are going to do the podcast, people are gonna learn actual tactics on how to tell water stories in a meaningful way.” - Adam Tank
“The podcast is a partnership.” - Jim Lauria
“Jim and I both appreciated the way each other presented our story.” - Adam Tank
“Talk about general trends in the water industry, and you will get more engagement.” - Jim Lauria
“If our industry could tell better stories, we could radically elevate the conversation about water globally.” - Adam Tank
Connect with Jim Lauria:
Email: jimlauria@teamchem.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimlauria
Website: www.mazzei.net
Newsletter: To Know Water Is To Love Water
Connect with Adam Tank:
Email: atank@transcendh2o.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamtank/
Website: www.transcendh2o.com
Newsletter: At Water’s Edge
Listen to ‘Water We Talking About?’ on all major podcast streaming platforms, or on Water Online, where you can watch all 30 of Jim and Adam’s episodes!
Links Mentioned:
166 Reading The Raven and Haunted Boilers
181 The One Where Water Geeks Talk About Social Media
047 The One with the Guy Who Writes About Water
Water Online
Megan Casey Glover of 120 Water
Creating A Customer Ecosystem With Megan Glover, Founder Of 120Water
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books and videos Mentioned:
The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson
The Control of Nature by John McPhee
Brave Blue World (2020 film)
Halloween (Franchise)
Trace Blackmore invites Antoine Walter, host of the (don't!) Waste Water Podcast and Senior Business Development Manager at Georg Fisher, on the show to discuss their mutual love of hosting podcasts about water.
What started as a way for Antoine to connect with others during the COVID-19 lockdown has transformed into an inspirational podcast show where water professionals share their fields of expertise and explore the latest water technologies with the (don’t) Waste Water listeners.
In this Episode Trace asks Antoine:
What are the lessons we can learn from Jean-Claude Van Damme when it comes to hosting a podcast?
Who is Antoine’s dream podcast guest, AKA, the White Whale?
What will the future of water look like in 30 years?
How have sales changed since the pandemic, and are those changes here to stay?
Why start a water treatment podcast?
Where to go for podcast topic inspiration?
What did he wish he knew on his first day as a podcast host?
Do podcasts transcend borders?
Why does Antoine love wastewater?
Bottom line: Antoine Walter shares how he educates, entertains, and inspires water professionals globally weekly with his globally-reaching podcast.
Timestamps:
October’s Scaling UP! H2O theme is Water Podcasts and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Inspiring interview with (don't!) Waste Water podcast host and Senior Business Development Manager, Antoine Walter [08:00]
Lightning round questions [46:00]
Thinking On Water With James [01:00:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how water quality varies within your area. How do parameters such as hardness, alkalinity, silica, and conductivity vary around your area? How do they change between surface water and groundwater sources? Does the city water quality vary according to the water source they may be using at that time? How does this impact the water treatment programs you are managing? How can it impact the pretreatment, chemistry, and water efficiency? Is the end user aware of these potential impacts? Take this week to think about how water quality varies within your area and the impacts it may have.
Quotes:
“A conference is a way to take the temperature of the industry.” - Antoine Walter
“If you build storytelling into your podcast episode you’ll catch people and have key take-home messages.” - Antoine Walter
“I want to be in wastewater. You can do so many rewarding things in this specialty” - Antoine Walter
“Water is essential and the bedrock of all other industries.” - Antoine Walter
Connect with Antoine Walter:
Email: antoine.walter@georgfischer.com
LinkedIn: in/antoinewalter1
Website: www.georgfischer.com
Don’t Waste Water Podcast: dww.show
The Water Show with Björn Otto: company/the-water-show/about
Subscribe to the (Don’t) Waste Water Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/don-t-waste-water-6884833968848474112/
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Links Mentioned:
Trace’s interview on the (don’t) Waste Water Podcast
Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone
International Water Association (IWA)
SUEZ Water
Sustainable Development Goals - Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Veolia
253 The One About Biofilms
3 Paths to Reach SDG 6 by 2050: All Our Hopes are on #3! (DWW episode with David Lloyd Owen)
What would it Empower, if Water Actually Became a Non Fungible Token? (DWW episode with Katrina Donaghy)
Listen Notes: The best podcast search engine
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned:
Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River by David Owen
The Worth of Water by Gary White & Matt Damon
Global Water Funding by David Lloyd Owen
SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham
Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge by Erica Gies
The Sustainability Puzzle by Alice Schmidt and Claudia Winkler
Trace Blackmore invites Antoine Walter, host of the (don't!) Waste Water Podcast and Senior Business Development Manager at Georg Fisher, on the show to discuss their mutual love of hosting podcasts about water.
What started as a way for Antoine to connect with others during the COVID-19 lockdown has transformed into an inspirational podcast show where water professionals share their fields of expertise and explore the latest water technologies with the (don’t) Waste Water listeners.
In this Episode Trace asks Antoine:
What are the lessons we can learn from Jean-Claude Van Damme when it comes to hosting a podcast?
Who is Antoine’s dream podcast guest, AKA, the White Whale?
What will the future of water look like in 30 years?
How have sales changed since the pandemic, and are those changes here to stay?
Why start a water treatment podcast?
Where to go for podcast topic inspiration?
What did he wish he knew on his first day as a podcast host?
Do podcasts transcend borders?
Why does Antoine love wastewater?
Bottom line: Antoine Walter shares how he educates, entertains, and inspires water professionals globally weekly with his globally-reaching podcast.
Timestamps:
October’s Scaling UP! H2O theme is Water Podcasts and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:00]
Inspiring interview with (don't!) Waste Water podcast host and Senior Business Development Manager, Antoine Walter [08:00]
Lightning round questions [46:00]
Thinking On Water With James [01:00:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how water quality varies within your area. How do parameters such as hardness, alkalinity, silica, and conductivity vary around your area? How do they change between surface water and groundwater sources? Does the city water quality vary according to the water source they may be using at that time? How does this impact the water treatment programs you are managing? How can it impact the pretreatment, chemistry, and water efficiency? Is the end user aware of these potential impacts? Take this week to think about how water quality varies within your area and the impacts it may have.
Quotes:
“A conference is a way to take the temperature of the industry.” - Antoine Walter
“If you build storytelling into your podcast episode you’ll catch people and have key take-home messages.” - Antoine Walter
“I want to be in wastewater. You can do so many rewarding things in this specialty” - Antoine Walter
“Water is essential and the bedrock of all other industries.” - Antoine Walter
Connect with Antoine Walter:
Email: antoine.walter@georgfischer.com
LinkedIn: in/antoinewalter1
Website: www.georgfischer.com
Don’t Waste Water Podcast: dww.show
The Water Show with Björn Otto: company/the-water-show/about
Subscribe to the (Don’t) Waste Water Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/don-t-waste-water-6884833968848474112/
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Links Mentioned:
Trace’s interview on the (don’t) Waste Water Podcast
Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone
International Water Association (IWA)
SUEZ Water
Sustainable Development Goals - Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Veolia
253 The One About Biofilms
3 Paths to Reach SDG 6 by 2050: All Our Hopes are on #3! (DWW episode with David Lloyd Owen)
What would it Empower, if Water Actually Became a Non Fungible Token? (DWW episode with Katrina Donaghy)
Listen Notes: The best podcast search engine
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned:
Where the Water Goes: Life and Death Along the Colorado River by David Owen
The Worth of Water by Gary White & Matt Damon
Global Water Funding by David Lloyd Owen
SPIN Selling by Neil Rackham
Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge by Erica Gies
The Sustainability Puzzle by Alice Schmidt and Claudia Winkler
Trace has been hosting the podcast since 2017, and in this episode, he is going to answer your listener questions. Do we record our episodes live, or do we pre-record them? Why did Trace Blackmore start the podcast? What does Trace get out of hosting the weekly podcast? How do our listeners find the podcast? Why does he strongly support the Association of Water Technologies (AWT)? Who is on the podcast team, and what do they do? What metrics do we look at to know that listeners enjoy our episodes? Does he use any special microphones when recording? Will he ever invite the spouses of water treatment professionals on the show? What is the best thing that has happened to Trace since starting the podcast? Where do most of our listeners download the podcast? Trace will answer those listener questions in this episode as he sets the stage for this month’s Scaling UP! H2O theme: Podcasts.
You read that right. This is not the last episode about podcasts. In the next few weeks, we are going to hear from hosts of other podcasts in the water industry as they talk about their shows and the behind-the-scenes of making them.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore will answer listener questions about the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast.
**Timestamps:**
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the latest Pinks and Blues episode and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [00:20]
Thinking On Water With James [14:58]
Trace Blackmore answers listener questions about the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast [19:57]
**Thinking On Water With James:**
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the mass balance around a cooling tower system. Sure, you have the makeup water, evaporation, and blowdown, but where else may water enter or leave the cooling tower system? Is water lost to the overflow when the system is shut down and water drains back from the piping? Is excessive water lost due to drift or windage? Are there process leaks either removing water from the system or even adding water to the system? Is there a secondary makeup source? Is there a leak in the basin? How much water is lost due to the backwash of a sidestream filter? Is the blowdown valve closing all the way? Take this week to think about the mass balance around a cooling tower system and what you may have seen or could see.
**Quotes:**
“I started the podcast because I enjoy teaching.” – Trace Blackmore
“When I teach something, I learn it better.” – Trace Blackmore
“Q: Why Volunteer? A: The more you give, the more you will get out of it.” – Trace Blackmore
“I love the water treatment industry.” – Trace Blackmore
**Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:**
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
**Links Mentioned:**
Industrial Water Week
Submit an idea for a future Scaling UP! Podcast episode
The Hang (November 10, 2022)
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
265 The One About Legionella and a FedEx Package, Part 1
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone
**Events:**
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Trace has been hosting the podcast since 2017, and in this episode, he is going to answer your listener questions. Do we record our episodes live, or do we pre-record them? Why did Trace Blackmore start the podcast? What does Trace get out of hosting the weekly podcast? How do our listeners find the podcast? Why does he strongly support the Association of Water Technologies (AWT)? Who is on the podcast team, and what do they do? What metrics do we look at to know that listeners enjoy our episodes? Does he use any special microphones when recording? Will he ever invite the spouses of water treatment professionals on the show? What is the best thing that has happened to Trace since starting the podcast? Where do most of our listeners download the podcast? Trace will answer those listener questions in this episode as he sets the stage for this month’s Scaling UP! H2O theme: Podcasts.
You read that right. This is not the last episode about podcasts. In the next few weeks, we are going to hear from hosts of other podcasts in the water industry as they talk about their shows and the behind-the-scenes of making them.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore will answer listener questions about the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast.
**Timestamps:**
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to the latest Pinks and Blues episode and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [00:20]
Thinking On Water With James [14:58]
Trace Blackmore answers listener questions about the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast [19:57]
**Thinking On Water With James:**
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the mass balance around a cooling tower system. Sure, you have the makeup water, evaporation, and blowdown, but where else may water enter or leave the cooling tower system? Is water lost to the overflow when the system is shut down and water drains back from the piping? Is excessive water lost due to drift or windage? Are there process leaks either removing water from the system or even adding water to the system? Is there a secondary makeup source? Is there a leak in the basin? How much water is lost due to the backwash of a sidestream filter? Is the blowdown valve closing all the way? Take this week to think about the mass balance around a cooling tower system and what you may have seen or could see.
**Quotes:**
“I started the podcast because I enjoy teaching.” – Trace Blackmore
“When I teach something, I learn it better.” – Trace Blackmore
“Q: Why Volunteer? A: The more you give, the more you will get out of it.” – Trace Blackmore
“I love the water treatment industry.” – Trace Blackmore
**Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:**
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
**Links Mentioned:**
Industrial Water Week
Submit an idea for a future Scaling UP! Podcast episode
The Hang (November 10, 2022)
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
265 The One About Legionella and a FedEx Package, Part 1
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone
**Events:**
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Welcome to the last day of Industrial Water Week. I’m your host Trace Blackmore, and I’m bringing back listener favorite Shawn McGrade of Kurita America for today’s interview. Shawn’s 2 previous episodes about his career experience in water treatment are some of our most shared podcast episodes, so if you know of someone considering a career in water treatment, this is the perfect episode to pass along to the water career-curious people in your life.
How did you get started in this industry? Were you born into it, like me, or did you fall into it like Shawn McGrade and James McDonald? What does your day-to-day look like? What does a bad day look like for a water treater? How do you show value to your clients? How do you not take losses personally? What advice do you have for professionals considering a career in water? Join me as Shawn answers these questions and a few more in this celebrated episode.
Bottom line: Shawn McGrade will introduce the abundant opportunities available to individuals considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Careers Friday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Careers Water Story [05:30]
Careers with Shawn McGrade [10:40]
What I wish I knew about having a Career in Water Tammy Faber [19:55]
Detective H2O: The Case of Seeing the Dead [25:15]
Quotes:
“A day doesn’t go by when you don’t learn something new and exciting. You always need to have your thinking cap on, but that’s all part of the fun.” – Shawn McGrade
Connect with Shawn McGrade:
Email: s.mcgrade@kurita-water.com
Phone: 651-788-2185
Website: www.kuritaamerica.com
LinkedIn: in/shawn-mcgrade-08187114a
Links Mentioned:
Water Cake Recipe
188 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater, Part 1 (with Shawn McGrade)
258 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater, Part 2 (with Shawn McGrade)
252 The One About the Operations Manager Turned Sales Manager (with Tammy Faber)
Water Week 2023
Welcome to the last day of Industrial Water Week. I’m your host Trace Blackmore, and I’m bringing back listener favorite Shawn McGrade of Kurita America for today’s interview. Shawn’s 2 previous episodes about his career experience in water treatment are some of our most shared podcast episodes, so if you know of someone considering a career in water treatment, this is the perfect episode to pass along to the water career-curious people in your life.
How did you get started in this industry? Were you born into it, like me, or did you fall into it like Shawn McGrade and James McDonald? What does your day-to-day look like? What does a bad day look like for a water treater? How do you show value to your clients? How do you not take losses personally? What advice do you have for professionals considering a career in water? Join me as Shawn answers these questions and a few more in this celebrated episode.
Bottom line: Shawn McGrade will introduce the abundant opportunities available to individuals considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Careers Friday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Careers Water Story [05:30]
Careers with Shawn McGrade [10:40]
What I wish I knew about having a Career in Water Tammy Faber [19:55]
Detective H2O: The Case of Seeing the Dead [25:15]
Quotes:
“A day doesn’t go by when you don’t learn something new and exciting. You always need to have your thinking cap on, but that’s all part of the fun.” – Shawn McGrade
Connect with Shawn McGrade:
Email: s.mcgrade@kurita-water.com
Phone: 651-788-2185
Website: www.kuritaamerica.com
LinkedIn: in/shawn-mcgrade-08187114a
Links Mentioned:
Water Cake Recipe
188 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater, Part 1 (with Shawn McGrade)
258 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater, Part 2 (with Shawn McGrade)
252 The One About the Operations Manager Turned Sales Manager (with Tammy Faber)
Water Week 2023
On day 4 of Industrial Water Week, we are celebrating Wastewater Thursday with water treatment expert and consultant Dave Christopherson.
What is Wastewater and Wastewater Treatment? How do you describe what you do for a living to those unfamiliar with your field? What are the 4 types of Wastewater? Do you only work in sewers when working in Wastewater (asking for a friend)? What do you need to know about your client’s water before* you meet with the client? What’s the best advice for Jar Testing? I’m asking those questions and more in today’s Wastewater Thursday interview with Dave Christophersen.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Dave Christophersen, as we celebrate Wastewater Thursday together.
Bottom line: Dave Christophersen will introduce Wastewater to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Wastewater Thursday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Wastewater Story [05:07]
Wastewater Thursday interview with Dave Christophersen, CWT [10:50]
What I wish I knew my first day as a water treater with Shawn McGrade [19:40]
Detective H2O: The Case of Breaking Free [28:44]
Quotes:
“Wastewater is water that has been used for some purpose, and now has some components that need to be removed if you want to reuse that water.’’ - Dave Christophersen
“On my first real Wastewater Project, I learned how complicated it is. I learned that the more complicated the problem was the greater the learning opportunity, which meant the greater the reward was.” Dave Christophersen
Connect with Dave Christophersen:
Phone: 937.477.7129
Email: christophersendave@gmail.com
LinkedIn: in/dave-christophersen-a3291328
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1) (with Kevin Cope)
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2) (with Kevin Cope)
255 Pinks And Blues: Testing for Halogen in A Water System
269 The One About The Water Treater Risk Factor Index (with Dave Christophersen)
271 The One With The Secrets to Buying A Company (with Chuck Hamrick)
AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual, Chapter 6: Wastewater (Edited by Peter Hawkins)
On day 4 of Industrial Water Week, we are celebrating Wastewater Thursday with water treatment expert and consultant Dave Christopherson.
What is Wastewater and Wastewater Treatment? How do you describe what you do for a living to those unfamiliar with your field? What are the 4 types of Wastewater? Do you only work in sewers when working in Wastewater (asking for a friend)? What do you need to know about your client’s water before* you meet with the client? What’s the best advice for Jar Testing? I’m asking those questions and more in today’s Wastewater Thursday interview with Dave Christophersen.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Dave Christophersen, as we celebrate Wastewater Thursday together.
Bottom line: Dave Christophersen will introduce Wastewater to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Wastewater Thursday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Wastewater Story [05:07]
Wastewater Thursday interview with Dave Christophersen, CWT [10:50]
What I wish I knew my first day as a water treater with Shawn McGrade [19:40]
Detective H2O: The Case of Breaking Free [28:44]
Quotes:
“Wastewater is water that has been used for some purpose, and now has some components that need to be removed if you want to reuse that water.’’ - Dave Christophersen
“On my first real Wastewater Project, I learned how complicated it is. I learned that the more complicated the problem was the greater the learning opportunity, which meant the greater the reward was.” Dave Christophersen
Connect with Dave Christophersen:
Phone: 937.477.7129
Email: christophersendave@gmail.com
LinkedIn: in/dave-christophersen-a3291328
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1) (with Kevin Cope)
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2) (with Kevin Cope)
255 Pinks And Blues: Testing for Halogen in A Water System
269 The One About The Water Treater Risk Factor Index (with Dave Christophersen)
271 The One With The Secrets to Buying A Company (with Chuck Hamrick)
AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual, Chapter 6: Wastewater (Edited by Peter Hawkins)
The time has come for us to celebrate Day 3 of Industrial Water Week with Cooling Wednesday. For today’s special episode, I invited Cooling experts and the father-and-son duo from Guardian CSC, Bruce Ketrick Sr., and Bruce Ketrick Jr.
Listen to this episode as Bruce Sr. and Bruce Jr. share with the Scaling UP! Nation the meaning of Cooling, primary concerns when it comes to Cooling, things industrial water treaters should know when working in Cooling, and of course, the importance of efficiency in Cooling.
How are Green products helping the industry? What are the top 4 things to look out for with Cooling? What does metal loss look like? What methods are used to save both energy and water? What does the future look like for people working on Cooling systems? Team Ketrick will answer these questions and so many more in this interview.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr., as we celebrate Cooling Wednesday together.
Bottom line: Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr. will introduce Cooling to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Cooling Wednesday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Cooling Water Story [02:52]
Solving Water Treatment mysteries with Trace Blackmore [06:34]
Cooling Wednesday interview with Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr. [11:50]
What I wish I knew about Cooling on my first day as a water treater with Russell Baskin [22:27]
Detective H2O: The Case of Misdiagnosis [29:28]
Quotes:
“I look at Cooling as the opportunity to improve people’s lives. The more efficiently we do that, the less energy is utilized and the less water is utilized” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“The top 4 things to look out for with Cooling: Corrosion, Biological (fowling and industrial hygiene), Asset Management, and Energy Management.” - Bruce Ketrick Jr.
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Sr.:
Email: bketrick@guardiancsc.com
Website: guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-94111511
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Jr.:
Email: bjketrick@guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-jr-cwt-9b11189
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Links Mentioned:
137 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers, Part 1 (with Brett Alexander of EVAPCO)
138 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers – Part 2 (with Brett Alexander of EVAPCO)
237 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 1
240 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 2
265 The One About Legionella and a FedEx Package, Part 1 (with Russell Baskin of Tower Water)
266 The One About Legionella and a FedEx package, Part 2 (with Russell Baskin of Tower Water)
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources page
The time has come for us to celebrate Day 3 of Industrial Water Week with Cooling Wednesday. For today’s special episode, I invited Cooling experts and the father-and-son duo from Guardian CSC, Bruce Ketrick Sr., and Bruce Ketrick Jr.
Listen to this episode as Bruce Sr. and Bruce Jr. share with the Scaling UP! Nation the meaning of Cooling, primary concerns when it comes to Cooling, things industrial water treaters should know when working in Cooling, and of course, the importance of efficiency in Cooling.
How are Green products helping the industry? What are the top 4 things to look out for with Cooling? What does metal loss look like? What methods are used to save both energy and water? What does the future look like for people working on Cooling systems? Team Ketrick will answer these questions and so many more in this interview.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr., as we celebrate Cooling Wednesday together.
Bottom line: Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr. will introduce Cooling to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Cooling Wednesday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Cooling Water Story [02:52]
Solving Water Treatment mysteries with Trace Blackmore [06:34]
Cooling Wednesday interview with Bruce Ketrick Sr. and Bruce Ketrick Jr. [11:50]
What I wish I knew about Cooling on my first day as a water treater with Russell Baskin [22:27]
Detective H2O: The Case of Misdiagnosis [29:28]
Quotes:
“I look at Cooling as the opportunity to improve people’s lives. The more efficiently we do that, the less energy is utilized and the less water is utilized” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“The top 4 things to look out for with Cooling: Corrosion, Biological (fowling and industrial hygiene), Asset Management, and Energy Management.” - Bruce Ketrick Jr.
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Sr.:
Email: bketrick@guardiancsc.com
Website: guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-94111511
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Jr.:
Email: bjketrick@guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn, personal: in/bruce-ketrick-jr-cwt-9b11189
LinkedIn, company: company/guardiancsc
Links Mentioned:
137 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers, Part 1 (with Brett Alexander of EVAPCO)
138 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers – Part 2 (with Brett Alexander of EVAPCO)
237 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 1
240 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 2
265 The One About Legionella and a FedEx Package, Part 1 (with Russell Baskin of Tower Water)
266 The One About Legionella and a FedEx package, Part 2 (with Russell Baskin of Tower Water)
Scaling UP! H2O’s Legionella Resources page
Welcome back to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. The podcast where we scale up our knowledge so we don’t scale up our systems. In today’s special Industrial Water Week episode, we are going to celebrate Boiler Tuesday! What better way to mark the second day of Industrial Water Week than by having a Boiler expert on the show? I am proud to welcome back Chuck Hamrick Jr. of Eagle Engineering Water Technology, on the podcast!
Prevention is always better than cure; which is why Chuck will tell the Scaling UP! Nation the Boiler problems we need to be aware of so that we can nip those problems in the bud before things get out of control.
If you are a new Water Treater, what should you look at when treating a Boiler? What is the difference between a Fire Tube Boiler and a Water Tube Boiler? How do you know how to identify a Steam Boiler from a Closed-Loop Boiler? Why do Boilers foam and how do we prevent foaming from happening? Chuck Hamrick will answer these questions and so many more in our educational discussion about Boilers.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Chuck Hamrick Jr., as we celebrate Boiler Tuesday together.
Bottom line: Chuck Hamrick Jr. will introduce Boilers to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Boiler Tuesday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Boiler Water Story [04:56]
Using all your senses when diagnosing a problem with Trace Blackmore [08:23]
What I wish I knew on my first day as a water treater with Bruce Ketrick Sr. [11:41]
Boiler Tuesday Interview with Chuck Hamrick Jr. [17:32]
Detective H2O: The Case of Standing [32:57]
Quotes:
“When selling Water Treatment, especially Boilers, make sure you do everything thoroughly. Do a complete audit of the system before talking to your client.” - Chuck Hamrick
Connect with Chuck Hamrick Jr.:
Phone: 419-345-4866
Email: chuck.hamrick@eaglewatertech.com
Website: eaglewatertech.com
LinkedIn: in/charles-d-hamrick-jr-cwt-b18062125/
Links Mentioned:
Spirax Sarco's Steam Boilers - The Inside Story Playlist
271 The One With The Secrets to Buying A Company with Chuck Hamrick Jr.
Welcome back to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast. The podcast where we scale up our knowledge so we don’t scale up our systems. In today’s special Industrial Water Week episode, we are going to celebrate Boiler Tuesday! What better way to mark the second day of Industrial Water Week than by having a Boiler expert on the show? I am proud to welcome back Chuck Hamrick Jr. of Eagle Engineering Water Technology, on the podcast!
Prevention is always better than cure; which is why Chuck will tell the Scaling UP! Nation the Boiler problems we need to be aware of so that we can nip those problems in the bud before things get out of control.
If you are a new Water Treater, what should you look at when treating a Boiler? What is the difference between a Fire Tube Boiler and a Water Tube Boiler? How do you know how to identify a Steam Boiler from a Closed-Loop Boiler? Why do Boilers foam and how do we prevent foaming from happening? Chuck Hamrick will answer these questions and so many more in our educational discussion about Boilers.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Chuck Hamrick Jr., as we celebrate Boiler Tuesday together.
Bottom line: Chuck Hamrick Jr. will introduce Boilers to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Boiler Tuesday [00:01]
James McDonald’s Boiler Water Story [04:56]
Using all your senses when diagnosing a problem with Trace Blackmore [08:23]
What I wish I knew on my first day as a water treater with Bruce Ketrick Sr. [11:41]
Boiler Tuesday Interview with Chuck Hamrick Jr. [17:32]
Detective H2O: The Case of Standing [32:57]
Quotes:
“When selling Water Treatment, especially Boilers, make sure you do everything thoroughly. Do a complete audit of the system before talking to your client.” - Chuck Hamrick
Connect with Chuck Hamrick Jr.:
Phone: 419-345-4866
Email: chuck.hamrick@eaglewatertech.com
Website: eaglewatertech.com
LinkedIn: in/charles-d-hamrick-jr-cwt-b18062125/
Links Mentioned:
Spirax Sarco's Steam Boilers - The Inside Story Playlist
271 The One With The Secrets to Buying A Company with Chuck Hamrick Jr.
Finally, the time has come. We are kicking off Industrial Water Week, and this year, we are going to do something special. We are sharing Water Treater stories about things they wished they knew on their first day as a Water Treater. As is our tradition here at Scaling UP! H2O, I’ve invited experts to talk about Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling Towers, Wastewater, and Careers in Industrial Water Treatment this week.
Starting this Industrial Water Week series is a chemical engineer and the technical manager at Syntec Corporation, Semra Gül. Semra is an active member of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), serving as a member of the cooling committee and chair of the Pretreatment committee.
What is Pretreatment? How does the AWT Pretreatment Committee contribute to the water industry? Why is Pretreatment important? What should you share with customers who are not interested in Pretreatment? What is the future of Pretreatment? Those are just some of the questions that Semra will answer in this episode. A native of Turkey, Semra will also talk about the differences in how her native country and the United States differ in handling Pretreatment.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Semra Gül, as we celebrate Pretreatment Monday together.
Bottom line: Semra Gül will introduce Pretreatment to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Kicking off the 5th Industrial Water Week [0:01]
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Pretreatment Monday [05:35]
James McDonald’s Pretreatment Water Story [10:16]
Pretreatment Monday interview with Semra Gül [14:24]
What I wish I knew on my first day as a water treater with Jeff Garratt [26:32]
Detective H2O: The Case of Normalization [31:15]
Quotes:
“Pretreatment will be more and more critical. Our water sources are not getting any better, it’s becoming worse due to the increasing population, global warming, pollution, and other reasons caused by humans.” - Semra Gül
Connect with Semra Gül :
Phone: 646-988-7081
Email: semra.gl@gmail.com
Website: www.syntec.com
LinkedIn: in/semra-gul-2a572541
company/syntec-corporation
Links Mentioned:
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
Association of Water Technologies (AWT) Resources (Members-Only Access)
Water Cake Recipe
Rising Tide Mastermind
Finally, the time has come. We are kicking off Industrial Water Week, and this year, we are going to do something special. We are sharing Water Treater stories about things they wished they knew on their first day as a Water Treater. As is our tradition here at Scaling UP! H2O, I’ve invited experts to talk about Pretreatment, Boilers, Cooling Towers, Wastewater, and Careers in Industrial Water Treatment this week.
Starting this Industrial Water Week series is a chemical engineer and the technical manager at Syntec Corporation, Semra Gül. Semra is an active member of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), serving as a member of the cooling committee and chair of the Pretreatment committee.
What is Pretreatment? How does the AWT Pretreatment Committee contribute to the water industry? Why is Pretreatment important? What should you share with customers who are not interested in Pretreatment? What is the future of Pretreatment? Those are just some of the questions that Semra will answer in this episode. A native of Turkey, Semra will also talk about the differences in how her native country and the United States differ in handling Pretreatment.
Join me, Trace Blackmore, the host of the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and Semra Gül, as we celebrate Pretreatment Monday together.
Bottom line: Semra Gül will introduce Pretreatment to students and recent graduates considering careers in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Kicking off the 5th Industrial Water Week [0:01]
Trace Blackmore welcomes you to Pretreatment Monday [05:35]
James McDonald’s Pretreatment Water Story [10:16]
Pretreatment Monday interview with Semra Gül [14:24]
What I wish I knew on my first day as a water treater with Jeff Garratt [26:32]
Detective H2O: The Case of Normalization [31:15]
Quotes:
“Pretreatment will be more and more critical. Our water sources are not getting any better, it’s becoming worse due to the increasing population, global warming, pollution, and other reasons caused by humans.” - Semra Gül
Connect with Semra Gül :
Phone: 646-988-7081
Email: semra.gl@gmail.com
Website: www.syntec.com
LinkedIn: in/semra-gul-2a572541
company/syntec-corporation
Links Mentioned:
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
Association of Water Technologies (AWT) Resources (Members-Only Access)
Water Cake Recipe
Rising Tide Mastermind
Want to learn the secrets to purchasing a company or the top 5 sales tips? If so, my podcast interview with Chuck Hamrick Jr. is a must-listen.
I’m Trace Blackmore, host of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, and in this episode I have the pleasure of interviewing Chuck Hamrick Jr. of Eagle Engineering Water Technology, and today we’re covering everything from purchasing a company, sales tips, creating a work-life balance, and publishing papers.
Don’t miss this career-benefiting interview. Listen to Episode 271 on Scaling UP! H2O’s website or tune in wherever you get your podcasts.
Bottom line: Chuck Hamrick shares his secrets to buying a company.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace Blackmore
Timestamps:
Thank you to everyone who came up to me during the AWT Conference and upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:44]
Chuck Hamrick Jr.’s career journey in water treatment [ 13:51]
The secret to buying out a company [19:46]
The top 5 tips for sales and Chuck's favorite sales tools [22:40]
The best way to pass the baton to the next owner of your company [27:05]
Creating the best Work-Life Balance [31:48]
What you need to know when writing technical papers [33:37]
Advice for professionals and students [36:28]
Lightning round questions [40:00]
Thinking On Water With James [46:03]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about softening before or after a reverse osmosis unit. What are the advantages and disadvantages of placing a water softener either upstream or downstream of an RO? If placed downstream, how do you keep the RO from scaling up? When feeding antiscalant, how may stroke and speed pump settings impact effectiveness? Does criticality of the RO system impact the design of where the softener is placed? If an RO removes dissolved solids, why would a water softener even be needed downstream? Are there any reasons to place the water softener upstream that can offset the reduced capital costs of placing it downstream? Take this week to think about whether a water softener should be placed before or after an RO unit.
Quotes:
“If you are given an option to buy out a company, try to learn as much as you can immediately about how the business works.” - Chuck Hamrick Jr.
“A ‘no’ is just one step closer to a ‘yes’. The more ‘nos’, the more chances that I’ll be making more sales.” - Chuck Hamrick Jr.
“If you find a trusted and knowledgeable person, don’t hesitate to come up and talk to them, introduce yourself to them, and learn from them” - Chuck Hamrick Jr.
Connect with Chuck Hamrick Jr.:
Phone: 419-345-4866
Email: chuck.hamrick@eaglewatertech.com
Website: eaglewatertech.com
LinkedIn: in/charles-d-hamrick-jr-cwt-b18062125/
Links Mentioned:
Wilson Learning
5 Simple Rules For Transitioning a Family Business To the Next Generation, from Inc.
Grit: the power of passion and perseverance | Angela Lee Duckworth (TED Talk)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Jeffrey Gitomer-Sales Training Programs
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
Books Mentioned:
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
What the Heck Is EOS? by Gino Wickman
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Boiler Water Treatment by Colin Frayne
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald
THE HOUR That Changes Everything by Richard Pearson
Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth
Consistency Selling: Powerful Sales Results. Every Lead. Every Time by Weldon Wong
Life According to Jesus by Jack Graham
The Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude by Jeffrey Gitomer
Little Platinum Book of Cha-Ching by Jeffrey Gitomer
Confronting Reality: Doing What Matters to Get Things Right by Larry Bossidy and Ram Charan
Lead, Sell, or Get Out of the Way: The 7 Traits of Great Sellers by Ron Karr
Let’s talk about money. Not many people know about finance because it is daunting. When I was just a little boy, my grandfather introduced me to stocks and investments, and that opened the door to my interest in finance and learning how to make my money work for me.
In today's Pinks and Blues, I am going to talk about why you should take advantage of company-sponsored retirement accounts, how to get your money to work for you, and where you should put your money to make it grow.
I’m answering your questions about the basics of finance, and if you have more questions, drop the Scaling UP! H2O team a comment, and we might make another episode for you in the future.
Bottom line: Trace Blackmore is answering listener questions about Basic Finance in today’s Pinks and Blues so our listeners can make better financial decisions.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
I’m at AWT and Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:31]
Women of Water (WOW) [3:30]
Thinking On Water With James [09:13]
Working hard for your money and getting that money to work for you [15:11]
Taking advantage of your company-sponsored retirement account AKA Free Money [19:03]
Understanding compound interest [24:02]
Equity, Creating a Budget, Capital Gains Taxes, and Credit Card Debt 101 [26:55]
Growing your money with Stocks, Systematic Investing, Dollar-Cost Averaging, Fund Managers, and Mutual Funds [29:57]
Making money by loaning your money to someone else with Corporate Bonds, and Muni or Municipal Bonds [38:38]
Doubling our money using The Rule of 72 [43:15]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about cooling tower side stream filtration. When and why would you recommend sidestream filtration for a cooling tower system? What are the benefits? What types of filters are available? Which should you choose? How big of a filter do you need? Why filter a sidestream instead of full stream? Does the filter have a waste stream, and where does it go? Take this week to think about cooling tower side stream filtration and what it means to the cooling systems you manage.
Quotes:
“Every woman I know in the water treatment industry is wildly successful. Every single one of them.” - Trace Blackmore
“You work hard, your money should work as hard as you do.” - Trace Blackmore
“Now that I am older, I have more freedom to make more choices because of the choices I made when I was younger.” - Trace Blackmore
“Q: How can money work for you? A: Own it or loan it.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you buy a bond, you are buying someone else’s debt.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you pay yourself first, it will totally change the options that you have as you live your life.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Links Mentioned:
Women of Water (WOW)
185 The One Where We Talk About How To Make Your Money Work For You
Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University
How To Invest With Dollar-Cost Averaging
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE or using the dropdown menu.
What will you do if you have a novel idea that you know could help the Water Treatment Industry? Not many of us would take the first step and make whatever idea we have a reality. My guest today took a leap of faith and created something out of an idea he had. He created a matrix that all Water Treaters could use, wrote a paper, gave a presentation at AWT, consulted with peers, and now helps other companies be better. Let’s welcome Dave Christophersen, Certified Water Technologist and owner of Dave Christophersen Consulting LLC to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast.
Dave created the W.O.E. Relative Risk Factor Index, a critical service and reporting criteria using three site risk factors: Water, Operation, and Equipment. The WOE formula can be applied to any water treatment system including boiler, cooling, clarification and wastewater, membrane systems, closed loops, and specific processes. And in this episode, Dave is going to tell us exactly how.
Dave has more than 43 years of experience in the industry. His experience spans from wastewater treatment, boiler water treatment and pretreatment, and cooling water, to membrane technologies over very broad industrial, commercial, and institutional markets all over the world. This includes oilseed, steel, manufacturing, power, chemical, mining, commercial and institutional industries. With his experience in business management, field management, technical support, sales and marketing, chemical product development and product formulation of water treatment chemicals, and training of field and site personnel, Dave has conducted training in an array of topics such as water treatment chemistry, boiler and cooling systems and treatment, wastewater treatment and jar testing, membranes systems and cleaning procedures, plant operations, and industrial services.
Dave has a degree in Chemistry from Grove City College and an MBA from Butler University. He worked in big Water Treatment companies before founding his own consulting company, servicing the industrial and commercial water treatment industries.
What Dave created was a common language that all of us Water Treaters understand, leading to a clearer understanding between the Water Treater and the customer.
Bottom line: Dave Christophersen is going to tell us what the W.O.E. Relative Risk Factor Index is, and how it can make us better Water Treaters.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
See you at the AWT Convention in Vancouver next week and upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals [01:26]
Thinking On Water With James [08:46]
Who is Dave Christophersen of Dave Christophersen Consulting? [12:05]
How can you overcome the challenges of starting your own company? [18:07]
What is the W.O.E Relative Risk Factor Index that Dave Christophersen created? [23:04]
How should water treaters use the W.O.E Relative Risk Factor Index? [28:10]
How can a Water treater set up their own Risk Matrix? [34:56]
How can you start implementing a Risk Matrix in a company’s survey process? [39:15]
How can you best communicate the W.O.E Relative Risk Factor Index with your customers? [42:47]
Lightning round questions [47:39]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about reverse osmosis makeup for boilers. What are the advantages of using RO makeup for a boiler system? What is the recommended maximum number of cycles for a boiler on RO makeup? How might RO makeup impact condensate corrosion and neutralizing amine usage? How will a high percent condensate return impact the economics of installing an RO? What boiler savings may be the highest when changing from soft water to RO makeup? Is it the water? Wastewater? Fuel? Chemical costs? Why would a chemical company want to recommend RO equipment for boiler makeup? Take this week to think about using RO makeup for boilers.
Quotes:
“Water Treaters, especially as they get more years of experience, almost intuitively, assess risks.” - Dave Christophersen
“What is a risk? Risk is not having outcomes that you want.” - Dave Christophersen
“The W.O.E Relative Risk Factor Index allows you to access risk in three areas: Water, Operations, and Equipment.” - Dave Christophersen
“What makes something high risk? What makes something low risk? You need to know your risk level.” - Dave Christophersen
“If you know what is risky and know all the different things that are involved in assessing and having a successful outcome, then you can set goals for improvement, and from time to time reassess the numbers you assigned.” - Dave Christophersen
Connect with Dave Christophersen:
Phone: 937.477.7129
Email: christophersendave@gmail.com
LinkedIn: in/dave-christophersen-a3291328
Dave Christophersen’s AWT Presentation:
2021 Risk Factor Index
Critical Service and Reporting Criteria Using Site Risk Factors - 2021 AWT Conference Paper
Plant Water Treatment Risk Identification Matrix and RFI Template 1 to 3 scale
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Gary Sinise Foundation
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Books Mentioned:
On the House: A Washington Memoir by John Boehner
Water: A Biography by Giulio Boccaletti
The New Map: Energy, Climate, and the Clash of Nations by Daniel Yergin
Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know by Adam Grant
Seven and a Half Lessons About the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett
Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting by Lisa Genova
In today’s episode, I am bringing another seasoned Water Treater from one of the leading Industrial Water Treatment companies in the United States: Jeffrey L. Garratt, the president of the Garratt-Callahan Company.
Jeffrey L. Garratt started working part-time at Garratt-Callahan in 1983, blending, packaging, and shipping formulas. He was then hired full-time in 1986 and serviced customers for 10 years. Jeffrey moved to California in 1996 to work in their Corporate Office after his uncle Bill, then president, retired. In 2001, Jeffrey became the president of Garratt-Callahan, and in 2021, under his leadership, they hit 100 million in sales, which is three times their sales in 1996.
Garratt-Callahan is the largest privately-owned industrial water treatment company in North America, with offices and manufacturing plans across the United States - in California, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, and Georgia. It was founded in 1904 by Edward C. Garratt and John Callahan in Seattle, Washington. The company offers an array of services, from extensive research and development facilities to modern analytical laboratories, nationwide production facilities, and advanced technical services.
In today’s episode, Jeffrey will talk about his almost 40 years of experience in Water Treatment, supply chain issues, price increases, the downside of lowballing, the importance of communication, and making a difference as a Water Treater.
Bottom line: Jeffrey L. Garratt shares timeless advice for professionals in the water treatment industry.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Raising the bar in Water Treatment and events in the industry [01:25]
Thinking On Water With James [07:03]
Introducing Jeffrey Garratt of Garratt-Callahan, the largest privately-owned industrial water treatment company in the USA [09:05]
The history of Garratt-Callahan and working at a multigenerational company [14:47]
Passing the baton to the next generation of water treaters [19:17]
What does the future hold for the Water Treatment Industry? [24:20]
Why everyone should avoid lowballing clients [30:30]
Mentoring and the power of communication [39:45]
What Jeffrey wants all Water Treaters to know [43:10]
Lightning round questions [45:41]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about azoles. I’m talking about benzotriazole and tolyltriazole (don’t forget the second “l” in tolyltriazole). First, why are these azoles used? Why is one used instead of the other at times? What is the impact of oxidizing biocides on each of them, such as sodium hypochlorite? What are the recommended concentrations of benzotriazole and tolyltriazole in a cooling tower or in a closed loop? When might you use a supplemental feed of azole to a system? Take this week to think about benzotriazole and tolyltriazole.
Quotes:
“If you do a good job as a Water Treater, you take care of the customer, and (if) they know you are working hard, you are not gonna lose the business.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“When you lowball, nobody wins.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“It is really important for employees to be recognized. It is important to feel like you are working for something that is making a difference.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“I want to see this industry get better and our reputation going up.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
“Make people happy, be a part of making people feel joy in their lives.” - Jeffrey L. Garratt
Connect with Jeffrey L. Garratt:
Phone: (650) 697-5811
Email: jgarratt@g-c.com
Website: www.garrattcallahan.com
LinkedIn: company/garratt-callahan-company/
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Books Mentioned:
Who I Am by Pete Townshend
Times Remembered by Joe La Barbera, Charles Levin, and Hal Miller
Owls of the Eastern Ice by Jonathan Slaght
A few episodes ago, I talked about the economics of Price Increases and what happens if we don’t increase our prices. I am going to talk more about that today. Supply Chain Issues are something that the Scaling UP! Nation constantly thinks about, and that is why I dedicated another episode to talk about this very topic.
Whether you are a business owner or an employee, Supply Chain Issues impact you. What can you do today to make sure that your company is sustainable and makes a profit? How can you make a profit in this economy? How can you work with your customers to maximize your resources and time? Buckle up; this episode is packed with information. I even did Math, and I know some of you, listeners, don’t like it when I do.
Bottom line: Today, we’re going to talk about how you can make a profit.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Celebrating special days in September and other events for Water Treaters [01:29]
How do Supply Chain Issues impact you as an employee? [07:59]
How do you make sure that your company is sustainable? [12:46]
How do you increase profit? [14:34]
How can you overcome the fear of increasing prices? [21:58]
What happens to your profit if you don’t increase your prices? [24:06]
How can we maximize our resources? [26:55]
Thinking On Water With James [33:08]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about keeping chemical dosing pumps primed. How does the chemical product being pumped impact how well a dosing pump stays primed? Is flooded suction always better than a suction lift or vice versa? When would one be desired over the other? Does the distance a pump sits above the liquid level matter? How might bubbles and gasses that build up in tubing be removed? How do you know when a pump has lost prime? Can you tell by sound or touch? How could a system alert you when priming is lost? Take this week to think about keeping your chemical dosing pumps primed.
Quotes:
“We are in the water treatment industry together, and by sharing information, by working with each other, we’re not only going to get through Supply Chain Issues, but we are also going to be better by going through it together.” - Trace Blackmore
“Company Profit is not a bad thing. If the company is profitable, it can sustain itself. If a company is not profitable, that company goes out of business.” - Trace Blackmore
“EBIDTA or Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization are the things that we can control in our companies that tell us what our profit is.” - Trace Blackmore
“The best thing any company can do is to increase their prices, the second best thing that a company can do is reduce their cost, but if we can sell more, that’s even better.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are three ways to increase Profit: price increase, reduce cost, and sell more.” - Trace Blackmore
“Companies can sell themselves out of business. More Sales = More Costs.” - Trace Blackmore
“Profitability Trifecta: raising prices, increasing customers, decreasing overall costs” - Trace Blackmore
“When we understand the numbers, when we understand how much things cost, and what those costs mean to our company, we can make better decisions each and every day.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Article Mentioned:
Yale School of Management: On the Nature of Price Increases
Links Mentioned:
204 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! Being Profitable
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
243 Pinks And Blues: Price Increases
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Yale School of Management: On the Nature of Price Increases
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Industrial Water Week – October 3 to 7, 2022
A few episodes ago, I talked about the economics of Price Increases and what happens if we don’t increase our prices. I am going to talk more about that today. Supply Chain Issues are something that the Scaling UP! Nation constantly thinks about, and that is why I dedicated another episode to talk about this very topic.
Whether you are a business owner or an employee, Supply Chain Issues impact you. What can you do today to make sure that your company is sustainable and makes a profit? How can you make a profit in this economy? How can you work with your customers to maximize your resources and time? Buckle up; this episode is packed with information. I even did Math, and I know some of you, listeners, don’t like it when I do.
Bottom line: Today, we’re going to talk about how you can make a profit.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Celebrating special days in September and other events for Water Treaters [01:29]
How do Supply Chain Issues impact you as an employee? [07:59]
How do you make sure that your company is sustainable? [12:46]
How do you increase profit? [14:34]
How can you overcome the fear of increasing prices? [21:58]
What happens to your profit if you don’t increase your prices? [24:06]
How can we maximize our resources? [26:55]
Thinking On Water With James [33:08]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about keeping chemical dosing pumps primed. How does the chemical product being pumped impact how well a dosing pump stays primed? Is flooded suction always better than a suction lift or vice versa? When would one be desired over the other? Does the distance a pump sits above the liquid level matter? How might bubbles and gasses that build up in tubing be removed? How do you know when a pump has lost prime? Can you tell by sound or touch? How could a system alert you when priming is lost? Take this week to think about keeping your chemical dosing pumps primed.
Quotes:
“We are in the water treatment industry together, and by sharing information, by working with each other, we’re not only going to get through Supply Chain Issues, but we are also going to be better by going through it together.” - Trace Blackmore
“Company Profit is not a bad thing. If the company is profitable, it can sustain itself. If a company is not profitable, that company goes out of business.” - Trace Blackmore
“EBIDTA or Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization are the things that we can control in our companies that tell us what our profit is.” - Trace Blackmore
“The best thing any company can do is to increase their prices, the second best thing that a company can do is reduce their cost, but if we can sell more, that’s even better.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are three ways to increase Profit: price increase, reduce cost, and sell more.” - Trace Blackmore
“Companies can sell themselves out of business. More Sales = More Costs.” - Trace Blackmore
“Profitability Trifecta: raising prices, increasing customers, decreasing overall costs” - Trace Blackmore
“When we understand the numbers, when we understand how much things cost, and what those costs mean to our company, we can make better decisions each and every day.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Article Mentioned:
Yale School of Management: On the Nature of Price Increases
Links Mentioned:
204 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! Being Profitable
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
243 Pinks And Blues: Price Increases
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Yale School of Management: On the Nature of Price Increases
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Industrial Water Week – October 3 to 7, 2022
Last week, we heard from Tower Water’s Russell Baskin. He talked about the letter he received from FedEx with the Legionella Legislation from the Commissioner of New York City that forever changed how he does business. He set the scene for what he is about to tell us today: ways we can all start scaling up our Legionella knowledge BEFORE Legionella Legislation pushes us to make hasty adjustments to the ways we treat water in our local communities.
Russell is an expert in water treatment, waterborne diseases, and Legionella compliance. He holds a number of certifications including a NY and NJ Pesticide Applicator License, a Certified Water Technologies (CWT) accreditation from the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), and an OSHA 30 Certification.
If you haven’t listened to episode 265 yet, I suggest you listen to that episode first before listening to this one. My hope is that you learn not only about Legionella but also what you can do as a Water Treater to spread awareness about this bacteria with your customers and team
Bottom line: Russell Baskin is going to give you the best advice on what to do before Legionella Legislation is passed in your area.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Upcoming Events and Thinking On Water With James [02:14]
Continuing the conversation about Legionella and a FedEx package with Russell Baskin [7:00]
Top things to start recording today before Legionella Legislation passes in your area [10:30]
What is it like to have an account in New York, NY right now? [12:55]
What do you wish Legislators knew about Legionella that Water Treaters already know? [15:22]
What is the ASSE-12080 Certification? Who needs it, and why do we have to be aware of it? [17:55]
NYC vs New York State’s Legislation [21:00]
Writing a Legionella Plan for your clients [22:44]
Explaining Legionella to your clients and working with them to make things better [26:00]
Protecting your water treatment company without throwing your client under the bus [30:37]
Convincing a customer to act before it’s too late [34:59]
The future of Legionella Legislations in New York City [38:24]
Lightning round questions [41:10]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about choosing a Cycles of Concentration set point for cooling towers and boilers…or, as Trace likes to say, Concentration Ratio. Back in March, we thought about how to calculate the Cycles of Concentration in this series. Now, let’s think about how we choose the set point. What will limit how high we can concentrate water in a cooling tower or boiler? What is the basis for these limits? How do you know what the limits are? What guidelines do you use? How does the chemistry you apply to a system impact what the upper limits may be? What water analysis should you run on a system in the future to ensure you are staying within your limits with no problems? Take this week to think about choosing the set point for Cycles of Concentration or Concentration Ratio.
Quotes:
“You need to get your resources in order. You need to start up things today so you are ready for an emergency tomorrow.” - Russell Baskin
“Start recording: model numbers, serial numbers, number of cells, operational data, volume, recirculation rate, filtration vs. no filtration, how it backwashes, any kind of areas that would cause stagnation, what floors the cooling towers are on, and what floors the machinery and pumps are on because inevitably you’ll need to a drawing of those systems before laws are passed in our area so you are prepared.” - Russell Baskin
“It’s (ASHRAE 188) forcing Water Treatment companies to go up and look at the cooling tower, fix alarms on Water Treatment equipment, and test that pumps and controls are working, Legionella testing every 90 days, a full inspection of the tower, and a twice-a-year cleaning.” - Russell Baskin
“Water treatment is as much an art as it is a science, and what may work here might not work properly across the street.” - Russell Baskin
“You should have an ASSE-12080 Certification in order to write water management plans. It puts a practical spin on Legionella management. I recommend it for any professional water treater.” - Russell Baskin
“You want to be an expert in your field because if you are not going to be, one of the major companies out there is going to be.”- Russell Baskin
“We need to prove to our clients that we’re doing best practices all the time.” - Russell Baskin
“The best advice I can give all water treaters: There could be talk about Legionella Legislation right now being worked on by your state legislator. You might not even be aware of it. If there is a draft- get a copy, take it to an attorney, and figure out what you should do about it.” - Russell Baskin
“ASHRAE 188 is not just for cooling towers, it is for the entire building.” - Russell Baskin
Connect with Russell M. Baskin:
Phone: (212) 518-6475
Email: rbaskin@towerwater.com
Website: www.towerwater.com
LinkedIn: in/russell-baskin-77437216
Visit our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page:
Legionella Resources
Links Mentioned:
Get your ASSE-12080 Certification
265 The One About Legionella and a FedEx package, Part 1
Bill Pearson
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.
Books Mentioned:
The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden
Revenue Growth Engine by Darrell Amy
Tune in every Friday for a new podcast episode by water treaters for water treaters as we scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems on everything from boilers, to cooling towers, and legionella management. 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. Trace Blackmore, CWT, LEED AP, the host of Scaling UP! H2O, is the CEO and founder of Blackmore Enterprises, an industry leader providing water treatment consultation and services to industrial and commercial customers in Metro Atlanta. Trace has more than 25 years of experience working in water treatment, and was the 2020 recipient of the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award, recognizing “outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the field of water treatment.” Trace is the former President of and current Teacher at the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). Trace’s goal for the Scaling UP! H2O podcast is to be a free educational resource for water treaters.
Nation, what would you do if your company was told they needed to service ALL of its cleaning towers within the next 14 calendar days? How would you do that and what would it look like? Today’s interview is all about how a FedEx letter with Legionella legislation changed a New York water treater’s company forever. Join me as I interview Russell Baskin, a Water Treatment, Waterborne Diseases, and Legionella-Compliance Expert who experienced first-hand how Legionella legislation can rock your business to the core if you’re not ready for it.
Russell graduated from the College of New Jersey with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1988. After college, he went on to work as a Technical Sales and Territory Consultant at a top water treatment firm. After six years, Russell launched his own very own full-service water treatment company, Tower Water. With more than 30 years of involvement with designing, servicing, and testing automatic chemical water treatment injection and filtration systems used to protect commercial, industrial, and institutional water systems against scale, corrosion, biofilm, Legionella, and other waterborne diseases, Russell spearheaded the growth of Tower Water as one of the top water treatment companies in the Northeast and the New York Metro Area.
Today, Russell will talk about his 2018 AWT convention presentation, “How ASHRAE 188 Changed His Business” in Orlando, Florida. Russell’s involvement in Legionella awareness spans years since he started writing Water Management Plans for the control of Legionella after ASHRAE 188 was released in 2015. He has worked with industry experts like Matt Freije of HCINFO, Janet Stout of Special Pathogens Laboratory, Bill Pearson of Arthur Freedman Associates, and Jay Farmerie of Cyrus Rice in developing Water Management Plans using ASHRAE 12-2000 procedures which he has modified to meet NY State and NY City regulations, including Local Law 77.
Bottom line: Russell Baskin is going to tell you why you need to pay attention to the Legionella legislation in the city where you treat water.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Continuing Legionella Awareness Month and upcoming events for water treaters [01:20]
Thinking On Water With James [06:10]
Introducing Russell Baskin, President, and Visionary at Tower Water [07:54]
Who is Russell Baskin, CWT? [12:57]
Getting the dreaded FedEx letter with Legionella Legislation from the Commissioner of New York City [26:27]
Why legislation happened and where the tasks and timelines came from [28:57]
Cleaning 300 Cooling Towers in 5 days [30:32]
Talking about “How ASHRAE 188 Changed His Business” at the AWT Conference [32:40]
Why you need to pay attention to ASHRAE 188 before legislation forces you to jump into action [35:47]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about writing field service reports. What should you really be writing in a field service report? Should you write "All is good" while also listing the issues found? How might a badly written field service report haunt you later? How many overly general statements cause later problems? How much detail is too much? Who actually reads your field service reports? Do you ensure all the proper parties are fully aware of any issues or actions needed to be taken on top of just emailing the report out? Does your report actually provide value each visit or is it just a repeat of the last report that the customer finds no value in reading each time? If it's not written down, it didn't happen, and the field service report is high-profile proof of the value you bring when written, communicated, and shared properly. Take this week to think about your field service reports and how you can work to increase their value.
Quotes:
“When I received the letter, it was devastating to me, I needed to figure it out. I was gonna stay at work until I figure out what we’re gonna do, how we’re gonna handle this, what the clients are gonna think, and how we’re gonna get this done.” - Russell Baskin
“In 5 days, I needed to turn over all water treatment reports from the past year.” - Russell Baskin
“The difference was that Quebec, Canada had about 90 cooling towers, and New York City had about 10,000 cooling towers. There were not enough people to get the job done.” - Russell Baskin
“The ASHRAE 188 legislation was my defining moment at my company.” - Russell Baskin
“I heard about ASHRAE 188 for 10 years before the legislation passed, and I always thought I had more time to work out the details.” - Russell Baskin
Connect with Russell M. Baskin:
Phone: (212) 518-6475
Email: rbaskin@towerwater.com
Website: www.towerwater.com
LinkedIn: in/russell-baskin-77437216
Visit our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page:
Legionella Resources
Links Mentioned:
Bill Pearson
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we’ve listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE
2022 AWT Business Owners Meeting - September 20, 2022, in Vancouver, Canada
2022 AWT Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24, 2022, in Vancouver, Canada
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies’ Water Infrastructure Conference - September 11 to 14, 2022, in Portland, Oregon
Books Mentioned:
Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Nation, for the 2nd week of this year’s Legionella Awareness Month, I am bringing back Dr. Janet Stout to talk about what we, as Water Treaters, need to know about Legionella, what’s new in Legionella risk management, ASSE-12080 Certification Training, and many more. Buckle your seatbelts because this is going to be one groundbreaking conversation!
Dr. Janet E. Stout is the Executive Vice President and founder of Special Pathogens Laboratory, A Pace laboratory. She is also a research associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Dr. Stout is a globally-recognized infection disease microbiologist sought out for her seminal discoveries and pioneering research in Legionella. Her expertise includes prevention and control strategies for Legionnaires’ Disease in building water systems.
In more than 30 years that Dr. Stout has been doing research, her research has been published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. She has also authored textbook chapters on Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease, one of which is the Legionella chapter in the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Text. Dr. Stout also assisted in developing the first Legionella prevention guideline in the United States (published in 1993). It has continued to serve as a framework for future national and global health agencies and organizations.
Dr. Stout currently serves on the ASHRAE Legionella Standard Committee Guideline 12 and the Committee for ANSI/ ASHRAE Standard 188-2015, Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, which was the first US standard for Legionella risk management. Special Pathogens Laboratory, together with the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) created the first certification for Legionella risk management, ASSE-12080, and Dr. Stout is the first certified instructor of the ASSE-12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist Certification Training.
Bottom line: Dr. Janet E. Stout will share with us what water treaters need to know about Legionella.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Continuing the celebration of Legionella Awareness Month and other events in Water Treatment [01:29]
Thinking On Water With James [06:02]
Welcoming back Legionella Expert, Dr. Janet E. Stout [07:40]
Integrating ASHRAE 188 with Public Health Law and how to stay on top of Legislation [11:27]
Helping Water Treaters know what they need to know about Legionella [17:03]
What is the ASSE-12080 Certification process and who should take the class? [24:12]
What is new in Legionella Testing? [27:43]
What do we need to know about Percent of Positivity and Legionnaires Disease? [32:05]]
Legionella sterilization vs. disinfection [34:00]
What did we learn when buildings reopened after the COVID shutdown? [39:15]
Helping Organizations through the Entrepreneurial Operating System, Masterminds, and by having an assistant [41:24]
Say “Hello” to Janet and her team at AWT! [50:30]
Lightning round questions [52:35]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about corrosion coupons. Do you use corrosion coupons in all of your accounts? Why or why not? Do you use pretreated or pre-stressed coupons? Why or why not? Why should you avoid touching fresh, new coupons with your fingers when installing? Do you consider the orientation of the coupons when installing them? Do you install them so the flat side is vertical or horizontal or have you never thought of this? We've previously thought about the order of the coupons but now's another good time to think about that, too. How many days do you leave them in the system? What would be the impact of removing them sooner rather than later? What can be determined by visually observing the corrosion coupons upon removal? How do you communicate the results? Do you save the old ones for annual reviews, take a picture or scan, or dispose of them? Take this week to think about corrosion coupons and how to most effectively use them.
Quotes:
“Everyone needs to be aware that ASHRAE Standard 188-2018 and Guideline 12-2020 are in continuous maintenance.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Standard 514P is a new proposed standard from ASHRAE.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“There is a real need for input from people in Water Treatment to comment on Legionella standards.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“If any facility should be testing for Legionella, it should be healthcare.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“When it comes to Legionella, any gaps in knowledge need to be filled, so I worked to make education standards for Legionella.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“We (Special Pathogens Lab) stepped into the role of one of the first instructors to deliver training so people could sit for the certification exam and get the credential as a Certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“When you are doing Water Management, you’re using testing for Legionella to validate that the plan is working.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Percent of Positivity: If more than 3 out of 10 faucets or showers are positive for Legionella (in a hospital), we would see a Legionnaires Disease Case.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“You can’t completely eliminate Legionella, whether it’s from a cooling tower or a potable water distribution system. You can knock it down, you can hold it down with water treatment, but you can’t eliminate it.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Sterilization is impossible when it comes to Legionella. Disinfection will be dependent on the type of system you are treating.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“We’re not asking people to get to zero Legionella, we’re asking people to get zero cases of Legionnaires Disease. - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“It's not happiness that brings gratitude, it's gratitude that brings happiness.” - Unknown
Connect with Dr. Janet E. Stout:
Phone: 877-775-7284
Email: info@specialpathogenslab.com
LinkedIn: company/special-pathogens-laboratory
in/janet-e-stout-ph-d-32607612
Website: specialpathogenslab.com
Become a Professional Certified Legionella Water Safety & Management Specialist
Puzzled by Legionella Webinars
Buy Special Pathogens Lab’s Puzzled by Legionella Guidebook
Visit our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page:
Legionella Resources
Links Mentioned:
Bill Pearson
Sign up for ASHRAE Standards Actions
Seinfeld (American Sitcom)
Special Pathogens Lab - Legionella Water Safety & Management Specialist Certification
Special Pathogens Lab - Puzzled by Legionella Webinars
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Check out all future water events on our Scaling UP! Events Calendar
Go to scalinguph2o.com/events to see our 2022 water events calendar
Events Mentioned:
One Water Summit 2022 – September 12 to 15 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
AWT Business Owners Meeting - September 20, 2022, in Vancouver, Canada
2022 AWT’s Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24 in Vancouver, Canada
International Desalination Association World Congress – October 9 to 13 in Sydney, Australia
Books Mentioned:
Puzzled by Legionella Guidebook by Janet E. Stout
The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World With Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
In 1976, there was an outbreak of a mysterious disease that caused attendees of the American Legion Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to suffer from a pneumonia-like disease. It was discovered that this disease was caused by a bacteria later named Legionella; to commemorate the Legionnaires who suffered and lost their lives from this disease.
This month, we are celebrating Legionella Awareness Month by celebrating information about this bacteria. As Water Treaters, we can help educate the public that Legionella exists and that there are people out there that are more susceptible to it. If you own a building, it is your responsibility to make sure that you understand the water that’s in your building and that there is potential for this bacteria to grow within that building’s water system. The more we know, the better we can educate other people; the better we can do for ourselves and our companies.
In this episode, I am answering your questions about Legionella: How was Legionella discovered? What should you do if your water system tests positive for Legionella, or worse, if there is a Legionella outbreak in your community? What should the public know about Legionella? Can Legionella only be found in Cooling Towers? What’s the difference between Pontiac Fever and Legionnaires Disease? Why is everyone asking water treaters to test ice machines for Legionella these days? Nation, these are just some listener questions I’ll be answering today.
Thank you to all of the listeners who keep submitting excellent show ideas to our team! We couldn’t do the show without you.
Bottom line: Let’s celebrate Legionella Awareness Month by making sure we are armed with information about the Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires Disease.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
We are celebrating Legionella Awareness Month by celebrating information [01:52]
How and when Legionella was first discovered? [04:06]
What fascinates me most about Legionella? [08:43]
How should the public react when they hear there is a Legionella outbreak? [11:39]
What resources can water treaters use to educate ourselves and clients about Legionella? [15:44]
What are the things to consider when making a Water Management Plan? [21:17]
What do we do if a Water System tests positive for Legionella? [28:19]
In what environment does Legionella Bacteria grow? [35:24]
What agencies should you be familiar with if we want to learn about Legionella? [40:14]
Thinking On Water With James [45:52]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about jar testing. What kind of equipment do you use? How do you make down and dose coagulants and polymers? What is the math involved in making down and dosing? How long do you stir each test? At what speed should each step be stirred? Does your standard procedure match the actual conditions of the system? If not, how might you adjust your procedure? Do you use round jars or square? Are there guidelines on where to start with certain types of waters? How would you teach someone else how to do a jar test? Take this week to think about jar testing and what you may still need to learn.
Quotes:
“Legionella is the actual name of the bacteria. Legionnaires Disease is a type of pneumonia that you get when you get sick from Legionella Bacteria.” - Trace Blackmore
“Serogroup 1 or Legionella Pneumophila is the most hazardous species of Legionella when it comes to a health concern.” - Trace Blackmore
“Legionella Bacteria is out there, and if you own a building, it is your responsibility to make sure that you understand the water that’s in your building and there is potential for Legionella Bacteria to grow within a building’s water system.” - Trace Blackmore
“We are never going to get rid of Legionella, it’s always going to be here, but we do need to take care of people that might be susceptible to Legionella.” - Trace Blackmore
“Water Treaters should educate the public that there is a bacteria out there called Legionella and that certain people are more susceptible to it than other people.” - Trace Blackmore
“A Water Management Plan is the Water Treater and the Building Owner’s friend.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you don’t know, document what you don’t know. If you are making some assumptions, document what those assumptions are. “ - Trace Blackmore
“Ignorantia juris non excusat” (Ignorance of the law excuses not)
“Ignorantia legis neminem excusat” (Ignorance of law excuses no one)
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Visit our Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Page:
Legionella Resources
Links Mentioned:
Legionella Bacteria
Legionella Bacteria
The American Legion
212 The One About What To Do When Your System Tests Positive For Legionella
Alberto Comazzi on LinkedIn
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Resources Mentioned:
Check out our Legionella Resources page for dozens of links to websites, articles, graphics, and episodes by clicking HERE
When you know that you need to hire someone, what do you look for? How do you know if the person you are interviewing is a good fit? What does your hiring process look like? In today’s market, do you still find it easy for you to find the right person for an open position?
If hiring the right person is something that you are struggling with, then this episode is for you. My lab partner today, Chris Bellizzi, is someone who has been coaching business owners for years on this topic, and this is something he is very passionate about.
Chris Bellizzi started his career in the Water Treatment industry fresh out of college. After graduating with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 1994 from the University of Washington, he went on to work at NALCO. He started as a Sales Representative, and was promoted to District Manager three times and eventually became the Regional Manager in the middle market business sector at NALCO. Currently, Chris is the General Manager at EAI Water and the Managing Partner at ApHinity. ApHinity from EAI is a brand of technologies based on the science of chemical affinity. The technologies ApHinity offers play a critical role in the challenging water conservation, reuse, and recycling environments of today. Chris is also a Certified Legionella Water Safety and Management Specialist and a Certified Water Treater.
Chris and his wife Elsa have four daughters - two of whom are now working in the water industry (not for Chris!), and he loves being able to “talk shop” with them.
If you are a Water Treatment company owner or a hiring manager, this episode is for you! Chris will share with us why building trust and delivering results are the foundations of finding the right people for your company, the 10 traits that he looks for when interviewing someone, why setting expectations is important, and how perpetuating the OKG (our kind-of-guy / our-kind-of-gal) mentality made him and his team better Water Treaters!
Bottom line: Chris Bellizzi will share with us his keys to hiring the best people for open positions at your company.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Why the water treatment industry is the best industry for people who love to learn [00:54]
Thinking On Water With James [06:55]
Promoting Legionella Awareness Month in August and other industry events [08:15]
Finding the right people is difficult [11:23]
Introducing Chris Bellizzi, the General Manager at EAI Water and the Managing Partner at ApHinity [14:02]
Why building trust and delivering results are the foundations of finding the right people [18:49]
Where to find candidates and the 10 traits to look for when interviewing candidates [22:00]
The art of hiring slowly [43:21]
Setting expectations [50:33]
Perpetuating the OKG (Our-Kind-of-Guy / Our-Kind-of-Gal) mentality [55:04]
Lightning round questions [1:03:57]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how to properly store pH probes. Why is pH probe storage important? What can happen if stored improperly? Can a pH probe be stored dry? Can it be stored in city water or distilled water? What about storing it in a pH 4, 7, or 10 buffer solution? Why would one be better than another? Is there a storage solution designed for pH probes? How might the storage solution be applied to the rubber cover often used to protect probes between uses? Take this week to think about your pH probe and what proper storage means to its accuracy and lifespan.
Quotes:
“I was able to become a District Manager at a very young age, and it forced me to learn how to run teams and grapple with the issue of hiring at a very early age.” - Chris Bellizzi
“What are the core values that clients really buy from over the long term? Number 1, they buy trust, number 2, they buy results.” - Chris Bellizzi
“Credibility + Reliability + Intimacy ÷ Self-Focus = Trust.” - Chris Bellizzi
“The non-negotiable traits I look for in an interview are people with low self-ego, high-integrity, high emotional intelligence, someone who cares, and a passion for mechanical and chemical things. The negotiables are work ethic, someone that got your back, social leadership, competitive drive, an aptitude for mechanical and chemical things.” - Chris Bellizzi
“There is no one solution in Water Treatment; there are a variety of ways to get from Point A to Point Z.” - Chris Bellizzi
“In the Water Treatment Industry, people that are successful are those that are very comfortable initiating the relationship.” - Chris Bellizzi
“The longer the interview process, the better. The art is in managing your expectations as the hiring manager and the interviewee’s expectations, and not losing people along the way.” - Chris Bellizzi
“Prioritize hiring the right values and behaviors over experience and booking business.” - Chris Bellizzi
“The Water Treatment Industry should never be boring. It comes with its built-in alarm, and that alarm is if you ever feel bored, you are doing this job wrong.” - Trace Blackmore
“Life is too short. Do something you love, you’ll never work another day in your life.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Chris Bellizzi:
Phone: (949) 939-7162
Email: cbellizzi@eaiwater.com
Website: eaiwater.com
LinkedIn: in/chris-bellizzi-a08b6863
Links Mentioned:
The Demographic Drought - presentation by Author and Economist Ron Hetrick
173 The One With the Exit Plan
Coach Herb Brooks
Coach Chris Petersen
The EntreLeadership Podcast
The Every Man Ministries Podcast
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
August is Legionella Awareness Month
Smart Water Summit – August 29 to 31 in San Antonio, Texas
Water Infrastructure Conference – September 11 to 14 in Portland, Oregon
StormCon 2022 – September 26 to 28 in National Harbor, Maryland
Books Mentioned:
The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni
Revenue Growth Engine by Darell Amy
Back in episode 256, I had Bruce Ketrick Sr. on the show and we talked about having a fulfilling and successful career In Water Treatment. In today’s episode, I am bringing back my Blending Mentor to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, and this time, we are getting more technical. Buckle up as Bruce Ketrick Sr. teaches us all about Blending.
With his almost 50 years of experience, Bruce has had a colorful career. He started as a technical support for boiler water, cooling water, and wastewater treatment programs before becoming a manager for four Water Treatment companies before becoming the owner of his very own company, Guardian CSC, in 1988. Bruce has written and presented papers on various topics including Boiler Water Treatment, Objectives of Water Conditioning, and Neutralizing Amines and Field Determination of Deposits. A pioneer in his field, Bruce also created a Molybdate-based product for corrosion control for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1974, 14 years before Molybdate Chemistry became popular.
When it comes to Blending there is a lot to know, it’s a little bit art and a little bit chemistry, and if make a mistake it can be quite dangerous and expensive. No matter where you are in your professional career in industrial water treatment I know you are going to learn something new when listening to Bruce’s episode.
Bottom line: Bruce Ketrick Sr. is going to teach us how Product Blending is both an art form and chemistry.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Paying yourself first by taking advantage of your 401K and staying out of debt [01:32]
Introducing my blending mentor, Bruce Ketrick Sr. of Guardian CSC [09:00]
Blending: How should I start? [12:49]
Teaching others to Blend [18:26]
Understanding Serial Dilution [20:55]
Using your Product Application Guide [22:30]
Teaching Blending to new hires [24:30]
Learning from mistakes [26:05]
Thinking On Water With James [29:57]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the oxidation reduction potential or ORP. First, what is an ORP? What is it measuring? Why are you trying to control with it? Next, what can impact ORP? Can pH, temperature, and/or type of oxidant impact ORP readings? Can you pick an ORP number off a chart that will accurately maintain a target oxidant residual, or does the ORP setpoint have to be determined for each system based upon tested oxidant residual levels? How frequently does the ORP probe need to be calibrated? Take this week to think about Oxidation Reduction Potential or ORP.
Quotes:
“What are you trying to do with the system? Is it scale-control? Is it corrosion? Is it both?” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“There is no one place you can go to learn how to formulate. You have to look at a number of different places.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“We make different products for different applications.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“There's no one place to learn how to formulate. You have to look at a number of different places.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“When you are trying to teach people to formulate, you have to let them try and fail.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“I teach my people to a level that they understand what raw materials do, what their actions are in the system. And how can I teach them what the actions are if I don’t tell them what's in the product? - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“Bruce Ketrick Sr. told me when I started that Blending was as much as an art, as it was a science.” - Trace Blackmore
“When Blending, the Order Of Addition is everything” - Trace Blackmore
“Think to yourself: Is that debt really worth it? Wait a week before buying the thing. Don’t go into debt on an impulse.” - Trace Blackmore
“Your employer is trying to help you save for the future by offering you a 401K. Do yourself a favor and take advantage of it.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Sr.:
Email: bketrick@guardiancsc.com
Website: guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn: company/guardiancsc
Links Mentioned:
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University
Dave Ramsey The 7 Baby Steps
256 The One About Having A Fulfilling and Successful Career In Water Treatment
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Articles Mentioned:
Objectives of Water Conditioning by Bruce T. Ketrick
Boiler Water Treatment AWT Presentation by Bruce T. Ketrick
Events:
American Chemical Society Fall 2022 – August 21 to 25 in Chicago, Illinois
Water Quality Association’s Aquatech Trade Show in Mexico – September 6 to 8 in Centro Banamex, Mexico City
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies’ 2022 Executive Management Conference – October 30 to November 2 in Savannah, Georgia
Industrial Water Week - October 3 to 7, 2022
My guest in this episode knows what entrepreneurs and small business owners need to do to make their businesses profitable. He knows the ins and outs of making businesses stay afloat through economic challenges. He is none other than Rocky Lalvani, Chief Profitability Adviser for Business Owners and certified Profit First Professional.
Rocky ensures that entrepreneurs and business owners get paid, and making a business profitable is his top priority. He implements Mike Michalowicz's Profit First system, where they change the accounting formula of Sales - Expenses = Profit to Sales - Profit = Expenses which ensures that Profit comes first.
Rocky immigrated to the United States with his parents when he was two years old. It was his parents' second time starting over in life as they moved here to experience the American Dream. Rocky loves to share his journey and inspire others to achieve their financial dreams even faster.
Whether you are a Business Owner struggling to understand the health of your business or an employee wondering how you can make more money, this episode is for you.
Bottom line: Rocky Lalvani is going to tell us why and how to put Profit First.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Events in Water Treatment [01:33]
Self-improvement is a journey [05:30]
Introducing “Profit First” Guru, Rocky Lalvani [08:29]
Building wealth with Profit First [11:18]
Knowing and understanding your Financials [14:26]
Creating the 5 Spending Buckets [20:10]
Using the Profit First System as an employee [28:06]
How to start building wealth [33:16]
Lightning round questions [38:48]
Thinking On Water With James [45:56]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the mass balance around a steam boiler system. By mass balance, I’m talking about how much water is going into a steam boiler system compared to how much is going out. The two should be equal. What should be included, though? It depends upon where you draw your circle around the system. A typical circle may only include makeup and condensate return going in with steam and blowdown going out. But what about the water demands of pretreatment equipment? Drawing the circle a little bigger may also include softener regeneration wastewater, reverse osmosis reject, raw makeup, lost condensate, steam leaks, leaking feedwater pumps, and more. Have you drawn a diagram of your steam boiler system with all the ins and outs shown? Take this week to think about the mass balance around your steam boiler system.
Quotes:
“CPAs and accountants tell business owners that your Sales - Expenses = Profit. With Profit First, we do Sales - Profit = Expenses.” - Rocky Lalvani
“Build a business the way you want to live your life.” - Rocky Lalvani
“Where is your money going?” - Rocky Lalvani
“The 12-month Balance Sheet is where your money is. It’s the true picture of the health of your company.” - Rocky Lalvani
“You can be profitable and growing, and go out of business because of bad cash flow” - Rocky Lalvani
“Start small. Build a habit. Profit is a habit, not an event.” - Rocky Lalvani
“Control your costs. Create efficiencies.” - Rocky Lalvani
“If you are not keeping up with your cost of goods going up, you are in trouble. Be proactive, not reactive when it comes to adjusting pricing to supplies, shipping, and fuel surcharges.” - Rocky Lalvani
“You don’t need more resources, you need to be more resourceful.” - Rocky Lalvani
“The number one reason Profit First fails is because the person didn't start doing it.” - Rocky Lalvani
“The Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is a wonderful way to systematize your business.” - Rocky Lalvani
Connect with Rocky:
Phone: (717) 469-5449
Email: rocky@profitcomesfirst.com
Website: profitcomesfirst.com
LinkedIn:
in/rocky-lalvani
company/profit-comes-first
Podcasts:
Profit Answer Man Podcast
Richer Soul
Links Mentioned:
Profit First Overview
Profit First
Mike Michalowicz
Profit Answer Man Podcast
Richer Soul
The Savannah Bananas
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind
Inc Magazine
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
PWX 2022: Ready and Resilient (Public Works Expo) – August 28 to 31 in Charlotte, North Carolina
AWT 2022 Business Owner's Meeting – September 20 in Vancouver, Canada
International Desalination Association World Congress – October 9 to 13 in Sydney, Australia
Books Mentioned:
Profit First: Transform Your Business from a Cash-Eating Monster to a Money-Making Machine by Mike Michalowicz
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
The Christian Man: A Conversation about the 10 Issues Men Say Matter Most by Patrick Morley
The Ultimate Coach by Amy Hardison
Life Force: How New Breakthroughs in Precision Medicine Can Transform the Quality of Your Life & Those You Love by Tony Robbins
Long-time listeners of the podcast know that I enjoy learning about leadership and self-development. I have had many guests on the podcast that introduced me to tools and today’s guest has a tool which I know will help your team and all of your relationships.
My lab partner is Tim Cooper. He is a Principal Consultant at The Table Group and the founder and president of Cooper Consulting. Tim has over 15 years of Team Leadership experience in his partnership with The Table Group. His clients include executives from Renaissance Learning, Chick-fil-A, Southern New Hampshire University, and Ørsted. Tim describes his approach to consulting as relational, particularly in tackling difficult interpersonal dynamics with the teams he serves. His specialties include building healthier relationships within executive teams that cascade throughout the organization.
In this episode, Tim will talk about The 6 Types of Working Genius. These are 6 different types of gifts that are required of any group of people trying to get something done: The Genius of Wonder, The Genius of Invention, The Genius of Discernment, The Genius of Galvanizing, The Genius of Enablement, and The Genius of Tenacity. If you don’t know what the 6 Working Geniuses are, after this episode, you will learn what they are and how you can use this knowledge to lead, be part of a team successfully, and be a better version of yourself.
Tim loves talking about anything that has to do with Organization Health and the interplay between Smart and Healthy Organizations, and The 6 Types of Working Genius is the best tool he has come across that can help teams and individuals raise team morale, productivity, and organization health.
Bottom line: Tim will tell us what the 6 Types of Working Geniuses are and how knowing these Geniuses can create better organizational health.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Running a business, facilitating team meetings, and upcoming events [01:44]
Welcoming The Table Group’s Tim Cooper [09:53]
Introducing The 6 Types of Working Genius [14:28]
Preventing burnout by knowing your Working Genius [20:49]
Working together as a Team to create success in the three stages of a project: Ideation, Activation, Implementation [28:14]
Assessments are about awareness, not permission [31:55]
Understanding the Pain Points on a team and inviting the right people to the right meetings [37:05]
Hiring the best people for a role using the Working Genius [45:56]
Thinking On Water With James [1:01:01]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about a salt bridge in a water softener system. What is a salt bridge? How do you know if you have one? What impact can it have on a water softener? How do you remove a salt bridge? How can it be prevented in the future? Take this week to think about salt bridges in water softener systems.
Quotes:
“Two of the big components of a healthy organization are high morale and high productivity, and the Working Genius is the tool that is best at raising both of those.” - Tim Cooper
“The Working Genius is 80% a production tool and 20% a personality tool.” - Tim Cooper
“The Wonder Genius are the people that ponder the possibilities of greater potential and opportunity.” - Tim Cooper
“The Invention Genius are the ones that create original and novel ideas and solutions.” - Tim Cooper
“The Discernment Genius are the ones that are using their intuition and their gut-feel.” - Tim Cooper
“The Galvanizing Genius are the people that get people moving.” - Tim Cooper
“The Genius of Enablement is the most relational of all Geniuses. They are the ones that ask, ‘How can I help?’” - Tim Cooper
“The Genius of Tenacity are the people that are all about execution.” - Tim Cooper
“If you get to spend most of your time focusing on the things that bring you energy and fulfillment, it hardly feels like work.” - Tim Cooper
“Burnout is not really too much work, it’s too much of the wrong kind of work.”- Tim Cooper
“The best leader is a self-aware leader.” - Tim Cooper
“We need to be really kind when operating in people’s competencies or frustrations. And we need to be really generous when giving people opportunities to lean into their geniuses.” - Tim Cooper
“We are breaking projects down into three stages: Ideation, Activation, Implementation.” - Tim Cooper
“When you skip over a project stage, you’re not only skipping a stage of work, you’re skipping over people who are trying to bring their best to the team.” - Tim Cooper
“Assessments are about awareness, not about permission. It is not permission for me to just be more of who I am, this is about awareness so that I can become a better version of myself.“ - Tim Cooper
“The Working Genius is a production tool. It is the art of getting work done, both individually and on a team.” - Tim Cooper
“An Assessment can’t tell you what brings you the most joy and fulfillment, it’s up to you to answer that.” - Tim Cooper
“Work doesn’t have to suck. Work can be fulfilling and bring you joy. Work does not have to be the thing that you dread.” - Tim Cooper
Connect with Tim Cooper:
Phone: 678.327.7460
Email: tim.cooper@tablegroupconsulting.com
Website: www.tablegroup.com
Facebook: @TableGroupInc
LinkedIn: in/tim-cooper-80bab0143
company/thetablegroup
Know your and your team’s Working Genius! - Buy the Assessment Now!
Pre-order The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Links Mentioned:
Know your and your team’s Working Genius! - Buy the Assessment Now!
The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Listen to ALL the Pairings... Finally from The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Ask Trace Blackmore to Facilitate your Meetings by going to scalinguph2o.com/coach
045 The One That Brings Your Team Together
The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast | Business Podcast
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
The Hang Networking Event – July 14, 2022, @ 6:00 p.m. EST
American Water Works Association’s Transformative Issues Symposium – August 1 to 3, 2022 in
Cincinnati, Ohio
International Water Association’s World Water Congress & Exhibition – September 11 to 15, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark
The International Water Conference – November 6 to 10, 2022 in Orlando, Florida
Books Mentioned:
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business by Patrick Lencioni
Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business by Patrick Lencioni
The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate The Three Essential Virtues by Patrick Lencioni
Pre-order The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team by Patrick Lencioni
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
In Episode 188, Shawn McGrade talked about why you should consider a career in Water Treatment, and because so many of YOU wrote in to our producer asking for him to come back on the show, I am bringing him back for a second interview. Shawn works in Sales at Kurita America and is continuously proving himself to be a Versatile Salesperson through personal and professional developments. When not working as a Water Treater, Shawn spends his time catching giant fish and volunteering as a firefighter and EMT in Minnesota.
Today, Shawn and I will discuss the changes in his career since I last had him on the show, why attending conferences, technical trainings, and any additional offerings through your employer is important,, and some personal and professional development tools you should know about and take advantage of.
Bottom line: If you are considering a career in water treatment and don’t know what opportunities it has to offer, Shawn McGradehas some valuable knowledge to share with you.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
What is a “Career” and upcoming events [03:56]
Bringing back one of our most-listened to podcast guests, Shawn McGrade [10:21]
What has changed since Shawn was last in the podcast? [12:40]
Why you should lean into our industry’s educational opportunities [16:00]
Tips for successfully closing accounts [21:31]
Understanding how to speak your client’s language [25:26]
Personal and professional development tools [33:19]
The benefits of getting involved in the water treatment community [39:05]
A firefighting water treater [40:36]
What to know if you are considering a career in Water Treatment [44:29]
Lightning round questions [48:36]
Thinking On Water With James [56:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the correct way to install a cooling tower blowdown meter. First, what type of meter should one use? Do you know the options available and the pros and cons of each? Then, how should the blowdown water meter be installed? Vertically? Horizontally? Does the meter need to be continually flooded? Is freeze protection an issue? Can the meter communicate with a controller to log the data? Why would a blowdown meter be a handy thing to have? Take this week to think about cooling tower blowdown meters and how they should be installed.
Quotes:
“As Water Treaters, one of the most challenging things is trying to explain to our friends and families is what we actually do.” - Shawn McGrade
“Don’t shy away from being intimidated and not knowing enough” - Shawn McGrade
“I want to learn and learn and learn, I want to be a forever learner.” - Shawn McGrade
“With sales effort, diligence, self-discipline, and planning sales time within your day will allow you to reap the rewards.” - Shawn McGrade
“Get in front of people, and see how you can help them.” - Shawn McGrade
“Sales is a numbers game and you’ve gotta be diligent and make it a priority.” - Shawn McGrade
“Having that curious spirit or being a forever learner has helped me the most in my Personal Development and Growth.” - Shawn McGrade
“Water Treatment is like an onion, there are layers upon layers, and you can just keep peeling it back, and you’ll never know it all. None of us will ever know everything there is to know in water treatment” - Shawn McGrade
“The best way to learn something is to teach it to others.” - Shawn McGrade
“For those new to the industry, and are scared to go out there because they think they don’t know enough, the Fundamentals and Applications Course at the AWT Technical Training is designed for them.” - Shawn McGrade
Connect with Shawn McGrade:
Email: s.mcgrade@kurita-water.com
Phone: 651-788-2185
Website: www.kuritaamerica.com
LinkedIn: in/shawn-mcgrade-08187114a
Recent Article: Using Film-Forming Amines for Water Treatment
Links Mentioned:
Using Film-Forming Amines for Water Treatment article by Shawn McGrade
Email The Scaling UP! H2O team: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Industrial Water Week 2022
188 The One To Listen To If You Are Considering Becoming A Water Treater
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
239 The One About Negotiating
Wilson Learning
Audible
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT’s Student Education and Enhancement Development (SEED) Program
The Versatile Salesperson (VSP) by Wilson Learning
The Counselor Salesperson (CSP) by Wilson Learning
Events:
The Hang Networking Event - July 14, 2022 @ 6:00 p.m. EST
ACS Fall 2022 – August 21 to 25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois
Industrial Water Week - October 3-7, 2022
Articles Mentioned:
Using Film-Forming Amines for Water Treatment by Shawn McGrade
Books Mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
For those long-time listeners, you know that I love learning and talking about Leadership, and I love bringing guests on the podcast who can share their leadership knowledge and expertise with you, which is why I couldn't wait to share this interview with you!
My guest today is Drew Dudley, a Wall Street Journal best-selling author, educator, and speaker. A mentor of mine introduced me Drew’s TEDx Talk “Leading with Lollipops” a few years ago, and since then I have shared Drew’s Talk with dozens of people. If you haven’t watched it yet, I encourage you to do it now. We have a link to Drew’s TEDx Talk below.
Drew Dudley is someone who has a refreshing perspective on leadership and he is an excellent storyteller. The first time I met him, I couldn’t stop smiling, and hopefully by the end of this episode you’ll feel empowered to be an extraordinarily intentional leader.
Bottom line: Drew Dudley is going to inspire you to become a new kind of leader.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Thanking the best audience in Water Treatment, the Scaling UP! Nation and upcoming events [01:54]
Introducing Wall Street Journal best-selling author and TEDx Speaker, Drew Dudley [13:45]
Tedx Talk experience and shaping your story [17:42]
The origin of the “Lollipop Moment” [21:36]
Creating change with Lollipop Moments [28:08]
Leadership as conscious acts [33:24]
Becoming intentional with the language you choose to use [37:20]
Getting Leadership right in business [40:40]
What is Drew’s book “This is Day One: A Practical Guide To Leadership The Matters” about? [47:04]
Catch Drew Dudley in-person at the AWT Conference in Vancouver! [50:06]
Lightning round questions [52:47]
Thinking On Water With James [1:05:25]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the shelf life of industrial-strength sodium hypochlorite or bleach. How long will a drum of sodium hypochlorite last? What factors can impact its shelf life? Do heat and light have an impact? Will contact with certain metals have an impact? What is chemically happening to the sodium hypochlorite to reduce its shelf life? What are the possible consequences of feeding it after it is beyond its shelf life? How does understanding the shelf life of sodium hypochlorite impact the volume ordered when usage rate is considered? Take this week to think about the shelf life of industrial-strength sodium hypochlorite and what it may mean to you.
Quotes:
“When leadership is all about power, influence, and prestige it doesn’t connect with young people.” - Drew Dudley
“One of the challenges isn’t whether we have enough schools teaching Leadership, it’s how they’re teaching Leadership, especifically, what examples they are using.” - Drew Dudley
“The key to any talk, TED or otherwise, is ‘what’s the story’?” - Drew Dudley
“The Lollipop Moment is about a moment in life where somebody let you know that you had a bigger impact than you are aware.” - Drew Dudley
“Useful compelling ideas are inherently motivating.” - Drew Dudley
“Every great story begins with an act of stupidity” - Drew Dudley
“It’s not the goals you’ve set, it’s not the goals you reached; and it’s how you behaved in pursuit of these goals.” - Drew Dudley
“Moments of personal impact are the only source of power that are accessible to everyone on earth.” - Drew Dudley
“Leadership is not about random acts, it’s about conscious acts.” - Drew Dudley
“Never allow someone who you know is a person of worth to diminish themselves in front of you.” - Drew Dudley
“If you present how you feel about something, it can’t be argued with.” - Drew Dudley
“Research shows that the more people in an organization that understand their own personal values and can live them everyday, the better the organization is going to be.” - Drew Dudley
“In Leadership, you never steal anything, you benchmark a good practice.” - Drew Dudley
“Please tell your story, share it with people. Vulnerability leads to extraordinary connections.” - Drew Dudley
“As a speaker, what you’ve been given is the gift of other people’s attention and the opportunity to change minds.” - Drew Dudley
“When we put ideas out in the world, we have no idea where they’re gonna land.” - Drew Dudley
Connect with Drew Dudley:
TEDx Toronto - Drew Dudley "Leading with Lollipops"
Phone: 1-855-685-3253
Email: support@drewdudley.com
Website: www.drewdudley.com
LinkedIn: in/dayonedrew
Twitter: @DayOneDrew
Instagram: @dayonedrew
Facebook: @DayOneDrew
Book: This is Day One by Drew Dudley
Links Mentioned:
TEDx Toronto - Drew Dudley "Leading with Lollipops"
Watch more TED Talks on TED and TEDx Talks
Audible
Cystic Fibrosis Canada
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Dirty Jobs (TV Series)
March of the Penguins (Documentary)
Submit a Show Idea
Events:
The Hang Networking Event - July 14, 2022 @ 6:00 p.m. EST
2022 Utility Leadership Conference – July 24 to 27, 2022 in Seattle, Washington
Smart Water Summit – August 29 to 31, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas
Association of Water Technologies’ 2022 Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Books Mentioned:
This is Day One: A Practical Guide To Leadership The Matters by Drew Dudley
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown
Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown
Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone by Brené Brown
I Thought It Was Just Me (But it isn't): Telling the Truth About Perfectionism, Inadequacy, and Power by Brené Brown
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies by Jim Collins
The Energy Bus: 10 Rules to Fuel Your Life, Work, and Team with Positive Energy by Jon Gordon
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable by Patrick Lencioni
Silos, Politics and Turf Wars by Patrick Lencioni
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? By Seth Godin
Be So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport
Leadership, Reinvented by Hamza Khan
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir by Jenny Lawson
Everything is Horrible and Wonderful by Stephanie Wittels Wachs
The Leadership Test: Will You Pass? by Timothy R. Clark
Encouraging The Heart Workbook by Barry Posner and James M. Kouzes
Gettysburg Address - Abraham Lincoln
Nation, I’ve interviewed many brilliant individuals in the podcast, both in and outside of the Water Treatment Industry, and I know that the people I’ve introduced have brought the listeners of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast helpful career-changing advice. Our guest today will be an addition to the roster of amazing guests we’ve had and will continue to have, it’s none other than Bruce Ketrick Sr. of Guardian CSC.
Bruce started his career in 1974 as a technical support involved in field support, troubleshooting and product development for boiler water, cooling water and wastewater treatment programs. He then worked in four other Water Treatment companies in a variety of managerial positions until he founded his very own company, Guardian CSC, in 1988. Guardian CSC is a full-service Water Technologies company that offers a range of products including chemicals, water system equipment, and services for potable water, boiler water, cooling water, process water, and wastewater systems in commercial and industrial applications.
With his almost 50 years of experience, Bruce has contributed a lot to the Water Treatment Industry. Over the years, he presented papers on Water Technologies including a paper on Fuel Additive Formulation at the 1991 AWT Convention and a paper on Cooling Water Program at the Utility Chemical Symposium. Bruce also published articles in technical trade magazines in topics such as Neutralizing Amines and Field Determination of Deposits.
Bruce was also one of the first few dozen to become a member of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). He then became a member of the AWT Technical Committee, the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Education/Certification Committee from 2000-2002 and 2005 - 2016, and the AWT President in 2004. He was also the recipient of the Ray Baum ``Water Technologist of the Year” in 2006.
Bruce Ketrick Sr. has had a great career. From Technical Support, Bruce worked his way up to eventually founding his own company and becoming a pillar of the Association of Water Technologies. Bruce is a person I admire greatly, and it is an honor to have him in the podcast today.
Bottom line: Bruce Ketrick Sr., CWT is an accomplished Water Treater, and he will tell us some of his secrets to having a fulfilling and successful Water Treatment career.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
How are you learning? [02:12]
Thinking On Water With James [05:17]
Introducing one of our most awaited guests, Bruce Ketrick Sr. of Guardian CSC [08:55]
Getting into the Water Treatment industry [09:28]
Working for somebody vs. owning a Company [11:49]
Embracing changes over the years to become better Energy Engineers [13:09]
Working with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) [16:41]
Launching the AWT Technical Committee and designing courses that work for everyone [22:47]
Traditions created when he became the AWT President [27:18]
Creating a legacy of excellent education and trainings at the AWT [31:29]
Transitioning out of a company successfully and handing it off to the right person [34:17]
Biggest Lessons learned in Water Treatment [39:10]
Lightning round questions [40:06]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about what alternative water sources can potentially be used for cooling tower makeup. City water and well water are often the first two makeup water sources that come to mind for a cooling tower, but what are some others? One person’s waste is another’s treasure, they say. Are there any waste streams boring down the drain now that could be recycled to the cooling tower for makeup? Do they require any pretreatment? What challenges would these alternative makeup water sources pose once in the tower? Would the current water treatment program need to be altered in any way to accommodate them? Are these alternative sources reliable? What volume of water can they provide? Take this week to think about the possibility of using alternative water sources for cooling tower makeup.
Quotes:
“Owning your own company is taking a look at what you need to survive and make paychecks next week.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“When you own a company, you work for your employees, because your employees are the reason you succeed. Those people are your family.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“When you make a mistake, you never forget it.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“The basic concept of Math and the formulas is almost like magic to people today; it used to be what we did.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“The AWT Technical Committee closed the gap between major Water Treatment companies and independent Water Treatment companies” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“Once you get into the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), you learn more than what you give.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“Once you get into the AWT you learn more than you give.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“The most difficult thing to do is to step back, you have to allow others to be the leader when transitioning out of a company.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“My people are very important to me, and I want them taken care of.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
“If you’re coming to a situation you don’t know, be patient, listen, tell that individual I don’t know that right now, but you will get back to them. If you overcommit because you don’t have patience, you will fail.” - Bruce Ketrick Sr.
Connect with Bruce Ketrick Sr.:
Email: bketrick@guardiancsc.com
Website: guardiancsc.com
LinkedIn: company/guardiancsc
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Submit a Show Idea
Events:
The Hang Networking Event - July 14, 2022 @ 6:00 p.m. EST
Industrial Water Week - October 3-7, 2022
Books Mentioned:
The NALCO Handbook
Betz Handbook of Industrial Water Conditioning
Practical Boiler Water Treatment: Including Air Co by Leo Pincus
Practical Chlorine Dioxide-Volume 2 Applications by Greg D. Simpson
We're going to dive right in to listener questions in this Pinks and Blues episode because today is all about testing for Chlorine. Chlorine is the most well-known of the Halogen elements, a group of Oxidizing Agents. So, if you catch me using these words interchangeably, it’s because they are!
As a quick chemistry refresher, a Halogen is the chemical that forms a salt when it reacts with a metal. There are 5 Halogens in the Periodic Table: Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine and you can find the whole column of Halogens the column second furthest to the right.
In Cooling Towers, we typically use Chlorine or Bromine. By the way, whatever you use, make sure it is registered for that usage. There are two methods of testing Halogen: OT (Orthotolidine) and DPD (N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine), which is the method many of us prefer because it allows us to have a free or total test. Are you curious yet about testing for Halogens?
Today, we are going to talk about all things Halogens. From differentiating the types of Halogens, to understanding the different testing methods, and to the importance of having a Water Management Plan to make our jobs easier.
Bottom line: Let’s learn about testing for Halogen in a Water System.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Starting a podcast, being a guest on other’s podcasts, accomplishing your goals [01:01]
Events in Water Treatment [09:54]
Thinking On Water With James [15:29]
Answering your questions for this week’s Pinks and Blues: Testing for Halogen in the System [16:39]
Identifying Halogens [19:01]
Understanding the different HalogenTests: OT Test (Orthotolidine) and the DPD Method (N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine) [22:31]
Too much Halogen in the system [26:00]
Interferences with Halogen Tests [28:28]
Differentiating Free, Combined, and Total Halogen [32:03]
Identifying the best test to use [35:59]
The advantages of having a water management plan [39:09]
Put it into practice [42:51]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about whether the brine tank on your softener system reaches 100% saturation between softener regenerations. Do you know? Have you ever measured % brine saturation in your brine? How would you measure % saturation? When is the best time to measure it? If it is not reaching 100% saturation, can anything be done to improve it? What is the impact upon softener regeneration with less than 100% brine saturation? Take this week to think about the % brine saturation in your softener system’s brine tank.
Quotes:
“A Halogen is a chemical that forms a salt when it reacts with a metal, and there are five Halogens in the Periodic Table: Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine.” - Trace Blackmore
“Halogens are highly reactive, which means they are quick to form bonds with other elements.” - Trace Blackmore
“Oxidizers are solids, liquids, or gasses that react readily with most Organic Materials or Reducing Agents with very little energy that has to go into them.” - Trace Blackmore
“A Reducing Agent is a substance that can be oxidized by losing some of its electrons. An Oxidizing Agent is a substance that can be reduced by gaining electrons.” - Trace Blackmore
“We generally use Chlorine or Bromine, and we will commonly hear them referred to as either Oxidizers or Halogens.” - Trace Blackmore
“What Halogens are you using, and why are you using those?” - Trace Blackmore
“The OT Test (Orthotolidine) only tests for Total Halogen.” - Trace Blackmore
“The DPD Method (N, N-diethyl-p-phenylenediamine) can test for both Free and Total Halogen.” - Trace Blackmore
“Your Tests are your Tools. Don’t run your Test, and have your test tell you what to do next. Your Test only confirms or disproves any theory that you have.” - Trace Blackmore
“Diagnose first and then use a test to confirm.” - Trace Blackmore
“Free (Halogen) is the amount of Oxidizer in the system that hasn't been combined with anything yet. It is Free to react; therefore Free is the amount of quick kill agent you have in your system to sanitize contaminants” - Trace Blackmore
“The Total Oxidizer is the amount of Free Oxidizer that you have plus the amount of Oxidizer that has combined with other Contaminants. So Free + Combined = Total” - Trace Blackmore
“Combined Oxidizer is the amount of Oxidizers that has combined with Organics.” - Trace Blackmore
“Make sure that whatever you are using is registered for that intended use.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP! H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Links Mentioned:
When You Give, People Give Back - My episode on the Water We Talking About? Podcast
Submit a Show Idea
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
157 Pinks and Blues When Your Pinks Don’t Turn Pink
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
Stormwater Summit 2022 – June 27 to 29, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota
2022 BOMA International Conference – June 25 to 28, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee
The International Water Conference – November 6 to 10, 2022 in Orlando, Florida
Association of Water Technologies’ 2022 Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Books Mentioned:
Hach Water Analysis Handbook
My lab partner today is the Association of Water Technologies’ current President, Matt Jensen. A self-proclaimed lover of water, Matt discovered his fascination with the use and movement of water at a young age. Growing up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, he would spend his summers sailing and fishing. Matt graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point with a degree in Analytical Chemistry and a minor in American History. He interned at a Water Treatment company during his final summer in college, and that is where Matt’s interest in Water Treatment began.
Matt started his career at an International Chemical Distributor selling commodity chemicals to the food, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. He then worked for a large US-based national Water Treatment company, selling primarily in the food and healthcare markets, before joining Watertech of America, Inc. as a Territory Manager, then Director of Applied Technologies. In 2021, after 12 years of working at the Watertech of America, Matt joined Global Water Technology, Inc. as the Vice President.
Matt first got involved with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) in 2009 in the Young Professionals Group and the Charity Task Force. That same year, he earned his Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation. Outside of Water Treatment, Matt enjoys fishing and coaches his son’s and daughter’s hockey teams.
Matt Jensen loves water, and he made sure that his career involves doing what he loves.
Bottom line: Matt Jensen is going to share his career journey from being an intern at a Water Treatment company in college to becoming the President of the Association of Water Technologies and Vice President at Global Water Technology, Inc..
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
This day in history [01:24]
Events in Water Treatment [07:58]
Introducing the President of the Association of Water Technologies, Matt Jensen, CWT [10:15]
Getting into Water Treatment [12:30]
Working day-to-day at Global Water Technology [14:00]
Getting involved at AWT [16:32]
Joining AWT Committees [20:13]
Becoming the AWT President and the day-to-day [24:05]
AWT Technical Training [32:06]
AWT’s 2022 Annual Convention and Exposition [35:19]
Message from the AWT President [42:35]
Lightning round questions [44:12]
Thinking On Water With James [51:57]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about nitrite levels dropping in a closed loop. What could cause nitrite to drop? If caused by a water leak, what other water quality parameters may or may not drop at the same time in the closed loop? Is there a makeup meter present? Does it show any makeup used? Can the meter detect low usage rates? Have any repairs been done on the system lately? What about microbiological activity? How may it impact nitrite levels? What microbiological tests might you run to help determine this? Take this week to think about dropping nitrite levels in closed loops and possible causes.
Quotes:
“The Water Treatment Industry is a great industry to be a part of, I couldn’t imagine doing anything other than Water Treatment.” - Matt Jensen
“I believe so much in what the Association of Water Technologies does, and how important it is to support the customer in helping them be efficient and be stewards of the environment.” - Matt Jensen
“One of the best parts of being a Water Treater is the fact that you get to go to different places all the time.” - Matt Jensen
“Getting involved with the Association of Water Technologies and realizing what it was and the stuff that I learned just from my very first conference, I fell in love with the Association and everything that it stood for.” - Matt Jensen
“Water Treatment is not an easy industry to be successful in, you really have to put the time into it, and the Association of Water Technologies helps with that.” - Matt Jensen
“As President of the Associations of Water Technologies (AWT), my job is to be positive about the direction of where we are going and what we are doing.” - Matt Jensen
“The job of the President and my day to day as a President is to keep the message of the Associations of Water Technologies (AWT) positive moving forward, constantly advancing the association, doing everything that we can to keep the members happy.” - Matt Jensen
“A board that all agrees is not a board that is going to accomplish a lot. You have to have disagreements to come to a good agreement.” - Matt Jensen
“Despite the fact that we are doing the convention in Canada and of COVID, the Association is doing everything that we can to make sure that we can get everybody involved as much as we can.” - Matt Jensen
“Amplify AWT is a way for us to guarantee that the Association of Water Technologies can grow and flourish in the upcoming 10 to 20 years.” - Matt Jensen
“If you join an Association, you will get a lot of benefits. There are a lot of things you can take back, but if you join any organization with a mindset of “How can I contribute, how can I become a part of this?” You will get back more than ten times you’ll ever put in.” - Trace Blackmore
“We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win.” - John F. Kennedy
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail" - Benjamin Franklin
Connect with Matt Jensen, CWT:
Phone: (920) 634-8532
Email: mjensen@gwt-inc.com
Website: gwt-inc.com
LinkedIn: in/matthewcjensen
company/gwt-inc
Links Mentioned:
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT (Association of Water Technologies) - Committees
ASSE 12080 Certification
Canada's COVID-19 Travel Checklists
United States’ COVID-19 Travel Requirements
Log in to AWT.org to learn more about Amplify AWT
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference – June 25 to 29, 2022 in Toronto, Canada
Association of Water Technologies’ 2022 Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24, 2022 in Vancouver, Canada
Industrial Water Week - October 3-7, 2022
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Books Mentioned:
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Day of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor by Robert B. Stinnett
Killing Jesus: A History by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard
I’m very excited to introduce to the Scaling UP! Nation my lab partner in today’s episode, Dr. Paul Sturman Ph.D., P.E.. When it comes to biofilm, I credit my lab partner today for most of the things I know about the subject.
Paul Sturman, Ph.D., P.E. has been a Research Professor and the Industrial Coordinator at the Center for Biofilm Engineering (CBE) at Montana State University (MSU) since 2000. Dr. Sturman works closely with Industrial Associate companies to assist in the adoption of biofilm-related technologies. He also organizes biofilm research conferences, particularly the Montana Biofilm Meetings twice a year.
Dr. Sturman received his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from Montana State University. He also has written more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and three book chapters and has made over 30 invited presentations at national and international conferences with a focus on biofilms and their control in industrial process streams and water systems.
Dr. Sturman has been studying biofilms for more than two decades, and his and CBE’s contributions to what we know about biofilms have helped our industry immensely, from controlling biofilms in industrial and potable water systems, to developing standardized methods for biofilm analysis. It is an honor to have Dr. Paul Sturman talk about biofilms and how it affects our work as water treaters.
Bottom line: Dr. Paul Sturman is a professor and industrial microbiologist on a mission to solve industrial biofilm problems.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Global 6K for Water [01:46]
Thinking On Water With James [04:38]
Introducing Biofilm Expert, Dr. Paul Sturman of the Center for Biofilm Engineering [07:00]
Defining Biofilm [08:40]
Making information about Biofilm more accessible [10:37]
What sets the graduate program of the Center for Biofilm Engineering apart from others? [12:27]
Biofilm and Cooling Towers [13:52]
Biofilm and Legionella [16:40]
Antimicrobials and Biocides [19:05]
Biofilm and Potable Water [23:41]
Developing standard methods for Biofilm testing [32:13]
Ways the Water Treatment Industry can better partner with the Center for Biofilm Engineering [34:34]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how oxygen is mechanically removed in a deaerator? What properties of water and oxygen are involved? Which law predicts the solubility of oxygen? What does temperature have to do with it? Want about pressure? How does the deaerator design facilitate oxygen removal? What can happen or change about a deaerator to reduce oxygen removal efficiency? Why is venting important? Why is the mechanical removal of oxygen recommended before the second step of chemically scavenging oxygen? Take this week to think about deaerators and how they mechanically remove oxygen.
Quotes:
“Biofilm is a community of microorganisms. This can be bacteria, algae, or fungi. Often, it’s all three mixed together.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“Biofilm forms on every surface that is in contact with a fluid that has a water phase.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“Biofilm is the reason why rocks in a stream are slippery and slimy to the touch; biofilm is the cause of dental plaque, and biofilm forms even in purified water systems.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“A very important aspect of biofilm is its ability to protect microorganisms from antimicrobials, such as chlorine in drinking water or antibiotics in the human body.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“The Center for Biofilm Engineering at Montana State University (we) understand the biofilm problems that exist in industries, and we seek to solve them.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“The Center for Biofilm Engineering is able to solve problems from an engineering perspective that wouldn’t be solvable strictly from a microbiology perspective or vice versa.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“In many ways, Cooling Systems was one of the original reasons that biofilms were studied.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“We seek to quantify the aspects of Biofilm growth and the efficacies of treatment.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“Eradication of Biofilm in cooling systems is not a realistic goal. A more realistic goal is control that involves continuous or periodic treatment .” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“The more complex the Biofilm is, the easier it is for Legionella to grow.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“Zero Legionella is not a realistic outcome. Minimizing Legionella certainly is a possibility and can be done. Minimizing the Biofilm, in general, tends to minimize Legionella.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“Montana State University’s Center for Biofilm Engineering is probably the foremost institution in the world for developing Biofilm methods.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“With water conservation efforts and the mandating of low-flow fixtures the potential for Biofilm growth is really expanded in these systems.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
“It’s important to have standard methods to study Biofilms so that labs across the world can give the same answers to the same questions.” - Dr. Paul Sturman
Connect with Paul Sturman, Ph.D., P.E.:
Phone: 406-994-2102
Email: paul_s@montana.edu
Website: biofilm.montana.edu
www.montana.edu
LinkedIn:in/paul-sturman-8849738
school/centerforbiofilmengineering
school/montana-state-university
Links Mentioned:
World Vision Child Sponsorship
Center for Biofilm Engineering
Center for Biofilm Engineering Images & Multimedia
ASTM International, formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
America Water Works Association’s ACE22 on June 12 to 15, 2022 in San Antonio, Texas
2022 ASHRAE Annual Conference on June 25 to 29, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario
There are not a lot of women in the water treatment industry, but those who work in the industry found the challenges and opportunities it brings valuable. My guest in today’s episode is a woman in water treatment who first found success in Operations but now has discovered her purpose in Sales Management: Tammy Faber.
Tammy Faber has been working in the water treatment industry for 13 years. She started her career in the paper industry 20 years ago as a Senior Buyer for power and utilities. She then worked for 12 years at Fort Bend Services, Inc. in Texas as the Administrative Services Manager and then Vice President of Operations in 2015. Tammy joined HOH Water Technology, Inc. and moved from Texas to Illinois in 2021. Switching from being the Vice President of Operations at her previous company, Tammy took on the challenge of being the Sales Manager at HOH. A role she never thought would be a fit for her, had it not for Reid Hutchison.
At the age of 40, Tammy completed her bachelor’s and master’s of Business Administration at LeTourneau University. Outside of water treatment, Tammy loves to volunteer. She was named one of the “Top 30 Influential Women in Houston” in 2018 for her leadership and contributions to the community. She also volunteered for over 11 years with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and served as the Vice-Chairman at the Houston Metro Go Texan Committee and the School Art Auction Committee. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors at AWT (The Association Of Water Technologies), working with the board and the members to make the association thrive.
Bottom line: Tammy Faber shares her career journey from being an Operations Manager to becoming a Sales Manager.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Finally! The Global 6K for Water is happening tomorrow [00:51]
Prove how excellent you are by getting your CWT [04:40]
Introducing Tammy Faber [08:23]
From Operations to Sales [09:59]
Realizing that Sales is the perfect fit [12:35]
The biggest change transitioning from Operations to Sales [15:41]
Forging a better salesperson and sales manager relationship [18:32]
Getting involved with AWT and the Rising Ride Mastermind [20:00]
Running for and being at the AWT Board [26:29]
Tammy’s message to the women in the water treatment industry [33:49]
Lightning round questions [36:13]
Thinking On Water With James [43:06]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about what value you bring to your customer or facility? Are you just coming in, running your pinks and blues, writing a report, telling them what to do in your report, talking to no one, emailing the report, and leaving? Does your customer or facility find value in this? What other ways can you provide value? What problems can you solve? What control can you improve? What safety hazards can you minimize or eliminate? What value are you providing today to warrant working with you tomorrow? Take this week to think about your routine and what value you currently provide and what value you could provide in the future.
Quotes:
“Education is something I’m passionate about. We should always be lifelong learners, which is one of the reasons why I’m constantly growing, changing, and evolving.” - Tammy Faber
“One of the things that I love about EOS is that it is about having the right person in the right seat to do the right job.” - Tammy Faber
“Water treatment is not just about selling chemicals, it’s about the relationship you have with the customers.” - Tammy Faber
“It takes all different perspectives to make the team work.” - Tammy Faber
“When the Salesperson wins, the Sales Manager wins.” - Tammy Faber
“The Rising Tide Mastermind drastically impacted my stress level and my ability to process problems.” - Tammy Faber
“‘Don’t view yourself as just words on a paper on your resumé. Think about who you really are and what makes you great.” - Tammy Faber
Connect with Tammy Faber:
Phone: (847) 358-7400
Email: tfaber@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammy-faber-m-b-a-4680649/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/h-o-h-water-technology-inc-/
Links Mentioned:
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World
CWT Prep Course
Log in to AWT.org to learn more about Amplify AWT
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Submit a Show Idea
Events:
Join Team Scaling UP! Nation on World Vision’s Global 6K for Water on May 21, 2022 (tomorrow), or make a donation HERE
2022 Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24 in Vancouver, Canada
Books Mentioned:
Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman
Revenue Growth Engine by Darrell Amy
Make Your Bed by William H. McRaven
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Scaling UP! Nation, you know I love answering your questions, and today’s listener is a new water treater who submitted a few, but the main theme is “How do you diagnose when something is wrong?” What tests should you run? What if there is a leak? What if your customer is planning to install a piece of new equipment? What should you be checking the equipment for? What should you be asking your customer about when you see them? Well, Scaling UP Nation, those are just some of the questions I answer in this episode. So grab your pen and paper because this episode is packed with helpful information and you’ll want to take notes.
Bottom line: I am going to share my 4 Steps to diagnose if something is wrong.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Celebrating the Scaling UP! H2O podcast’s milestones [01:15]
Thinking On Water With James [04:50]
Events in Industrial Water Treatment [06:00]
Pinks And Blues Questions from the Nation: How to diagnose when something is wrong? [09:20]
Step 1: Catch up with the customer [10:15]
Step 2: Find out as much information as you can from the equipment [12:30]
Step 3: Troubleshooting [20:04]
Step 4: Open your Test Kit and run the appropriate tests [29:05]
Better information allows us to make better decisions [37:04]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about nitrite corrosion inhibition. How does nitrite inhibit corrosion? Does oxygen have a role? What if nitrite is underfed? What could happen and why? What if nitrite is overfed. What could happen and why? How might microbiological activity impact nitrite levels and corrosion? Protecting a water system against corrosion is more than just running pinks and blues. It’s about understanding the chemistry behind the scenes and what factors may positively and negatively impact it. Take this week to think about nitrite and how it inhibits corrosion.
Quotes:
“Help your customers make better decisions by giving them more information.” - Trace Blackmore
“In our day-to-day life in the water treatment industry, it is very easy to skip step 1 (speaking with the customer) and finding out things that are going to make things faster in the long run.” - Trace Blackmore
“Put your test kit down and have a conversation with your equipment before you start running tests.” - Trace Blackmore
“We want our customers to know that we are not just looking at the things that we are directly responsible for, we’re actually the mouthpiece, we are the faithful translator of that equipment to people..” - Trace Blackmore
“Soot is more insultative than scale, so let your customer know.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are water treaters that go straight for their tests, and they blindly start testing. You should have an idea of every value that you are going to get as a result of something you test before you test it.” - Trace Blackmore
“Make sure all your meters are clean and calibrated.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are so many things that we do as industrial water treaters that are so far above and beyond just running pinks and blues.” - Trace Blackmore
“If the results are exactly what we think they are, then we have guaranteed that we know what’s going on with the system.” - Trace Blackmore
“We have some incredible products out there that make our life easier, but I don’t think they should be replacing the things that we need to know about the systems themselves.” - Trace Blackmore
“You need to test for all the actives that are in your product. If you don’t know your product well enough to know all the actives, then ask people you work with to show you the technical data sheet.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you do not know or have an idea of what the result of the test is then you have not yet run, you probably don’t need to run it.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Trace Blackmore on LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Scaling UP! H2O on YouTube: ScalingUpH2o.com/YouTube
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World - the Global 6K for Water
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
Water Quality Association’s Aquatech Trade Show in China – June 8 to 10, 2022
The Groundwater Association’s Fate of PFAS: From Groundwater to Tap Water – June 21 to 22, 2022, in Westerville, Ohio
Join Team Scaling UP! Nation on World Vision’s Global 6K for Water on May 21, 2022, or make a donation HERE
Folks, I know that I call every episode of the podcast special, but this episode is extra special because today is my 47th birthday! It amazes me that not only do I get to spend this very special day with my wife, my family, and friends but also with the Scaling UP! Nation. It is my hope that you enjoy this special day with me as you listen to this episode. And, if you haven’t wished me a happy birthday yet, now is your opportunity!
Celebrating my special day with me is one of my best friends in the Water Treatment Industry, it’s none other than R2J Chemical Services Inc.’s Bob Lee. Bob has been in the industrial water treatment industry for the last 40 years. He founded R2J Chemical Services, Inc. in 1982, a year before he graduated from the University of South Florida. He became president of the company in 1992, and in 1995, Bob earned his CWT designation. Bob Lee is also a member of the Association of Water Technologies. He was elected to the AWT Board of Directors in 2003, and it came as no surprise when he became president of AWT in 2009.
We are going to learn a lot from Bob Lee. With 40 years of experience in the Water Treatment Industry under his belt, Bob will tell us how he realized that this is the right career path for him, what changed since he started his company, what people wanting to start their own water treatment business need to know, and so much more! Everybody loves Bob Lee, and after listening to this episode, I’m sure you will love him too.
Bottom line: Bob Lee is going to share with us lessons learned in his 40-year-long career in water treatment, speak about his calming and observant leadership style, and give proven advice to other business owners.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy 47th birthday to me, Trace Blackmore! [01:28]
Events in Water Treatment [03:55]
Who is Bob Lee and how did he become president of R2J Chemical Services Inc.? [07:20]
I love Bob Lee, and here’s why you will love learning from this past AWT President too [09:30]
In Bob’s 40 years in the water treatment industry: What is something he wishes he could do-over? [20:44]
Onboarding new water treaters and what does someone new to the industry need to learn [23:30]
Changes in the water treatment industry in the last 40 years [29:54]
Keeping customers happy [33:04]
Lightning round questions [37:17]
Thinking On Water With James [44:08]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how polymers inhibit scale formation? Is it a stoichiometric, one-on-one relationship, is it a threshold effect, or something else? What are the types of polymers used for scale control, and do they function differently? Are some polymers better for some scaling-forming species than others? There’s a lot to learn about polymers. Take this week to think about this aspect of polymers and scale inhibition.
Quotes:
“The best part of going to an AWT Convention and being part of AWT is the people that you end up getting to know, and that makes it so valuable.” - Bob Lee
“As a leader, when you’re surrounded by smart people, you need to listen a lot more than you talk.” - Bob Lee
“Typically I’m trying to clarify and build consensus as a leader, make sure you’re listening to all of the viewpoints then draw a conclusion on the best direction to go and the best path to take.” - Bob Lee
“Perception is reality”. - Bob Lee
“I'm always more interested with what everybody else has got today, than what they want me to say.” - Bob Lee
“You have to take personal initiative on your time to get better at what you do.” - Bob Lee
“There’s a personal fulfillment factor that comes with getting better at something.” - Bob Lee
“A dirty system, in some customer’s eyes, isn’t working well.” - Bob Lee
“It’s the little things that you really have to keep an eye on. If you’re not paying attention to those details, then in the customer’s eyes, the treatment isn’t working. - Bob Lee
“My birthday wish is that you all love your job and career as much as I do, and every day you get to do something that you love.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Bob Lee:
Phone: (727) 531-4135
Email: bob@r2j.com
Website: r2j.com
LinkedIn: in/bob-lee-cwt-38555aa
company/r2j-chemical-svc
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Episode 179 Part 2 with Kathleen Edelman
Audible - use the link to get 10% off
Rocketbook - use this link to get 15% off
Events:
AWT Webinar: Crime Controls and Best Practices on May 12, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time
Water Environment Federation's Residuals and Biosolids Conference 2022 on May 24 to 27, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio
American Water Works Association's ACE22 on June 12 to 15, 2022, in San Antonio, Texas
Join Team Scaling UP! Nation on World Vision’s Global 6K for Water on May 21, 2022, or make a donation HERE
Books Mentioned:
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Lessons from the Mouse by Dennis Snow
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
The NALCO Water Handbook
Shows and Movies Mentioned:
Happy Gilmore (1996) Official Trailer
Erin Brockovich (2000) Official Trailer
Die Hard (1988) Official Trailer
Master Thespian (Master Thespian and His Leading Lady - SNL)
I can't believe that we are now in the last week of April! Time sure flies fast, and I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for the Scaling UP! H2O podcast and the Scaling UP! Nation. I also cannot wait to introduce my lab partner in today’s episode. She is a colleague, friend, and member of the Rising Tide Mastermind, Jill Cavano.
Jill Cavano is the owner of Scranton Associations, AWT’s Supplier of the Year Awardee in 2015. Jill started working at Scranton Associates in 1999 and became the owner in 2016. She is also an active member and sponsor of the Association of Water Technologies. Jill is a founding member of the Young Professionals Group at AWT and the Chair of the Business Resources Committee which organizes events and webinars to help business owners navigate business situations as well as grow their technical knowledge.
Scranton Associates has been manufacturing water treatment chemicals, serving their customers, and providing good jobs for their employees since 1919. It’s often that we see multigenerational companies in the water treatment industry, but Scranton Associates has taken this up a notch by being a fourth-generation company! Today, the Scaling UP! Nation is going to learn the secrets of making a business last for generations.
Bottom line: Jill Cavano is going to tell us how growing up in a multigenerational company taught her how to move forward intelligently in business.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Planning for the rest of the year [01:40]
Events in Water Treatment [04:03]
Thinking On Water With James [06:08]
Who is Jill Cavano? [09:22]
Getting involved in a Multigenerational Business [11:01]
What is Jill like, outside of work? [15:20]
The first time I met Bob Cavano, Jill’s grandfather [18:53]
Growing up in the Water Treatment Industry [22:21]
Helping business owners navigate business situations with Jill and the AWT Convention [30:32]
Taking the reins at Scranton Associates [37:01]
Making changes in a Multigenerational Company [43:46]
Strange customer requests [45:28]
Jill’s advice to Water Treaters [46:42]
Lightning round questions [50:13]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the purpose of the brine seal in an RO system? What is an RO brine seal? What does it do? How does it work? How may it impact the direction membranes are loaded into the membrane housings? How can they fail, and what will happen if they do? What are the various brine seal designs? Take this week to think about reverse osmosis brine seals and the role they play.
Quotes:
“Nepotism is a good thing when it works.” - Lee Cavano
“Scranton Associates is there to serve our customers, provide a good job for our employees, and make a profit. Scranton Associates is not there just to provide jobs for family members.” - Jill Cavano
“Knowing what Scranton Associates is good at, knowing who we are, and having the heart to be in it for the right reasons has led us to transition through the generations.” - Jill Cavano
“If there is one thing that Bob Cavano loved, it was Water Treatment. If there is one thing that Bob loved even more than Water Treatment, it was talking to people about Water Treatment.” - Jill Cavano
“At the end of the day, you can be the best water treater in the world, but if your business isn’t running smoothly, and your profitability and cash flow aren't where they need to be, (it’s worthless).” - Jill Cavano
“There is a lot of training and a lot of things that you’re able to do, but to be a business owner, the $64,000 question is: ‘When are you ready to lead?.’” - Jill Cavano
“In a 4th generation company we needed to keep our relevance, continuity, and keep the core values of what makes us unique and has made us stay in business for this long.” - Jill Cavano
“Q: How do you learn how to move forward intelligently? A: Looking back at your history.” - Jill Cavano
“No matter what, I'm always moving myself forward and my business forward.” - Jill Cavano
“We all don’t get it right (in business) 100% all the time, but I feel like change is necessary.” - Jill Cavano
“If I could give people advice, I would give them two things. The first thing I would give them is to get involved. The next thing is to have a trusted network.” - Jill Cavano
Connect with Jill Cavano:
Phone: 440-572-2277 ext 15
Email: jbihn@scrantonassociates.com
Website: scrantonassociates.com
LinkedIn:company/scranton-associates-inc.
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
CWT Prep Course
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
Events:
Catch Jill at the AWT Business Owners Meeting in Vancouver, Canada on September 20, 2022
Building Owners Management Association International's 2022 Medical Office Buildings + Healthcare Real Estate Conference – May 4 to 6, 2022 in Nashville, TN
Association of Water Technologies’ Crime Control & Best Practices Webinar – May 12, 2022
SWAN (Smart Water Networks) 2022 Conference – May 24 to 26, 2022 in Washington, D.C.
Books Mentioned:
Revenue Growth Engine by Darrell Amy
Raccoon On His Own by Jim Arnosky
Spend It! by Cinders McLeod
Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner
Today, I invited Aaron Walker AKA “Big A” back on the podcast to talk about his experience when he went on a two-month Sabbatical in 2021.
As a business owner, Big A founded 14 companies over the past 42 years, and going on a Sabbatical was a difficult thing to consider. But with the persuasion of many of his Mastermind group members and his doctor, he went on a Sabbatical on November 1st, 2021, completely unplugging from everyone except his family for the rest of the year. Aaron has credited his wonderful team and his executive assistant to whom he delegated tasks for keeping his business on the right track while he stepped away for two months.
I’ve always thought that a Sabbatical is just a fancy word for rich people to take an extended vacation, but it was so much more. Aaron Walker opened my eyes to what Sabbaticals are truly about. More than that, I learned that the strength of the business isn’t due to the strength of the business owner; the strength of the business lies with the team that the business owner has developed.
Bottom line: Aaron Walker will talk about his two-month Sabbatical and how it changed his life.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Goal Setting with The “12-Week Year” [02:00]
Events in Water Treatment [04:31]
Welcoming Aaron Walker AKA “Big A” back to the podcast [08:00]
Aaron’s Superpower: Giving hard advice in a caring and tactful way [10:33]
Deciding to take a Sabbatical and talking to the staff [15:15]
Dealing with the struggles of being a business owner stepping away from their business [18:45]
What is a good Sabbatical objective [24:36]
Aaron’s day-to-day while on Sabbatical [26:50]
Aaron’s advice to those who want to go on a Sabbatical [31:04]
How did Aaron’s life, work, and relationships change post-Sabbatical [36:03]
Thinking On Water With James [47:21]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how sodium hypochlorite, or bleach, controls microbiological growth? What’s happening outside the microbiological cell? What’s happening inside? What are the chemical species causing this? How much time is required to get effective microbiological control? How does pH impact these chemical species? Does the “reservoir effect” soften the impact of pH? Take this week to learn more about sodium hypochlorite and its impact on microbiological growth.
Quotes:
“I help ordinary men become extraordinary.” - Aaron Walker
“My life’s vision is motivation. Helping other people achieve their goals and dreams.” - Aaron Walker
“You’ve gotta say hard things often, (even though) these are things you don’t wanna say.” - Aaron Walker
“I think we’re designed to be in a community. Humanity is designed to have other parts around you that can supplement where you are possibly weak.” - Aaron Walker
“I went into business to be able to have a lifestyle that I wanted to live. I didn’t go into business to be a slave to the job.” - Aaron Walker
“It was very telling of me, as an individual, taking a Sabbatical, because I’m really having time now to reevaluate things that I was doing, that I wasn’t really aware of.” - Aaron Walker
“Because we’re so busy and clouded with activities, we can’t get to a point where we can really think through what we want to accomplish” - Aaron Walker
“You have to experience a Sabbatical on your own. No one can convince or talk anybody into doing it. It’s a leap of faith.” - Aaron Walker
“At the end of six weeks [the Sabbatical], I was fired up, I was rested, I had a plan, and I was ready to come back.” - Aaron Walker
“Everybody can’t do a Sabbatical initially, but you can set a target date to get yourself in a position to be able to do it.” - Aaron Walker
“What I really learned out of the Sabbatical is really doing a deep dive with myself.” - Aaron Walker
“I’m not where I want to be, but I’m a lot better off than I was.” - Aaron Walker
“I was amazed by the depth of my thinking. I was able to think through what I wanted to accomplish.” - Aaron Walker
“We're so busy and so clouded with activities we cannot get to that level.” - Aaron Walker
“My Sabbatical in one word would be ‘Energizing.” - Aaron Walker
“We're a lot better off being an inch wide and a mile deep because the riches are in the niches.” - Aaron Walker
Connect with Aaron Walker:
Phone: (615) 207-3018
Email: aaron@viewfromthetop.com
Website: ironsharpensironmastermind.com
LinkedIn: in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop
TuesdayNoon.Live with Aaron Walker ( Streaming Every Tuesday at 12 PM CST)
Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind
View From the Top
The Mastermind Playbook
Links Mentioned:
CWT Prep Course
The Rising Tide Mastermind
244 The One About Water Treaters For Clean Water (with Steve Spear of Team World Vision)
184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor (with Aaron Walker)
Events:
International Conference on Biological Wastewater Treatment Technologies and Systems – June 2 to 3 in New York, NY
NRWA In-Service Training – June 7 to 9 in Anaheim, CA
World Vision Global 6K
Join Team Scaling UP! Nation or make a donation HERE
Books Mentioned:
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Five years ago, I recorded Episode 1 with my Bluetooth headset and sent it off for approval on Apple Podcasts. My primary goal when I made the first episode was to create something that industrial water treaters could listen to while they drove from account to account. I wanted to make something that would help water treaters expand their general water treatment knowledge. What I didn’t expect when I launched Episode 1 was that this podcast would create a community of people with similar passions. Today, we are not only celebrating the fifth anniversary of the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, but also the fifth birthday of the Scaling UP Nation, our global community of water treaters.
It is an honor to celebrate this milestone with you. That’s why in this episode, I am going to take a page from Atlanta's Morning News’ Scott Slade, and share with you some of my favorite Top 5 lists in three categories: Community Wins, Books written by podcast Guests, and Inspiring Quotes. There were so many amazing guests and inspiring quotes so narrowing it down was a challenge.
If you were making a list of the top 5 things about the podcast, what would they be? Please share your lists on social media with the hashtag #ScalingUpH2O .
The last five years are dear and near to my heart, and I’m looking forward to spending the next few years with the Scaling UP Nation by “Scaling up our knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems.”
Bottom line: Happy 5th anniversary, Scaling UP Nation!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy 5th Anniversary, Scaling Up Nation! [00:50]
Thinking On Water With James [03:32]
5 Years Ago: The Beginning of the Scaling Up H2O Podcast [04:31]
Top 5 Community Wins: Creating communities of passionate water treaters [09:04]
Top 5 Books Written by Podcast Guests: Some of my favorite Books [18:29]
Top 5 Inspiring Quotes: Quotes to pick you up and remind you that better is possible [37:42]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about whether you can rely upon the tracer to determine product concentrations in your water systems, or are there other ways to confirm? Should you be regularly testing beyond just tracers like PTSA? Can anything impact the tracer to make it an unreliable indicator of product levels and performance? How might time, biocides, etc. impact tracer levels? Even if the tracer levels are correct, what else may be happening in the water system to impact other product ingredients? Take this week to think more about the tracers you use and learn more about them.
Quotes:
“A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” - James Keller
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” - Walt Disney
“You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with.” - Jim Rohn
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou
“There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who is striking at the root.” - Henry David Thoreau
“[When I first started the podcast], I created procedures. I will learn about a new topic as much as I can, and then I will write out procedures so I don’t have to relearn it every time I go do it.” - Trace Blackmore
“I learned that you don’t need to be creative [when it comes to episode titles], you need to be simple, you need to find things that are repeatable, and people just understood what was going on.” - Trace Blackmore
“Five years ago, Scaling UP H2O was born. [But] what was also born, was the Scaling UP Nation” - Trace Blackmore
“I started the podcast because I wanted a community. I wanted people to come together in an industry that people don’t normally come together in.” - Trace Blackmore
“I am so amazed and humbled and honored that I get to be the tribe leader of the Scaling UP Nation.” - Trace Blackmore
“Ask big, because you can get answered big.” - Trace Blackmore
“I know what the intent is behind everything that I say, but the people that hear me say it, they have no idea what that intent is.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you don't ask, you won’t get. Never think that what you need is not important to someone else” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O on LinkedIn: company/scalinguph2o
linkedin.com/in/traceblackmore
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Links Mentioned:
Atlanta's Morning News – 95.5 WSB with Scott Slade
158 the One That’s Virtually Live At 2020 AWT Conference
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
Apple Podcasts for Creators
246 The One About How To Patent New Water Treatment Technologies
029 The One with the Submarine Captain
039 The One That Will Change Your Sales Department
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
148 The One About The Big Thirst
164 The One With Chris McChesney
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
Turn the Ship Around by Captain. L. David Marquet
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The Machine: A Radical Approach to the Design of the Sales Function by Justin Roff-Marsh
I Said This, You Heard That Workbook by Kathleen Edelman
The Big Thirst by Charles Fishman
The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Sean Covey, Chris McChesney, & Jim Huling
I’ve always said that the water treatment industry is the best industry in the world. The opportunities in the water industry are endless. If you work in the water treatment industry, you know that you’ll be secure for the rest of your life. Businesses will always need water treaters, everyone will always need clean water. In today’s episode, my lab partner is someone who's worked in the water treatment industry for 42 years: Jerry Angelili.
Jerry started his career at Betz Laboratories, where he worked as a Sales Representative and Account Manager for 14 years. He then worked at three more companies before joining Chem-Aqua in 2007. He started as a Senior Engineer, responsible for technical assistance to the corporate sales force in selling and servicing prospects and customers in the area of boiler, cooling, and wastewater treatment applications. He would eventually become the Manager of Oxidative Technology, managing Chem-Aqua’s existing and potential applications of chlorine dioxide ozone, and peracetic acid, and the Manager of Engineering until he retired in 2020.
An expert in Chlorine Dioxide and its applications, Jerry holds two patents to his name: one for the portable water treatment system and apparatus (US 8211296) and another for the portable water treatment method (US 8226832), which were both issued on April 9, 2010. He was also a member of AWT, serving in the Technical Committee, specifically with boilers.
Jerry aspired to become a doctor when he was in college, majoring in Biology at the University of Pittsburgh. But lucky for us that Jerry decided to go into water treatment or we wouldn’t have some of the technologies and industry knowledge we have today.
Bottom line: Armed with 42 years of experience in water treatment, Jerry Angelili will share with us how we can embrace new technologies to make the entire water treatment industry better.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
CWT Prep Course [00:01]
Submit your show ideas and upcoming events in water treatment [02:40]
Introducing Jerry Angelili [9:27]
Falling into water treatment [14:42]
Working at multiple water treatment companies [21:33]
Serving as a member of AWT’s Boiler Technical Committee [24:37]
Getting the most from your time when driving from account to account [29:19]
Embracing the technological advances in the servicing, communication, and application of water treatment programs [31:30]
Jerry’s patented inventions [36:40]
Jerry’s advice to aspiring industrial water treaters [42:45]
Lightning round questions [45:51]
Thinking On Water With James [51:14]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the order corrosion coupons are installed. What is the proper order? What does flow have to do with order? If you have great corrosion rates, why does order matter? If you have terrible corrosion rates, why does it matter? What is the science behind the order? Where would you find the proper order when in doubt? Would there ever be a reason to install one out of the standard order? Take this week to think about the proper order of corrosion coupons and why it matters.
Quotes:
“I provided Betz with assistance without being denigrating. I tried to lift people up, if they did something wrong, we worked through it.” - Jerry Angelili
“Get through a year; whatever happens, don’t quit. If you can succeed one year in this business, you’ll never have to worry about having a job again for the rest of your life.“ - Jerry Angelili
“What we have available today, like the Scaling Up! H2O Podcast, and the different things you can listen to in the car, you’ll have more positive information that motivates you.” - Jerry Angelili
“There is always research being done for better and better chemical technology for water treatment. When you look at it over 42 years, it’s amazing how much it changed.” - Jerry Angelili
“All the advances in technology have been amazing and exciting to watch.” - Jerry Angelili
“If you want a certification, the industry standard has become the CWT of the Association Water Technology.”- Jerry Angelili
“You can say ‘I don’t know’, but follow it up by saying ‘I will find the answer for you’.” - Jerry Angelili
“Worrying about something has no positive outcome. Action provides a positive outcome, not worry.” - Jerry Angelili
Connect with Jerry Angelili:
Phone: (214) 226-8285
Email: jlangelilli@gmail.com
LinkedIn:in/jerry-angelilli-5aa6a19
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
244 The One About Water Treaters For Clean Water (with Steve Spear of Team World Vision)
Events:
The Hang - April 14, 6:00 p.m. EST, USA
World Vision Global 6k: Join Team Scaling UP! Nation or make a donation HERE.
Books Mentioned:
The Bosses Club by Richard A. Gregory
My Cross to Bear by Alan Light and Gregg Allman
Please Be with Me by Galadrielle Allman
Scaling UP Nation, I will talk about something that I personally don’t gravitate to, and maybe you have been putting it on the back burner as well: Marketing. That is why I invited Marketing Professional Mark Robinson, the co-founder of LeadPillar to teach us different Marketing Techniques so we can create our own Marketing Plan.
Mark calls himself a “Marketing Nerd” or “Marketing Addict”. One of the things he likes doing most is looking at Marketing Campaigns to find any hidden message and what makes them work. But more than that, as a Marketing Professional, Mark helps his customers by finding their own “big idea” that differentiates them from all other products in the market. He has helped launch products, software, and generate experiences that lead to customers. Mark leverages his years of experience in Management Consulting and technology to deeply connect to customers and understand where they want to go.
If you are a water treatment company owner and you don’t have a Marketing plan for your company, this episode is for you.
Bottom line: Marketing is not a mystery, it’s a system; and today Marketing Expert Mark Robinson is going to show you how to create a system for your company.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
April Fools and upcoming Events [1:25]
Thinking On Water With James [07:14]
Introducing Marketing expert, Mark Robinson [11:10]
Making a memorable Marketing Campaign [14:24]
Starting Marketing at your water treatment company[15:18]
The Marketing process: understanding the customer [16:50]
Pinpointing your Advertising to your target market [20:31]
Guerilla Marketing Technique: creatively do it yourself [22:33]
Marketing Advice for the Scaling Up!H2O Podcast [24:14]
What drives the best Marketing Campaigns [26:41]
Language for water treaters to use in advertising [29:29]
Lightning round questions [32:53]
Mark and I are in the same Mastermind group and this is what it looks like [35:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about what times of the year evaporation is the heaviest and lightest in a cooling tower? How do the humid, dog days of summer impact cooling tower evaporation? Conversely, how do the frigid days of winter impact evaporation? How does this factor into your industrial water treatment calculations? What is a yearly average for evaporative cooling in your area? 75%? 80%? Something else? How do changing rates of evaporation impact the Holding Time Index throughout the year, and why could this matter? Take this week to think about how cooling tower evaporation may change with the seasons and the impact it may have on your system.
Quotes:
“What makes Marketing good is when someone hears the message, and they take it, and they internalize it, and it becomes their own message.” - Mark Robinson
“If the company has customers today, you would really want to start by establishing relationships with customers.” - Mark Robinson
“The more you understand the customer’s pains and results that they want, the more you can create the right marketing that sells to the customer.” - Mark Robinson
“Marketing Campaigns have one main component: the very deep connection to the person you are trying to reach.” - Mark Robinson
“A successful campaign is based on loving other people and giving them what they need and what they want.” - Mark Robinson
“Let’s not do any random Marketing; let’s not copy people. Just because other people are getting success from one marketing technique, doesn’t mean you will have the same results.” - Mark Robinson
“If it’s not measurable, it’s not Marketing.” - Mark Robinson
“Masterminds are a great idea, and I encourage the Scaling Up Nation to join what’s right for them.” - Mark Robinson
Connect with Mark Robinson:
Cell Phone: (423) 903-9432
Website: leadpillar.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadpillar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/markrobinsonpro/
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind
Events:
The Hang - April 14, 6:00 p.m. EST, USA
Water Quality Association Convention & Exposition - April 6 to 8 in Orlando, FL
Wastewater, Water and Resource Recovery Conference - April 10 to 13 in Poznan, Poland
Books Mentioned:
Scientific Advertising by Claude C. Hopkins
The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand Out From The Crowd by Allan Dib
Happy World Water Day! We’ve been celebrating World Water Day since 1993, and this year we are celebrating in an extra special way. My guest today is someone whom I introduced on Episode 236 when I interviewed Reid Hutchison; it’s none other than Steve Spear of Team World Vision.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities to combat poverty and injustice. They are also the largest non-governmental provider of clean water in the world. One of the ways they provide clean drinking water to families and children is by organizing a yearly event that we are going to talk more about in this episode: the Global 6K for Water.
But first, let me introduce you to Steve Spear. Steve leads a team of 40 staff at World Vision, the largest Christian organization on the planet, engaging churches across the U.S. to make a difference for the most vulnerable children. Before that, he held a senior-level leadership position at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL for 15 years, and was the head of various pioneering efforts.
Steve has done many mind-blowing things for his advocacy to bring clean water to communities that need it the most. He ran across the country, from Los Angeles to New York to raise over $500,000 for clean water. In 2017, the U.S. Congress recognized Steve for his humanitarian work and as a role model for all Americans.
I’m also happy to announce that the Scaling UP! H2O podcast has created a team for this year’s Global 6K for Water happening on Saturday, May 21, 2022, and I want YOU to join our team! You can learn more about Team Scaling UP! Nation or make a donation HERE.
We’d love for you and your friends, family, and co-workers to join Team Scaling UP! Nation, but if you’d like to make your own Global 6K for Water team for your business/employees, please reach out to Steve Spear at sspear@worldvision.org.
Bottom line: You can bring clean drinking water to communities that need it most just by putting one foot in front of the other at the Global 6K. We can bring awareness to this issue, and participate as a global water treatment community.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy World Water Day! [01:11]
Thinking On Water With James [04:00]
Introducing Steve Spear of Team World Vision [06:04]
Running across the United States in 2013 for clean water [07:23]
Pushing on amidst the challenges [14:49]
What does World Vision do, exactly? [17:05]
What can water treaters do to help end the world water crisis? [18:46]
Painting a picture of what it’s like in communities with no access to clean water [20:40]
Finding his purpose: bringing clean water to communities that don’t have access to it [25:39]
Why is it a 6K run and not a 5K: a distance of solidarity [26:01]
How World Vision brings clean water to communities [30:00]
How to sign up for the Global 6K for Water and get involved [35:44]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how saturated brine is then diluted during the softener regeneration brine-draw cycle. Why is this? On the surface, it seems oxymoronic to work so hard to achieve a saturated brine in the brine tank only to dilute it during the brine-draw cycle in the regeneration process. What impact would using saturated brine have on the resin beads? Operationally, why does it make sense to dilute instead of achieving the desired brine concentration upfront? You’ve probably not even thought much about this one part of the softener regeneration process before, but take this week to think about it and the entire process.
Quotes:
“When I got to Battery Park (after running across 14 States), there was just this overwhelming sense of gratefulness.” - Steve Spear
“World Vision officially began in 1950, and we are now in about 100 countries, with 40,000 staff worldwide.” - Steve Spear
“World Vision’s goal is to serve the most vulnerable children.” - Steve Spear
“The work that we do on the ground is done indigenously.” - Steve Spear
“Sometimes, we take water for granted here in the US. In the developing world, we know the lack of clean water is the number one cause of preventable death on the planet.” - Steve Spear
“Education becomes an opportunity, healthcare skyrockets because the base layer of water, which is needed for every other building block to move a community out of poverty, is taken care of.” - Steve Spear
“One of the key things we do at World Vision that activates people is child sponsorship, putting a name and a face to the cause.“ - Steve Spear
“I devote myself to inviting others to put one foot in front of the other to create a whole new future for children with no access to clean water.” - Steve Spear
“6K is the average distance that women and children walk in the developing world to get water.” - Steve Spear
“6K is a distance of solidarity.” - Steve Spear
“Anybody can do a 6K; people run it, tons of people walk it.” - Steve Spear“
Water is life.” - Steve Spear
“Anyone can do a 6K; I’ve done it with a 78-year-old woman with a walker.” - Steve Spear
“World Vision is the largest non-government provider of clean drinking water on the planet.” - Steve Spear
Connect with Steve Spear:
Phone: (630) 414-1300
Email: sspear@worldvision.org
Website: global6k.worldvision.org
LinkedIn: in/steve-spear-19aa71146
Links Mentioned:
CWT Prep Course
World Vision Global 6k
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World
Events:
World Water Day - March 22
2022 Technical Training Seminars - March 30 to April 02 in Cleveland, OH
On episode 221, I hosted a Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable with Mike Standish of Radical Polymers, Jill Cavano of Scranton Associates, John Zibrita of Zibex, and Gary Garcia of Masters Company. We talked about Supply Chain issues, and how it is affecting the water treatment industry. Since then, I’ve received numerous questions about something that is concerning many water treaters right now: Price Increases.
People in the industry are concerned with the number of Price Increases we are getting hit with right now in all areas of business from Asset Control, Labor Raises, Business, and Workforce Growth, to Transportation, Insurance and Utilities; how should we pass those Price Increases to our customers, and what are the consequences of passing on those Price Increases to them? Today, I am going to talk about what happens if we don’t increase our prices, the economics of pricing your services, and how to have a “Price Increase” conversation with a customer.
Bottom line: Today we’re going to talk through the economics of Price Increases.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Pinks and Blues and new events [2:00]
Thinking On Water With James [08:52]
Price Increases: The questions on everybody’s mind [10:40]
Simple Economics: Why you should increase your Pricing [15:02]
When your customer objects to a Price Increase [18:50]
The Supply Chain Materials Shortage Issue [19:58]
How to initiate a Price Increase conversation with a customer [25:15]
Why keeping a good relationship with a customer is important [30:48]
How to create a Win-Win for you and your customer [35:20]
Episodes to listen to get more information about the Supply Chain issue [40:57]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about the dangers of our job and how we can be safer. Industrial Water Treatment has inherent dangers that must be acknowledged and managed. From hot, pressurized boilers, acids, and caustics to confined spaces, energized equipment, and environmental exposure. Do you think about your safety every day? You are the first line of defense in your own safety, after all. What resources do you have to not only learn about any dangers but also how to manage them? Take this week to think about your safety and the impact not just upon you but upon those around you as well.
Quotes:
“When we’re talking about Price Increase, we are not talking about price-fixing. We’re talking about responding to the market and to all of the things that happen.” - Trace Blackmore
“(Losing a business due to a Price Increase) might not be the worst thing depending on how you’re looking at the full picture.” - Trace Blackmore
“We need to look at making sure we’re doing regular Price Increases just to keep up with all increased prices.”- Trace Blackmore
“If the company is not making a profit, we are not in a healthy company.” - Trace Blackmore
“Strong companies are constantly evaluating how much money is coming in, how much money is going out, and is that acceptable with what the company has to make.” - Trace Blackmore
“We are in a Supply Chain breakdown right now.” - Trace Blackmore
“If the material is not available, the Price is going to go up.” - Trace Blackmore
“Anything that is not a win on both the client’s and customer’s side will not work long term successfully.” - Trace Blackmore
“We have to make sure that we get a win so that we can help our customer win too.” - Trace Blackmore
“The more information your customer knows, the better decisions they can make.” - Trace Blackmore
“When Prices go up, a healthy company needs to increase their Pricing.” - Trace Blackmore
“We have to make a profit in order to stay in business. Profit is essential in order to stay a valuable company.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O on LinkedIn: company/scalinguph2o
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Links Mentioned:
CWT Prep Course
Submit a Show Idea
236 The One Where We Talk About Waters Treaters Changing The World
Team World Vision: Join Team Scaling UP Nation for the 6K
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
223 Pinks and Blues: Phosphonate Replacements
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
The Hang - April 14, 6:00 p.m. EST, USA
2022 AWWA Sustainable Water Management Conference – March 27 to 30 in Denver, CO
World Water Day – March 22
Books Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
I met my lab partner today a couple of years ago at an AWT panel of Young Professionals in the water industry, and I was impressed with the things he does and how he has engineered solutions to problems that many water treaters face. A few years later, he now has his own company that provides bacteria testing, test kits, buffers, and digital refractometers. I’m proud to introduce to you Landon Markes, owner of Fluid Maintenance Solutions LLC.
Before making his way to the water treatment industry, Landon worked for a decade in sales in industries such as metalworking and food processing. In 2020, he started his own company called Fluid Maintenance Solutions LLC. Fun fact, Landon actually went to school to become a teacher!
Several episodes ago, I did a Pinks and Blues about Dip Slides. Today, Landon is going to share EVEN more information about Dip Slides, including a new space-saving and reliable alternative to Dip Slides… because water treaters never run out of things to talk about when it comes to Dip Slides.
Bottom line: Landon Markes is going to share what you need to know about Dip Slides and their alternatives.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Plate Counts:
**Timestamps:**
Stories from Scaling UP Nation [1:50]
Introducing Landon Markes [11:44]
Owning a business: What’s it really like? [15:16]
When Dip Slides don’t work [18:47]
An alternative to Dip Slides [20:16]
Incubating your Dip Slides correctly [26:40]
Why Dip Slides should not be used to test Legionella [30:30]
Thinking On Water With James [32:53]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how much water flashes off a hot water sample from a boiler. Ideally, a sample cooler would be used to collect a boiler water sample, but why? What is lost as the hot water sample changes from the pressure of the boiler to atmospheric pressure? How much water is actually flashing off and is it enough to affect your test results? Is there anything else flashing off the sample besides water? What are the safety concerns? Take this week to think about the impact of taking a hot water sample from a boiler versus a cooled sample.
Quotes:
“Owning your own business can be absolutely terrifying.” - Landon Markes
“I started my company because I found a niche market.” - Landon Markes
“Don’t keep your Dip Slides in the fridge, keep them at room temperature.” - Landon Markes
“Dip Slides are fantastic when they work. When they don’t work, things can go wrong.” - Landon Markes
“Incubate your Dip Slides. The 48 hours that a Dip Slide takes to have growth is based on incubation.” - Landon Markes
“If it’s completely saturated with bacteria, that’s data. Make decisions based on what the data is.” - Landon Markes
Connect with Landon Markes:
Phone: (405) 612 7869
Email: landon.markes@fluidmaintenancesolutionsllc.com
LinkedIn: in/landon-markes-a0550272
in/fluid-maintenance-solutions-llc-4712081b7
Links Mentioned:
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
214 Pinks And Blues: Dip Slides
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Events:
American Chemical Society Spring 2022 – March 20 to 24 in San Diego, CA
The 17th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies – March 27 to April 2 in Reno, NV
2022 Annual Convention and Exposition – September 21 to 24 in Vancouver, Canada
How to Apply or Renew Your Passport?
Books Mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
My lab partner today is someone the Scaling Up Nation can learn a lot from: Michael Byerley of Global Water Technology, Inc. I met Michael several years ago, and I was instantly amazed by how put together and intelligent he was. His ability to learn and listen made a strong impression on me, that when I started the Rising Tide Mastermind, Michael was one of the first people I reached out to!
Michael Byerley started in the water treatment industry when he interned at Global Water Technology, Inc. in 2009. He eventually joined the company full time after graduating from Northwestern University. GWT was also founded by one of the few women in the industry, Michael's very own mother, Maria Villarreal-Byerley, in 1990.
With years of experience under his belt, Michael was able to position GWT as a company that continually achieved high growth. GWT has grown 2,400% since 2011 and achieved an average annual growth rate of 42% the past nine years through high organic growth and the acquisition of nine companies. Michael has also expanded the reach of GWT to 26 states, established four terminals across the US, launched their headquarters, and started up many new high grossing product and service lines.
Aside from all of these achievements, Michael is also very proud of the work culture he helped to create at GWT. The company is committed to maintaining a positive employee and customer-first culture, transparency, communication, quality of service, and technical resourcefulness which his mother started 31 years ago.
Bottom line: Michael Byerley is going to share his career journey working at a legacy water treatment company.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
What don’t you know [01:33]
Being born into Water Treatment[08:50]
Becoming an effective water treater [15:40]
Developing a learning mindset [19:21]
Joining the Rising Tide Mastermind [23:39]
Complimenting growth with acquisitions [28:40]
Lessons learned from acquiring 9 companies [35:14]
Advice to people just getting into water treatment [41:56]
Lightning round questions [43:50]
Thinking On Water With James [53:20]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about ways to calculate Cycles of Concentration or, as some say, Concentration Ratio. How many ways can and do you calculate this useful number? Do you use conductivity? Neutralized or unneutralized conductivity for boilers? Total Hardness? Calcium Hardness? Magnesium Hardness? Chlorides? Silica? Total Alkalinity? Why can’t you use pH? Can you use water meters? What are the benefits and disadvantages of each? What if the numbers from the various versions don’t agree with each other? What added chemical products may interfere with the accuracy of the calculations? Take this week to think about Cycles of Concentration or Concentration Ratio and why it is more than just a number.
Quotes:
“People are not afraid if you don’t know, they are more afraid if you don’t communicate.” - Michael Byerley
“If you simply say “Let me get back to you, or I don’t know, or I’ll refine my answer”, they (your customers) can’t poke a hole in that answer. They can only accept your honesty.” - Michael Byerley
“Everyday in the water treatment industry is supposed to be a learning experience.” - Michael Byerley
“I live my life by listening.” - Michael Byerley
“Global Water Technology doesn't buy a company just for the sake of buying companies. We don’t grow just for the sake of growing.”- Michael Byerley
“We want to make this all about the clients and the people.” - Michael Byerley
“If you decide to go to water treatment, lean in. It is an industry like no other.” - Michael Byerley
“There are not enough women in the water treatment industry.” - Michael Byerley
Connect with Michael Byerley:
Phone: (301) 740-1421
Email: mbyerley@gwt-inc.com
Website: www.gwt-inc.com
LinkedIn: in/mbyerley1
Links Mentioned:
022 The One with Tim Fulton
Audible
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Events:
IIAR 2021 Natural Refrigeration Conference & Expo – March 6 to 9 in Savannah, GA
AWRA 2022 Geospatial Water Technology Conference – March 21 to 23 in Austin, TX
2022 WEF Public Health and Water Conference & Wastewater Disease Surveillance Summit – March 21 to 24 in Cincinnati, OH
Books Mentioned:
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
On the last Pinks and Blues episode, Episode 237, we had a listener ask about “all things Cooling Tower cleaning”. Well, in true Trace Blackmore fashion, I took you on the scenic route, and we never got to talk about actually how to clean a Cooling Tower; instead, we focused on WHY we clean Cooling Towers, what they are, and how they work. If you haven't listened to episode 237 yet, I encourage you to go back and listen to that one first before listening to this episode.
Now, back to the original listener’s question, today I promise you that we will talk about HOW to clean when it comes to a Cooling Tower. There is so much we need to know as water treaters, and it’s always my hope that you learn something new with each episode.
Bottom line: In this Pinks and Blues, we are going to learn the steps it takes to clean a Cooling Tower.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Cooling Towers, Part 2 [0:35]
Upcoming Events [02:14]
What to consider before scheduling the offline Cooling Towers cleaning [4:20]
Partnering with your customer [11:45]
Technique tips when cleaning [13:30]
Don’t forget the pump strainer [22:49]
The last steps to get a clean and shiny basin [26:30]
Schedule your next cleaning with the customer before you go [30:00]
I’m a water treater, should I be the one to clean the Cooling Tower? [31:20]
Thinking On Water With James [34:00]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about chlorine-tolerant softener resin. Chlorine can have a negative impact on softener resin over time, causing it to break down and lose its structural integrity. At normal free chlorine levels, you may not have ever noticed it, but at higher levels, you may have seen the impacts on softener resin. One option available is what some refer to as “chlorine-tolerant” softener resin, but what does this really mean? Is the resin made of tougher material than before, or is the resin just made of more of the same material so it can last longer in its harsh environment? Take this week to think about the impact of chlorine on softener resin and what a chlorine-tolerant resin ultimately is.
Quotes:
“If you put a badly fouled Cooling Tower louver into a basin of a Cooling Tower, your water treatment products will clean it for you, you can hose it off, and it will look brand new.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you have to order a new Cooling Tower louver… order 2, and rotate through which one is in use and which one is being cleaned in the basin with your water treatment products. Work smarter, not harder.” - Trace Blackmore
“It is also not a bad idea that about a week before you clean the Cooling Tower you increase your dispersant and biocide from a normal feed.” - Trace Blackmore
“We want to be water treatment professionals. We want to make sure customers see the value in everything we do.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you have 5 inches of dirt on the bottom of your Cooling Tower then you’ve waited way too long to clean it and I promise you you have far more problems in your heat transfer system than just 5 inches of crud on the bottom of your basin.” - Trace Blackmore
“A pressure washer is my least favorite tool to use in a Cooling Tower. My favorite tool is a fire hose because you can have a high volume and wide disbursement.” - Trace Blackmore
“If we are not getting all the crud out of the pump strainer, then we are starving the pump for flow, and you didn’t fully finish the job.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you want to get a photo of the clean Cooling Tower, take it before you put water back in it and turn it back online, not after the water is in there.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O on LinkedIn: company/scalinguph2o
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
237 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 1
Goodway Tower Cleaning Devices
Events:
2022 AMWA’s Water Policy Conference – March 7 to 9
7th IWA Young Water Professionals BeNeLux Conference 2022 – April 4 to 6
Throughout the years, selling has developed a negative connotation, and there are even salespeople who don’t admit that it’s their job! Don’t get me wrong; I love that I am a salesperson. I love that I get to connect others with the potential solution that I can offer them. So in this episode, I invited someone who will redefine what you think of sales: Bob Davis.
I met Bob in one of the classes I attended, in which he was the trainer. I truly enjoyed the two days I spent in his class, and I must say, Bob has the best mix of learning, lecturing, and getting together in break-out rooms I’ve ever seen.
Bob started his career in sales selling capital equipment, consumables, and services. Now, he works as a senior consultant for Wilson Learning, in which he has been awarded the Wilson Learning “PaceSetter Award” for meeting established goals for 19 consecutive years. Bob is not only a sales expert, but he is also an authority in the field of Negotiating. Bob delivers national and global meeting presentations to groups as large as 600 people in the US, Canada, and Europe on the topic of sales and negotiation.
With his experience in sales, marketing, and technical support, Bob has helped clients achieve greater success through the delivery of a broad curriculum of communication offerings and consulting. He currently teaches three classes: Negotiating, Consultative Selling, and how to be a Versatile Salesperson, and if you want to attend any of these courses, you can find his details below.
Bottom line: Bob Davis is going to teach us how to negotiate.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
We are all involved with selling [1:00]
Introducing negotiating expert, Bob Davis [3:00]
Understanding negotiation by redefining “Salesperson” [7:40]
Practicing role-playing [14:30]
What to say when your client says “That price is too high” [19:30]
Navigating sales by committee [26:00]
Metrics to monitor [30:30]
3 step process to follow in sales [33:00]
Classes Bob Davis teaches [37:10]
Lightning round questions [40:00]
Thinking On Water With James [43:05]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how pressure and temperature affect the flux rate of water through a reverse osmosis membrane. As the makeup water temperature increases, how does this impact how much water can get through an RO membrane? Does it increase or decrease or remain unchanged? Similarly, how can an increasing RO feed pressure impact how much water gets through the membrane? How do these two changing parameters impact the overall performance of the RO? How can they muddy the waters…so to speak…when trying to judge changes in RO performance to determine when it is time to clean the membranes? How do they impact the rate of dissolved solids making it through the membrane?
Quotes:
“My background in social services helped my career as a salesperson.” - Bob Davis
“The key skill of negotiation is understanding why that price is giving that person angst.” - Bob Davis
“The biggest mistake salespeople make is they too quickly start talking about their stuff.” - Bob Davis
“I’m here to find out what's going on with you so we can decide together if what I have to offer is useful to you.” - Bob Davis
“Practice. Practice. Practice. That’s how you get good at negotiating. That’s how you get good at selling.” - Bob Davis
“Focus the conversation on the customer and what value looks like from their perspective.” - Bob Davis
“Never ask “Are you the decision-maker?”. It is the worst question to ask to a room of people you are selling.” - Bob Davis
“One of the biggest mistakes in sales is that sales people confuse a strong influencer with the decision-maker.” - Bob Davis
“Dealing with people's issues. Explore issues. Presenting an offer that cannot be refused.” - Bob Davis
“Stop telling people about your product, focus on why they want your product.” - Bob Davis
Connect with Bob Davis:
Phone: (617) 319 5141
Email: bdavis@nuvue.com
Website: nuvue.com
www.wilsonlearning.com
LinkedIn: in/bobdavis
Links Mentioned:
Wilson Learning
NuVue
SIEMENS
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
237 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Towers, Part 1
Books Mentioned:
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher, William L. Ury, and Bruce Patton
Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations by William Ury
You Can’t Always Get What You Want: My Life with the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and other wonderful Reprobates by Sam Cutler
Today, a very special colleague of mine came to the show: Charlie Heineman, CWT. Charlie and I first met when we took the Certified Water Technologist (CWT) Exam in Atlanta back in 2002. To date, Charlie is still an active member of AWT in the CWT and Business Resources committees.
With more than 40 years of experience in the water treatment industry, Charlie started his water treatment career with Nalco Chemical Company (Basic Industry Group) as a Field Representative in Wichita, Kansas. After six years, Charlie was selected to start up Nalco’s Utility Group in Dallas, Texas. Nalco’s Utility Group (Dallas) grew from $100K sales to $4MM sales over the next seven years.
In 2001, Charlie founded Precision Water Technologies in Dallas, Texas, and joined AWT in 2002. Charlie became a Certified Water Technologist in 2002. Aside from AWT, he is also a member of BOMA, IREM, and TAFE Associations.
A United States Marine Corps veteran and the recipient of the Navy Cross of Gallantry Medal for combat operations in Vietnam, Charlie went back to college after two years of serving. He graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in Education (Biology/Chemistry), and today he is on the show to share lessons he has gleaned over the years in the best industry in the world, industrial water treatment.
Bottom line: Charlie Heineman is going to share his career journey starting out, not knowing what a boiler was, to becoming a water treatment business owner.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Helping others get further faster in life by joining a Mastermind group [02:13]
Introducing Charlie Heineman of Precision Water Technologies [08:38]
Accidentally getting into water treatment[12:01]
Starting his own business, Precision Water Technologies [14:09]
Becoming a Certified Water Technologist (CWT) [16:35]
Charlie’s AWT journey [21:34]
Charlie’s biggest accomplishment in water treatment [26:15]
Charlie’s advice on learning [32:32]
Lightning round questions [34:37]
Thinking On Water With James [39:09]
Thinking On Water With James:
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about how long after an oxidizer feeds to a cooling tower, should you wait to test the residual? Should you test immediately? Wait 30 minutes, an hour, or several hours? How long does it take the oxidizing biocide to be effective? What’s happening to the oxidizing biocide over time within the system? Is it fed at a time of day that makes it easy to test at the appropriate time afterwards? Should you manually initiate a feed so you can test afterwards or not? What do you write in your field service report if you miss the optimal testing window? Take this week to think about the optimal time for testing oxidizing biocides after they are fed.
Quotes:
“You have to do a good job in order for your customers to hire you back.” - Charlie Heineman
“AWT is an excellent organization because the trainers they train still look at Chemistries the same way we did 20, 30 years ago”. - Charlie Heineman
“What is in a product and what are its parameters, water treaters need to know these things.” - Charlie Heineman
“Having a CWT gives you prestige and proves you know water treatment.” - Charlie Heineman
“I enjoy networking, when I go to the AWT conventions, I know half the people there.” - Charlie Heineman
“When you start a company, you have to be everything and know everything.” - Charlie Heineman
“The rewards are enormous when you open your own company.” - Charlie Heineman
“If there’s one thing I learned from my mentor, it's that part of your job is to get out there and sell chemicals, but your focus is to take care of your people.” - Charlie Heineman
“Every water treater should know the chemistries involved and the processes of water treatment; the basics.” - Charlie Heineman
“If you don’t know something, let the customer know you don’t know it. But then research it, and come back to the customer.” - Charlie Heineman
“It’s what a Mastermind group is; it’s where people are coming together to learn more about each other. But, the simple purpose is, “how do we help each other get further faster in life?”. - Trace Blackmore
“The [Mastermind] group is all about community, and community is just getting out there and meeting other people.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Charlie Heineman, CWT:
Phone: (972) 488-6755
Email: cheineman@precisionwater.net
Website: precisionwater.net
LinkedIn: in/charlieheineman
Links Mentioned:
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Become a Certified Water Technologist (CWT)
Nalco Water
Submit a Show Idea
BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association International)
IREM (Institute of Real Estate Management)
TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators)
Events:
Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show – February 21 to 24 in Indianapolis, IN
2022 AMTA/AWWA Membrane Technology Conference & Exposition – February 21 to 24 in Las Vegas, NV
World Water Day – March 22
Books Mentioned:
Fortitude: American Resilience in the Era of Outrage by Dan Crenshaw
Nation, welcome to 2022’s very first Pinks and Blues episode. For all of our new listeners, at least once a month, the Scaling UP! H2O podcast answers YOUR questions, and we call these episodes “Pinks and Blues”.
In today’s Pinks and Blues, I start answering a very interesting question from one of our listeners: “What are the dos and don’t of cleaning a Cooling Tower?”. Before I can answer that question, it is important to know what a Cooling Tower truly is, and why it is important that we clean it.
This is the first episode of the two-part series about Cooling Towers, so buckle your seatbelts because it’s going to be a great episode.
Bottom line: WHY we should clean our Cooling Towers proactively.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Completing your goals this year [00:01]
If you don’t have a standing desk, you don’t know what you are missing [02:47]
Upcoming Events [04:46]
What do we need to know about cleaning a Cooling Tower? [09:50]
A Cooling Tower, explained [11:43]
What does it mean when “A Cooling Tower is not running efficiently?” [18:51]
How to stay safe when inspecting a Cooling Tower [20:58]
What is the ripple effect when a Cooling Tower isn’t working properly? [22:48]
How often should we clean a Cooling Tower? [24:17]
The “Quadrinity” of water treatment: the four areas water treaters deal with to have a complete water treatment program [26:30]
Why a filter is important [29:00]
Thinking On Water With James [35:47]
Thinking On Water With James: Interferences in your water analysis tests
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about testing interferences. What are the interferences in your water analysis tests you run each and every day? How do you know your test results are not artificially high or low due to an interference? Do you know how to recognize an interference? Is iron an interference? High alkalinity? pH? Chlorine or other oxidizers? Is molybdenum an interference for iron testing in a closed-loop? Read your test procedures, ask your technical support department, and search online. Take this week to think about and research test interferences and which ones may impact you the most.
Quotes:
“Scheduling (how often a Cooling Tower needs to get cleaned) deals with a bunch of unknowns.” - Trace Blackmore
“We normally find that towers are cleaned as a reactive approach that something’s not working right instead of a proactive approach.” - Trace Blackmore
“Remember: a Cooling Tower is all about exchanging heat.” - Trace Blackmore
“Less surface area for the water to come in contact with the air means that the Cooling Tower is less efficient as a heat exchanger.” - Trace Blackmore
“More energy means more cost to run the Cooling Tower.” - Trace Blackmore
“A Cooling Tower is a heat transfer device because it allows air to interface with water, and that interface is the heat exchange.” - Trace Blackmore
“If there is dirt and debris in that tower somewhere, it's not allowing us to be efficient.” - Trace Blackmore
“A non-efficient heat transfer device is not doing a very good job at transferring heat.” - Trace Blackmore
“Mark Lewis said: the dirt that settles out at the bottom of the tower basin should never exceed one quarter inch.” - Trace Blackmore
“There's only so much we, as water treaters, can do without our customers committing to all the things they have to do.” - Trace Blackmore
“A successful Legionella program is not that you have no Legionella in the system ever, it's that you know how much Legionella is in the system.” - Trace Blackmore
“A lot of times, we overclean to overcompensate for not having filtration in the system.” - Trace Blackmore
“The 'quadrinity' is the balance of chemical and mechanical working together so we can get the optimal job done.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O on LinkedIn: company/scalinguph2o
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Links Mentioned:
004 It’s Not Easy Being Green! (the episode with Charlie Cichetti)
The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
NGWA’s Hydrogeology of States Webinar Series: Vermont – February 9
The AWWA/WEF Young Professionals (YP) Summit – February 21 in Orlando, FL
The 17th IWA Leading Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies - March 27 – April 2 in Reno, NV
2022 AWT Technical Training Seminars (West) – February 23 to 26 in Seattle, WA
2022 AWT Technical Training Seminars (East) – March 30 to April 02 in Cleveland, OH
In today’s episode, we are bringing back Reid Hutchison of HOH Water Technology in Palatine, IL to talk about what YOU, as a professional water treater, can do to change the world. I know that sounds like a lofty goal, and maybe that sounds too high-reaching, but hear me out… industrial water treaters can change the world. Reid is proof that if you prioritize the right things today, you, everyone around you, and the world will be better for it.
I’m also happy to announce that the Scaling UP! H2O podcast has created a team for this year’s Global 6K for Water happening on Saturday, May 21, and I want YOU to join our team! You can learn more about Team Scaling UP! Nation or make a donation HERE.
We’d love for you and your friends, family, and co-workers to join Team Scaling UP! Nation, but if you’d like to make your own Global 6K for Water team for your business/employees please reach out to future podcast guest and Team World Vision representative Steve Spear at sspear@worldvision.org.
Bottom line:
Reid Hutchison will tell us how water treaters are changing the world, one step at a time.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Thinking On Water With James [03:27]
What has changed since Reid was last on the show? [06:37]
The enormous impact of World Vision’s Global 6K [09:30]
How can the Scaling UP! Nation get involved to solve the world water crisis? [14:24]
How joining a Mastermind group can change your personal and professional circles, for the better [18:25]
Lesson takeaways from the 2021 Rising Tide Mastermind Live Event [26:00]
The positive ripple effect that happens when you apply the Temperaments to your communications [28:10]
Lightning round questions [47:02]
What you need to know about AWT, Temperaments, and joining World Vision’s Global 6K for Water [52:00]
Thinking On Water With James: What is an acceptable water loss in a closed loop?
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about water loss in a closed loop system. What is an acceptable water loss? Is it 10%, 5%, or even 0%? How does the volume of the system factor into what size water loss is acceptable? What is being lost beyond water with a leak? What can cause a closed loop to lose water? How do you know it’s losing water? Are there times when a makeup water meter may miss a low-flow makeup? What things may be introduced with fresh makeup water that could cause problems within the closed loop? What is the cost of the water loss? Do you know the value of the closed loop’s water in $/1000 gallons or even $/100 gallons for smaller systems? Knowing the value may help get other parties on board to address the water loss, if necessary. Take this next week to think about water losses in closed loop systems and what you may or may not deem as acceptable.
Quotes:
“The World Vision 6K for Water: an event that raises awareness and money for clean water efforts in the world, and specifically serves people who do not have access to safe drinking water.” - Reid Hutchison
“The World Vision 6K for Water allows people to move their feet and invite others, raise awareness, and raise money to help bring an end to the global water crisis.” - Reid Hutchison
“It is called a 6K for water, not a 5K, because 6K is the average distance that folks who do not have access to clean water need to walk daily in order to get water.” - Reid Hutchison
“Our biggest goal is to inspire people to participate in the World Vision 6K for Water.” - Reid Hutchison
“By 2030, it is possible that the global water crisis will be solved or ended. The only way to reach that goal is to mobilize more people to engage in the effort to help millions of people.” - Reid Hutchison
“For those of us in the water treatment industry, it is a great cause to be involved with because it is personal to what we do and each person can make an impact.” - Reid Hutchison
“It has been an honor to facilitate a Rising Tide Mastermind group.” - Reid Hutchison
“We crowdsourced advice and crowdsource questions to move the ball forward for members of the Rising Tide Mastermind group facing issues.” - Reid Hutchison
“I Said This You Heard That instantly made everyone aware and alert to what they were saying and why and how people were receiving what they were saying.” - Reid Hutchison
“I Said This You Heard That was immediately practical and helpful.” - Reid Hutchison
“I Said This You Heard That: It’s simple. It’s powerful. Everyone can relate to it.” - Reid Hutchison
“As soon as you get familiar with the Temperaments, and how they may play out in your communication, everyone has extra grace or empathy towards one another.” - Reid Hutchison
“We’re solving problems and making the industry better.” - Trace Blackmore
“It’s a lot easier to move through life with your own personal board of directors, which is why Rising Tide Mastermind is so important.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Reid Hutchison:
Email: rhutchison@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: www.hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: in/reid-h-3a329431
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
Team World Vision
World Vision International
Pure Water For The World
World Water Day
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
The Rising Tide Mastermind
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others
I Said This You Heard That YouTube Channel
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
AWT Technical Training Seminars
Books Mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
I asked Michael Loewenstein on the podcast today to talk about his trailblazing presentation at AWT on Legionella Testing, and thankfully, he generously agreed to come on the podcast as my lab partner today. After listening to our cutting-edge conversation, I have a feeling you are going to want to learn more about the Cultural Method vs. the Rapid Method and submit Legionella samples to Michael for the next phase of his study so we’ve linked his contact information below. You know as well as I that when water treaters come together to share what we know, we can raise the bar for our entire industry, so I encourage everyone to further advance our industry by submitting samples as soon as they can. Buckle your seatbelts because this is going to be one groundbreaking conversation!
For those of you who missed his presentation at AWT, Michael Loewenstein is the Vice President of Scientific Consulting at Q Labs LLC in Cincinnati, OH. He earned his B.S. in Microbiology, with a research focus in Molecular Genetics and Cellular Physiology from The Ohio State University. After graduation, Michael obtained a position in Corporate R&D Microbiology at Procter & Gamble where he focused on the development and validation of rapid/alternative microbial test methods and developed and launched preservative systems across a broad range of P&G products.
Throughout the course of his career, Michael has developed a substantial depth of expertise in “end-to-end” Microbiology - from product development and formulation through microbiological control of manufacturing, and he has published several articles on this subject. Michael worked as Site Microbiology Manager for a P&G drug manufacturing facility just prior to accepting the position with Q Labs in December 2018.
Michael currently serves in a volunteer capacity for several professional associations, including the AOAC Microbial Contaminants Expert Review Panel, and both the Microbiology Committee and Manufacturing Hygiene Task Force of the Personal Care Products Council (PCPC). Michael is also looking forward to becoming more involved with the Cooling Water subcommittee of AWT.
Bottom line: Michael Loewenstein is on the show to share the revolutionary results of his most recent scientific study on Legionella testing.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Upcoming events [0:30]
Thinking On Water With James: Are you stuck in a rut? [4:06]
Getting to know Michael Loewenstein [6:15]
Why the “Gold Standard” Method for Legionella testing isn’t standardized [8:50]
The new/modern Rapid Method’s capabilities [10:50]
The Cultural Method vs. Rapid Method [11:40]
Understanding Quantitative vs. Qualitative Legionella analysis [17:50]
Potential pre-treatment problems with the Cultural Method [20:50]
How COVID-19 increased public knowledge on PCR testing [ 23:08]
What you need to know when switching from the Cultural Method to the Rapid Method [24:30]
How to make a Hazard Strategy [29:00]
Advantages to the PCR Method [30:40]
Lightning round questions [37:50]
Thinking On Water With James: Are you stuck in a rut?
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about being stuck in a rut. Are you stuck in a rut in your industrial water treatment career? Are you running the same old pinks and blues in the same accounts day after day? If so and you feel stuck in a rut, what are you missing by just going through the motions at each account? What other water parameters should you be testing? What other value-added projects are just waiting to be done that you currently cannot see while stuck in a rut? What equipment needs to be repaired or replaced? What new things can you learn? How can you take a fresh look at your accounts, testing habits, control equipment, daily routine, and knowledge base to mix things up a little and make you an even more valuable partner for your customers? If you feel stuck in a rut, take this next week to think about it and possibly reach out to someone else within your company and network to help get you out.
Quotes:
“In reality, the “Gold Standard” of Legionella testing methods are not the same.” - Michael Loewenstein
“Today, the Rapid Methods can distinguish live from dead cells, they are quantitative, and can characterize the Legionella to some degree.” - Michael Loewenstein
“Modern technologies have found ways to discount the genetic materials from dead cells, so they now only count the genetic materials from live Legionella in the water sample.” - Michael Loewenstein
“PCR is much more sensitive than the Cultural Method, so it puts the water treater in a proactive position rather than reactive.” - Michael Loewenstein
“At low levels, the Cultural Method is highly variable and not particularly sensitive.” - Michael Loewenstein
“Quantitative - how much Legionella is there? vs. Qualitative - is Legionella there or not?” - Michael Loewenstein
“The limits for the Cultural Method are set semi-arbitrarily. There is nothing magic about less than 1 CFU/mL (1,000 CFU/L), except that it's what somebody picked.” - Michael Loewenstein
“What would be great is more frequent testing and then set statistically-based action limits. Figure out for your system what is normal.” - Michael Loewenstein
“PCR far out-performed the Cultural Method for Legionella testing.” - Michael Loewenstein
Michael Loewenstein’s Presentation of Phase 1 of his method study presented at AWT:
Technical Paper
Presentation
Interested in submitting Legionella samples?
Please connect with Michael Loewenstein to help advance future studies
Phone: (513) 207-4943
Email: MLoewenstein@qlaboratories.com
Website: qlaboratories.com
LinkedIn: in/michael-loewenstein-09693944
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Q Labs LLC
Procter & Gamble
AOAC INTERNATIONAL
Personal Care Products Council (PCPC)
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Toolkit
ISO 11731:2017
ASHRAE
Events:
National GroundWater Association’s Hydrogeology of States Webinar Series: Vermont – February 9
AWT Technical Training Seminar - Feb 23-26 in Seattle, Washington
AWT Technical Training Seminar - March 30-April 2 in Cleveland, Ohio
We’ve talked about what Legionella bacteria is and how to prevent Legionella from developing in your clients’ systems on previous podcast episodes (see list of episodes below), but what do you do when your building does test positive for Legionella bacteria? Over the past few months, the Scaling Up Nation has submitted dozens of questions on this topic, so on today’s episode, we’re answering your questions covering everything from what options to consider when treating Legionella bacteria in your client’s systems to what the drawbacks those three remediation techniques have; and many more listener-submitted questions during my interview with Dr. Alberto Comazzi.
For those of you who don’t know Alberto Comazzi, let me introduce you: he is a member of the ASHRAE SSPC 188 committee, AWWA premise plumbing committee, and the AWT pre-treatment committee. Alberto is certified to ASSE/IAPMO/ANSI 12080 Legionella Water Safety and Management Personnel. The author and co-author of fifteen scientific papers, and the Technical Director at Sanipur US, based in Philadelphia PA, Alberto was the first person I thought to have on the show to answer questions about treating systems positive for Legionella.
Alberto Comazzi has a Ph.D. in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Milan, Italy. His research during his academic experience was focused on the study of the stability and the interaction among different chlorine-based water disinfectants. He has presented at over 20 conferences and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to him for coming on the show today!
Bottom line: Albert knows exactly what you should do when treating a system that tests positive for Legionella bacteria.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: Explain to a non-technical person how an absorption chiller works. [2:20]
Introducing Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D. [8:13]
Frequent testing for Legionella [12:59]
The three Legionella remediation options and their drawbacks: Heat and Flush, Filters, Supplemental Disinfectant [14:52]
If a customer requests Supplemental Disinfectant, what should you consider and what questions should you ask so you can develop the right plan for them? [28:05]
Other harmful water pathogens and re-opening buildings after COVID [36:55]
Why should your company get involved with Water Hygiene? [46:47]
What are some unforeseen pitfalls to look out for and your best advice for our water treatment listeners? [50:07]
Lightning round questions [55:25]
Quotes:
“The awareness about Legionella is much higher than it was two years ago for two main reasons: buildings are reopening and public awareness of infections in general.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“There isn’t one silver bullet for water management.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“You need to be proactive about testing for Legionella; that’s the only way to know if your plan is working.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“A water treatment provider needs to give their customer what they want and be able to do what’s best for them.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“We’re coming out of COVID and as buildings are re-opening there is definitely an increased awareness about Legionella and other waterborne pathogens from the people outside of the healthcare industry.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“When you do water hygiene, you are helping public health, buildings, and you are saving lives.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
“The most important reason to do water hygiene is to help public health.” -Alberto Comazzi, Ph.D.
Connect with Alberto:
Phone: 267-326-2353
Email: a.comazzi@sanipur.it
Website: www.sanipur.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alberto-comazzi-132637128/
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Dr. Richard Seligman invented the plate heat exchanger in 1923
Legionella Episodes:
203 The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford
199 The One About Cooling Towers and Legionella Bacteria
153 The One Where We Answer Your Questions About Legionella
152 The One Where We Talk More About Legionella
151 The One Where We Talk About Legionella
150 The One Where We Talk Legionella Basics
Darrell Amy knows how to help businesses grow. Rolling up his sleeves, he works behind the scenes with executives, sales leaders, and marketing professionals to develop and execute revenue growth strategies. He knows what works and what doesn’t, and he is sharing this information in his new best-selling book, Revenue Growth Engine: How To Align Marketing and Sales to Accelerate Growth.
Over the past 27 years, Darrell has been a leader in sales and marketing, giving him a unique perspective on sales and marketing alignment. In sales, he has trained over 1,000 salespeople and developed training programs for multiple Fortune 500 companies. Since 2004, he has also led a marketing agency, helping companies leverage the latest digital marketing strategies.
As a member of the Forbes Business Council and the C-Suite Network Advisors team, Darrell advises executives on ways to grow. He co-founded Convergo, a firm that helps companies align marketing and sales to drive growth. Darrell is the host of the Revenue Growth Podcast and the co-host of the Selling From the Heart Podcast. As a board member of several non-profit organizations, Darrell is especially passionate about helping companies increase revenue so they can give back to their communities and impact the world.
Bottom line: Darrell Amy is going to teach us how to align sales and marketing to drive accelerated growth.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Connecting with associations and upcoming events in 2022 [1:30]
Introducing Darrell Amy, best-selling author [7:00]
Where does revenue come from? [10:00]
Sales and Marketing working together [13:00]
The importance of Processes [20:00]
Visualize the customer experience and measure success with metrics [26:20]
Growth goals using the Ruler Method [32:39]
Lightning round questions [38:33]
Thinking On Water With James [45:45]
Thinking On Water With James: Damaged underdrains in a water softener
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about damaged underdrains in a water softener. What purpose does the underdrain serve? What troubleshooting steps could you take to determine if a softener underdrain is damaged before you have to remove the resin and gravel? What makes you suspect the damage, and what other causes can be ruled out first to save you time? What can damage a softener underdrain? Take this next week to think about and understand underdrains in softener units and their performance.
Quotes:
“Every business has an engine. That engine is the sum total of your Sales and Marketing efforts moving towards growing the company.” - Darrell Amy
“Revenue is the lifeblood of business. It allows us to fund new projects and fund new growth.” - Darrell Amy
“Revenue opens up opportunities.” - Darrell Amy
“Marketing is the message of the company to a prospect, and the Sales Team is communicating one to one with an individual prospect.” - Darrell Amy
“Buyers don’t buy products and services; they buy the outcomes your products and services enable. So what outcomes does your client want?” - Darrell Amy
“What do we want our customer’s journey to look like? Think through those stages.” - Darrell Amy
“The selling doesn't stop when you get an order. The selling just begins.” - Darrell Amy
“Number of clients and revenue per client helps you to set goals.” - Darrell Amy
Connect with Darrell Amy:
Phone: 501-626-4110
Email: damy@revenuegrowthengine.net
Website: www.revenuegrowthengine.net
LinkedIn: in/darrellamy
Podcast: Revenue Growth Podcast
Podcast with Larry Levine: Selling from the Heart
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
232 The One Where We Celebrate What We Learned In 2021
204 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! Being Profitable
Entrepreneurial Operating System
Convergo
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
European Smart Water Utilities 2022 Exhibition and Conference – January 26 to 27
International Conference on Wastewater Treatment Processes and Water Quality – January 28 to 29 (New York, NY)
Books Mentioned:
Revenue Growth Engine by Darrell Amy
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen by Donald Miller
Selling from the Heart by Larry Levine
Traction: Get A Grip On Your Business by Gino Wickman
This is the podcast where we “Scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems.” I’m your host, Trace Blackmore, and today, I want to motivate you to be your best self this year.
Before we dive in, I want to ask you a couple of questions:
- What do you want to accomplish in 2022?
- How are you going to accomplish what you set out to do?
- What is your motivation for wanting that accomplishment?
- How will you celebrate once you achieve your goals?
Today, I’m going to walk through the strategies the Rising Tide Mastermind uses to accomplish our goals, and we will also be using THIS strategy from Brian Moran’s book, 12 Week Year.
Bottom line: I’m challenging you to stop living in default mode, and to truly stretch yourself to grow personally and professionally.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Don’t live life by default [2:00]
How The Rising Tide Mastermind members make goals and plans [3:20]
It all starts with the review [8:15]
A word of caution [12:20]
Planning 3 years out [15:00]
Goals for these 5 areas: Personal, Spiritual, Relational, Professional, Financial [18:50]
Leveraging the “12 Week Year” [28:20]
Using your calendar as a tool [34:00]
Writing it down and sharing it [40:00]
Thinking On Water with James [42:02] #TOW22
Thinking On Water with James: Control Ranges
In this week’s episode, we’re thinking about control ranges for testing readings both you and your customer run and monitor. How many control ranges are enough, and when do you reach overkill? What are the key performance indicators? Should you set control ranges on tests and readings you cannot control, or do you set them anyway so you are warned to take action downstream? How tight are your control ranges? Can the controller maintain them? Are the test procedures used accurate enough to achieve them? Are the control ranges so broad a truck can drive through them? Take this week to think about your control ranges, and what you are really trying to accomplish. Each control range should have a solid reason why behind it.
Quotes:
“So many of us are so eager to start something new that we don’t take into account what life is teaching us.” - Trace Blackmore
“Make sure you stretch yourself this year; that’s where the personal growth will happen.” - Trace Blackmore
“Now might not be the right time.” - Trace Blackmore
“Are these goals appropriate for the season of life you are in right now?” - Trace Blackmore
“Any goal you push off could lose steam.” - Trace Blackmore
“The hardest thing in this process is moving that first domino.” - Trace Blackmore
“Be specific and intentional about what you want to accomplish and write them down.” - Trace Blackmore
“Life is dynamic; your schedule needs to be dynamic as well.” - Trace Blackmore
“Accountability: it takes things out of your head and allows others to know about it.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Scaling UP H2O:
Email: corrine@blackmore-enterprises.com (podcast producer)
Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea
Scaling UP! H2O on LinkedIn: company/scalinguph2o
Scaling UP! H2O on Facebook: @H2OScalingUP
Links Mentioned:
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
232 The One Where We Celebrate What We Learned In 2021
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
The Hang Networking Event- @6pm EST, USA January 20, 2022
WEF (Water Environment Federation) Forum 2022 – Particles and Colloids – the Next Frontier in Intensifying Water Resource Recovery – January 10 to 12, 2022
2022 ABMA (American Boiler Manufacturers Association) Annual Meeting – January 14 to 17, 2022
Books Mentioned:
The 12 Week Year
Check Out Our Resources Page For Discounts
Happy New Year! 2021 was chocked full of incredible guests, great live events, fun networking at The Hang, and so many lessons learned. Join me today as I reflect back on some of the biggest lessons I learned in 2021 and I invite you to help me make the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast a more valuable tool for industrial water treaters around the world in 2022.
We published 58 episodes this year, and thanks to generous guests, faithful sponsors, and talented staff, those episodes impacted the water treatment community to succeed in ways we could not have dreamed about nearly 5 years ago when I published the first Scaling UP! H2O episode.
Bottom line: 2021 is a year worth celebrating.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
What the pandemic has taught us over the past two years [2:00]
Thank you! [4:50]
Celebrating The Hang and other successes [7:20]
What we learned in 2021 [11:00]
Being profitable in 2022 [23:40]
The Rising Tide Mastermind Live Event and the Scaling UP! H2O Meeting Up at AWT [31:00]
Celebrating the 4th Industrial Water Week [33:40]
Raw Materials Supply Chain Update [36:00]
The last James’ Challenge for 2021: “Always be improving. Those who plateau will never catch up.” [42:45]
Thank you Scaling UP! H2O staff and sponsors [44:00]
Quotes:
“We have a community, The Scaling UP Nation, and it brings water treaters together.” - Trace Blackmore
“Water treatment is too awesome to not talk about.” - Trace Blackmore
“When we come together as a community, we can help each other.” - Trace Blackmore
“We will get through this, we will learn some things as we go through this, and as a community, we are going to help each other get better as we go through it.” - Trace Blackmore
“Growth starts on the inside, after all.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
175 The First One of 2021
179 The Second One About Temperaments (with Kathleen Edelman)
I Said This, You Heard That Study
184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor (with Aaron Walker)
ISI Mastermind
187 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2
190 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! (4th Year Anniversary Special)
200 The One Where We Celebrate Our 200th Episode!
204 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! Being Profitable
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
215 Industrial Water Week 2021: Pretreatment Monday
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
223 Pinks and Blues: Michael Standish on Phosphate Replacements
231 The One About Our Passion To Improve The Water Treatment Industry
182 The One Where We Share How We Create The Scaling UP! H2O Podcast
Connect with:
Kathleen Edelman on LinkedIn: in/coachkathleenedelman
Aaron Walker on LinkedIn:in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop
Conor Parish on LinkedIn: in/conor-parrish-cwt-15208251
Michael Standish on LinkedIn: in/mike-standish-7890627
James McDonald on LinkedIn: in/james-mcdonald-pe
Sean Dooley on LinkedIn:in/sean-dooley-0630b210
Corrine Drury on LinkedIn: in/corrinedrury
Margie Davin on LinkedIn: in/margiedavin
Books Mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
Events:
The Hang - January 20 @ 6:00 p.m. EST
World Water Day - March 22
AWT Annual Convention - September 21 to 24 (Vancouver, Canada)
2022 Technical Training Seminars (West) – February 23 to 26 (Seattle, WA)
2022 Technical Training Seminars (East) – March 30 to April 02 (Cleveland, OH)
Industrial Water Week 2022 - October 3 to 7
I’m your host Trace Blackmore and in today’s episode, I answer your question in this Pinks and Blues episode that is all about PROFIT.
As many of you know, my favorite thing about this industry is solving my clients’ problems. Early in my career I didn’t want to take the time to look at my business' numbers, but once I understood how to look at the data, I could make better decisions, which increased my profits, and that increase in profit made my business better.
Everyone knows that profit is important. But how do you know what you’re really making when you service that new account of yours?
In today’s episode, I’m answering your questions and we’re going to walkthrough:
-
- What is Profit, Revenue, Gross Profit, Gross Margin, Operating Profit, Net Profit, and Labor Costs
- How to know if you are making a profit
- How to see the big picture so you can make better decisions for your company
- The secret thing every business owner needs to share with their employees to increase the company’s profit
Bottom line: When you unpack the real cost of what it is that you do, you can truly see where you should be spending your time.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Questions from the Nation: What do revenue, gross profit, and margin mean? How can we calculate that manually if our company doesn’t have a reporting system? [3:58]
When you run your own business, you are responsible for every piece of that business [6:25]
Figuring out Gross Margin [9:30]
Looking at Operating Expenses and Net Profit [11:50]
CTA: Look at your data [14:09]
Challenge for business owners: share your financial data with your team [16:26]
Business lessons learned from my Mastermind and Business Coach [17:36]
James’ Challenge: “Install or change out corrosion coupons.” [23:38]
Quotes:
“If you understand the data, you’ll be able to make better decisions.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you run your own business, you have to be responsible for everything in that business.” - Trace Blackmore
“Gross Margin: A company’s net revenue minus the cost of goods.” - Trace Blackmore
“Most people don’t think about operating expenses.” - Trace Blackmore
“Once you subtract Operating Expenses from the Gross Profit what you have left is the Net Profit.”
“Many of us do not know what the actual profit is on an account we are service.” -Trace Blackmore
“Profit is all that matters.” - Trace Blackmore
“Many of us do not know what the actual profit is on an account we are servicing.” - Trace Blackmore
“How much is your time worth and are you using it at its highest and best value.” -Trace Blackmore
“When you unpack the real cost of what we do, you can truly see where you should be spending your time.” - Trace Blackmore
“I think if you ask any CFO worth anything, they will tell you the only number that matters is profit.” - Trace Blackmore
“Profit is all that matters.” - Trace Blackmore
“Profit allows us to grow the company and make it better.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
Financial Intelligence, A Managers Guide to Knowing What the Numbers Really Mean by Berman and Knight
Accounting for Non-Accountants by Wayne A. Label
True story: Years ago, when I was sitting in Atlanta traffic, I had an idea pop into my mind to start a podcast for water treaters, and the first person I called to get their advice about starting such a venture was James McDonald. I called James because he was someone I respected in the industry and he was also someone who was already generously giving his time to help our industry improve, thanks to the Industrial Water Treatment Group he started on LinkedIn. Without James’ encouragement on that fateful drive, I don’t know if I would have ever started this podcast.
Today, James McDonald, the Director of Technology and Marketing at Chem-Aqua comes back on the show to answer your questions, talk about the content he creates freely for the water treatment industry, how he started Industrial Water Week, and some really solid advice about inspiring others.
James McDonald is someone who inspires our industry. He is the tide that raises all boats in our industry.
Bottom line: James McDonald is going to inspire and encourage you to make our industry better by sharing your knowledge and talents.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Teaching others [0:01]
Why James McDonald shares his knowledge freely with the industry [7:25]
Leveraging LinkedIn to freely help the water treatment industry [13:17]
Listener questions for James McDonald [16:13]
James’ Challenge in 2021 [23:20]
Industrial Water Week [27:10]
James’ Memes and Jokes (link below) and Detective H2O [32:07]
Inspiring others [40:34]
Advice for 2022 [47:00]
James’ Challenge: Question everything and continuously learn. [51:26]
Quotes:
“There’s no I in TEAM; there’s no I in WATER, but there is a WE.” - James McDonald
“We’re all in this together.” - James McDonald
“Any way we can help to make this profession more reputable, honorable, increase passion…the better it is for all of us.” - James McDonald
“We are not building up our competition, we are building up our profession.” - James McDonald
“Like what you do, have passion for what you do, and share it freely.” - James McDonald
“Things we do individually, things we do as a company can help our industry or hurt our industry.” - James McDonald
“Industrial Water Week celebrates its 5 year anniversary next year.” - James McDonald
“Industrial Water Week is your holiday! Use it as a reason to offer training and share your passion.” - James McDonald
“I love what I do and I find ways to promote our profession.” - James McDonald
“Always keep the big picture in mind.” - James McDonald
“We are here to: treat water, help our customers and deliver value to them.” - James McDonald
“Whenever you are trying to teach others…it changes everything that you think you know about that topic.” - Trace Blackmore
“You’ll never master everything in water treatment. There is always something to learn” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with James McDonald:
Phone: (937) 689-4031
LinkedIn: in/james-mcdonald-pe
Websites:
www.industrialwaterscience.com
www.industrialwaterweek.com
www.chemaqua.com
Links Mentioned:
James’ Jokes & Memes
Muhammad Ishfaq’s WhatsApp Group
Industrial Water Week
Association of Water Technologies (AWT)
AWT’S The Analyst
Events Mentioned:
The Hang - January 20, 6:00 p.m. EST, USA
2022 AWT Technical Training Seminars (West) – February 23 to 26 (Seattle, WA)
2022 AWT Technical Training Seminars (East) – March 30 to April 02 (Cleveland, OH)
Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show - February 22 to 24 (Indianapolis, IN)
2022 Geospatial Water Technology Conference - March 21 to 23 (Austin, TX)
Books Mentioned:
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment by James McDonald
I got to know this week’s guest over LinkedIn and it was a blast to have him on the show. Walid Khoury is a water strategist, investor, and influencer and has such a wealth of knowledge to share with the water treatment industry.
Walid has 20 years of industry experience having worked for GE, Nalco, and Danaher. Over the years, Walid built and led diverse and inclusive water teams, selling technical solutions, developing strategies for direct and indirect sales channels, re-allocating resources, and driving sustainable and profitable growth.
In 2020, Walid founded Desalytics, a company that offers a diverse portfolio of water testing and water treatment consumables in Sub-Saharan Africa. Desalytics helps municipal and industrial customers produce reliable water, optimize processes, maximize returns at a competitive cost through expertise, technologies, and local footprint. For this, Walid is partnering with, coaching, and mentoring young African entrepreneurs to grow Desalytics' presence across the African continent and be close to customers.
Desalytics was established in 2020 to help municipal and industrial customers produce reliable water, optimize processes, maximize returns at a competitive cost through expertise, technologies, and local footprint. Desalytics’ innovative business model relies on an impact investing approach where the company partners with young African entrepreneurs, and helps them start or scale their businesses, through working capital injection, mentoring programs, and global supplier relationships.
Walid is an active LinkedIn thought leader, inspiring engaging and insightful discussions with his 26,000 industry followers. He holds a bachelor's degree in water and environment, a master's degree in water sciences, and lastly a master's degree in management from Harvard University.
Bottom line: Walid Khoury is going to inspire you to think about water treatment on a bigger and more global level.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
2021: the year that water treaters around the world came together to learn and grow [0:30]
James’ Challenge: “Make time for your family, friends, and you.” [7:17]
Introducing water strategist, investor, and influencer Walid Khoury [9:10]
Desalytics in Africa [15:57]
Attending WEFTEC 2021 [18:15]
Walid’s water treatment career journey [20:47]
The value of coaching [27:30]
The importance of diversity in the workplace [32:00]
Continuous improvement [39:00]
Lightning round questions [42:45]
Quotes:
“Optimize your water footprint.” - Walid Khoury
“It’s not a straightforward job; it is interesting and exciting because you are trying to solve tough challenges. If it wasn’t a tough challenge they wouldn’t need us.” - Walid Khoury
“Find women engineers and help them grow in their careers and retain them.” - Walid Khoury
“Don’t get stuck, there is always a constant challenge. Keep developing yourself.” - Walid Khoury
“One of the best ways to learn is to teach.” - Walid Khoury
“If you are bored at your job, you are not learning. It’s time to move on to the next one.” - Walid Khoury
“Africa is a similar market to other places.” - Walid Khoury
“I’m passionate about water.” - Walid Khoury
Connect with Walid Khoury:
Phone: +971 56 5362147
Email: walid.khoury@gmail.com
Vlog: walidkhoury.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/walidkhoury
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
What Got You Here Won't Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful by Marshall Goldsmith and Mark Reiter
Hot Seat: What I Learned Leading a Great American Company by Jeff Immelt
Africa's Business Revolution: How to Succeed in the World's Next Big Growth Market by Acha Leke
The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Scaling Up Nation, I cannot wait to introduce you to my lab partner this week Tammy Phillips of HOH Water Technology, Inc. Tammy and I met at one of HOH’s business events a few years ago, and the thing that immediately impressed me about her was how she was able to leverage her degree in Building Construction to become a powerful sales person who seeks out water treatment opportunities in healthcare and new construction jobs.
Tammy Phillips is a Business Development Manager who specializes in bringing in new business and sales, and expanding existing partnerships. She has more than 20 years of sales experience, and today she is going to share fantastic advice on cold-calling, how to handle rejection, and the importance of joining a local organization.
In addition to her job at HOH, Tammy serves on the board of the Central Illinois Chapter of Healthcare Engineering (CICHE). CICHE offers professional development, access to national trends, codes and standards updates, and facility management solutions to their members through educational programs and events.
Bottom line: If you are a woman considering a career in water treatment, Tammy’s professional journey might inspire you to apply to work in the best industry in the world, industrial water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Thoroughly dig through your company's website.” [01:52]
Introducing Business Development Manager, Tammy Phillips [04:46]
Being a persistent salesperson [07:25]
Tammy’s water treatment industry career journey [08:09]
Women in water treatment [9:00]
Cold-calling [10:39]
Involvement in CICHE and other organizations [13:28]
Mentors, leadership, and professional development [15:38]
Working as a team, the importance of core values, and trying new things [20:35]
Advice for women starting in the water treatment industry [24:08]
Lightning round questions [24:54]
Quotes:
“Don’t be afraid to walk in. Everybody gets turned away at some point.” - Tammy Phillips
“I love what I do.” - Tammy Phillips
“Challenging. Fun. Well-worth it.” - Tammy Phillips
“Continue being persistent, and going in. You’ll eventually get comfortable doing it.” - Tammy Phillips
“Leadership is all about helping others.” - Tammy Phillips
“The only way you learn is trying to do it, and asking questions along the way.” - Tammy Phillips
“Anyone can hold any position with the right mindset.” - Tammy Phillips
“If you don’t ask, you’ll never get good at it.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Tammy Phillips:
Phone: (217) 208-9464
Email: tphillips@hohwatertechnology.com
Website: hohwatertechnology.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tphillips06
HOH Water Technology, Inc.
Central Illinois Chapter of Healthcare Engineering
Links Mentioned:
166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween (reading “The Raven”)
186 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
The job market is competitive these days, to say the least. If your company has been trying to hire younger water treaters and you haven’t had much success in the recruiting process, I have the perfect podcast guest for you to learn from.
Her name is Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang, and she is a college professor turned entrepreneur, education consultant, and career and life coach with more than 15 years of experience in education. For most of her life, Dr. Ai has been teaching and because of her innate ability to inspire Millennials and Generation Z, she is uniquely qualified to educate water treatment hiring managers and business owners on what we need to know before we schedule interviews with individuals from these two generations.
Dr. Ai founded Classroom Without Walls (CWW) in 2017 to normalize learning beyond the four walls of a classroom. CWW created a new model in learning that includes the elements of online learning (classes + digital mentors), certification earning, and in-person enrichment. Dr. Ai is also the host of the two live-streaming shows: Classroom Without Walls which focuses on social media and digital marketing; and What Is School For? which was inspired by Dr. Ai's interview with author and entrepreneur Seth Godin, and aims to discuss, debate, and disrupt education.
Today’s interview focuses on how we should attract and recruit Millennials and Generation Z to work at your company so that it is a win-win relationship for you and your new hires.
Bottom line: Dr. Ai is going to share how we can attract and hire the next generation of water treaters.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Goal setting [01:44]
Get to know college professor turned entrepreneur, Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang [09:50]
Preparing yourself for real-life as a student [16:18]
Storytelling and Story-selling [24:21]
Tailoring interviews for the younger generation [27:18]
Preparing students to join the workforce [29:31]
What is the next generation looking for in a job [35:53]
Mentors [38:40]
LinkedIn tips [42:51]
Lightning round questions [47:12]
James’ Challenge: “Calculate how much heat energy goes down the drain with boiler blowdown and how much it costs.” [58:33]
Quotes:
“Showing up consistently makes a big difference.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“GPA is inversely related to innovation.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“The best way to connect with each other is storytelling.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“If people are not applying, it is time for you to study who you want to attract.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“This is a “Show me” economy. Show me what you created based on your skills.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“When you don't have purpose, you don’t have drive.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“When they (applicants) choose your organization they need to know your mission and vision and know that what they will do is important and is part of the bigger picture.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“Instagram and Tiktok: those are the places where young people actually congregate. You need to go where they are as opposed to [telling them where you are].” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“It is very hard to find 1,000 people who are really passionate about what you do, but it is not that hard to find one single person.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“Most kids are allowing social media to use them, as opposed to, they are using social media to serve their own career needs.” - Dr. Ai Addyson-Zhang
“It is okay to realign your goals when you learn new information.” - Trace Blackmore
“Your day to day is never going to get any better unless you start making changes; unless you work on the outside of what you consider comfortable.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Dr. Ai Addyson Zhang:
Live Streaming Shows:
-
-
- What Is School For? (Goes live on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon every Wednesday at 2PM PST) - Classroom Without Walls (Goes live on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon every Friday at 9PM PST)
-
Email: Ai@ClassroomWithoutWalls.ai
Website: https://lifeaccelerator.classroomwithoutwalls.ai/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aiaddysonzhang/
Instagram: @aiaddysonzhang
Twitter: @aiaddysonzhang
Facebook Group: @LifeAcceleratorCWW
YouTube: Classroom Without Walls
Links Mentioned:
Do Schools Kill Creativity? | Sir Ken Robinson’s Ted Talk
LinkedIn Live
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Studies Mentioned:
50% of Millennials regretted their major in college
The number of questions children and teenagers ask in a day
A Study of Engineering Education - (Mann, C.R., 1918)
Exploring Innovative Entrepreneurship and Its Ties to Higher Educational Experiences - (Mayhew, M.J., et al., 2012)
Books Mentioned:
Why "A" Students Work for "C" Students and "B" Students Work for the Government - Robert T. Kiyosaki
Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us - Daniel H. Pink
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable - Seth Godin
Your Personality Creates Your Personal Reality - Dr. Joe Dispenza
The Five Minute Journal
Scaling Up Nation, I cannot wait to introduce you to today's guest, Larry Pond. Larry is an expert in Compliance and Quality Assurance at IWC Innovations. Today, Larry and I are going to discuss how to prevent Legionella and other water-borne pathogens by having a good water management plan in place for each of your clients. Larry is a great communicator and my hope is that he inspires you to have the ‘water management plan conversation’ with your clients today.
One of the things I admire most about Larry is his seemingly effortless ability to ask soft questions to his clients so he can set up the right water management plan specifically catered for their facility.
Some of the questions he gently asks his clients are:
-
-
- Do you have a water management plan? - How do you protect your system and people? - What risk factors do you have? - Are your current measures adequate for these protections?
-
After asking those questions to his clients (and many more), he then gives them the additional metaphors and stories they need to hear in order to drive home the importance of analyzing their risk factors and preventing outbreaks. If you are a water treater, you are going to love today’s episode.
Bottom line: Larry Pond is going to tell us why having a water management plan is important.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Test pH of condensate immediately and then an hour later on the same open sample.” [05:50]
Introducing Larry Pond of Innovative Water Consultants [09:03]
Water treatment from an end user’s perspectives [10:38]
Having the ‘water management plan conversation’ with your clients [17:43]
Risk factors [26:28]
The importance of learning [28:58]
Testing positive for Legionella [33:58]
Advice to other water treaters [40:57]
Learning from our mistakes [44:24]
Lighting round questions [48:29]
Quotes:
“The art comes in seeing their perspective, and learning how to gently say that it’s screwed up without saying it’s screwed up.” - Larry Pond
“If their answers are blank stares, that’s your opportunity for teaching.” - Larry Pond
“A water management plan is key to identifying your risks; to mitigate them through proper control measures” - Larry Pond
“A water management plan is the cheapest, conceivable form of insurance that gets you off the hook.” - Larry Pond
“The conversation should be geared towards putting yourself in somebody else’s shoes, not just your own. “It's not just a job, it’s not just a paycheck. ” - Larry Pond
“Complacency is not a path for resolution”. - Larry Pond
“When we all do the same things over and over and over and over again, it gets boring. We get complacent. And we almost resent going back to the same accounts because it’s boring.” - Trace Blackmore
“When we push the limits, we’re leaning.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you are intimidated by any topic, that is your sign that you need to go out and learn as much as you can about that topic.” - Trace Blackmore
“If people are allowed to make mistakes, that is where the true learning is.” - Trace Blackmore
“A rising tide raises all ships, but a bigger ship can hold more people.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Larry Pond:
Email: larry@iwcwater.net
Website: iwcinnovations.com
Social: @IWCINNOVATIONS
Books Mentioned:
Boiler Water Treatment - Colin Frayne
The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins
Hannibal - Tom Harris
Links Mentioned:
083 The One About Water Management Plans
Centers For Disease Control And Prevention: Toolkit
205 The One To Listen To If You Want To Hear How Rewarding A Career In Water Treatment Can Be
Scaling UP Nation, one of the things I love most about hosting this podcast is the people I’ve met because I host this podcast. One of the people I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with because of this podcast is Jed Kosch.
You may have seen Jed Kosch’s “Rule of Thumb Thursdays” videos on LinkedIn, but before he started posting helpful articles and videos for water treatment professionals he graduated early from high school, majored in hydrology, worked in college as an environmental scientist and he currently works at Garratt-Callahan.
In today’s interview, we’re going to discuss how Jed’s personal goals have led to a successful career in water treatment and some ways to stay current in an industry that is constantly evolving.
Bottom line: Jed Kosch is going to share how an early passion for hydrology turned into a successful career in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
The importance of investing [2:00]
Jed Kosch’s water treatment career journey [10:00]
Wins and goals [15:30]
Day to day and staying current [18:40]
Problem solving and challenges [21:14]
Importance of learning and mentors [26:30]
Rule of Thumb Thursdays [29:01]
Industry integrity [35:35]
Lighting Round Questions [38:19]
James’ Challenge: “Learn how steam traps operate.” [42:50]
Quotes:
“If you don’t know how to steer, you’ll never know if you’ve reached your destination.” - Trace Blackmore
“How are you investing in your day-to-day life?” - Trace Blackmore
“I want to positively impact other people as much as I can in a positive way.” - Jed Kosch
“I’m always looking for new and better ways to improve our craft.” - Jed Kosch
“Be curious.” - Jed Kosch
“A LinkedIn article takes me about four to six hours to write.” - Jed Kosch
“Keep your moral integrity and stay truthful to yourself.” - Jed Kosch
“Become obnoxiously passionate about whatever craft you are pursuing.” - Jed Kosch
“Leadership is giving people a small piece to help them get to the next level.” - Jed Kosch
Connect with Jed Kosch:
Phone: (920) 809 -9710
Email: jed_kosch@yahoo.com
Website: garrattcallahan.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jedkosch
Links Mentioned:
Episode 128: Pinks and Blues: Tonnage X3
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned:
Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People- Stephen Covey
How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie
The Go-Giver - John David Mann
Levels of the Game - John McPhee
The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History - Boris Johnson
The Secret - Rhonda Byrne
Outliers - Malcolm Gladwell
Any long-time listener will know that Rory Vaden’s book “Procrastinate on Purpose” changed my life. I am a BIG fan of his books and talks and I know I’m not his only fan because millions of people watched his TEDx talk titled “Multiply your time by asking 4 questions about the stuff on your to-do list.”
Rory is a professional speaker, author, and entrepreneur who has a childlike curiosity with regard to what makes people successful and influential, which allows him to kick to the curb old thought models and create entirely new ways of looking at how we spend our time. This curiosity and inner drive Rory generously shares with the world allows others to unlock their untapped potential and accomplish what they were put on the earth to do. He is electrifyingly passionate, has high EQ, and is always looking to make things better.
If you feel that there are never enough hours in the day and that you cannot afford to hire someone to take those exhausting tasks off of your plate, then I encourage you to listen to today’s episode with an open mind because, if you act on what he teaches us today, it has the potential to change everything in your life for the better.
Bottom line: Rory Vaden is going to teach you how to multiply your time. Yes, you read that right, I said “Multiply.”
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Illustrations:
Rory mentions these two illustrations below during his interview.
Timestamps:
Get to know one of my favorite speakers and authors, Rory Vaden [6:30]
Rory’s professional journey from Toastmasters to Brand Builders Group [10:18]
How to multiply your time [19:00]
The 30 X Rule [29:00]
What to delegate [35:00]
The emotion behind how you spend your time [45:24]
Lightning round questions [54:00]
James’ Challenge: “Perform a dissolved oxygen study on boiler deaerator and feedwater.” [1:02:20]
The 6 F’s: Faith, Fun, Fitness, Family, Faculty, Finances [1:04:00]
Quotes:
“You multiply your time by giving yourself the emotional permission to spend time on things today that create more time tomorrow.” - Rory Vaden
“It is literally possible to multiply your time.” - Rory Vaden
“Time management is much more emotional than we realize.” - Rory Vaden
“The next level of results requires the next level of thinking, always.” - Rory Vaden
“Ask yourself: What are the things I can do today so I can make tomorrow better, faster, and more efficient?” - Rory Vaden
“Mom guilt is a real thing.” - Rory Vaden
“I am a fan of outsourcing everything.” - Rory Vaden
“You should be willing to spend at least thirty times the amount of time it takes you to do a task once when training someone else to do that task for you. So if a task takes you 5 minutes every day, you should be willing to spend 150 minutes (30x) training someone else to do that one task.” - Rory Vaden
Connect with Rory Vaden:
Email: info@brandbuildersgroup.com
Website: www.roryvaden.com/media
Social: roryvadenblog.com
Books Mentioned:
Procrastinate on Purpose - Rory Vaden
Take the Stairs - Rory Vaden
Financial Peace University - Dave Ramsey
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind -T. Harv Eker
The Go-Giver - John David Mann
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John C. Maxwell
The Greatest Salesman In the World -Og Mandino
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni
What To Say When You Talk To Your Self - Dr. Shad Helmstetter
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel
Links Mentioned:
Episode 175 - Time Management
Rory Vaden’s TEDx Talk
Toastmasters International
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Events:
AWT Business Webinar: Using a SWOT Analysis to Advance Your Business – @ 11AM ET November 18
International Conference on Wastewater Treatment Processes and Water Quality – January 28 to 29
Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport Show – February 21 to 24
The Hang Networking Event- @6pm 1.13.22
As water treaters, there are always new things being added to our plates, and there are only so many hours in the day to get them all done. It is a tension that nearly every water treater faces. However, there are ways to get more time back in your work day as long as you have the right solutions, so I asked one of the most Internet Of Things (IoT) connected people I know to be a guest on today’s show, Laith Charles, to share how he uses IoT to his company time and money.
For those of you who were not at AWT’s convention this year, Laith Charles was awarded AWT’s Rising Star Award, “The Rising Star Award recognizes the contributions and efforts of the next generation of water treatment professionals. The nominee will possess a demonstrated passion for their work in the industrial water treatment field and will have contributed to the advancement of the AWT mission.” Laith is a business owner, technology lover, and has found better ways of doing things because of his willingness to embrace new technology.
Bottom line: Laith Charles is going to share ways to get hours back in your work day as a water treatment professional by leveraging The Internet Of Things (IoT).
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Using proper safety precautions while sampling, run boiler water tests on a sample collected with a sample cooler and an uncooled sampled for the same boiler.” [5:50]
Introducing returning guest, business owner, and the 2021 winner of the Rising Star Award: Laith Charles [10:38]
Laith’s lessons learned from The Rising Tide Mastermind [14:35]
AWT’s 2021 Convention [27:22]
Laith’s AWT presentation on The Internet Of Things (IoT) Augmented Industrial Water Treatment [33:00]
Internet Of Things low hanging fruit water treaters can start using today [43:27]
Customer success stories [51:00]
Lightning round questions [1:04:00]
Quotes:
“I define The Internet Of Things (IoT) as something connected to the Internet.” - Laith Charles
“Technology isn’t replacing YOU, but it can alert you so you are not blindsided when you visit a client.” - Laith Charles
“How can I do the same work with the same headcount resources?” - Laith Charles
“Hiring and getting the right headcount is hard in today’s market.” - Laith Charles
“Everyone looks at price/performance; data allows you to show clients historically what you have done for them and how you have saved them money.” - Laith Charles
“Almost half of controllers sold are equipped to be online capable.” - Laith Charles
“Data security is a concern, so consult with a cyber security expert who knows best business practices.” - Laith Charles
“Get the data, centralize it, and synergize it into a platform to leverage it.” - Laith Charles
“All of today’s problems could be solved by more education.” - Laith Charles
Connect with Laith Charles:
Phone: 941-301-1309
Email: laith@ewatermark.net
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMuigehZdcquaY14QtGm
Links Mentioned:
Episode 62 with Laith Charles
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
The Hang Networking Event- @6pm November 11
AWT Convention 2022 - 09.21-09.24.22 in Vancouver, Canada
Books Mentioned:
Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time - by Rory Vaden
Resources
(IoT) Augmented Industrial Water Treatment Paper
(IoT) Augmented Industrial Water Treatment Presentation
Scaling UP! Nation, if this is new information to you, hang in there, and if this is old news, I know you’re still going to learn something today. China has reduced its export of Phosphonates by 90% now through 2022 and water treaters everywhere need to be aware of what options are available to you so we can continue providing top-notch service to our clients.
I couldn’t think of a better person to talk to in this Pinks and Blues episode about Phosphonate replacement options than my trusted friend and Radical Polymers co-founder, Michael Standish. Thank you for coming back on the show, Mike!
For those of you who don’t know him, Mike has over 28 years of experience in polymer additive design and development. Before forming Radical Polymers, Mike served in technical and business leadership roles within global, publicly-traded chemical companies and is responsible for the development and patenting of industry-leading polymers for use in the water treatment, oilfield, and detergent industries. He has authored and presented numerous industry papers for the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), Cooling Technology Institute (CTI), National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), and the American Chemical Society (ACS). Mike has served on the Board of Directors of AWT and holds a BS in Chemistry and Masters in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
One of the things I admire most about Mike is that he has a way of taking extremely technical and complicated topics and explaining them in ways that everyone can understand. Trust me, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Bottom line: Mike Standish is going to share what he is observing in the marketplace, provide his insights, and offer suggestions so your water treatment company can make the best decisions for today’s unprecedented times.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy Halloween and what is happening with the P4 supply from China [0:30]
What are you observing with the raw materials supply chain? [6:17]
How should a water treatment company weather this perfect supply chain storm? [8:30]
Understanding your Phosphonate Replacements options [9:45]
Staging down the level of Phosphonate and pairing with Polymers for a hybrid approach [14:14]
Moving from Phosphonate to Polymers: oxidizer awareness [20:30]
What advice do you have for someone who just heard that there is a supply chain crisis? [23:00]
Learnings from the molybdate issue, fifteen years ago [24:00]
Closing thoughts with Trace [26:00]
James’ Challenge: “Calculate boiler efficiency.” [29:43]
Quotes:
“Work very closely with your vendors to forecast and look at alternative chemistries.” - Michael Standish
“Don’t make substitutions blindly.” - Michael Standish
“Polymers aren’t your only weapon. You have Ph control and limiting cycles too.” - Michael Standish
“Nearly all polymers in North America are produced by Western suppliers.” - Michael Standish
“Demand is up. Supply chains have been disrupted. There is a severe constraint on ocean transit causing logistics issues. It is the perfect storm.” - Michael Standish
“The very good news is that it will require us to make adjustments but we can still treat water effectively. And there is a big opportunity for the independent water community.” - Michael Standish
“Always be prepared for alternatives.” - Michael Standish
“No one ever said water treatment was easy.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Michael Standish :
Phone: 423.316.9877
Email: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com
Website: radicalpolymers.com
LinkedIn: in/mike-standish
Links Mentioned:
014 The One with Mike Standish
166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween
221 Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Articles:
Developing Realistic, Representative Laboratory Test Methods for Profiling
In Search Of Synergy
Today is a special treat because today I have a friend and trusted colleague, Janet E. Stout PhD, president of Special Pathogens Laboratory and research associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
An infectious disease microbiologist, Dr. Stout is recognized worldwide for seminal discoveries and pioneering research in Legionella. Her expertise includes prevention and control strategies for Legionnaires’ disease in building water systems.
Dr. Stout’s more than thirty years of research is published in peer-reviewed medical and scientific journals. She also has authored textbook chapters on Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease, including the Legionella chapter in the APIC Text.
An advocate for prevention, Dr. Stout assisted in developing the first Legionella prevention guideline (1993) in the United States, which continues to serve as a model for national and global health agencies and organizations. Additionally, she serves on the ASHRAE Legionella standard committee for Legionella Guideline 12 and the SPC 188 committee for ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2015 Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems, the first U.S. standard for Legionella risk management.
She is the first instructor of the ASSE 12080 Legionella water Safety and Management Specialist Certification training, and TODAY she has agreed to come on the show and share some key updates that our entire industry should be aware of.
Bottom line: Dr. Janet E. Stout is on a mission to end Legionnaires’ disease by using science and education to prevent future outbreaks.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Perform condensate survey throughout a facility.” [2:02]
Re-introducing my friend and trusted colleague, Legionella Expert, the accomplished Dr. Janet E. Stout [6:00]
Why join a peer to peer groups for business solutions and professional growth [13:30]
ASHRAE 188 updates [18:40]
Legislation regulation for Legionella updates [23:22]
12080 Certification [29:55]
CDC updates [31:20]
Understanding “Percent Positivity” [34:30]
The Joint Commission updates [36:37]
What does a CWT need to know? [40:20]
Staying on top of industry changes [43:15]
Standard 514 [45:05]
Talking to our clients about changes [47:00]
How to stay in the know about local and state changes? [50:33]
Lightning round questions [54:00]
Quotes:
“I’m on a mission to end Legionnaires’ disease.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“It frustrates me that someone has to die in order for changes to be made.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“Change is coming. Some through standards and guidance, and some by regulatory authorities and joint commission.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“We need to raise the bar so that everybody is at the same level of basic understanding of Legionella and Legionnaires disease water management.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“We advance because we say to ourselves ‘There are things we don’t know’ and we seek out the knowledge for those that do and thereby get better at our jobs.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“A water treatment professional needs to be an educator of their client.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
Connect with Janet Stout PhD:
Phone: 412.281.5335
Email: jstout@specialpathogenslab.com
Website: www.specialpathogenslab.com
Links Mentioned:
Episode 121 with Dr. Janet Stout
Standard 188-2021 -- Legionellosis: Risk Management for Building Water Systems (ANSI Approved)
Special Pathogens Laboratory - Education
Puzzled By Legionella Wednesday webinar series
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Events:
The Hang Networking Event- @6pm 11.11.21
Michael Warady’s Business Webinar -@11am 10.29.21
Smart Water Utilities, Europe (Netherlands) -1.26.22-1.27.22
Books Mentioned:
Puzzled By Legionella - Janet E Stout PhD
From Good To Great - Jim Collins
Traction - Gino Wickman
If you've been having supply chain issues, you are not alone.
But you don't have to solve your supply chain issues on your own.
On October 14, 2021, I hosted a Raw Materials Supply Chain Update Roundtable with Mike Standish of Radical Polymers, Jill Cavano of Scranton Associates, John Zibrita of Zibex, and Gary Garcia of Masters Company- these individuals let us know what they are seeing in the marketplace and shared what we need to do so we can make the right decisions right now.
Our industry is better when we don’t work in isolation and instead lean into trusted peers. Thank you to everyone who hosted the Roundtable and to everyone who attended.
We posted the video recording from the Zoom Roundtable conversation to our YouTube channel. If you’re like me and like to put a voice with a name, visit ScalingUpH2o.com/Update.
Be sure to listen to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast every week to hear about opportunities to connect with other professionals, grow, and learn about the water treatment industry.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace Blackmore
Upcoming Events:
The Hang Networking Event- @6pm November 11
Business Webinar with Michael Warady - @11am October 29
Connect with the roundtable speakers:
Jill Cavano of Scranton Associates: jbihn@scrantonassociates.com
Mike Standish of Radical Polymers: mike.standish@radicalpolymers.com
Gary Garcia of Masters Company: gary@masterscoinc.com
John Zibrita of Zibex: jfzibrida@cs.com
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
As the fourth quarter of 2021 draws to a close, what are the things you are evaluating to make sure that Q4 ends well and that 2022 is going to be a more profitable year for you and your company? If you have ever wondered: how much money should the company have in the bank, why are we taking on more clients but not making a profit, or why are we spending more money on the company but not seeing the payoff, then today’s episode is for you.
Today’s guest is Russ Stephens, co-founder of the Association of Professional Builders, a leading business coaching company dedicated to improving the residential construction industry for both builders and consumers. Since 2014 he has been helping builders double the size of their businesses through profitable growth. The Association Of Professional Builders excels in providing cutting-edge systems, world-class support, and sales & marketing training to the construction industry. And Russ knows how to do this because he uses data to make the right decisions to increase profits.
Bottom line: Russ is going to give you the data your company needs to be looking at to make the right decisions.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Get to know Russ Stephens, the man who moved to Australia and grew an entire industry’s profits with data [6:00]
Understand the true financials as a business owner [11:40]
What are the core numbers we need to be looking at [15:13]
The most important thing to look at to scale [22:10]
How much money should a business have in the bank [25:00]
What formula should a business use to budget for marketing [27:37]
The importance of KPIs and SOPS [29:32]
Understanding today’s consumers to generate more business [31:20]
Lightning round questions [37:15]
James’ Challenge: “ Ask your customer what you can do better.” [47:08]
Quotes:
“Margins are linked to marketing.” - Russ Stephens
“The backbone to any good company is SOPs or Standard Operating Procedures.” - Russ Stephens
“As a business owner, you cannot be a micromanager. You need to only look for the gaps in the system and address them.” - Russ Stephens
“The internet turned the sales process on its head over a decade ago. Consumers are more educated than any generation in history, so we need to become the online provider of information. We need to educate the consumer before we sell to them.” - Russ Stephens
Connect with Russ Stephens:
Phone: +61450519613
Email: Russ@apbbuilders.com
Website: associationofprofessionalbuilders.com
LinkedIn: in/russstephens
Links Mentioned:
scalinguph2o.com/audible
Industrial Water Week 2022 starts Oct 3rd
Episode 204 on being profitable
Episode 101 with Colin Frayne
Episode 102 with Colin Frayne
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time by Rory Vaden
Powered By Changeby Nicholas Brealey
Influence by Robert B. Cialdini
Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
My name is Trace Blackmore and I’ve had the honor of celebrating Industrial Water Week with you each day this week! Each year that we celebrate Industrial Water Week, it gets better. Today is all about the fact we all have a career in industrial water treatment. Think about all of the jobs you could have had that are not this job, and how lucky are you that you chose a career in industrial water treatment?
Nation, I hope this job is more than a job to you. I hope you love it, I hope you respect it, I hope you make it better every chance you get.
As this week wraps up, please consider this: Are you priming the pump for the next generation of water treaters? And if you are not, consider how rewarding that might be.
At the end of the day, I think the only thing that matters is our relationships, so how are yours? Are you being mentored by someone in water treatment? Are you mentoring someone in water treatment?
Take some time this week and thank someone who coached and mentored you along the way as you grew in your career in water treatment.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
My water treatment career journey [0:01]
Your career in industrial water treatment is a craft [7:25]
Jim Lauria and Adam Tank share why you must share your career in water treatment story with others [9:00]
James’ Mini Challenge: post a selfie of yourself along with a story about how you got into industrial water treatment and why you would recommend it to others. [11:00]
Shawn McGrade talks about why he chose water treatment as a career [12:15]
Tom Hardy shares what he learned about what makes a good water treater [16:25]
Doctor H2O [18:13]
Closing out Industrial Water Week with James McDonald [28:05]
Coaching and mentoring to improve our entire industry [30:00]
Quotes:
“Water treatment is a craft, an activity involving skill.” - Trace Blackmore
“We have the best jobs in the world.” - Trace Blackmore
“I take pride in how I do water treatment.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you tell your story on water, you focus on the global good of water.” - Adam Tank
“How do we pass on our love, our passion, and our knowledge to the next generation of industrial water treatment professionals?” - James McDonald
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Episode 213 Coaching with Bill Eckstrom
Episode 188 with Shawn McGrade
Episode 163 2020 Careers
Episode 54 2019 Careers with Tom Hardy
Episode 181 Water Geeks Jim Lauria and Adam Tank
Today we continue Industrial Water Week 2021 with Wastewater Thursday. Scaling up Nation, if you don’t see how awesome being a water treater is, you are not doing it right. Industrial Water Treaters are superheroes. You are a superhero!
Like many of you, when I started in my career, I couldn’t believe what my clients were throwing out, but once I realized that our clients were paying us so they could stay open, it shifted my thinking. I came to realize that without the help from industrial water treaters, our clients would be forced to shut down for non-compliance.
Thank you for observing, measuring, mapping, calculating, testing...retesting, examining, waiting, and serving your clients’ systems so they can keep doing what they need to do. Thank you for being part of the most incredible industry in the world, industrial water treatment!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Happy Wastewater Thursday [00:01]
My introduction to gang stirrers [04:48]
Kevin Cope gave us some tips about jar testing [11:20]
Kevin Cope on bugs [12:56]
Detective H2O [16:00]
James’ Mini Challenge: post a picture of a pin floc separating [25:47]
Quotes:
“It’s not a gangster, it’s a gang stirrer.” - Trace Blackmore
“We can add inorganic Polymers to our bloomer phase and we’re not gonna precipitate Zinc with an inorganic Polymer. So you really need to ask the customer: “What am I trying to remove?”, “What are my problems?” those are real issues that are the keys to sending up a correct jar test.” -Kevin Cope
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
053 Day 4 of Industrial Water Week (Waste Water) (with Kevin Cope)
162 #IWW20 Wastewater Thursday (with Kevin Cope)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
178 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation!
Today is all about cooling. I’ve always gravitated more towards cooling than any other aspect of water treatment. I am a student of all industrial water treatment areas, but there is just something about cooling that I have always connected with. Do you have a specific area of water treatment that you tend to lean towards?
Well, today we are talking about cooling and here’s a brief history lesson for you. The first air conditioner was developed in 1902 by Willis Carrier who invented it to remove humidity from a printing plant. By 1933 the model for the modern air conditioner was developed. And for those of you who are thinking, yes Trace, but I’m sure all of those coolers have been phased out over the past 100 years, let me tell you that I get the privilege to treat the oldest chiller in the Atlanta area, it was built in 1940s, and it’s still running great.
Being able to be part of history is such a privilege, just think of all the inventions along the way that got us to where we are today. The more you know about history, the more you can appreciate it
Where would we be without coolers and where would you be without them? They are just the coolest pieces of technology. Join me on today’s episode as we celebrate Cooling Wednesday in this year’s Industrial Water Week.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Welcome to Cooling Wednesday [00:01]
The history of air conditioning and how we got the modern cooler [01:58]
Cooling Jeopardy [03:31]
Detective H2O [05:30]
James’ Mini-Challenge: post a picture from inside a cooling tower’s plenum area, looking up [15:30]
How to explain cooling tower feed to a customer [18:30]
Brett Alexander shares what to keep in mind when it comes to riser pipes [22:10] [138]
Bryan Hayward talks about filtration [24:30]
How are you going to celebrate Cooling Wednesday [27:00]
Quotes:
“Happy Industrial Water Week!” - James McDonald
“The more you know about history, the more you can appreciate it.” - Trace Blackmore
“It’s my hope that someday every single cooling tower has filtration on it so we can get all this debris out of it.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Episode 161 - 2020 Cooling
Episode 199 -Cooling Towers and Legionella with Chris Nagel
Episode 137 - Cooling Towers, part 1 with Brett Alexander
Episode 138 - Cooling Towers, part 2 with Brett Alexander
Episode 108 - Cooling Tower Feed
Episode 97 - Filtration on Cooling Towers with Bryan Hayward
Episode 91 Filming Amines with Marodi Cribari, part 2
Welcome to the podcast where we water treaters learn and celebrate together! I’m your podcast host, Trace Blackmore. Yesterday we celebrated Pretreatment Monday and today it is Boiler Tuesday!
The dictionary definition of a boiler is quite dull and uninspiring, but for me, the boiler has been my backstage pass to some of the coolest manufacturing companies in the world! Boilers have allowed me to peek behind the curtain and learn how things are made and have allowed me to indulge my curiosity in ways I never could have imagined.
Join me as we learn and celebrate the boiler today and don’t forget to post your daily Industrial Water Week mini-challenges photos by tagging them with #IndustrialWaterWeek or #IWW21.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Welcome to Boiler Tuesday [0:01]
What is a boiler? [1:01]
The history of the boiler and what is a BTU [2:26]
Detective H2O [6:00]
My boiler mentor Bruce Ketrick, CWT [12:30]
Filming Amines with Marodi Cribari [16:30]
Tannins with Louis-Philippe Cloutier [19:40]
James’ Mini-Challenge: post a picture of a firetube or a water tube boiler from an interesting angle (extra points for snapping an inside photo during an inspection) [21:30]
Quotes:
“It is amazing and started the industrial revolution, the boiler.” - Trace Blackmore
“The boiler has been my backstage pass to some of the coolest manufacturing companies in the world!” - Trace Blackmore
“There are so many boiler designs and sizes out there. What may be normal to you, may be interesting to someone in another part of the world.” - James McDonald
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Episode 51 with Bruce Ketrick
Episode 90 Filming Amines with Marodi Cribari
Episode 191 Tannins with Louis-Philippe Cloutier
Episode 203 - The One With Our Across The Pond Legionella Expert, John Sandford
Events:
Raw Materials Supply Chain Update - October 14 @5pm EST
Business Webinar with Michael Warady - @11am October 29
The US Water Treatment Conference - November 3-6
2021 NGWA Groundwater Summit - December 7-8
The time has come, we are kicking off Industrial Water Week 2021 with Pretreatment Monday!
Join us every day this week as we bring you a new podcast episode and a new
mini-challenge from the man who started this holiday for us, James McDonald.
Don’t forget to post your daily mini-challenge photos by tagging them with #IndustrialWaterWeek or #IWW21.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Industrial Water Week celebration kicks off [0:01]
James McDonald’s Industrial Water Week Welcome [2:08]
Pretreatment tips [6:30]
Interviewing James McDonald at the AWT conference [10:33]
Pretreatment Jeopardy Questions [12:58]
Detective H2O [15:40]
James’ mini-challenge: post a picture online of a softener valve assembly or RO membrane housings [26:41]
Quotes:
“It’s every industrial water treater’s favorite holiday, Industrial Water Week 2021!” -Trace Blackmore
“Industrial Water Week is about YOU working in this noble profession.” - James McDonald
“Use this is an opportunity to share themselves and share what they can do for your clients.” - James McDonald
“This holiday is awesome because it is OUR holiday!” -Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week Website
050 Day 1 of Industrial Water Week (Pretreatment)
107 Day 5 Of Industrial Water Week (Careers)
159 #IWW20 Pretreatment Monday
182 The One Where We Share How We Create The Podcast
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling UP! Nation, you know I love answering your questions, and today’s listener submitted question made me chuckle and reminisce about high school science class when we swabbed door handles, toilets, keyboards, drink fountain dispensers, and about how, when I started, I made some basic mistakes with these relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to use tests that nearly everyone in industrial water treatment community uses. Today we’re talking about dip slides
Now today I’m not covering everything there is to know about dip slides. We are going to focus on what dip slides are, how to use them so they give you accurate results, and testing for total aerobic bacteria, yeast, and mold. I could talk for days about dip slides...but something tells me you might not be as passionate about these wonderful little testing paddles as I am.
Bottom line: Today’s episode is going to teach you what you need to know about dip slides so you can get the most out of these helpful little plastic paddles.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Taking Scaling UP! H2O listener questions: dip slides [3:23]
What are dip slides and how to use them? [6:00]
What does a dip slide test for/understanding Sessile and Planktonic bacteria [8:30]
Interpreting the dip slide results/understanding the dots [15:00]
Testing your hypothesis/why are you running that test? [18:40]
What are the consistent procedures to follow when testing to get accurate results? [20:48]
Storing your dip slides [28:19]
James’ Challenge: Celebrate Industrial Water Week! You've earned it. [33:09]
Quotes:
“A dip slide can only measure planktonic, which is the stuff floating around in the water.” - Trace Blackmore
“A dip slide will not measure sessile bacteria.” - Trace Blackmore
“We only know what we can test for.” - Trace Blackmore
“Dip slides are relatively inexpensive and extremely easy to use making them very popular in the industrial water treatment community.” - Trace Blackmore
“It's up to you to decide what you are looking for, and what you need to know to make a decision on what you are going to do with those results.” - Trace Blackmore
“Remember a test is only going to prove or disprove what you think is going on in the system. If you haven't thought about why you are running this dip slide (or any test for that matter) don’t run it. It has no meaning.” - Trace Blackmore
“A mesophile is the Goldilocks of bacteria. They grow best in temperatures that are not too hot and not too cold.” - Trace Blackmore
“Don’t refrigerate your dip slides.” - Trace Blackmore
“There are so many things you can test for using different dip slides. Again, ask your supplier.” - Trace Blackmore
AquaPhoenix Scientific’s Dip Slide Video:
Dipslide Test
Links Mentioned:
Episode 10 with Jim Lukanich
Episode 75 The One That’s All About Corrosion Coupons
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
For those long-time listeners, you know that I am passionate about personal and professional development and leadership strategies, which is why I couldn’t wait to share this interview with you!
My guest today is Bill Eckstrom, he is the founder and CEO of EcSell Institute, the world’s first and only organization to measure and quantify leadership effectiveness. He is considered one of the world’s top authorities in metric-based performance coaching and growth. His book, The Coaching Effect, coauthored by EcSell Institute president Sarah Wirth, helps leaders at all levels understand the necessity of challenging people out of their comfort zone to create high-growth organizations.
Bill’s primary passion is growth. He is an expert in change management and discomfort, as made popular in his viral TEDx Talk “Why Comfort Will Ruin Your Life.” As a keynote speaker, Bill has presented to hundreds of groups and is a popular guest on podcasts and shows around the world.
Bottom line: Bill Eckstrom can help YOU be a better coach by quantifying your leadership effectiveness.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
I’ll be at AWT and why I love The Rising Tide Mastermind! [1:01]
Introducing Bill Eckstrom CEO of EcSell Institute, EcSell Athletics, and EcSell Education [10:05]
What makes a great coach [12:45]
The difference between a coach and a manager [17:12]
What do great coaches do? [20:10]
What should change in a Zoom meeting vs. in person meeting? [23:54]
How to know if a team is healthy [25:00]
What is coaching effectiveness? [31:16]
How to transition from manager to coach [38:35]
Lightning round questions [43:00]
James’ Challenge: Look for dead legs in your water systems. [56:57]
Quotes:
“Learn everything you can and share that with as many people as you come in contact with.” - Trace Blackmore
“The only way to know if a person is a great coach is to measure them.” - Trace Blackmore
“Coaches have teams.” - Bill Eckstrom
“The highest-performing coaches have one to ones every other week.” - Bill Eckstrom
“Great coaches have the discipline to do what’s right in the face of adversity.” - Bill Eckstrom
“The only way to create growth is through discomfort.” - Bill Eckstrom
“Don’t be afraid to be uncomfortable, it’s the only way to grow.” - Bill Eckstrom
“Take pride in how you’ve evolved and how your thinking has evolved.” - Bill Eckstrom
“Create a little growth every day.” - Bill Eckstrom
Connect with Bill Eckstrom:
Phone: 402.770.6100
Email: ceckstrom@ecsellinstitute.com
Website: billeckstrom.com
LinkedIn: in/billeckstrom
Links Mentioned:
TEDx Talk “Why Comfort Will Ruin Your Life.” - Bill’s TEDx Talk
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
The Coaching Effect by Bill Eckstrom
Man’s Search For Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Max Out Mindset by Dr. Larry Widman
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Hey Scaling UP! Nation, have you ever had a goal, but you got in your own way of achieving what you set out to do? Yikes, I know I’ve done that from time to time. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a way to get out of your own head and make better decisions so your relationships and company could thrive? If you answered “Yes” to either of those questions, then you are going to love today’s guest.
Let me introduce you to Larry Olsen, he is an international speaker, author, podcast host, and executive coach. Founder and CEO of Aperneo, a company focused on achievement acceleration. He has years of experience working with Fortune 50 companies, championship teams, and entrepreneurs on establishing their vision and sense of purpose.
Larry is passionate about providing individuals and teams quick, actionable guidance on how to break ingrained, ineffective habits that they did not even know were holding them back, and his best-selling book, Get a Vision and Live It, is helping people learn how to change their attitudes to align with their visions.
Bottom line: Larry knows how to bring out the best in others using neuroscience, and you can too!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Why you should be an AWT member [1:00]
How podcast sponsorship works [7:45]
Introducing our Neuroscience expert and Founder and CEO of Aperneo, Larry Olsen [8:13]
How do you help new clients? [12:12]
The difference between goals, vision, and perceptions [18:16]
Circumstances, habits, attitudes, and corrections [31:02]
Listening to others’ stories [33:49]
Growing and developing organizations [41:07]
“Get a Vision and Live It”, Larry’s book [42:06]
Lightning Round Questions [46:23]
James’ Challenge: Measure the conductivity of water entering and leaving a water softener. [51:53]
Quotes:
“When you understand how your brain works, all you can say is “WOW!” -Larry Olsen
“I can help you identify your obstacles, so you can succeed.” -Larry Olsen
“Let’s make what you’re doing even more efficient.” -Larry Olsen
“We get to choose our beliefs.” -Larry Olsen
“The only person you should never give up on is yourself.” -Larry Olsen
“You will never regret listening to others’ stories.” -Larry Olsen
“I teach people to be motivated by value.” -Larry Olsen
“When you take care of your people, your bottom line will exceed your wildest expectations.” -Larry Olsen
“My purpose is bringing out the best in others.” -Larry Olsen
Connect with Larry:
Email: success@aperneo.com
Phone: 602-510-3448
Facebook and YouTube: /aperneo.com
Instagram: @aperneo
Skype: larry@aperneo.com
LinkedIn: in/larry-r-olsen/
Links Mentioned:
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned:
Get a Vision and Live It - by Larry Olsen
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - by Stephen Covey
Start With Why - by Simon Sinek
Psycho-Cybernetics - by Maxwell Maltz
Welcome to Scaling UP! H2O, the water treaters’ podcast. For newer listeners, something I try to do at least once a month is to take listener’s calls or show suggestions and answer them in episodes we like to call “Pinks And Blues”.
I LOVE taking your questions and talking about them on the show, and today is no different. We’re talking about Concentration Ratio on today’s Pinks and Blues Episode.
Now that term might be a little confusing because there are 2 terms for the same thing: Cycles of Concentration AND Concentration Ratios. Don’t worry about it, I’m going to break down for you why I like the term “Concentration Ratio” and how using that term with your customer will help you build a better relationship with your customer.
Bottom line: Join me as we scale up our knowledge so we don’t scale up our systems.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Questions from the Scaling Up Nation [6:20]
What is Concentration Ratio? [8:44]
Concentration Ratio Math [13:45]
Putting the math to work for you [30:25]
Our responsibility to the planet as water treaters [33:14]
James’ Challenge [39:33]
For those of you driving here is the Evaporation rate in gallons per minute = 0.001 X recirculation rate X temperature differential across the cooling tower X a heat rejection factor
Quotes:
“Concentration Ratio makes your life easier.” - Trace Blackmore
“There’s only so much water on the planet.” - Trace Blackmore
“We have duty to protect all the water on this planet.” - Trace Blackmore
“If we don’t have a clean surface we cannot efficiently transfer heat from one area to another.” - Trace Blackmore
“When we can clearly communicate and explain to our customers why we do what we do, we will have less issues and happier customers.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you understand how to run ratios you don’t have to guess what’s going on in the system, you can prove what’s going on in the system.” - Trace Blackmore
“You have all the tools you need to figure out what is going on in your system.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
128 Pinks & Blues: Tonnage x3
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
As you know, we started this podcast to “Scale up our knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems”. Many of you requested to have another episode about finances, and I couldn’t think of a better person to have on the show than my company’s CFO, Mike Iverson. Mike is a CPA and owns Trillium Financial.
I think Mike’s superpower is his ability to take a very complex subject, such as ‘how much money I need to retire, and he can explain that to anyone in a language that they understand. He effortlessly gives people the tools and handles they need to be able to run their personal and business finances.
The biggest gift Mike has given me over the years is the gift of clarity. He can look at spreadsheets and glean so much wisdom from the numbers, and then he teaches me what he sees. Because of his knowledge and expertise, I can make wise business moves.
Today he is going to touch on so many topics that will help all of us scale up our knowledge, but all of them have one thing in common: finance.
Bottom line: If you make money and want to know the best things you can do for your future with your money, Mike Iverson has the perfect financial plan for you.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing my company’s CFO, Mike Iverson [8:23]
What is your outlook for post-pandemic? [15:01]
What do people need to know about retirement? [18:10]
The perfect retirement formula [28:07]
How do you save for retirement? [33:02]
The importance of a “financial checkup” [36:35]
Changing your thinking from ‘budget restrictions’ to ‘achieving your passions’ [40:35]
Lightning round questions [42:04]
James’ Challenge: Find and share parts per million (ppm) analogies (e.g., 1 minute in 2 years) [56:47]
Quotes:
“Always think: how can I set aside money for my future.” -Mike Iverson
“I learned that successful people didn’t need to know everything, they needed to know someone who knew more about the topics that they were facing.” - Trace Blackmore
“Life is too hard to do alone, that’s why I started The Rising Tide Mastermind, so you don’t have to suffer making mistakes doing everything yourself.” - Trace Blackmore
“We’ve got quite the journey ahead.” -Mike Iverson
“When it comes to finances, it’s 80% behavior and 20% math.” -Mike Iverson
“I geek out on personal finance.” -Mike Iverson
“I encourage all my business owners to invest long-term using compound interest.” -Mike Iverson
“Compound interest: There are those who understand it, and those who pay it.” - Albert Einstein
“Stay with it. Stay in it. And you will see your investments grow.” -Mike Iverson
“Start investing. Take some action.” -Mike Iverson
“There’s no time like the present. It is never too late to start investing.” -Mike Iverson
“I have an insatiable desire to learn.” -Mike Iverson
Connect with Mike:
Phone: 404-353-2148
Email: mike@trilliumfinancial.com
Website: www.trilliumfinancial.com
Links Mentioned:
Marty Stephens’ episode 205
Mike Iverson’s episode 11
The Trinity Study
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
John Lee Dumas’ “Entrepenuers on Fire” Podcast
Books Mentioned:
Procrastinate on Purpose by Rory Vaden
Simple Path To Wealth by JL Collins
Richest Man In Babylon by George Clason
Money: Master The Game by Tony Robbins
Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
Click on the image below to get 15% off of your Rocketbook order
Scaling Up Nation, I cannot wait to introduce you to Paul Edwards. We met in our Mastermind group and have learned a great deal from one another. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, “When you meet new people, you open the door to new ideas and better ways of doing things that you never would have never thought of if you stayed alone in a silo.”
Paul is a first-generation Spanish-speaking immigrant to the US with African heritage and Middle East combat experience. Paul’s lived in five different countries, speaks two languages, and holds three passports.
Paul wears many hats – he is CEO of a ghostwriting and content creation agency, bestselling author, podcast host, and one of the best people I know at networking. And if that wasn’t enough, he is a husband, father, mentor, amateur theologian, men’s physique athlete, voice mimic, and recovering insurance salesman.
Yes, Renaissance Man, Paul Edwards does a lot of things really well, but in today’s episode, he is going to speak into the power of great communication, generous networking, and authentic relationships.
When Paul isn’t writing content for clients, you’re most likely to find him building relationships and creating opportunities for his network.
Bottom line: Paul does two things well: words and people.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: Test for microbiological activity in your cooling systems. [5:22]
Introducing author, speaker, and entrepreneur, Paul Edwards [8:25]
Everyone has a book in them waiting to be written [11:50]
Effective internal and external communication [24:10]
The key to effective networking is generosity [29:10]
The power of Masterminds, shared wisdom, and relationships [35:03]
Lightning round questions [45:00]
Quotes:
“Our lives are made richer by relationships.” - Paul Edwards
“Stories are compelling and relatable.” - Paul Edwards
“The core of what we do is that we make leaders into better communicators.” - Paul Edwards
“When you have leaders who are great communicators, great things happen.” - Paul Edwards
“If you are communicating well, you should see more engagement or sales.” - Paul Edwards
“When you are vulnerable, you disarm accusers and make others feel safe.” - Paul Edwards
“If you own a business, you need to run it like you could sell it anytime.” - Trace Blackmore
“The book inside us is in the depths, not the shallow end.” - Paul Edwards
“When you are writing a non-fiction book, the most boring thing you can do is tell them facts and figures.” - Paul Edwards
Connect with Paul Edwards:
Website: www.thepaulsedwards.com
Email: pe@thepauledwards.com
Social: @ThePaulsEdwards
Paul Edward’s Published Content:
Influencer Networking Secrets
Business Beyond Business: How to Gain Magnetic Influence, Meaningful Connection and Profitable Publicity by Becoming a Radically Generous Entrepreneur
10 Secrets to Networking Sucess: How to Build a Network of Super Affiliates That Endorse and Recommend Your Brand In Only 90 Days by
Links Mentioned:
Episode 205 with Marty Stephens
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan
The Common Path to Uncommon Success: A Roadmap to Financial Freedom and Fulfillment by John Lee Dumas
Business Secrets from the Bible: Spiritual Success Strategies for Financial Abundance by Rabbi Daniel Lapin
Welcome to the water treater’s favorite podcast, Scaling Up! H2O. I’m your host, Trace Blackmore and for my long-time listeners, today’s show is going to be a little bit different because for the first time ever, I’m re-releasing one of our most listened to episodes for our newer listeners.
I recorded this show on October 27th, 2017 and upon listening to it again, I can see why it is one of our most shared and most downloaded episodes. There are so many good questions that the Scaling Up Nation submitted, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to answer them.
My hope, when I first created this podcast, was to inspire a love of learning for any of its listeners. So please join me as I answer your questions, and if you have a new question for me, please reach out, I’d love to do some research and answer your questions on a future episode!
Thank you for listening!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
What are LSI, RSI, and PSI? [5:12]
How do I attend Association Of Water Technologies (AWT) Events if I’m not a member? [14:55]
Get to know your tests [18:40]
What should clients do before a boiler inspection? [23:22]
Do I really need my Certified Water Technologist (CWT) or LEED Green Associate (LEED GA)? [28:04]
Copper and iron [32:00]
What is ORP and how do you check it? [39:15]
What is the best biocide for my cooling tower? [46:08]
What’s in Trace’s Test Kit? [53:02]
What is Magnetite? [1:01]
James’ Challenge: Calculate the softening capacity of your water softener(s) based upon incoming water. [1:10]
Quotes:
“We’re all trying to make the entire industry better.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you are sloppy on your procedures and your measurements, your margin of error is going to multiply greatly.” - Trace Blackmore
“Why would you want to be mediocre?” - Trace Blackmore
“I’m doing this show to give you a push to do something new and get better.” - Trace Blackmore
“One of my favorite things to do is to work with other water treaters.” - Trace Blackmore
“I want to make sure the show stays fun for you and stays fun for me.” - Trace Blackmore
“My goal is to pour my heart and soul into each episode.” - Trace Blackmore
“I truly enjoy teaching and inspiring people to be better than they were.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
AWT
Hatch Water Analysis Handbook
Certified Water Technologist (CWT)
LEED Green Associate (LEED GA)
PPM vs. ORP Chart
Oxidation-Reduction Potential
Rechargeable and Portable Light
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Wilfred Langelier’s Saturation pH (pHs) Equation: 12.3-(log CaH + log Malk + (0.025xC˚) – (0.011x√TDS)
Welcome to the water treaters’ favorite podcast, Scaling UP H2O! Let me introduce you to a friend of mine, Garret “Gary” Garcia. Gary is one of those people who has an incredible amount of knowledge and over the years has been incredibly generous about sharing what he knows. In today’s episode, we’re going to cover everything from new technologies in the water treatment industry to the things a company should consider before they start blending their own product and also keeping up with government regulations. It truly is a great episode!
For those who don’t know Gary, he is the Technical Director for Masters Company, Inc., and if you’ve never heard of them please check them out. MCI is a private label manufacturer to the water treatment industry encompassing test kits, reagents, blending as well as specialty chemical distribution. MCI is also a private label manufacturer for food sanitation test kits, analytical reagents, and other market segments.
And if that wasn’t enough, Gary is also the Technical Director for MCI’s LiquiLogic LLC subsidiary providing liquid ultra-concentrate products to water treatment service companies. LiquiLogic formulates and manufactures super concentrated water treatment products with No Touch dispensing systems.
Gary has been involved in AWT (Association of Water Technologies) for more than 30 years serving on several committees as well as currently being Special Project Sub-Committee Chair and Supplier Representative to the AWT Board of Directors.
Bottom line: Gary knows what it takes to make great products for water treatment professionals.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing Gary Garcia [7:11]
Beer money to purchasing a company How did you start in the business [12:20]
What does Masters offer that they can do that individuals don’t think about considerations [14:15]
What do warehouse managers need to consider when adding a new product to their line? [18:26]
What to consider when developing a new product? [19:26]
How does someone decide if they will blend for themselves or partner with a company? [20:50]
How to wisely evaluate your needs [22:02]
Keeping up with regulations [23:40]
Customer success story and funniest water treatment story [24:50]
Stop doing that! [27:30]
New technologies [29:17]
James’ Challenge: “Research Practical/Puckorius Saturation Index (PSI).” [38:04]
Quotes:
“In order to learn something that you deem important, don’t be a student of it, learn it well enough to be a professor of it.” -Trace Blackmore
“Solutions in a drum.” - Mark Lewis
“Our focus is to make things as easy as possible for our customers.” - Gary Garcia
“If our customer is out selling and growing their company, we grow by that as well.” - Gary Garcia
“I wouldn’t recommend anyone doing chemical manufacturing unless they have a background in it.” - Gary Garcia
“Doing the mixing and blending takes away from what most companies do best, selling and marketing.” - Gary Garcia
“You don’t always need to customize. Don’t rush new products.” - Gary Garcia
“Keep the product line as tight and neat as you can to save you time and money.” - Gary Garcia
“Its a challenge keeping up with regulatory all the time, you need to be aware of DOP, ETA, and everything under the Sun.” - Gary Garcia
“You never want to assume you won’t have an inspection.” - Gary Garcia
“It gives me a huge sense of fulfillment, watching our clients’ companies grow.” - Gary Garcia
“Be quiet, observe, and learn learn learn.“ - Gary Garcia
Connect with Gary Garcia :
Email: gary@masterscoinc.com
LinkedIn: company/masters-company-inc
Website: www.masterscoinc.com
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Grant Biography by Ron Chernow
Scaling Up Nation, I’m pleased to introduce you to someone that I’ve learned a great deal from over the past nine years of our friendship. He retired after working 35 years in the water treatment industry; most recently he served as Regional Manager at US Water Services and he is the Former owner of ChemTechnologies/Solen Inc. If you haven’t guessed his name yet, it is the one and only Marty Stephens.
I got to know Marty when we served on the AWT Board together. He was one of the directors who didn’t say a lot, but whenever he did, it was so profound that the room always went silent. Marty served two terms AWT Board of Directors and in that season, Marty took the time to pour back into this wonderful industry and I am personally and professionally better for it.
Marty went to college to become a physician but changed his career direction and became a successful water treatment professional. In today’s episode, he shares his career journey and gives some fantastic career advice while entertaining us with his infamous Southern euphemisms. I know you are going to enjoy today’s episode.
Bottom line: If you are considering joining the water treatment industry, Marty’s career journey is something you’ve got to hear.
Your roadside friend as you drive from client to client,
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing former AWT board member, Marty Stephens [3:50]
Getting involved with the AWT and Marty’s water treater journey [8:30]
Marty’s advice on how to have successful relationships with your customers [15:30]
The first day on the job, AKA learning from a shattered Erlenmeyer flask [21:17]
From technician to the owner [24:33]
Selling your water treatment company [33:10]
Advice for those starting in the industry [41:30]
Lightning round questions [43:33]
James’ Challenge: “When using the EDTA titration method for total hardness testing, add a couple of drops of titrant in prior to the indicator to eliminate other metal interference (but take into account those drops in total drop count or usage).” [50:24]
Quotes:
“I was taught that we all have a responsibility to give back.” - Marty Stephens
“You get out of something what you put into it.” - Marty Stephens
“Our focus should always be on the customer.” - Marty Stephens
“You are always selling, even on a service call.” - Marty Stephens
“You tend to learn more in life from the mistakes you’ve made, in your career and life.” - Marty Stephens
“It's a fatal mistake to prioritize profit over the customer experience.” - Marty Stephens
“Business should never trump a friendship.” - Marty Stephens
“Run your business like you are going to sell it tomorrow, just like your truck.” - Marty Stephens
“When two companies come together there is a lot of change. And you need to be a good broker of change in order for that to be a smooth transition.” - Marty Stephens
“In every decision you make, think: how does this affect the customer and how will it benefit them?” - Marty Stephens
“Life is better and easier when you have fun.” - Marty Stephens
“Never sacrifice character. Be true to yourself.” - Marty Stephens
“We have the best job in the world!” - Trace Blackmore
“When you get down to it, life is about relationships.” - Trace Blackmore
“A company is about people.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Marty Stephens:
Email: usws.marty.stephens@gmail.com
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
A Time To Kill by John Grisham
Good To Great by Jim Collins
Mississippi Blood by Greg Iles
One of my favorite things about this podcast is that it has allowed me to meet fantastic people. Today’s guest I met at The Hang a few months ago, and we instantly hit it off. His name is John Sandford and even though he lives 15 miles east of Oxford, and I live outside of Atlanta, our passion for water treatment has made us lifelong friends.
He has a wealth of experience and a genuine passion for improving the standards of the industry he works in. John is going to give you some insight into how our colleagues across the pond test and treat Legionella bacteria and what their government requires of them.
To give you some background, John Sandford CMIOSHis the Director of Water Hygiene Specialists at SMS Environmental. He has four offices across the U.K., and over 140 employees, over 30 years of practical and research experience in the field of water treatment and Legionella and has expertise in the application of Health and Safety in this area.
John is on the council of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), one of the founders and Health and Safety Director at SMS Environmental, and he is a UKAS accredited Legionella Risk Assessment provider which is and a national supplier of water hygiene services to over 1000 organizations across the U.K.
As many of you know, the U.S. is one of the slowest countries to create legislation around Legionella testing and mitigation. It’s only a matter of time for those changes to be written; just ask any water treater living in New York. I would encourage all my listeners to be proactive by learning what other countries are doing in the field that they work in.
Bottom line: Nation, when you are aware of what other countries are doing, you can prepare for the unknowns before your local government takes steps towards any new Legionella legislation.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing business owner and water hygiene professional, John Sandford [5:50]
Water certifications in the U.K. [14:10]
Understanding Legionella mitigations and regulations in the U.S.A. vs. U.K. [21:40]
What happens in the U.K. when the government finds a breach of health and safety? [28:50]
John’s advice on new construction, taking on a new build [39:15]
Global commonality Legionella guidance [44:45]
Lightning round questions [54:40]
James’ Challenge: “Research neutralizing amine distribution ratio.” [1:07:00]
Quotes:
“What a great industry we’ve got!” - John Sandford
“Then I knew absolutely everything. I was an expert in everything. And then 30 years down the line, I realized I don’t know anything at all.” - John Sandford
“80% of our work is Legionella related.” - John Sandford
“It’s funny, we use British thermal units in the U.S.A., but in the U.K., you use metric units.” - Trace Blackmore
“Your biggest risk in the U.K. now isn’t from Legionnaires Disease, it’s from risk of being prosecuted for not complying with the guidance and approved code of practice that surround Legionella.” - John Sandford
“New builds are a problem. I strongly believe you should be doing a water safety plan or water management plan before you’ve even broken ground.” - John Sandford
“No matter how good that company is, a good disinfection is not going to cure 18 months of mismanagement.” - John Sandford
“My advice is if you are taking on any new builds, make sure you know what the state of play is.” - John Sandford
“Plumbing is a skill.” - John Sandford
You need to manage your systems during the construction phase.” - John Sandford
“Don’t worry about it, learn about it.” - Trace Blackmore
Connecting with John Sandford of SMS Environmental Ltd.:
Email:j.sandford@sms-environmental.co.uk
Phone: 07764534984
Website:www.sms-environmental.co.uk
Links Mentioned:
101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT
102 The Other One with Colin Frayne, CWT
009 The L Word
150 The One Where We Talk Legionella Basics
151 The One Where We Talk About Legionella
152 The One Where We Talk More About Legionella
153 The One Where We Answer Your Questions About Legionella
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
Anansi Boys - Neil Gaiman
The Blade Artist - Irvine Welsh
Articles mentioned:
JOHN SANDFORD CMIOSH, ELECTED TO WMSOC COUNCIL
The Stafford outbreak of Legionnaires' disease
The control of legionella bacteria in water systems Approved Code of Practice and guidance L8
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007
Architect cleared of manslaughter over legionnaires' outbreak
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Reading Borough Council sentenced after legionella death
Fee for intervention (FFI)
UKAS Delivering Confidence in the Provision of Legionella Risk Assessments
30-day all-cause fatality subsequent to MRSA, MSSA and Gram-negative bacteraemia and C. difficile infections, 2017/18 (see page 17)
Safe water in healthcare premises (HTM 04-01)
BBC (2012) Sink taps source of infection that killed three babies
Today’s returning guest is a Career Counselor at Texas Tech University’s Career Center and one of my dearest friends, Donna Srader. Donna is back on the show to talk about the best networking strategies to use when we are not face-to-face.
You see, in March of 2020 Donna Srader, and the rest of the university staff pivoted from meeting in person to have every meeting with students, alumni, and colleagues over Zoom. She adapted quickly, and now she successfully hosts 6-10 Zoom meetings daily. She has found the best ways to conduct and participate in virtual meetings to get the most from them so that she can increase her connections with others.
Making virtual connections is hard. Donna takes the confusion, frustration, and exhaustion out of online networking and provides us with easy steps to take so we can increase our network in order to set ourselves apart and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Bottom line: Donna is going to share how to successfully grow your professional network virtually.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Reintroducing professional Career Counselor, Donna Srader [5:10]
How to best prep for your video meetings [9:30]
How to ensure we’re connecting when we are not in-person through video calls and LinkedIn [15:26]
How should we communicate when using LinkedIn and Facebook [17:50]
Connecting with others via email and snail mail [23:30]
Connecting with individuals after an event or convention [29:30]
How to make and build connections in virtual meetings [31:33]
Setting the right tone in any written communication [33:45]
Networking in a virtual world [38:46]
What are the top interview questions everyone should be prepared to answer and ask [40:19]
James Challenge: “Learn about breakpoint chlorination and perform breakpoint chlorination test on the water sample.” [45:10]
Quotes:
"Virtual meetings are such a relief to those introverts like me." - Donna Srader
"Zoom is wonderful. It lets you interrupt and ask questions". - Donna Srader
"When on a Zoom call: look at the camera, you need to have eye contact."- Donna Srader
"LinkedIn is a wonderful way to network."-Donna Srader.
“Post information on LinkedIn at least once a week. This allows you to build those relationships.” - Donna Srader
"Reach out and build relationships." - Donna Srader
“Remember that the written word is for the reader. Be Positive.” - Donna Srader
“My new year's resolution is to write a note to someone every week.” - Donna Srader
"Post something that is helpful to the readers." - Donna Srader
"Written communications require you to think about tone and wording"- Donna Srader
"People love to help, people love to give advice." - Donna Srader
"A phone call is a very old but unique and effective tool to connect with people." - Donna Srader
"You have to set goals and you have to meet those goals."- Donna Srader
Connecting with Donna:
Email: donna.srader@ttu.edu
LinkedIn: in/donnasrader
Website: depts.ttu.edu/careercenter/
Phone: (806) 742-2210
Links Mentioned:
Episode 96 Donna Srader’s first episode
CWT Study Group
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
How to Look Good in Skype Interviews - Tips & Training
Have you ever hired the wrong person at your company? Have you ever asked for a raise? Have you ever regretted not thoroughly vetting someone before you asked them to join your team? Have you ever started a new job only to walk in the door and discover that there wasn’t a computer waiting for you, that you couldn’t log into the company wifi, and the drawers to your new desk still had family photos in them from the last person who sat there? EEK.
If you answered “Yes” to any of the questions above, this episode is for you. Today my lab partner is Mike E. Hill, Managing Director of Trenton Consulting. Mike has been consulting for over 25 years and he has seen it all, companies that are great at hiring, firing, and onboarding... and the not-so-great companies. Today he is going to share what everyone needs to know if they are looking for a job or looking to hire a new employee.
If you ever want to work for a company or wish to add new hires to your company, today’s episode is for you.
Bottom line: Don’t we all want to hire the right people for the job, or work for a company that cares about your interview and onboarding experience as much as you do?
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Use your test kit to test your home's water.” [4:26]
Introducing Managing Director of Trenton Consulting, Mike E. Hill [8:26]
Why hiring is important [10:12]
How should we start the hiring process? [15:09]
How to find quality applicants? [18:55]
What is the best interview process? [22:16]
Onboarding, training, and the 90 Day Review [33:30]
Letting an employee go [39:00]
Asking for a raise [45:05]
Lightning round questions [46:09]
Quotes:
“One of the unspoken things about hiring is the cost.” -Mike E. Hill
“The cost of turnover is about 33% of the annual wage of the employee.” -Mike E. Hill
“You want to do it right and keep the turnover as low as possible.” -Mike E. Hill
“Step One: we need to know what we are hiring for.” -Mike E. Hill
“50% of companies are unready for the new employees starting their first day.” -Mike E. Hill
“The interview process is the most important part of the hiring process.” -Mike E. Hill
“Look at style and content on a resume.” -Mike E. Hill
“Begin interviews over the phone, then do a video call.” -Mike E. Hill
“There is no “perfect” candidate, but we want to find the best candidate for this job right now.” -Mike E. Hill
“The biggest mistakes employers make is not taking the time to hire quality employees.” -Mike E. Hill
“Onboarding requires a checklist.” -Mike E. Hill
"If we invest in the video training, those new employees can watch it on their off time and have better benefits.” -Mike E. Hill
“Be slow to hire, quick to fire.” -Mike E. Hill
“You need to do your due diligence in your hiring process.” - Trace Blackmore
Contact Managing Director Mike E. Hill:
Email: mike.hill@teamtrenton.com
Phone: 866-788-5966
Website: TrentonConsulting.com
YouTube: Treton Consulting’s YouTube Channel
Links Mentioned:
Episode 200
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
The Extraordinary Business by Mike E. Hill
Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey
George Washington’s Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger
Turn Washington’s Spies by TV Show
The Tehran Initiative by Joel C. Rosenberg
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Scaling Up Nation! I want to thank you for listening to 200 episodes! I have been honored to be your host of this weekly podcast over the past 4 years, and I cannot wait to bring you another 200 episodes, thank you for making the podcast what it is today!
Looking back, if you had told me when I recorded Episode 1 of The Scaling Up H2O podcast that 4 years later, I’d be celebrating our 200th Episode, I would have laughed. Creating this episode made me realize just how far the podcast has come, and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate the listeners and team that makes this weekly podcast possible.
I love this industry. Being a water treater has been an outstanding career. It’s been so good to me, and I want to return that goodness to the industry I love.
Bottom line: My mission is to raise the bar in the water treatment industry. I hope that each episode you listen to elevates you and helps you become a better water treater so that you have more enjoyment for the industry you are serving in.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Celebrating our 200th Episode by looking back at how much we have grown [0:01]
What the past 200 episodes have meant to me [6:30]
What the past 200 episodes have meant to you, our listeners [9:28]
Using the podcast as a training resource [17:10]
Water treatment is a professional profession [19:00]
Water is a finite commodity [20:00]
More thank yous [21:30]
James’ Challenge: “Run a jar study on a wastewater sample (or learn how to do one).” [29:13]
James’ Challenge BINGO Game on our Scaling Up H2O Facebook page [30:55]
Quotes:
“You can do anything you want to do, and it’s not going to be pretty the first time that you do it. The important thing is that you take the first step.” - Trace Blackmore
“Whatever you want to start, get started!” - Trace Blackmore
“I have a passion for this podcast!” - Trace Blackmore
“My dad told me whenever I thought I learned everything in this industry was the day I needed to quit because that was impossible.” - Trace Blackmore
“Congrats! You are in a job that has endless learning. You should never be bored, you should never feel that you have reached a plateau, and if you have you are not trying hard enough.” - Trace Blackmore
“Please don't fall into the day-to-day rut, there is always something else to learn and always something to get better at.” - Trace Blackmore
“The biggest thing this podcast has done is that it has created is community.” - Trace Blackmore
“My hope was this podcast was going to be your onboard companion as you go from account to account and motivate you to learn new things.” - Trace Blackmore
“The podcast showed me that my work matters, that we can get better, I’m not alone in this industry.” -Reid Hutchison
“Time flies when you’re having fun, keep up the good work.” - James McDonald
“It's been a great way to know some of the industry titans.” - Laith Charles
“The podcast acts as a constant reminder that water treaters can be impactful, and we can use the podcast as a training tool.” - Adam Sites
“Water is a very finite commodity on our planet.” - Trace Blackmore
“We as water treaters are the most inexpensive bill that our customers will ever pay. You are the most valuable vendor they have. Please make sure they know it.” - Trace Blackmore
“Scaling Up has been really good for us, it’s the place we come to for industry insights.” -Russ Baskin
“If all of us get better, the industry gets better.” - Trace Blackmore
“Trace, thank you for helping us scale up our knowledge so we don’t scale up our customer’s systems.” -Mark Lewis
Links Mentioned:
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
190 The One Where I Celebrate Four Years Of Hosting This Amazing Podcast
004 It’s Not Easy Being Green!
Scaling Up H2O Facebook Page
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Every time I talk to Chris Nagle, I learn something new. I end the conversation more curious than when we start chatting, and I feel energized and empowered to take a deeper dive, so I become a better water treater. Chris has a background in water treatment and works at Evapco, one of the largest cooling tower manufacturers in the world.
Chris is a Legionella Bacteria and Cooling Tower Expert because he took the time to comb through years of data and reports to find some truly shocking revelations. He didn’t take things at face value. He did the math and research to discover something new about Legionella Bacteria and government regulations that I think every water treater should know.
Chris is a passionate investigator and today he is going to touch on what you need to know about Legionella Bacteria transmission, Drift Eliminators, White Rust, Potable Water, Tower Plume, Distributed Water System, Seeding Events, Evaporative Cooling, Tower Louvers, and more.
If you were not able to watch Chris Nagle’s presentation at AWT’s 2020 conference, we’ve put a link to that below.
Bottom line: Chris knows his stuff and you cannot listen to today’s episode without learning something new.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Dig through the AWT (www.awt.org) website for resources (both members and nonmembers).” [5:00]
Introducing Chris Nagle, Legionella Bacteria and Cooling Tower Expert [7:00]
Understanding the 4 types of cooling towers so you can use the right program [10:42]
Ways to educate others and the Media on Legionella and Cooling Towers [17:55]
What are the government regulations around Cooling Towers and Legionella, and are they reducing the number of cases? [21:48]
The problem with the Distributed Water System [25:10]
What do we need to know about Drift Eliminators? [28:55]
Is there an amount of CFUs of Legionella bacteria that is virtually impossible to get out of a modern-day Drift Eliminator? [37:28]
How should we evaluate a Cooling Tower, and talk to our clients? [40:10]
What’s the difference between a Tower Louver and a Drift Eliminator? [45:40]
What is a Tower Plume, and can it spread Legionella Bacteria? [48:18]
What resources should every water treater read (links are below) [50:05]
What’s the one thing you want all the listeners to know? [55:12]
Lightning Round Questions [57:12]
Quotes:
“Legionella Bacteria and Legionnaires Disease is not a cooling tower problem, it’s a distributive water modern society problem.” -Chris Nagle
“We educate through data, data sharing, and education.” -Chris Nagle
“Just because we find Legionella in a cooling tower doesn’t mean it is the source of the disease.” -Chris Nagle
“It’s a slippery slope if we start copying and pasting from one regulation to the next, or we start making assumptions based on what someone else has said.” -Chris Nagle
“Legionella got its name from a Legionnaires convention in Philadelphia in 1976.” -Chris Nagle
“Legionella regulations have not produced a meaningful reduction of the disease.” -Chris Nagle
“The data shows that even if we test more often, the regulations are not helping the Legionella rates to go down.” - Chris Nagle
If we want to get at most of the disease, we need to look more broadly at all building water systems and the supply water systems.” -Chris Nagle
We used to think “How do we treat the water to stop the transmission of Legionella,” but now we can think about “How can we better equip the cooling tower, the device, so it doesn’t get out of the machine itself.” - Trace Blackmore
“Make sure you understand your system volume. We don’t want to be overfeeding.” -Chris Nagle
“We’re water treaters. We need to know how much water we are treating.” - Trace Blackmore
“Legionella Bacteria in low levels in a modern tower is not an indicator of an outbreak or potential outbreak.” -Chris Nagle
“Plume cannot create a risk for Legionella because it is water vapor, not water droplets.” -Chris Nagle
Links Mentioned:
Dr. Dick Miller's Legionella Recommendations (link to PDF)
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
186 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1
187 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2
037 The One That’s All About White Rust
137 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers, Part 1
138 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers – Part 2
116 Pinks and Blues: System Volume
Chris Nagel’s AWT 2020 presentation (YouTube 2020) Cooling Towers, Legionellosis, and Water Management Programs [TRT 59:21]
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Papers Chris Nagle recommends all water treaters read:
Chris Nagle’s AWT 2020 presentation (YouTube 2020) Cooling Towers, Legionellosis, and Water Management Programs [TRT 59:21]
IWC-08-21 Cooling Towers, Drift, and Legionellosis (Page 30)
CTI’s TP20-19 Impact of Water Surface Tension on Drift Eliminators
International Journal of Epidemiology in 1999, A Community Outbreak of Legionnaires Disease Linked To Hospital Cooling Towers, Calculating The Dose Of Exposure On Response
Journal of Infectious Disease in 2006, A Community-Wide Outbreak of Legionnaires Disease Linked To Industrial Cooling Towers, How Far Can Contaminated Aerosols Spread
CDC’s ASHRAE 188
CDC Philadelphia 1 LD Strain Update
NYC Local Law 77
On May 11, 2018, on Episode 38Mark C. Winters the author of “Rocket Fuel ” was a guest on the show and he introduced the Scaling Up Nation to Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in a blitz 100 level introductory course. Today I am pleased to have Mark C. Winters back on the podcast to walk us through his 200 level EOS course, which is all about communication.
If you are a new listener, or never had the chance to listen to Episode 38, please check it out today. It will immediately change your business, for the better.
In today’s episode, Mark C. Winters teaches us how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) can specifically help businesses of 10-250 people climb a growth path to success, start their leadership teams with clear goals in mind, and confidently lay out which employee is going to do what to accomplish the company goals.
Additionally, Mark lays out the framework on how Visionaries (those who come up with the ideas) Integrators (those who make visions happen) can communicate better to take their companies to the next level. When Visionaries and Integrators have a great partnership, there is nothing they cannot do.
Bottom line: Mark C. Winters gave my company the tools, confidence, and energy we needed to accomplish more than I could have ever envisioned before we connected.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Test free chlorine in a cooling tower immediately and again an hour later from the same open sample.” [2:55]
Reintroducing EOS expert, and author of “Rocket Fuel ”, Mark C. Winters [6:45]
Best ways for a Visionary and an Integrator to work together, communication tools [13:54]
What do business owners need to know? [34:54]
How do you go about finding an Integrator for your business? [46:08]
Rocket Fuel University tools and networking [50:22]
What’s the one thing you want everyone to know today? [55:00]
“I Said This, You Heard That “, Temperament communication strategies by Kathleen Edelman [56:08]
The 5 EOS Tools Mark uses to improve businesses [59:16]
Quotes:
“Simply said: The Visionary makes it up and The Integrator makes it happen.” - Mark C. Winters
“The worst thing we can do is to sit there stuck without moving forward.” - Mark C. Winters
“The Same Page Meeting Tool is a way to address issues. We want to be 100% aligned on the issues. Be a united front. You don’t want to have conflict in the organization.” - Mark C. Winters
“The great duos understand each other and play to how they are wired.” - Mark C. Winters
“We’re all different, the more I can understand that, the more effective we can be together.” - Mark C. Winters
“Understand each other better so we can do a better job getting to the truth and get aligned.” - Mark C. Winters
“The Accountability Chart: it’s different from an org chart because it’s not about levels and titles, it’s about who is going to do it, and where the accountabilities lie.” - Mark C. Winters
“As a business owner, you have two rights: 1.) you have your right to the shares of the profit and 2.) your voice in the major decisions of the business. You don’t have a right to be “an employee”, so if you are acting like an employee, you need to be the best solution to that issue or task.” - Mark C. Winters
“Understand who you are. And then search for your compliment on the other side of you that loves all the things you hate and stink at.” - Mark C. Winters
“The words we use are the gifts to the people who listen.” - Kathleen Edelman
“Learning about the Temperaments has been a game-changer on how I communicate” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Mark C. Winters:
LinkedIn: in/markcwinters
Links Mentioned:
038 The One That Shows Us How to Run Our Business w/ Mark Winters
Rocket Fuel Video
Rocket Fuel Tools
Visionary/Integrator Assessments
Submit a Show Idea
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
179 Another One that Teaches Us to Communicate Better with Others (Kathleen Edelman)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Kolbe Index
Culture Index
DiSC Assessment
Books Mentioned:
Rocket Fuel the Book by Mark C. Winters
Traction by Gino Wickman
Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan Sullivan
I Said This, You Heard That Study Guide by Kathleen Edelman
Strength Finder 2.0 Tom Rath and Gallup
What the Heck is EOS by Gino Wickman and Tom Bouwer
When it comes to unorthodox leadership wisdom, look no further than my guest today, Michelle Reines.
Michelle Reines is a speaker, author of the book “From Bad To Badass Leader: 12 Leadership Lessons”, executive coach, entrepreneur, founder of MDR Coaching & Counseling, Inc, and creator of the unconventional Badass Leader Brand.
Early in Michelle’s leadership journey, she was an absolute Ass as a boss, oblivious to the impact she was having on people! Perhaps, like many of you, she didn’t understand how to lead.
Today’s episode is full of Michelle’s thrills of victories and agonies of defeat, with the goal of helping you to unlock the art of leading like a Badass!
Michelle Reines’ 12 Leadership Lessons:
Lesson 1. Don’t Be An Ass
Lesson 2. Stop, Drop, Take a Selfie
Lesson 3. Let’s Talk About Trust, Baby
Lesson 4. Put Your People First
Lesson 5. Be An Epic Coach
Lesson 6. Build A Badass Team
Lesson 7. Create The Struggle
Lesson 8. Suck It Up, Buttercup
Lesson 9. Don’t Be A Kissass
Lesson 10. Be A Groupie For Your Team
Lesson 11. Expand Your Tribe
Lesson 12. Love Somebody Like You
Bottom line:
Because, when you think about it, doesn’t everyone want to be a Badass Leader or at least work for one?
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing my favorite Badass Leader, Michelle Reines [6:40]
Her journey of starting as a bad leader to becoming a Badass Leader [9:15]
How to recognize the “symptoms” of bad leadership before they become big problems [11:17]
What to do when you realize you are a bad leader [12:29]
When teams overcompensate for the bad leadership [14:18]
Platinum Style Coaching [16:12]
The Peter Principal [18:00]
Michelle’s cataclysmic fall from grace, AKA the day the whole team walked out [20:32]
What are human metrics that should be on your leadership scorecard [24:07]
The 12 Leadership Lessons in Michelle’s book [29:45]
Scaling Up Badass Leader Gift Page [38:08]
Lightning Round Questions [40:43]
James’ Challenge: “Research chlorine dioxide.” [47:45]
Quotes:
“Badass is not a bad word, and being a Badass Leader is actually a strength.” - Michelle Reines
“Leadership is a choice; it is not a title.” - Michelle Reines
“If your office has a revolving door on it, it’s probably your leadership.” - Michelle Reines
“If your time is being spent repetitively solving conflicts, it’s probably a leadership issue.” - Michelle Reines
“If your phone is ringing off the hook and you’re constantly dealing with customer complaints, it’s probably a leadership issue.” - Michelle Reines
“Invest in yourself.” - Michelle Reines
“In this day and age, there is no excuse for failing to develop yourself.” - Michelle Reines
“You need critical feedback to develop our teams and ourselves.” - Michelle Reines
”Great leaders focus on people development.” - Michelle Reines
“Instead of making the mistake and assuming you are better than the person in charge, it’s important to manage your ego and ambition and find a way to partner for success instead of competing with the leader.” - Michelle Reines
“Leadership is a choice, it’s not a title.” - Michelle Reines
“You have to prioritize people over performance.” - Michelle Reines
“Give sugar-free feedback.” - Michelle Reines
“Peers are partners, not competitors.” - Michelle Reines
“We cannot be the best leaders if we are not taking care of ourselves and our families.” - Michelle Reines
“There’s nothing more important than spending time with those you love.” - Michelle Reines
12 Leadership Lessons Graphic:
Connect with Michelle Reines:
Website: badassleader.com
LinkedIn: in/michelledreines
Twitter: @MichelleReines
Phone: (949) 378-4242
Email: michelle@badassleader.com
MDR Coaching & Consulting, Inc website: mdr4you.com
Links Mentioned:
363 For Leaders Assessment
177 The One Where Disney Meets Water Treatment (with Dennis Snow)
194 The One Where We Learn About Productivity Tools (with Danny Bauer)
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
From Bad To Badass Leader: 12 Leadership Lessons by Michelle Reines
The Five Minute Journal
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The New One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson MD
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
Emotional Intelligence 2.0 by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Pat Lencioni
Hey Scaling Up Nation! It’s your weekly host, Trace Blackmore. In today’s episode, I answer your questions about communication, healthy habits, being a good listener, and share a story that I hope causes you to reflect on why we work and who we work for
I love that so many of our listeners submit show ideas for us, and after looking through dozens of show idea suggestions, I noticed one overarching theme emerge: communication. Good communication can help every relationship you are in from your family members to your clients. Good communication is never “accomplished” like clicking a check box, it is maintained and never ends.
One of the things I’m going to dive into today is a book that changed not only my communication style but also how I systematize my life for the better, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopleby Stephen Covey. As a reference, here are those 7 habits:
-
- Be proactive
- Begin with the end in mind
- Put first things first
- Think Win/Win
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood
- Synergize
- Sharpen the saw
After listening to today’s episode, I challenge you to get excited when you meet someone who doesn’t agree with you because you will leave the conversation better for it.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Scaling up our knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems [1:25]
Upcoming events [2:05]
Better communication by “Minding The Gap” [3:55]
Why I don’t talk politics [5:09]
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [6:55]
The art of conversation [11:40]
James’ Challenge: “Explain to a non-technical person how a compression chiller works.” [18:20]
The story of the fisherman and the businessman [21:45]
Quotes:
“Having a solid foundation grounded in your values, ambitions, and personal creed allows you to not be threatened by other people's ways of thinking.” - Trace Blackmore
“When you get in a situation where someone does not agree with you, you should instantly say “Yippee, this is my opportunity to learn something from a different point of view than somebody else.” - Trace Blackmore
“I try not to talk about politics. Politics is frequently used as a shield, not a bridge.” - Trace Blackmore
“We need to build a bridge to fill in the communication gap.” - Trace Blackmore
“I think too many people are scared of having their minds changed.” - Trace Blackmore
“If you know something and keep it to yourself, what good is it?” - Trace Blackmore
“The best way to learn something is to learn it with the mindset that you are going to immediately teach someone else.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Books Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
My guest today is Dr. Michael Reinert, an Enterprise Architecture expert and the owner of Reinert Consultingwhich is the company I use for my Information Technology needs.
Now you may be asking yourself, “What is Enterprise Architecture and why would my company even need to hire someone to manage my information?” We are going to answer those questions and so many more on today’s episode.
As a Navy veteran who operated nuclear power plants, a Ph.D. in information sciences and technology, and an entrepreneur, Dr. Michael Reinert has a refreshingly unique perspective on information and technology. He uses the language of business rather than technical jargon to communicate with his clients and brings alignment of business needs with information and technology needs. An entrepreneur, enterprise architect, speaker, and teacher, Michael helps companies remove doubt about decision making and protecting their important information assets.
Confession: I’m a great water treater, but until I met Michael, I didn't know HOW or WHY I needed to protect my company’s digital information.
Bottom line:
Today’s episode is going to help you understand the immense value of your company’s information, and Dr. Michael Reinert will give you a strategy to protect it.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Our 200th episode is coming up please let us know what the show has meant to you and your show ideas [2:50]
James’ Challenge [4:00] “Use your sense of touch to determine which softener vessel is online, if the chemical is pulsing through feed tubing, etc., and report back.”
Introducing Dr. Michael Reinert [7:00]
it vs IT [15:49]
Enterprise Architecture [19:08]
How should a water treatment company manage its Information Technology? [26:05]
Cybersecurity and the Dark Web, what you need to know about risk mitigation [33:58]
What bottom-line things do the listeners need to know about Information Technology and Cybersecurity? [49:28]
Lightning Round Questions [53:30]
Quotes:
“I.T., make those two letters small, and it’s just the basic word “it”, but if you capitalize those letters you are talking about a global phenomenon that has changed the whole world.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“IT also represents one of the most powerful forces on the planet. computer hardware and software used to manage and communicate information.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“IT, it’s about information and it’s about technology, we need to take both parts seriously and not just talk about technology.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Enterprise Architecture. It’s a business strategy with information strategy and technology strategy.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
As an Enterprise Architect, I capture information in drawings to make maps and mental models of the work my clients are doing.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Rethink what your company’s information is, and the value it has.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Think of your information as an asset at your company.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“We need to view our company’s information as an asset.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Cybercriminals are attacking your technology to get to your information, ultimately that’s where your value lies.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Cybersecurity is risk management. You need to manage it just like any other business risk.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“In the old days we made firewalls, then better firewalls, and antivirus software, but over time we keep coming back to the same answer to solve our security issues- we need to teach people .” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Build a company culture around security awareness.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“The Dark Web is a dark street or the wild west of the internet, it’s a lawless part of the internet where lots of criminal activity happens.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“If you use the same password or a slight variation, cybercriminals can easily access your information.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
“Once these cybersecurity hacks occur, it’s easy for cybercriminals to access people’s information and impersonate them online.” - Dr. Michael Reinert
Links Mentioned:
Get a FREE Cybersecurity assessment from Michael Reinert’s company
194 The One Where We Learn About Productivity Tools (with Danny Bauer)
165 The One All About Cyber Security (with Keyaan Williams)
193 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation! ABC (Always Be Closing)
Anagrammer.com
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Connect with Michael Reinert:
Website: reinertconsulting.com
Email: mike@ReinertConsulting.com
Phone: (814) 441 6100
LinkedIn: in/MichaelReinert
Books Mentioned:
The Speed of Trust by Stephen M.R. Covey and Rebecca Merrill
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Podcast Guest Profits by Thomas M. Schwab
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
If you want to get better, you need to surround yourself with people who don’t shy away at telling what you NEED to hear, not what you WANT to hear. My guest today is such a person. And between you and me, having him on the show is a bit selfish, because I want to hear how he maximizes every day to ensure his personal objectives are accomplished.
Today’s guest is Daniel “Danny” Bauer. Danny and I met through our Mastermind several years ago and over the years I’ve been in awe of his productivity. When he sets out a goal for himself he always reaches the finish line.
Danny Bauer is the Chief Ruckus Maker at Better Leaders Better Schools(BLBS). He launched the BLBS Podcast in September 2015. With over one million downloads, the BLBS show is the most influential podcast available for educational leaders.
He is the author of The Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap, which was released as an Amazon #1 New Release, and he is working on a new book tentatively titled: The Mastermind: Unlocking the Potential Within Every School Leader.
He is a catalyst for change and he uses his passion for productivity to teach coaches, businesses, teams, and professionals the skills they need to ensure their objectives become reality.
Bottom line: If you want to improve your productivity, Danny has the tools you need to make it happen.
In the words of today’s guest, keep making a ruckus,
-Trace
Danny Bauer will walk us through this Focus Funnel
Can I eliminate a task?/Do I have to do it?
Can a robot do this better?/Can it be automated?
Can another human do this better than me?/Can I delegate this?
What if I procrastinate on purpose?
If you cannot procrastinate, you have to concentrate.
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Convert 300 mg/L Nitrite (as NO2) to Nitrite (NaNO2).” [3:50]
Introducing my friend and the Chief Ruckus Maker, Danny Bauer [6:26]
The value of being in a Mastermind group together [14:15]
Better Leader Better Schools [18:52]
Core Values, Sticky Values, your Own Personal Philosophy, and investing in yourself [19:38]
Productivity tools, Focus Funnel, and always getting better [25:35]
Objectives, Key Results, and Time Blocking [33:23]
The one thing you want Scaling Up Nation to know [40:33]
Lightning Round Questions [42:48]
Quotes:
“When you force yourself to learn something new, you force yourself to grow.” - Trace Blackmore
“I realized that I was my own bottleneck and I created my own ceilings.” - Daniel Bauer
“Authenticity, belonging, and a challenging environment, that leads to life in leadership transformation.” - Daniel Bauer
“If you are considering joining a Mastermind group. If you have been testing the waters, dive in, what’s the worst thing that could happen?” - Daniel Bauer
“Leadership is easy when things are going well, but that’s not most days. You need to find a north star to pull you through those hard times.” - Daniel Bauer
“Integrity, authenticity, honesty... we all expect that from a business, and it’s not remarkable.” - Daniel Bauer
“Be an intentional catalyst.” - Daniel Bauer
“Each day I try to end it knowing it was better than the last.” - Trace Blackmore
“Get clarity on what matters and what doesn’t.” - Daniel Bauer
“I ask myself: Is this related to one of my objectives or not? If it isn’t one of my big objectives, it drops way down the list... if it even makes the list.” - Daniel Bauer
“I score myself each day only on the tasks related to my biggest objectives, and if I completed them or not.” - Daniel Bauer
“I focus on the big picture, even if I measure in the micro.” - Daniel Bauer
“Time blocking. Gift yourself that deep work time throughout the week. You will get so much more done.” - Daniel Bauer
“You are not going to save the world. You’re not going to run the best business if you’re always in your inbox responding to whatever activity is in there.” - Daniel Bauer
“My challenge to you after listening to this podcast: If you have your notifications on, turn off notifications now. Put the phone on silent. Turn off notifications on your computer. All these things are designed to take your focus away from whatever important stuff you are doing.” - Daniel Bauer
“Scrolling through email inbox and social media is just a distraction from the harder and emotional labor that is going to provide greater value for your business and clients later.” - Daniel Bauer
“Examine the issue. Don’t just look at the surface.” - Daniel Bauer
“The next time you are trying to solve an issue, spend time trying to get at what that issue is and what that is behind that issue?” - Daniel Bauer
“When you can talk with other people about issues you are having in business and personal. You can get to the next level faster, that’s what a Mastermind is.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
5 Easy Questions That Will Help You Be More Productive
Roomba
Stanford study about multitasking
Anagrammer.com
Calendly Scheduling Tool
Convert Kit
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Connect with Daniel “Danny” Bauer:
Website: betterleadersbetterschools.com
Email: daniel@betterleadersbetterschools.com
Instagram: @alienearbud
Twitter: @alienearbud
Books Mentioned:
The Better Leaders Better Schools Roadmap by Daniel Bauer
Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time by Rory Vaden
Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin
This Is Marketing by Seth Godin
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
Measure What Matters by John Doerr
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander
The Dream Manager by Matthew Kelly
The 12 Week Year
Atomic Habits
Today I’m talking about sales. I know, I know, sales can sometimes feel like an icky word, but an excellent salesperson is a professional who is always trying to solve their clients’ problems, instead of trying to sell them a product. And before we can help our clients find solutions, we need to be able to clearly share Why we do it, Howwe do it, and What we do.
In this podcast I’m going to walk us through the lessons I learned after reading Simon Sinek’s fantastic book, “Start With Why.” This book changed how I sell because it helped me understand why water treatment is so important, to begin with. And the book made me realize that if I couldn’t put my deep feelings of love and admiration for water into words, I’ll never be able to clearly express to a client why water treatment is essential.
In the book, Simon Sinek’ writes about “The Golden Circle”, which I’m going to break down for you in detail in the podcast but I wanted you to have this visual as a reference.
Bottom line: This podcast is going to give you the tools you need to share with your clients why we love working in the best profession in the world.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Applying Simon Sinek’s The Golden Circle to water treatment:
Why: We exist to promote the stewardship of the world's most valuable substance, water.
How: We optimize how water works in your system by promoting its longevity and efficiency. We reduce our customers operating costs and water usage.
What: We are a water treatment company.
Behavior: Let us do your water treatment.
Timestamps:
I love sales [6:30]
Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle [8:15]
How our brains process information [12:45]
Measuring your sales with key metrics [16:42]
The importance of a good CRM [22:15]
James’ Challenge: “Research Ryznar Saturation Index (RSI)” [24:15]
One of my favorite things to teach: LSI, RSI, PSI [25:55]
Quotes:
“I love being a salesperson.” - Trace Blackmore
“Salespeople today are more professional because our customers are more professional, which means we always need to be at the top of our game.” - Trace Blackmore
“Solve your clients’ issues instead of selling them a product.” - Trace Blackmore
“You don’t just need company core values, you need to have your own personal core values.” - Trace Blackmore
“We know that our industry is more than just a commodity.” - Trace Blackmore
“Lagging metrics is easy to record because it has already happened. Leading metrics are indicators of future performance.” - Trace Blackmore
“LSI, RSI, PSI were the first things I dove into when I started teaching math. I like to think about why the equation is set up the way it is and work backward.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Simon Sinek’s The Golden Circle Presentation
182 The One Where We Share How We Create The Podcast
Submit a Show Idea
The Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
139 The One With CRM Expert, Resa Gooding
Books Mentioned:
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
It’s a joy to have Paule Genest (Jen-nes) on the show this week to talk about marketing. She is the founder and President of PGPR, specializing in coaching and growing your company’s communications, marketing, and public relations department, elevating your team to the next level.
Paule Genest is Co-Chair of WOW (Women of Water at the AWT- Association of Water Technologies). Over the past 35 years, Paule has worked in public, private, cooperative, and philanthropic. Her clients, and I, particularly appreciate her creative spirit, her human approach to business, her kindness, and her great ability to connect people and rally them around a common vision to promote the influence of targeted projects.
Furthermore, she is an adjunct professor at Université de Montréal and Université de Sherbrooke, she teaches Social Responsibility and Public Relations. She holds a bachelor's degree in administration and marketing and holds the PRP (Professional in Public Relations) and ARP (Accredited Public Relations Professional) designations.
Bottom line: Paule Genest is by far the best marketing person in the water treatment industry. Today, please listen to the things she shares with you, and if you do only one or two of them, your business’ marketing is going to be miles above everyone else’s. I urge you to start working on your marketing plan today.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing Paule Genest, Accredited Public Relations Professional, Coach, Professor, and Co-Chair of WOW (Women of Water at the AWT- Association of Water Technologies) [6:50]
An introduction to marketing [12:49]
What KPIs should we look at in a marketing campaign? [25:08]
How to lead a great marketing meeting [27:00]
What are some of Paule’s favorite marketing campaigns? [32:21]
How to start marketing [36:05]
How to budget for a marketing campaign [39:50]
Lightning Round Questions [45:34]
James’ Challenge: “Calculate Holding Time Index (HTI) of a cooling tower.” [51:55]
Quotes:
“Anything that has helped me on my career path, I put on this show.” -Trace Blackmore
“Paule Genest is by far the best marketing person in the water treatment industry.” -Trace Blackmore
“Life without water is not a life, water is essential.” - Paule Genest
“All of us will be a “marketer” at some point in our lives.” - Paule Genest
“Research is at the heart of everything in marketing.” - Paule Genest
“If you don’t know your client’s needs, you cannot meet their needs. Take the time to listen.” - Paule Genest
“When we implement a strategy, it’s all about sharing the good news and learning from our mistakes.” - Paule Genest
“My favorite marketing campaigns move me; they make me cry or laugh.” - Paule Genest
“A brand is a promise.” - Paule Genest
“A step that is frequently overlooked, is the maturing of your launch. I stress soft launches with a small target audience to see if you hit your target. It gives you a chance to reassess, reinforce, or change your content.” - Paule Genest
“Be present and visible in the market.” - Paule Genest
“Return on investment and influence is key.” - Paule Genest
“We need to find a breakthrough idea and build around it. Stand out and be proud of what it is that you are and what you do.” - Paule Genest
Connect with Paule Genest:
Website: en.pgpr.ca
LinkedIn: in/paulegenest
Links Mentioned:
Foundation Maman Dion
Submit a Show Idea
Rising Tide MasterMind
Celeste Headlee - 10 ways to have a better conversation from TED Talks
Books Mentioned:
Playing To Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin
Live Big: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Passion, Practicality, and Purpose by Ajit Nawalkha
Stand Out: How to Find Your Breakthrough Idea and Build a Following Around It by Dorie Clark
The Elin Hilderbrand Collection: Volume 2: Nantucket Nights and The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand
Welcome to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast, where we scale up our knowledge, so we don’t scale up our systems.
Today’s guest is TGWT (Tannin Guys Water Treatment) President & Chief Executive Officer located in beautiful Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, Louis-Philippe Cloutier. Louis has fifteen years of experience working as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board at TGWT, and since TGWT started in 2005 he has been a knowledgeable and passionate advocate for using tannin in water treatment.
Louis has been honored with several awards and accommodations including Best Startup Award for TGWT, Sustainable Supplier Of The Year Award, and Eurêka Award Winner: Public and para-public categories.
Bottom line: Louis-Philippe Cloutier knows how to run a successful water treatment business and one of those keys to his success is using tannin.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
Louis-Philippe Cloutier shares the history of tannin [6:40]
Tannin and food safety: FDA Approved, Organic Certified, and Kosher Certified [17:02]
Tannin chemistry [18:30]
Feeding the tannin [21:30]
Advantages switching to tannins, and operating parameters [24:08]
Why have you used tannin since 2005? [35:59]
What’s the strangest thing to happen to you since you started doing water treatment? [44:10]
Lightning Round questions [45:45]
James’ Challenge: “Question every chemical product you use at each location to ensure they are the best choice for the application.” [53:10]
Quotes:
“Our purified tannin triples cycles in steam boilers. It reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gases.” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“Tannin is a natural extract. There are 3,000 species of tannin. The species we use comes from the bark of trees. It has to be purified to become a purified tannin.” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“Pressure. Temperature. Purification.” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“Tannin replaces your sulfite and your polymer/disbursement.” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“Tannin will interlink with the magnetites and form a thinner and more robust film on metal than the usual products.” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“Tannin is Green Chemistry. It is FDA Approved, Organic Certified, and Kosher Certified” - Louis-Philippe Cloutier
“It’s the best career out there. I don’t know why anyone would want to do anything else, other than water treatment.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Louis-Philippe Cloutier:
Website: www.tgwt.com
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea
Rising Tide MasterMind
Books Mentioned:
Scaling Up by Vern Arnish
Playing To Win by A.G. Lafley and Roger L. Martin
The first time I heard a podcast, I was hooked. I fell in love with a free platform where you could learn as you drove to client's businesses, while mowing the lawn, or simply taking a walk around the block.
One of my core beliefs is that you should constantly be learning and helping others learn, so in April of 2017, after a great deal of support and coaching, I decided to start a podcast 'by water treaters for water treaters.' I opened Episode 1 with the following line: "The goal of this podcast is to bring you topics that will expand your general water treatment knowledge, inform you about the industry, and simply have fun around the industry we have chosen to be in."
After four years of hosting this podcast, I've learned so much, created a great team, and met people I never dreamed I'd get the chance to meet, let alone interview. I am humbled and grateful you choose to listen to this podcast each week.
This can be a lonely industry. This can be a hard industry. We want you to get it right. We at Scaling UP H2O are here to equip you with the knowledge you need to succeed and build a community of water treatment professionals.
Thank you, Scaling UP Nation! We wouldn't have the show without YOU! I'm humbled and honored to be your roadside friend as you travel from client to client.
-Trace
Timestamps:
How the podcast started and the people who help make it happen [0:20] What are your top four Successes, Challenges, Opportunities, and Lessons Learned from the podcast? [15:05]
If you knew then, what you know now, would you have started the podcast? [33:49]
If my Dad were still alive today, would he listen to the Scaling UP H2O Podcast? [35:05]
Why do you release the podcast on Fridays? [36:50]
Would you ever consider doing a daily podcast? [38:29]
James' Challenge: "Learn how a chemical dosing pump works." [41:09]
Why do you think the podcast is so successful? [43:10]
Quotes:
"The goal of this podcast is to bring you topics that will expand your general water treatment knowledge, inform you about the industry, and simply have fun around the industry we have chosen to be in." -Trace Blackmore, Episode 1 of Scaling UP H2O
"The biggest challenge is: You don't know what you don't know." -Trace Blackmore
"When you decide you want to start a podcast and keep your day job, it's a challenge, but over the last four years we have never missed an air date." - Trace Blackmore
"My mission statement: have the podcast be the catalyst to raise the bar in the water treatment industry." - Trace Blackmore
"Don't be afraid to start something new." -Trace Blackmore
"Don't be afraid to ask for help." -Trace Blackmore
"I now have a team helping me get further faster." -Trace Blackmore
"The number one reason why this podcast is so successful: You, You, You, You!" -Trace Blackmore
"I'm so humbled that we have so many listeners week after week." -Trace Blackmore
"This can be a lonely industry. This can be a hard industry. We want you to get it right. We're here to equip you with the knowledge you need to succeed and to build a community of water treatment professionals." - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
001 A New Podcast for Water Treaters
004 It’s Not Easy Being Green!
008 The One with Conor Parrish
186 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 1
187 The One Where Conor Parrish Interviews Me, Part 2
176 The One About Tagged Polymer Technologies (with Mike Standish)
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
182 The One Where We Share How We Create The Podcast (with Sean Dooley and Lauren Vonfeldt)
Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award
Rising Tide Mastermind
Today's guest is Bob Niemiec (KNEE-mick), Managing Partner at Twisthink, a digital innovation partner working to help companies bring their new products or services to life. Through hands-on partnerships fueled by strategic insight, human-centered design, and advanced technology, the Twisthink team has consistently unlocked game-changing opportunities for clients. Bob Niemic and Tinktwist are entirely devoted to creating the ideal user experience, which allows their customers to become leaders in their industries and accelerate growth.
We're going to take a deep dive into how to bring innovation into our companies, what it takes to build a great team, how AI can help us achieve our goals, and why Lean Management and Human-Centered Design are crucial to any company.
Thank you, Bob, for coming on the show, sharing your insight and expertise, so we are equipped to rise above the mediocre grind and elevate ourselves to see a company's bright future driven by human-centered design.
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,
-Trace
Timestamps:
Introducing Bob Neimic's game-changing approach to think differently [03:00]
Great teams: Bringing together multiple skillsets and generations in the workplace [07:45]
Operational excellence and innovational excellence [12:57]
Lean Management and Human-Ceneted Design [20:51]
What are the payoffs of innovation excellence? [24:05]
What inspires your clients? [34:01]
What's the biggest mistake you see your clients make? [37:30]
What's the big takeaway you want people to know? [40:32]
Lightning Round Questions [43:25]
James' Challenge: "Check makeup water for ammonia." [49:05]
Quotes:
"Innovate. Accelerate. Grow" - Bob Neimic
"There is nothing harder and more worthwhile than developing a great team." - Bob Neimic
"You cannot grow without change." - Trace Blackmore
"Operational excellence secures the present. Innovational excellence secures the future." -Roger Milliken
"The skill of design or industrial design is a way to raise the bar for innovational excellence." - Bob Neimic
"Human-Centered Design: Discovery, Analyze, Create, Develop." -Bob Neimic
"Now more than ever, we need to take advantage of the digital age." - Bob Neimic
"More empathy is critically important right now." - Bob Neimic
"We cannot claim to be innovational excellent without diversity." - Bob Neimic
Connect with Bob Neimic:
LinkedIn: in/robertniemiec
Links Mentioned:
The Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA)
Charity Water - A nonprofit that deploys pumps to regions of the world where there is no access to clean drinking water, on a mission to end the water crisis
A Practical Guide to Understanding AI
Rising Tide MasterMind
Submit a Show Idea
024 LSI, RSI, and PSI
Books Mentioned:
Start With Why
So You Want To Talk About Race
Are you considering making a career change to become a water treatment professional? Are you feeling burnt out and overwhelmed in your first year working as a water treater? Or are you navigating how to retire from a life spent working in the water treatment industry? If so, today’s podcast is for you.
Our guest is fellow Mastermind member and Continuous Improvement enthusiast Shawn McGrade. Shawn started as a building engineer and decided six years ago to become a successful water treater. Today we will discuss his water treatment journey, how he became the top sales rep at his former water treatment company, the importance of mentors, continually developing yourself, and some things he wished he would have known the first year starting in this remarkable industry.
Being a water treater is an incredible privilege. Our clients allow us to see behind the curtain, revealing to us fortunate few how things are made. They trust us to make the right call so they can keep doing what they need to do. Water treaters are crucial to a wide variety of facilities, and thankfully there are people like Shawn McGrade and our Scaling UP! H2O listeners who daily demonstrate to their clients the importance and benefits a great water treater can be to their company. Nation! Thank you for being astounding at what you do!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,
-Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Research Langelier Saturation Index (LSI).” [05:01]
Changing professions, Shawn’s journey to becoming a successful professional water treater [07:02]
An average day as a water treater [23:00]
What should we be doing when selling new accounts? [31:05]
Joining the Rising Tide Mastermind for continuous development [35:04]
What are the best ways one can be successful in the water treatment industry? [45:40]
What advice do you have for those looking at a career change? [47:02]
The importance of mentors [49:30]
Resources to help you become a better water treater [57:20]
Lightning Round Questions [62:01]
Quotes:
“I looked at water treatment as an opportunity to make something of myself and take things to the next level.” - Shawn McGrade
“Being patient, cordial, sharing things in laymen’s terms are crucial when communicating with customers.” - Shawn McGrade
“The day-to-day is never the same, and as water treaters, we need to wear a lot of hats to be successful and bring value to your customers.” - Shawn McGrade
“If you sit back and let your client show you what they do, let them walk you around the plant, it’s a huge way to build trust and build that relationship.” - Shawn McGrade
“We get the front row seat to see how it’s made. To get those private tours, to see how it’s made, it is priceless.” - Shawn McGrade
“If we learn something from each experience, then that means we are going to get better the next time that opportunity comes around.” -Trace Blackmore
“If we keep doing what we’ve always done, pre-COVID, we will never be successful in the future. We need to change our sales techniques to the new climate.” -Trace Blackmore
“You have to be dedicated and committed in order to be successful.” - Shawn McGrade
“Normally we are busy working ‘in’ the business, and Mastermind allows us to work ‘on the business and ‘on’ ourselves. “ - Trace Blackmore
“The advice I’d give to any water treater is to: Be patient. Don’t get overwhelmed. Invest in yourself. And to educate yourself to feel confident in those technical topics.” - Shawn McGrade
“Let’s encourage more women to be in the water treatment industry.” - Shawn McGrade
“When you are with a customer and don’t know the answer, don’t lie. Integrity is everything in this business. Look it up and get back to them.” - Shawn McGrade
Connect with Shawn McGrade:
LinkedIn: in/shawn-mcgrade-08187114a
Links Mentioned:
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea For Our Podcast
Association of Women in Water, Energy & Environment
Wim Hof Cold Therapy
Books Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The 12 Week Year
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 118
Traction
The Miracle Morning
The Advantage
The Success Principles
Can’t Hurt Me
Podcasts Mentioned:
Lewis Howes
Dr. Rhonda Patrick
Joe Rogan
Nation! For those of you who are new to the podcast, I started it as a passion project, and it has grown to become a trusted resource for water treaters around the world. I believe that you should share what you know so that you can enhance others; that is why I make the podcast every week. I'm honored that you've chosen to listen every week as you drive from client to client.
Today's episode is Part Two of a two-part series where I am the one in "the hot seat" interviewed by fellow Mastermind member Conor Parrish. It is an honor to have such a highly-regarded water treatment professional interview me. Conor received his CWT (Certified Water Technologist) certification through AWT (Association of Water Technologies) three years ago and has been in the industry for six years.
You submitted the questions Conor asks me today, our listeners, so if ever you've had a question you'd like answered on the show, please click the Show Ideas tab at the top of the page and let us know how we can help you 'scale up your knowledge, so we don't scale up our systems.'
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,
-Trace
Timestamps:
James' Challenge: "Measure the pH of DPD free chlorine test after reagent addition." [1:45]
What is your daily routine? [5:02]
What are the most significant changes you've observed over time in the water treatment industry since you began in the 1990s? [8:30]
What will the future look like for water treatment professionals? [15:30]
What is the most embarrassing thing you've done as a water treatment professional? [20:25]
If you could have a beer with any historical figure, who would you choose? [27:20]
What are some of your favorite non-business books? [29:30]
What are some of your favorite SCUBA stories? [33:40]
What are some of your favorite podcasts? [43:30]
Quotes:
"I decide what I want to say "Yes" to on my calendar by saying "No" to the things that are not important." - Trace Blackmore
"Our water equipment is getting smarter, and today we're able to make program decisions based on that data." - Trace Blackmore
"There is so much we can do today that we were not able to do in the 1990s, thanks to water treatment technology." - Trace Blackmore
"There is only so much water. And because of that, we need to utilize it properly." - Trace Blackmore
"Without a doubt, the 2030 water treaters' job will be to make sure they are as efficient as possible in their water usage. I think that is going to be their primary job." - Trace Blackmore
"Our careers and industry are here to stay, and change isn't something we need to be afraid of as a water treatment professionals." - Trace Blackmore
"Water conservation and energy conservation will become crucial in the future." - Trace Blackmore
"I believe that you should share what you know so that you can enhance others; that's what podcasts do." - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Conor Parish:
LinkedIn: in/conor-parrish-cwt-15208251
Links Mentioned:
116 Pinks and Blues: System Volume
183 The One Where We Talk About Artificial Intelligence
Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a Show Idea
Podcasts Mentioned:
The Tim Ferris Show
Passive Income - Pat Flynn
The Way I Heard It - Mike Row
Manager Tools Podcast
Books Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The Speed of Trust byStephen R. Covey
The Hunt For Red October by Tom Clancy
A Game Of Thrones Books by George R.R. Martin
Hey Scaling Up Nation! Fellow Mastermind member Conor Parrish is interviewing me in part one of a two-part series starting today. Conor Parrish is Director of Business Development at FCT Water Treatment. He attended Drake University, graduated with a degree in Environmental Science, and then moved to Colorado to take an opportunity with FCT Water. He has his CWT and has been in the industry for 6 years; it is a privilege to have him on the show.
For those who have been longtime listeners, you’ll know that I was hoping that my staff would listen to it when I started the podcast. I never imagined that what began as a passion project would turn into something that thousands of water treaters listen to each week.
I am humbled and honored to be the host of this podcast. It has allowed me to teach and give back to the professional water treatment industry I care about so much.
I hope you enjoy today’s episode!
Your roadside friend, as you travel from client to client,
- Trace
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Determine the volume of a cooling or closed loops system by calculation and tracer addition.” [5:25]
Conor Parrish interviews Trace Blackmore [7:30]
Why do you do the podcast each week? What is your motivation? [8:50]
What was the most challenging podcast you’ve ever created? [11:14]
How has the podcast evolved since 2017? [14:48]
As the show evolved, what are some of the changes you’ve seen when asking guests to be on the show or what topics guests want to discuss? [19:00]
What have listeners told you about the impact of this podcast? Anything new on the podcast that we can look forward to it? [21:20]
How do you balance all of your commitments? [28:25]
What advice would you give to a water treater feeling burnout in their job? [45:50]
Trace’s Challenge: When was the last time you worked on your leadership style? [52:55]
Quotes:
“I love this podcast because it allows me to teach others about water treatment.” - Trace Blackmore
“The podcast and Mastermind allow me to help raise that bar in the water treatment industry.” -Trace Blackmore
“The reason the Scaling UP! H2O podcast is a success is because I have such great guests!” - Trace Blackmore
“One of the bad things about this podcast is that there is a lot of technology needed, and I am a technology junkie, so I’m always wanting to buy that next new gadget to make the show better.” - Trace Blackmore
“I’m humbled and pleased that people enjoy the podcast.” - Trace Blackmore
“Whenever someone asks me to do something, I always ask myself: If I say “Yes” to this, what am I inherently saying “No” to?” - Trace Blackmore
“Have you ever been too busy driving to stop for gas?” - Stephen Covey
“When you put a value on your time, you realize what the cost is when you’re doing something else.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Conor Parrish:
Website: fcwater.com
Links Mentioned:
166 The One Where We Celebrate Halloween
Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award Recipient
178 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation!
Rocketbook
Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Nation! We’ve received many write-ins from our audience asking how to invest and start saving for retirement. We listened, and I brought in one of the smartest guys I know about those subjects, Wealth Advisor Scotty Neal. Scotty is a friend I met through our Mastermind group, and he has over 25 years of Wealth Advisory experience. Scotty is part of a Wealth Advisory Team that primarily works with a small group of successful business owners, professionals, and executives who are five years out (or less) from an exit. He is an expert at listening to his clients’ needs and catering a financially sound investment plan crafted to his clients’ specific wealth goals.
Scotty is going to share financial advice with Scaling Up! H2O listeners which he would give to people who are just starting their investment journey, to individuals well into their retirement years. We’re going to discuss everything from credit card debt to creating your first budget to which program is right for you:401(k), IRA, ROTH IRA, Mutual Funds to BBQ, yes, that’s right, BBQ.
I hope that if you listen to today’s podcast, you will be empowered to take steps towards securing your financial future. We love hearing from you, our listeners! If you have an idea for a future show, or have a question you’d like me to answer in a Pinks and Blues Questions from the Nation episode, please send us a message HERE. Thanks and enjoy today’s podcast!
Timestamps:
Trace’s challenge: Everyone has expectations of you. Are those expectations clear? The next time you are talking with someone, make sure both sides clarify the expectations so you can equally move forward with confidence [00:10]
James’ Challenge: Explain cycles of concentration to a non-technical person. [06:15]
Introducing Scotty Neal [10:20]
Let’s talk about money [16:10]
How do I know if I am saving enough? [27:50]
What is the best way to invest in your future: 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA, Mutual Funds, SEP? [29:45]
How do stimulus checks work? [33:45]
Where should I start investing and how do you know what’s best for me? [39:00]
What is the advice you give to people with different levels of investment experience? [42:12]
What is the biggest mistake people make over and over again when it comes to investing? [53:20]
Lessons learned from Trace’s first financial advisor, his grandfather [59:30]
Quotes:
“Save money for your future. You need to pay yourself just like you are paying your other bills.” - Trace Blackmore
“Time. Time. Time spent in the market is the number one thing that affects investment returns.” - Scotty Neal
“From age 0-18 you are a “consumer” and only take financially from your parents. From age 18-65 you are a “consumer” but you’re also a “producer” because you are working; that’s your time to make money and save money. From age 65 till the end, you’re back to being a “consumer” because you are not working.” - Scotty Neal
“You’ve got money coming in and out. The difference is savings and investable dollars.” - Scotty Neal
“You have to deny yourself in order to invest.” - Scotty Neal
“Have money make money for you.” - Scotty Neal
“Ask yourself: Is this a want, or a need?” - Scotty Neal
“You make what you make. You need to spend less in order to invest.” - Scotty Neal
“When it comes to 401Ks, I tell my employees, “Invest at least the minimum that will allow you to take the maximum of what I can give you.” - Trace Blackmore
“A 401K, is part of your pay. You have to take it. It’s free money!” - Scotty Neal
“There has never a better time to start investing than right now.” - Scotty Neal
“Get a Will.” - Scotty Neal
“Stick. Stay. And Make It Pay.”- Scotty Neal
“Save. Save. Save. Early and Often.“ - Scotty Neal
Links Mentioned:
The Rising Tide Mastermind
173 The One With the Exit Plan
179 The One That Teaches Us to Communicate Better With Others Kathleen Edelman Part 2
184 The One Where I Interview My Mastermind Mentor
178 Pinks and Blues Questions From The Nation!
Books Mentioned:
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley
The Whistler by John Grisham
The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
I Said This, You Heard That by Kathleen Edelman
Nation! I am so excited to introduce you to the man who leads my weekly Mastermind group, Aaron Walker.
Aaron Walker has founded more than a dozen companies over the past 42 years. He attributes much of his success to having surrounded himself with his Mastermind counterparts. Aaron spent a decade meeting weekly with Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Ken Abraham, and other outstanding entrepreneurs. Aaron is the founder of Iron Sharpens Iron Mastermind that now hosts 20 groups with National and International members. Aaron lives in Nashville, Tennessee, and he has so many wonderful stories and advice to share today!
As you know, I lead several Mastermind groups myself. A large reason I can pour into other leaders in the water treatment industry is because of the individuals I meet with weekly in the Mastermind group. Aaron says to think about a Mastermind as "Your own personal board of directors" who help you personally and professionally. Life is way too difficult to do it alone. We are built as human beings to work with other people. I've found that joining a Mastermind can help you grow through vulnerability, coaching, honesty, and camaraderie.
If you are a water treater interested in joining a Mastermind, please visit scalinguph2o.com/mastermind to learn how together we can raise up the water treatment industry.
Timestamps:
Upcoming Events [1:30]
James' Challenge: "Review all your accounts to ensure you've lived up to all your obligations. If not, develop a plan." [6:20]
Introducing Aaron Walker AKA "Big A" [11:40]
A kid working at a pawn shop in Nashville [13:12]
Life after "retiring" at 27 years old [18:16]
The journey from Aaron's first Mastermind group with Dave Ramsey to leading his own group [22:00]
So what is a Mastermind? [32:34]
How do you define success? [39:02]
Lightning Round Questions [43:35]
Trace's Leadership Challenge [47:00]
Quotes:
"We've all got superpowers and we've all got blind spots." - Aaron Walker
"Dang! You don't know what you don't know." - Aaron Walker
I've read thousands of books as a result of being in a Mastermind." - Aaron Walker
"A Mastermind is your own personal board of directors." - Aaron Walker
"It's about legacy and helping others transform."- Aaron Walker
"Today I would measure 'success' in terms of others success, instead of my own." - Aaron Walker
"If we're not having fun, we need to change direction." - Aaron Walker
"If you don't have a mentor, you are missing out on a golden opportunity." -Trace Blackmore
"Life is way too difficult to do it alone. We are built as human beings to work with other people." -Trace Blackmore
"A leader is somebody who makes other leaders." - Captain David Marquet of The United States Navy
Aaron's Southern Sayings: "That's as useless as tits on a boar hog" and "That's a big gentleman."
Connect with Aaron Walker:
LinkedIn: in/aaronwalkerviewfromthetop
Website: www.viewfromthetop.com
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Aaron's Mastermind Website
029 The One with the Submarine Captain (with Captain David Marquet)
Books Mentioned:
Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Cole C. Kingseed & Richard D. Winters
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People bySteven Covey
Never Split The Difference byChris Voss
Turn The Ship Around! byCaptain David Marquet's
Today’s guest is Neil Sahota, an IBM Master Inventor, United Nations A.I. Advisor, professor at UC Irvine, and globally-recognized speaker and author. Neil is a founding member of the UN’s Artificial Intelligence for Social Good Committee, and he’s here to talk about how we can harness the power of AI and use it for social good. Neil is also the author of “Own the A.I.Revolution”, providing a future-forward look at A.I., focusing on how businesses can use it to commercialize while doing good in the world. We’ll discuss things like the challenges posed by A.I. and how we can overcome them, as well as which skill-sets are going to be most important in the near future.
In our interview, I was amazed by how A.I. can help our businesses, lives, and water infrastructure worldwide. Data allows us to make better decisions. We make better decisions when we have better data. When we don’t have data, we’re not making decisions; we’re making guesses. So how good are your guesses?
Timestamps:
Upcoming events for water treaters (see links below) [1:50]
Introducing Neil Sahota, Artificial Intelligence Expert [8:13]
How is A.I. being used to improve our water infrastructure around the country? [14:15]
What does a water treater need to know about A.I., and how can they start using it? [16:18]
How can A.I. improve our capacity and collection of water in agriculture? [19:36]
Why Neil wrote the “Own the A.I. Revolution” and how it can help your business [22:33]
Positioning A.I. for social good and working with The United Nations A.I. for Good Initiative [24:33]
How do you help people to develop a world-class culture? [28:32]
What can’t A.I. do? [31:15]
Lightning round questions [34:00]
Outro [38:11]
James’ Challenge: Test boiler sulfite, both immediately on a sample, and again an hour later on the same open sample. [41:02]
Quotes:
“Artificial Intelligence is a machine that can mimic human thinking to do low-level type tasks that require some cognition.” - Neil Sahota
“Maximize the use of the water we have.” - Neil Sahota
“A.I. unlocks a toolset that we’ve never had before, now we can do way more than that.” - Neil Sahota
“We can use A.I. to influence consumer behavior on their water usage habits."- Neil Sahota
“Data is the fuel for A.I.” - Neil Sahota
“We have to bring people together who want to make solutions.” - Neil Sahota
“Small things add up.” - Neil Sahota
“I believe in the power of storytelling so people can hear the actions and outcomes.” - Neil Sahota
If I can inspire people, soon we are saving a million gallons of water a day.” - Neil Sahota
“Do something and share that story.” - Neil Sahota
“Saving money and saving the planet. It’s a double win!” - Neil Sahota
“Changing the culture takes time and a lot of effort, but it is well worth it.” - Neil Sahota
Data allows us to make better decisions. We make better decisions when we have better data. When we don’t have data, we’re not making decisions; we’re making guesses. So how good are your guesses?”- Trace Blackmore
“We need other people to help us get better.” - Trace Blackmore
“You never know how far the ripples will reach.” - Trace Blackmore
“Until next week, try something new, try to learn something new, and do something new; and be the reason that somebody cracks a smile.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Neil Sahota:
Website: neilsahota.com
LinkedIn: in/neilsahota
Links Mentioned:
The United Nations A.I. for Good Initiative
Episode 168 with Jared Gabel
Scaling Up Business Webinar Series
Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
Own the A.I. Revolution by Neil Sahota
Scaling UP! Nation, after multiple listeners called or wrote in asking how we create the weekly podcast, we decided to devote today’s episode to how we make the most popular water treaters podcast happen for you, our listeners.
Today I have guests Lauren Vonfeldt and Sean Dooley on the show with me. Lauren is my Executive Assistant, and she does everything from booking the guests, to creating the website posts, to designing and executing our marketing campaigns.
Sean is our audio magician. He is an Audio Engineer and makes our episodes sound fantastic by eliminating unwanted sounds, making transitions seamless, and polishing the episodes with added touches to make them sound great each and every week.
Lauren and Sean have brought their expertise, passion, and positivity to every episode we have done over the past four years, and I could not create this weekly podcast without them.
Our show is continually improving because of our listeners, and we would love to hear from YOU! If you have not yet, please click the “submit a show idea” at the top of our site and let us know what you would like on future episodes.
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge “Leave the customer’s lab space or work area cleaner than you found it.” [00:32]
Introductions about the team who creates the weekly podcast show [02:00]
First things first: guests, data gathering, planning, strategy, and fact-finding [07:15]
Recording the podcast [14:25]
Audio editing [21:57]
Adding the podcast to the website and making a marketing plan [24:00]
Highlighting the best parts of the show with Audiograms [27:45]
Monthly brainstorming meetings [30:30]
How we came up with “The Best Of 2020 Episode” [32:12]
Lightning Round Questions [37:45]
Quotes:
“He created the show to share his knowledge and the knowledge of all the people he knows with the audience.” - Sean Dooley
“It’s not just me. It takes a team, and I couldn’t do the podcast without them.” - Trace Blackmore
“This week, learn something new and take care of each other.” - Trace Blackmore
“It’s all about improving and making each episode the best one yet.” - Lauren Vonfeldt
“Our goal is to make this show the best thing possible for the water treatment industry.” - Lauren Vonfeldt
“Make the show the best it can be.” - Sean Dooley
Links Mentioned:
Submit a Show Idea On Our Website
Lauren Vonfeldt's website
Sean Dooley on LinkedIn
Legionella Episode 150
Legionella Episode 152
Legionella Episode 153
The Best Of 2020 Episode 174
Jeff Henderson Episode 115
I am thrilled to introduce you to two water geeks who love water AND talking about water just as much as I do; friends, bloggers, writers, and the hosts of the podcast “Water We Talking About?”, Jim Lauria and Adam Tank. Today Jim and Adam will talk about how to become a water advocate by using social media.
Jim Lauria is the VP of sales and marketing for Mazzei Injector Company. He got his chemical engineering degree from Manhattan College, has been working in water for 20 years.
Adam Tank has been working in the water industry for 10 years. He started as a microbiologist and quality engineer in the CPG world and he is now Director of Software Solutions for a water startup called Transcend Water focused on automating the preliminary design of water treatment assets, in this case, water and wastewater treatment facilities.
If you take nothing else away from today’s podcast, please consider that water is something that everyone on the planet needs, and that you, the real people making things happen behind the scenes, owe it to your community to share what you do and why water is essential, and there isn’t an easier way to do that then through using social media.
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge: “Draw a process flow diagram for your customers; complete with feed points, water meters, blowdown, pre-treatment, boilers, cooling towers, chillers, etc. [03:15]
Jim Lauria and Adam Tank, who are you and how did you meet? [07:30]
What are you doing to advocate for water and the water industry and how are you creating content? [14:13]
What are your two different approaches to content creation? [21:40]
How should someone get started with content creation? [26:20]
LinkedIn Advice [28:43]
Tagging content [38:25]
What’s the one takeaway you want people to get from this interview? [41:34]
Lightning Round Questions [43:07]
Quotes:
“When you tell your story on water... the goal is to be focused on the value of water for everybody.” - Adam Tank
“Water, it is a global good that ultimately is critical for life on earth.” - Adam Tank
“One of the good things about mentoring is that it is a two-way street.” - Jim Lauria
“Just keep posting and connecting, you never know what could lead to a direct sale.” -- Jim Lauria
“Don’t be scared of posting something that you think is routine, or wouldn’t be interesting, because people outside of the sector or industry don’t have a clue what happens in water.” - Adam Tank
“Catalog the things you find exciting, take a picture, write a sentence, and put it out in the world.” - Adam Tank
“Think of LinkedIn as a business lunch and Facebook as a backyard BBQ. Dress and act accordingly.” -- Jim Lauria
“Don’t just sell. Provide value and people will come back to you.”- Adam Tank
“Tell good stories. And get people engaged in the value of water.” -- Jim Lauria
“Just start. Don’t worry about crafting the perfect post. Just post something.” - Adam Tank
“Never underestimate your ability to influence other people.” -- Jim Lauria
“Don’t be afraid to embrace change.” - Adam Tank
Links Mentioned:
Episode 47 with Jim Lauria
Adam Tank’s website
Jim Lauria’s website
Water Online
Rising Tide Mastermind
Imagine H2O
120 Water
Jim and Adam’s podcast “Water We Talking About?”
Books Mentioned:
How to Get Your Money Back From Big Companies - Jim Lauria
Hey Scaling Up Nation! If we have a worthwhile goal, it’s hard, it takes a long time, and it’s probably not fun. Water treaters are constantly on the go, in the car, working long hours, but we need to take the time to take care of ourselves.
Today my guest is a physical therapist, Dr. Andrew Kneeburg. Dr. Kneeburg has helped me get out of pain, find some practical steps to keep me healthy, and inspired me to make better choices so I can keep doing the things I enjoy. He is passionate about getting people out of pain and moving again.
Dr. Kneeburg graduated from PT school in May of 2016 and has been practicing outpatient orthopedics for 5 years. He has such a refreshing and down to earth approach to stay healthy and I think if you listen to his advice in today’s podcast, it could change the trajectory of your life for the better. I hope today’s episode inspires you to take better care of yourself.
Timestamps:
Healthy goals for 2021 [00:01]
Dr. Andrew Kneeburg introduction [10:50]
What can we do so we stay healthy and not hurt ourselves as industrial water treaters? [15:20]
What’s water got to do with it? [19:50]
Do we need to stretch every day? [22:30]
What are the exercises water treaters should be doing? [26:28]
What’s the key to working out? [33:40]
What’s the importance of sleep? [35:10]
What to watch out for when starting a new exercise routine [36:23]
Lightning round questions [40:30]
The 7th Habit, the Habit of Self [44:10]
James’ Challenge: Update your LinkedIn profile to be a calling card for your prospect or customer versus just a resume for your next job. #JC21 and #ScailingUPH20 [ 50:26]
Quotes:
“Stay active, stay healthy, eat the right things” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“Strengthen yourself so you can be healthy for the long-haul.” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“There isn’t one single diet that works for everyone, find a diet that works for you.” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“Do the exercise movements that simulate what you're doing at work to help you stay healthy.” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“You don’t have to be at the gym 2-3 hour, you just need 20-45 mins of moderate to strenuous exercise.” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“Bottomline: You only have one body and one life, take care of it.” - Dr. Andrew Kneeburg
“If we’re not taking care of yourselves, then we cannot take care of others” – Trace Blackmore
“What are we doing to take care of ourselves?” – Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Journal
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
Rising Tide Mastermind
Books and Articles Mentioned:
The Truth About How Much Water You Should Really Drink
How much should the average adult exercise every day?
A Systematic Review of the Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
12 Week Year
My guest today is back for part 2 of a lesson in communication. She is Temperaments expert, and I Said This, You Heard That author, Kathleen Edelman. Her mission is to help people use words that build others up. She teaches that “The words you use are a gift that you give to other people”. That statement should make us want to think about our words more carefully! Today, Kathleen further explains the Four Temperaments and what to do when we experience miscommunication. If you missed part 1 of this interview, please check it out on episode 117.
Nation! I cannot have a conversation with Kathleen and not learn something new about the I Said This, You Heard That study. I would consider myself a diligent student of her material for the past two years, and there is always more to learn.
Learning about Temperaments is, hands down, one of the best things I have done to understand how my words sound to people as I am speaking with them. It has been a gamechanger in how I communicate with my team and my family and friends.
I hope that the next time you’re speaking to someone else, you choose words that are a gift from you to them.
Visual Reference:
Timestamps:
Introducing Kathleen [5:55]
Trace, what was your biggest takeaway from the I Said This, You Heard That Book? [10:00]
Describe the 4 Temperaments [13:25]
How do we use the Temperaments in our communication? [19:50]
What to do when you make a communication mistake [29:20]
How can we identify other people’s Temperaments and communicate better? [32:40]
Being aware of how your own weaknesses affect others [42:50]
Don’t use your Temperament as a weapon or an excuse [48:05]
Lightning round with Kathleen [51:51]
James’ Challenge: “Send handwritten notes to those who have helped you” [1:55]
Quotes:
“We are responsible for bringing out the best in each other.” - Kathleen Edelman
“If we take the time to be intentional, the reward is so much greater.” - Kathleen Edelman
“The person responsible for being the best version of me is ME.” - Kathleen Edelman
“Your Temperament never changes, but personality can change over time.” - Kathleen Edelman
“Every Temperament can be a good leader.” - Kathleen Edelman
“It’s never too late to start communicating better.” - Kathleen Edelman
“Learning about the Temperaments has been a game-changer on how I communicate.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That Workbook by Kathleen Edelman
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
This is one of my favorite shows because I always look forward to answering questions from you! My team and I love digging in to gather the BEST answers for you. Thank you for always making these shows such a success by submitting your questions!
Today we’re going to dive into how do you ensure you have the best result from your sample; what makes a complete service report, what to do if you don’t have any other choice than to take a sample from the boiler sight glass; and what are some of my favorite tools?
Please join me to hear the answers to your questions, and after listening, if you have a show idea or want to ask me a question, please go to scalinguph2o.com and click the “Submit a Show Idea” at the top of the page. I look forward to hearing from you.
Timestamps:
Time Management [1:40]
Upcoming 2021 Events [3:30]
How Do You Ensure You Have The Best Result From Your Sample? /How Do You Know If You Can Trust Your Sample? [13:50]
Understanding What Your Test Is Doing [23:50]
What Should Be On A Good Service Report? /What Makes A Complete Service Report? [25:02]
How Do You Produce A Podcast? [31:47]
What If You Don’t Have Any Other Choice but To Sample from The Boiler Sight Glass? [33:14]
What Are Your Top 10 Favorite Things? [35:30]
Can You Give Us More Financial Advice? [45:15]
James' Challenge: "Conduct an elution study on a water softener" [50:42]
Quotes:
“Get in the habit of scheduling time for yourself.” -Trace Blackmore
“Try to elevate your knowledge and understanding of the tests you run.” -Trace Blackmore
“The 4 things you need to stay organized: emails, contacts, tasks, and notes from the day.” - Trace Blackmore
“Money is a tool; it is never the destination.” -Trace Blackmore
“You need to look at the money you get in 3 buckets: How much do you need to live on? How much do you need to save? What is the money you are going to give to?” - Trace Blackmore
Links/Products Mentioned:
175 The First One of 2021
150 The One Where We Talk Legionella Basics
151 The One Where We Talk About Legionella
152 The One Where We Talk More About Legionella
153 The One Where We Answer Your Questions About Legionella
167 The One With John Fenton
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
LED Rechargeable Light Kit
006 Service Reports
111 The One With Eric Russo
Rocketbook
Erlenmeyer Flask
SteriPen
Digital Titrator
Leatherman Multi Tool
Backup Charger
Sous Vide Cooker
Sense Device
Oculus VR
Keep Talking And No One Explodes Game
130 How IRA Works
Rising Tide Mastermind
Books Mentioned:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
What creates excellent customer service experiences resulting in clients becoming passionate fans of your company? What if some simple steps could change a client’s experience with your company from mediocre to magical; would you take them?
Today my lab partner on Scaling UP! H2O is Dennis Snow. Dennis honed over 20 years of customer service skills with the Walt Disney World Company. Today Dennis is a full-time speaker, trainer, and consultant who helps organizations achieve customer service, employee development, and leadership goals. Dennis launched a Disney Institute division responsible for consulting with some of the world’s largest companies. This division quickly became the fastest-growing venture of the Disney Institute and experienced nearly 100% repeat business. He also spent several years with Disney University, teaching corporate philosophy and business practices to cast members and the leadership team. In his last year with Walt Disney World, Dennis’ leadership performance ranked in the top 3% of its leadership team.
Scaling UP! Nation, join us today as we learn from Dennis’s tried and true methods to turn your business from unimpressive to the most impressive in the industry when it comes to excellent customer service. My challenge to you is this: “Do a little something that pushes you to become better at whatever it is that you deem you need to become better with” [57:17]
Timestamps:
How a 3-month job at Disney became a 20-year career [05:55]
Turning a “Tragic Moment into a Magic Moment” [09:50]
Empowered Employees and Coachable Moments [11:29]
What Is the Customer Asking [13:05]
What Is Backstage Vs. On Stage [16:10]
How To Create Moments of “WOW” For The Customer [20:50]
Seeing And Solving The Potential Points of Pain [25:58]
Communicating The Right Message Throughout The Company [30:18]
What Is Your Book, “Lessons From The Mouse” About? [39:33]
What’s The Bottomline [42:28]
Lightning Round Questions [44:15]
James’ Challenge: “Clean, Organize, and Update Your Water Testing Kit And Equipment” [56:13]
Quotes:
“From the moment you express interest in a job, to the moment you leave, everything in between is training.” -Dennis Snow
“Maintaining your guest or client’s dignity is critical.” - Dennis Snow
“Take what is important to you as an organization and build it into every process that impacts your employees.” -Dennis Snow
“Don’t generate tasks, create experiences.” -Dennis Snow
Connect with Dennis Snow:
Website: www.snowassociates.com
LinkedIn: in/dennissnow
Phone: (407) 294-1855
Links Mentioned:
167 The One with John Fenton
AWT (Association of Water Technologies)
James McDonald’s LinkedIn #JC21 and #ScalingUpH20
Books Mentioned:
Lessons From The Mouse by Dennis Snow
Unleashing Excellence by Dennis Snow
Story 10X by Michael Margolis
The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Hamilton by Ron Chewnow
As water treatment professionals, we must continue to expand on our knowledge of the industry. Learning from others in the industry is a great way to do that! One key aspect of the water treatment industry is understanding polymers. Many of us regularly use these products but have no idea how they are created and where they come from
On the podcast today, we are joined again by Mike Standish, co-founder of Radical Polymers. Mike has over 28 years of experience in polymer additive design and development. Before forming Radical Polymers, Mike served in technical and business leadership roles within global, publicly-traded chemical companies. He is responsible for developing and patenting industry-leading polymers for use in the water treatment, oilfield, and detergent industries.
Mike will be talking all about tagged polymers and what’s new in this space over the last few years in today’s episode. After Mike’s presentation at the most recent AWT conference, I knew we needed to talk further and get this information to the entire industry. As James McDonald has said about Mike from him joining me on episode 14, “Mike is one of those presenters that you’d listen to even if he was reading from a phone book. He’s well-spoken and always highly informative in very relatable terms. Good guest!” I hope you learn something today and enjoy hearing from my friend Mike Standish!
Time Stamps:
Introducing Mike Standish [15:00]
What’s new since Mike’s last appearance on Scaling UP! H2O [17:11]
How does a product go from a concept to something we can use with a customer [18:22]
What does field testing look like? [21:28]
How we test for polymers [24:21]
How do we traditionally test for polymers? [32:45]
What do people need to consider when updating their polymer technology? [38:30]
How stable is the tag polymer with halogens? [43:14]
Where to learn more about tag polymers [45:18]
James’ Challenge: "Check makeup water for phosphate" [54:53]
Quotes:
“It’s been helpful to me to translate the complexities of polymers into practical use.” -Mike Standish
Links Mentioned:
Submit a show idea
12 Week Year
Rising Tide Mastermind
The Hang
Business Webinar Series
014The One with Mike Standish
Reach out to Mike directly
Mike’s AWT Presentation
Even though most of us were ready for 2020 to be over and never speak its name again, it is essential to take the time to reflect on the past year and what we learned. This is something that I love doing every year no matter what. There were some valuable lessons and many challenges we overcame that we should all be proud of. Once we have taken the time to process the progress we made in 2020, we can turn our attention to the year ahead.
In today’s episode, I discuss some tips on productivity, goal setting, and being intentional with your time as we move into the new year. When we take time to be intentional instead of just reacting to the year, it can make all the difference in our success.
Please enjoy today’s episode and happy New Year!
Timestamps:
Importance of using a calendar [4:20]
How Trace uses his calendar [10:26]
Using Tribute Statements to be intentional with your time [15:20]
How to prioritize your task list [17:20]
How Trace uses Outlook with his task list [31:30]
James’ Challenge [40:50]
Quotes:
“In the first week of the year, start planning your year.” -Trace Blackmore
“I hope 2021 is your most productive year yet.” -Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
119 The First One of 2020
Submit a show idea
The Hang
Rising Tide Mastermind
The Business Webinar Series
Franklin Covey Planning Method
Books Mentioned:
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran & Michael Lennington
First of all, Merry Christmas! How about this? An episode releasing on Christmas Day. Consider it my gift to you!
2020 has been a year like no other. We have faced many challenges, but I think there are also valuable lessons for each of us to learn from 2020. My favorite thing to do at the end of every year is reflecting on what worked well and what did not work well to make the necessary changes for the next year. And of course, always celebrating how far we have come. Although much was out of our control in 2020, I believe we made the most of it and grew together as a water treatment community.
In today’s episode, we are doing something we have never done before. We are looking back at the top five episodes of 2020 to re-visit some of the lessons we learned together this year. What would you say you learned this year?
Enjoy, and cheers to a new year!
Time Stamps:
Episode 119 - S.M.A.R.T Goals [1:44]
Episode 120 - Legionella [13:39]
Episode 122 - EOS [19:32]
Episode 125 - Safety [27:22]
Episode 137 - Cooling Towers [38:02]
Quotes:
“When it comes to goal planning, less is more.” -Trace Blackmore
“We need to use the knowledge we learned this year so we can make next year even more effective.” -Trace Blackmore
Links:
Episode 119
12 Week Year Planner
Episode 120
Episode 122
Traction
Episode 125
Rising Tide Mastermind
Episode 137
Have you lost sleep wondering what will happen to your water treatment business when it is time for you to retire? If you don’t have an overall plan for your exit strategy, it’s time to get one. Even if you don’t plan to exit for a long time.
In today’s episode, I speak with Michael Warady, President and Co-Founder of the Sylmar Group. Before founding Sylmar, Michael led project development efforts and was a member of the growth-stage equity investment team at AquaTECTURE where he led the development of new water treatment projects such as cooling towers and wastewater reuse facilities. In addition to running the Sylmar Group, he is an Industrial Advisory Board member of the International Desalination Association and sits on the non-profit Access Books board.
Michael and I talk about some different options for exiting your business when that time comes. It’s so important to be comfortable and confident in your long-term plan, and in today’s episode, we talk about how to make that happen. Enjoy!
Timestamps:
Introducing Michael Warady [10:30]
Starting The Sylmar Group [17:25]
How to plan for your business after your retirement [22:54]
What are some of the ways to valuate a business? [29:15]
Transitioning to a more formal balance sheet and income statement [33:39]
What to do when someone reaches out to you about buying your company? [37:24]
Top concerns when it comes to selling your business [40:51]
What is the first priority if you want to exit your business soon [46:41]
A real life example of one of The Sylmar Group’s customers [51:45]
Quotes:
“Water is the one irreplaceable thing on earth.” - Michael Warady
“What is the type of business I want to pass onto the next owner?” - Michael Warady
“A typical sales process is a six to nine-month process.” - Michael Warady
Connect with Michael Warady:
Website: sylmargrp.com
LinkedIn: in/mwarady
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
Trusted Advisors Network
The Hang
How much money do you think you’d be able to save if you had better information when making daily purchases? I’d suggest that it is a lot. By having better data, we could also reduce our energy consumption and positively impact our environment (and our pocketbooks.) The truth is, we need better information so that we can make better choices.
Our guest today is Ron Kamen, an expert in clean energy. He believes firmly that making a transition to clean energy is necessary for our future. In today’s episode, we discuss clean energy, ways to save money and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time.
I hope you walk away from today’s episode with some tangible steps to move towards clean energy, save money, and have a positive effect on the environment at the same time.
Timestamps:
James’ Challenge [05:50]
Introducing Ron Kamen [13:00]
What are some simple ways to move towards clean energy [19:05]
Lighting [20:45]
Air filters [22:08]
ROI in clean energy [26:50]
Solar energy [36:27]
Electric vehicles [47:58]
What is the most significant barrier people face towards making clean energy choices [24:15]
Quotes:
“We are all forces of nature. We can have a dramatic impact.” - Ron Kamen
“Go clean, save green.” - Ron Kamen
Connect with Ron Kamen:
LinkedIn: in/ronkamen
Podcast: Awesome Earthkind Podcast
Awesome Earth Kind x ScalingUp! H2O
Website: earthkindenergy.com
Links Mentioned:
The Hang
Fusion Capitalism
Sense Energy Monitor
2020 has been quite a year. It has required all of us to be flexible and creative to keep our businesses running successfully. Earlier this year, I pulled together the best and brightest and hosted a webinar series to help our Mastermind Group navigate different aspects of the Covid-19 Pandemic. From Human Resources to Self-Care, we covered it all. You can go back and watch those videos anytime by clicking here .
In today’s episode, Jill Cavano and I wanted to follow up with everyone since the webinar series. We discuss the best practices we have learned about navigating work in the water treatment industry during the past few months of this pandemic. We touch on company culture, core values, economic recovery, and more.
I hope that today’s episode allows you to continue to pivot and work successfully during these unprecedented times.
Timestamps:
Company culture [08:28]
Core values [13:08]
Economic recovery [23:17]
PPP Loan Forgiveness [28:44]
What we have learned so far this year [30:15]
Coming HR questions during this time [47:44]
Goal setting and long term planning [1:05:25]
Self-care during a pandemic [1:15:24]
Quotes:
“Core values are the bedrock of a good culture.” - Trace Blackmore
“How can we learn from each other’s mistakes and victories so that we don’t have to go through this alone?” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
Proactive Webinar Series
Rising Tide Mastermind
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
The Hang
Video Presentation Part 1
Video Presentation Part 2
Books Mentioned:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran
Traction by Gino Wickman
In today’s episode, I am doing one of my favorite things – answering your questions!
As water treaters, it is so vital that we stay curious and continue to learn all that we can about our industry. That is why I love these episodes so much. It gives us a chance to discuss some common questions that many water treaters have. In today’s episode, we get technical! We will be discussing wet analysis, keeping track of stack temperatures on boilers, and more.
Please enjoy this episode of Pinks and Blues, where I answer some of the questions submitted by members of the Scaling UP! Nation, and let’s remember to scale up on knowledge so that we don’t scale up our systems!
Timestamps:
More about wet analysis [05:30]
Logging stack temperatures on a boiler [14:20]
Boilers with feed water tanks and oxygen corrosion [20:54]
Quotes:
“You, as the water treater, are the biggest advocate for the boiler.”
“When we understand what we do better, not only do we get better as individuals, but we get better as an industry.”
Links Mentioned:
Submit a show idea
Register for the Scaling UP! Hang
Rising Tide Mastermind
Happy Thanksgiving Scaling UP! Nation! I am so thankful for each and every one of you! I am also thankful for the organizations out there that help each of us do our jobs better.
There are so many organizations out there that support us in the water treatment industry. Usually, people tend to think about large-scale global organizations, but there are so many local resources that we can work with and learn from as well.
My guest today is Max Herzog of the Cleveland Water Alliance. The Cleveland Water Alliance is a collection of forward-thinking research institutions, industry leaders, environmental organizations, and public utilities that together advance a new way of thinking about regional economic development. Max talks to us all about the Cleveland Water Alliance and how organizations like this are moving the water industry forward.
I hope you enjoy today’s episode, and it inspires you to look into some local organizations in your area that you can learn from and partner with.
Timestamps:
Introducing Max Herzog [06:57]
What is the Cleveland Water Alliance? [08:16]
Some of the Cleveland Water Alliance’s current projects [10:05]
What does the process with the Cleveland Water Alliance look like? [16:36]
How do people engage with the Cleveland Water Alliance? [19:00]
What Max sees as the most significant issue when it comes to water [22:38]
Where to find out more about the Cleveland Water Alliance [29:02]
The one thing Max would like to communicate in this episode [31:07]
Quotes:
“Our focus is on the value of water innovation.”
“Consider innovation and invest in innovation.”
“I encourage folks to think about the possibilities. Don’t shut out innovation as something that’s a waste of time.”
Connect with Max Herzog:
LinkedIn: in/max-herzog-59975688
Website: clevelandwateralliance.org
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Erie Hack
Submit a Show Idea
Books Mentioned:
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran
In our industry, it is so important to stay on top of new technology. Did you know that feed pumps can now use intelligent pumps, cloud connectivity and digital services? This new technology can enable real-time monitoring, remote control, fault prediction and system optimization to help you reach a new level of performance.
In today’s episode, I am speaking with Jared Gabel. Jared is a market development manager at GRUNDFOS, the largest pump manufacturer in the world. In addition to knowing a lot about feed pumps, Jared is in a Green Day cover band. I think that’s pretty cool because Green Day may or may not be my music of choice when it comes to singing karaoke. We talk about all types of boiler feed pumps and all upcoming technology and improvements in the space. Enjoy!
Timestamps:
Introducing Jared Gabel [08:12]
Metering pumps [10:30]
Different types of drive mechanisms [12:45]
New features of pumps [17:25]
How should we be sizing pumps? [21:10]
Calibrating a pump [26:05]
Changes in technology with metering pumps [30:10]
Metering pump installation [37:22]
What is the one thing you want people to stop doing? [45:08]
Quotes:
“You can make it as complex or as simple as you want, depending on the technology you choose.” - Jared Gabel
“Don’t be opening the brains of the pump if you are not a brain surgeon.” -Jared Gabel
“Be open to the new technologies that are out there.” -Jared Gabel
Connect with Jared Gabel:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaredgabel
Links Mentioned:
Chemical Compatibility Database
Scaling Up! Hang
Rising Tide Mastermind
GRUNDFOS Technical Institute
Jared’s Green Day Cover Band
Scaling UP! Nation, it’s hard to run your life. Everyone expects the most from you, and you expect the most out of yourself. This leaves most of us running faster and faster until we run out of gas. We all need to take time to get gas and make sure we take care of ourselves before we take care of everything else. The problem is, we don’t. Stave yourself too long without that needed gas, and you may not have the option of refueling.
My lab partner in today’s episode is John Fenton, the “CEO Sensei.” John J Fenton is a Certified Success Principles™ Trainer, an award-winning speaker, best-selling author, and leading authority in Leadership. Following a successful 30+Year career as a Managing Partner and CPA in one of the world’s largest accounting and consulting firms, John launched his business in 2013 in executive coaching and consulting to help busy executives be the best leaders they can be.
John shares his personal story with us to better take care of ourselves as we become better business owners, managers, technicians, and everything in between. Please enjoy my interview with John Fenton.
Time Stamps:
Introducing John Fenton [7:45]
John’s breakthrough goal [18:41]
Taking five minutes each day to re-focus [23:00]
Advice for choosing to be different [25:45]
Being selective with the information you absorb [31:38]
John walks us through a short meditation [40:04]
John’s advice on where to start [49:04]
Discussion Questions:
Is there an area in your life where you need to choose to be different?
Where can you carve five minutes out of your day to focus on what you are grateful for?
Do you have a clear vision of your purpose and passion in life?
Key Quotes:
“Enjoy your success now.” - John Fenton
“Frequency and repetition is so important in everything we do.” - John Fenton
“Take just five minutes in the day... focus on some breathing and focus on what you are grateful for.” - John Fenton
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode 92
The 5 Minute Mastery
John’s Website
John’s LinkedIn
Brene Brown’s TED Talk
Episode 131
Episode 156
In this week’s special episode on the day before a spooky holiday, I only felt it would be appropriate to celebrate Halloween! Did you know that there are legends of haunted boiler rooms throughout the country? A lot of boiler rooms feel a little spooky. I know you probably have your own story about a haunted boiler room. If an operator is there long enough, the operator is bound by some operator code to come up with a guest story about the boiler room. Or they take his operator card away. In today’s episode, I am reading a Halloween-time favorite, The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe, to get us in the spirit. Enjoy!
Timestamps:
Famous haunted boiler rooms [2:15]
The Raven by Edgar Allen Poe [4:50]
Why we read The Raven today [14:55]
Upcoming Virtual Hang [17:40]
Links:
Register for the After Hours Hang Here
Rising Tide Mastermind
When I recorded this interview some months back, I didn’t realize how important this topic would become. For so many of us, our lives have moved to the digital space due to the pandemic. We are online now more than ever! Our kids are learning online, our meetings and even our conferences have moved to virtual spaces. We must know how to navigate this new world safely.
Our guest on today’s episode is Keyaan Williams. Keyaan is the director of Cyber Leadership and Security Solutions, LLC. He helps customers solve their people, processes, and strategy problems related to enterprise risk management and cybersecurity.
In today’s episode, we talk all about cyber attack prevention. I hope you will put some of these practices into place both personally and at work to set yourself up for success when it comes to cybersecurity.
Timestamps:
Introducing Keyaan Williams [11:57]
Similarities between Keyaan’s early career in the military and his work in cybersecurity [14:37]
Why should we care about cybersecurity? [16:10]
What kind of procedures should we have in place [22:13]
What are phishing emails, and how can we protect ourselves against them? [27:22]
Ransomware attacks and how to prevent them [32:45]
The importance of backups [38:43]
How to approach a business impact analysis [42:15]
What should we be doing as water treaters to protect our customers and ourselves? [44:52]
Keyaan’s advice for home cybersecurity [47:38]
Keyaan’s number one piece of advice [52:07]
Quotes:
“Cyber security is for everyone.” - Keyaan Williams
“Good practices and behavior will help decrease your risk drastically.” - Keyaan Williams
Connect with Keyaan Williams:
LinkedIn: in/keyaan
Website: class-llc.com
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Have you ever felt like you had the best made plans but you did not achieve your goal? Or your team did not achieve the goal? Well... you are not alone. If only we could apply some disciplines that allow us to see potential pitfalls and help get everyone on the team engaged to achieving the goal.
Today, Chris McChesney from the Franklin Covey Organization is joining us on Scaling UP! H2O. He is the author of #1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller, The 4 Disciplines of Execution. The 4 Disciplines of Execution is a set of practices that have been tested and refined by hundreds of organizations and thousands of teams over many years. When a company or an individual adheres to these disciplines, they achieve superb results, regardless of the goal. I am so excited for you to learn from Chris McChesney on today’s episode and apply his teachings to your goals!
Timestamps:
Introducing Chris McChesney [05:45]
Chris’ background [07:28]
Who should be reading The 4 Disciplines of Execution? [10:00]
Four principles behind the disciplines [12:15]
Focus on the wildly important [22:51]
Act on lead measures [28:00]
Keep a compelling scoreboard [31:40]
Create a cadence of accountability [39:00]
What is the most common stumbling point with The 4 Disciplines of Execution? [43:33]
What can we look forward to in the new edition of the 4 Disciplines of Execution? [51:12]
Quotes:
“What are the fewest battles necessary to win the war?”
“Don’t be afraid to put disproportionate amounts of energy against very tactical wins.”
“Keep the focus small.”
Connect with Chris McChesney:
LinkedIn: in/mcchesney4dx
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Scaling Up! H2O Shop
Chris’ LinkedIn Profile
Books Mentioned:
The 4 Disciplines of Execution by Sean Covey, Chris McChesney, & Jim Huling
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
We are wrapping up our special series for Industrial Water Week. Today’s episode is all about careers! Which means we are celebrating YOU – the fine people within the noble Industrial Water Treatment profession. Thank you to each of you that sent in clips of your kids telling us what you do. If anything, we’ve learned that what we do isn’t the easiest to explain.
Join me as we celebrate: Water Management Specialists, Technical Support Engineers, Application Engineers, Business Development Managers, Accountants, Supply Chain Managers, Management, Administrators, Marketing Specialists, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and many more!
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #IWW20 and post a picture of your water cake! We would also love to hear how you got into the water treatment industry.
Be sure to check out our new Scaling Up! H2O shop to see our new water treatment merchandise.
Timestamp:
Water treatment careers [01:55]
The importance of mentorship in the water treatment industry [03:45]
Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy [04:37]
Doctor H2O [06:55]
Scaling Up! H2O Shop [17:35]
Our kid’s explanations of what we do as water treaters [18:20]
Closing Industrial Water Week 2020 [20:30]
Links Mentioned:
Water Cake Recipe
Scaling Up! H2O Shop
Hello, and welcome back to our special series for Industrial Water Week. Today’s episode is all about wastewater! Test your water treatment knowledge with Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy and find out what Detective H2O has been up to since we last talked.
In regards to wastewater we will discuss filtration, coagulants, flocculants, microbiological treatment, filter presses, oxidation, gray water, recycling, equalization basins, dissolved air filtration, induced air filtration, settling tanks, mixing tanks, water analysis, recycling, reuse, polymers, and much more! Thank you so much for joining us as we celebrate the best week of the year!
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #IWW20 and post a picture or video to celebrate Industrial Water Week.
Be sure to check out our new Scaling Up! H2O shop to see our new water treatment merchandise.
Timestamps:
Kevin Cope on wastewater treatment [03:05]
Scaling Up! H2O Shop [07:45]
Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy [08:26]
Detective H2O [10:09]
Challenge to use #IWW20 [18:50]
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1)
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2)
Scaling Up! H2O Shop
Water Cake Recipe
Hello, and welcome back to our special series for Industrial Water Week. Today's episode is all about cooling! We will celebrate everything cooling in today's episode! From Trace's favorite cooling tower stories to finding out what Detective H2O is up to next, this episode has something for everyone!
- open-recirculating cooling towers
- evaporative condensers
- chillers
- closed loops
- cooling chemistry
- cycles of concentration
- energy efficiency
- water efficiency
- microbiological control
- biocide
- corrosion minimization
- scale/deposit minimization
- safety
- water analysis
- blowdown control
- calculations
Don't forget to use the hashtag #IWW20 to share with the Nation! what you are doing to you celebrate this week!
Have you seen our new merch? Visit the new Scaling Up! H2O shop to see our new water treater products!
Timestamps:
Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy [02:50]
Detective H2O [04:43]
One of Trace’s favorite cooling tower stories [14:30]
Brett Alexander’s episodes on cooling towers [20:10]
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
Scaling Up! Shop
137 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers, Part 1
138 The One That’s All About Cooling Towers – Part 2
We are continuing our special series of episodes for Industrial Water Week and today’s episode is all about boilers! Boiler Tuesday is about celebrating:
- boiler chemistry
- cycles of concentration
- energy efficiency
- water efficiency, safety
- boiler water analysis
- blowdown control
- calculations
- corrosion minimization
- scale/deposit minimization
- water analysis
- Much more!
If these topics excite you, you do not want to miss today’s episode! Detective H2O will make an appearance. It's the perfect way to celebrate Industrial Water Week. Use the hashtag #IWW20 and let everyone know how you celebrate the most important week of the year. Gather the family and give our water cake recipe a try to celebrate #BoilerTuesday. (Can we link the water cake recipe here - I uploaded a PDF to the file)
Be sure to check out our new Scaling Up! H2O shop to see our new water treatment merchandise!
Timestamps:
Water cake recipe [02:00]
Introduction to boilers [03:02]
Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy [03:45]
Difference between steam boiler and hot loop boiler [06:20]
Detective H2O [07:06]
Trace’s boiler story [13:50]
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
Scaling Up! Shop
Today we are kicking off Industrial Water Week, and I couldn’t be more excited! This week is truly one of the best weeks of the year. We have created a week of episodes to help you celebrate this wonderful holiday! James McDonald, Mr. Industrial Water Week himself, will be sharing with us each day. You do not want to miss hearing what Detective H2O has been up to.
Today is what we are calling Pretreatment Monday. In this episode, we will celebrate water softeners, reverse osmosis, demineralizers, dealkalizers, filters, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, cold lime softeners, hot lime softeners, clarifiers, deaerators, electrodeionization, water chemistries, water analysis, and much more!
Don’t forget to use the hashtag #IWW20 and try the water cake recipe today!
Be sure to check out our new Scaling Up! H2O shop to see our new water treatment merchandise.
Timestamps:
James McDonald welcomes us to Industrial Water Week [03:27]
Industrial Water Treatment Jeopardy [05:20]
Importance of pretreatment [07:05]
Detective H2O [08:55]
Water Cake recipe [19:42]
Links Mentioned:
Industrial Water Week
097 The One About Filtration on Cooling Towers
Scaling Up! Shop
Water Cake Recipe
Happy Association of Water Technologies 2020 Convention week! If it weren't for COVID19, we would all be together right now. However, through the magic of technology, we are virtually together. Proving once again, we can get through COVID19. We can get through anything! We are Water Treaters!
Every year the Association of Water Technologies bestows an award called The Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award. The Association of Water Technologies describes this award as follows:
The Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award, recognizing "outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and contributions to the field of water treatment," will be awarded at the Annual Reception and Awards Dinner held during the Annual Convention.
The award is named after Ray Baum, one of AWT's founders. Baum viewed the association as a nurturing support network for small and medium-sized companies, to provide knowledge and activities to allow these companies to grow and compete in the worldwide marketplace. He was committed to the industry whose growth he helped build throughout his career. The recipient should exemplify these characteristics.
I am humbled to be the recipient of this award for 2020. Something to celebrate in a year that hasn't had a lot of celebration! Thank you to all who nominated me, and thank you to the AWT board for selecting me as this year's recipient. I look at this award as a symbol of the effect the Scaling UP! Nation! has had on so many, including me. Thank you for being part of The Nation! and being part of something that can elevate the entire water treatment industry.
This award is given every year. Who do you think will be next? Will it be someone you know? A guest of this show? Or will it be you? I urge you to look for the qualities that this award celebrates in all water treaters, including yourself. If you would like to nominate someone, please click here.
Please enjoy this special episode.
Timestamps:
The Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award [01:50]
The importance of mentors [07:05]
The acceptance speech [07:45]
Winner’s history in water treatment [08:20]
Scaling Up! H2O Podcast [10:00]
Rising Tide Mastermind [11:09]
Navigating the Pandemic while Innovating for the Future [20:15]
Links Mentioned:
AWT Interactive Annual Convention and Exposition
Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award
154 The One With AWT President, Tom Brandvold, CWT
Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
Our test kits are our greatest tool. But what happens when the tests we rely on don’t do what they are supposed to do? Yes, your tests know how to lie! They also know how to have a bit of fun and not react the way you are expecting. Adds a bit more fun to our job, doesn’t it?
Well, the fact is our test will always react within the confines of chemistry, even if we don’t understand the chemistry. The only way to truly understand your tests is to understand the chemistry that allows them to work. And there again, another thing to learn in water treatment. This is why I always say that you should learn something every day in the water treatment industry!
Today, we are going to talk about understanding our tests better. I have chosen questions from the Scaling UP! mailbag about tests. What happens when our pinks don’t turn pink, and our blues don’t turn blue? That’s what we are talking about today.
Timestamps:
Knowing the basics of your tests [8:10]
Importance of clean test kits [10:00]
Importance of measuring accurately [10:40]
Chloride test [11:32]
Alkalinity test [22:00]
Nitrite test [27:47]
Alkalinity relationships [28:42]
Free Chlorine test [32:01]
Sulfite test [36:45]
Phosphate test [40:00]
Quotes:
“As a professional water treater, you need to know the procedures of your tests.”
“It’s better to be consistently wrong than to be all over the map.”
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT Annual Convention and Exposition
Scaling Up! H2O After Hours Hang
Industrial Water Week
116 Pinks and Blues: System Volume
046 The One About Phosphate Testing
Hach Water Analysis Handbook
Submit a show idea
1 Chloride SN Hach
10 Organic PO4 heat (total)
11 UV Digestion PO4
- Chloride M Hach
3 Tritation Manipulation
4 Alkalinity Hach
5 Chlorine FAS-DPD_APS
5.5 Total Chlorine Hach
6 Free DPD Hach
7 Sulfite Hach
8 Ortho PO4 Phosper3
9 Ortho PO4 moly
Chloride APS
Hardness Hach
If there has ever been a year we need more positive things in our lives, it is 2020. I spent a good part of 2020 focused on the things I couldn’t do because of COVID 19. I couldn’t go to AWT’s training seminar in March, and several of my other speaking and facilitating engagements got canceled. Our church stopped holding in-person services, and the two vacations we had planned got canceled. 2020 stinks, right?!
Fortunately, not too long after all of my plans were getting canceled one after the other, I had a change in mindset. I decided that if I continued focusing on what I could not do, I would never be happy. So, I stopped. I decided I would focus on the things I could do and make sure I did those things to my best ability.
After focusing my efforts on things that were within my control, I started to feel better about our situation and more in control. All of the canceled items I mentioned above came back in a new fashion. I was still able to do them, just not as initially planned. Some of the new plans were better than the original plans. And all of them created an opportunity that permitted me to think differently, refining the event or action for the better. If we look for misery, we are going to find it. But why choose to look for that?
My guest today is Tricia Molloy, an author, speaker, and coach. She has been a featured keynote speaker for many well-known companies like Home Depot, Kimberly Clark, GE, Marriott, and The America Red Cross, to name a few. I met Tricia when I was giving my Ted Talk at Tim Fulton’s Small Business Matters Conference. For those of you that haven’t heard that story, please listen to episode 92.
Tricia has a simple approach that she guides people through called CRAVE. You will learn how to use CRAVE to start some great new habits, all designed to make you more focused on what brings you happiness. Because after all, that is what we should be looking to find.
Timestamps:
Introducing Tricia Molloy [09:30]
Tricia’s background [12:30]
The benefits of creating a vision board [15:35]
C.R.A.V.E. your goals [18:40]
Do the methods in C.R.A.V.E. really work? [41:16]
What is the one message you’d like to pass on to the Scaling Up! Nation? [46:20]
How to find out more about Tricia’s work [47:00]
Quotes:
“What is one thing I can do today to bring me closer to this reality?”
“What we focus on expands and what we appreciate appreciates.”
Links Mentioned:
AWT Annual Convention and Exposition
Rising Tide Mastermind
Industrial Water Week
The Five Love Languages
Tricia’s Website
Atomic Habits
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
I have been a water Treater for over 25 years. And there is no doubt about it; I love my job. I get private tours of facilities that make products I use regularly. I have great relationships with my customers that have turned into friendships. I have met some outstanding fellow Water Treaters, some of which have become my best friends. And many other unexpected benefits for being in the Industrial Water Treatment Industry. Hands down, the most surprising is becoming the host of the podcast the serves our industry.
One of the segments we do that makes the show so popular is we give our listeners a voice. Sometimes they leave questions on a form, and sometimes they use their voice. Question and answer shows receive the most comments. And that is what today’s show is.
I tend to answer technical questions on the show, making this so a bit different. Today, it is all about personal items people want to know about me. You asked for it, and I’m going to answer it. So here it is.
Timestamps:
How can we end Legionnaire’s Disease? Is this possible? [07:38]
How do you do a mock Zoom call to make sure everything is functioning correctly? [13:25]
Trace’s favorite podcast episode [18:37]
Benefits of putting solar on buildings [27:07]
Scaling Up! H2O virtual booth at the AWT Convention [31:21]
Trace’s upcoming AWT presentation [36:47]
What book is Trace reading now? [39:52]
Quotes:
“I want you to ask yourself, when is the last time you took yourself out of your comfort zone?”
“My goal in life is to make the water treatment industry better.”
Links Mentioned:
AWT Annual Convention and Exposition
154 The One With AWT President, Tom Brandvold, CWT
WEFTEC
Industrial Water Week
Proactive Webinar Series
142 The One That Helps Us With Video Meetings
Zoom Test
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a show idea
Book Mentioned:
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen R. Covey
"Normally, during this time of year, I am getting ready to see all of you at The Association of Water Technologies Annual Convention. But, as everything goes, this year, I figured that wouldn't be happening. "
Those were my thoughts before I learned more about the virtual convention AWT is doing instead of an in-person event. Yes, I am sad that I cannot see all of the members of the Scaling UP! Nation! that attend this event every year. But there is so much the virtual option offers. So, if you are like I was and you feel bummed about not going to this in person, you are going to want to listen to this episode! You will find that there is so much going on virtually that you won't want to miss it.
Our guest today is Tom Brandvold, CWT, this year's AWT President. Tom and the other AWT directors had to make hard choices this year. Tom shares what went into that decision to choose a virtual convention instead of our regular in-person meeting. Tom also shares tips, tricks, and tools that will allow you to get the most out of this virtual event.
In addition to being this year's AWT President, Tom is a very accomplished water treater. I was able to ask him to share his water treater experiences and stories with us. You will not want to miss this episode.
Key Points:
7:17 – Tom's background
12:36 – How Tom became the president of Premier Water & Energy Technology, Inc.
16:30 – More about AWT
19:22 – Leading AWT during Covid-19
27:42 – Features for vendors at this year's AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition
30:40 – Details on registration for AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition
31:56 – How long will participants have access to the materials from the AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition
34:06 - How do we network at the AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition with a virtual platform?
36:50 – What lessons have you learned from being on the AWT board?
44:02 – What would you like employees of water treatment companies to understand better?
46:22 – What is something you want water treaters to stop doing?
Quotes:
"If you're involved with water, there is a place for you in AWT."
"AWT strives to be the global voice for the water treatment industry."
"There's not a week that goes by that I don't learn or relearn something."
Links mentioned in this episode:
Association of Water Technologies
Submit a show idea
NSF Legionella Conference
AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition
AWT Virtual Convention Demo
Premier Water & Energy Technology, Inc.
Scandalous Witness
Industrial Water Week
Rising Tide Mastermind
Happy Legionella Awareness Month! Today’s episode wraps up our celebration of expanding our knowledge of Legionella bacteria.
Our special guests today are all of you from the Scaling UP! Nation! We posed your questions to industry experts to get the best responses possible.
We hope you learned something new this month. But I hope this encourages you to find out what you don’t know about Legionella. When we know more, we can advise our customers better. Our customers are the ones that have to make decisions in matters of Legionella. It’s our responsibility to help them make better decisions by being a resource of information to them.
Timestamps:
Is there a different disinfection procedure for various forms of Legionella? [6:36]
Why does it seem that Legionnaire’s Disease is more common in the summer months? [8:48]
How do we mitigate the risk in hot water systems? [11:41]
How should buildings that have still not opened after the Covid-19 shutdown prepare their building for the reopening process? [13:44]
Where is the proper location in a cooling tower to collect a Legionella sample? [17:08]
How can Legionella get into a system through a drinking water system? [20:30]
If you have tested positive for Covid-19, are you more susceptible to Legionnaire’s Disease? [24:03]
What is the best course of action when Legionella is detected in a hospital setting? [26:47]
What is the advantage of a quick Legionella test? [32:14]
Quotes:
“When managing the hazards for domestic water distribution, the first step should always be the development of a water management program to provide a defensible backbone that guides the decisions of the facility’s teams.” -Brian Fisk
“If we don’t have a plan, we don’t know how to coordinate everyone’s efforts.” - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
AWT Interactive Annual Convention and Exposition
Industrial Water Week
140 The One That Helps Us Reopen Building Water Systems
The Proactive Webinar Series
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout Part 1
121 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout Part 2
083 The One About Water Management Plans
Rising Tide Mastermind
We are in the middle of Legionella Awareness Month. The goal of devoting a month of episodes to Legionella is to raise the bar on our water treatment knowledge when it comes to Legionella. On many shows, I ask how you are learning new things. It is effortless to become complacent with our current knowledge and not actively seek more. A day that I don’t learn something new, I consider a failure.
Our guest today is Greg Rankin, CEO of Hydrosense. Greg’s company has developed a legionella test that reads in 20 minutes. Join us as we not only talk about his test, key facts, and lessons learned about Legionella bacteria.
Timestamps:
Greg’s background [06:07]
What is Legionella? [08:25]
Legionella testing [11:35]
Why don’t some people test for Legionella? [18:01]
How to help others better understand the risk of Legionella [19:40]
Legionella guidelines in the U.K. [24:15]
Lab culture testing [26:30]
False positives and false negatives [39:09]
Success stories with the Hydrosense Legionella Test [42:10]
Quotes:
“Testing I see as a catch-all, the real safety net for the water industry when it comes to Legionella.”
“Some people find it difficult to talk about Legionella because they don’t want it to feel like they are trying to scare their customers.”
Links Mentioned:
NACE Basic Corrosion Class with Scaling UP! H2O Discount
Hydrosence’s Website
Hydrosense Blog
ASHRAE 188
CDC Legionella Toolkit
Rising Tide Mastermind
Submit a question
Last week we learned some Legionella basics. I think it was a good refresher for all of us. We are always learning new information about Legionella bacteria, so make it a point never to stop learning about this critical topic.
This week, we will learn about alternative testing when it comes to sampling water systems to detect Legionella bacteria with Paul Lem. Paul is a medical doctor and the CEO of Spartan Bioscience. Paul and his team are the makers of the Spartan Cube. He shares facts about Legionella, including how a testing method becomes the “Gold Standard.”
Please enjoy my interview with Dr. Paul Lem.
Timestamps:
Dr. Paul Lem’s background [04:08]
Spartan’s work with Covid-19 [06:10]
Legionella testing [08:30]
The gold standard in Legionella testing [11:32]
Common errors with Legionella testing [17:30]
Best practices for brand new facilities, re-opening facilities, and facilities with high-risk factors [18:35]
The best piece of advice for Legionella testing [20:45]
Quotes:
“We are getting more interest from companies in industries where they can’t afford downtime.”
“A common error is that people don’t test for Legionella enough.”
“If I had one piece of advice, it would be that people should be testing every two weeks for Legionella.”
Links Mentioned:
Spartan Bioscience
Submit a question
NACE Basic Corrosion Class with Scaling UP! H2O Discount
ASHRAE 188
AWT Annual Convention Updates
Rising Tide Mastermind
Happy August Scaling UP! Nation!
In honor of the Annual Legionella Conference at the end of every August, The Scaling UP! Nation! declared August: Legionella Awareness Month. In line with most conferences currently, The Legionella Conference is now in January 2021. But that doesn’t mean we can’t learn more about this bacterium. So please help me raise the bar on Legionella Awareness during August.
In today’s episode, we are going back to basics on the topic of Legionella. Join me as we travel back to 1976 when we first learned about Legionella bacteria through today, where we have to understand the subject so we can help our customers make better decisions.
Timestamps:
Guidelines around Legionella [06:54]
What is Legionella? Where did the name come from? [11:19]
Legionella vs. Legionnaires Disease [14:14]
Symptoms of Legionnaires Disease [16:10]
Risk factors for Legionnaires Disease [18:14]
How do you contract Legionnaires Disease and Testing for Legionella [19:40]
ASHRAE 188 [24:10]
How to know if a building needs a water management plan [40:38]
What does ASHRAE 188 require [43:40]
Quotes:
“It’s not if a Legionella law will be passed where you live; it’s when.” - Trace Blackmore
“We cannot do Legionella prevention for our clients because we don’t own the equipment. We can only suggest the best practices.” - - Trace Blackmore
Links Mentioned:
009 The L Word
083 The One About Water Management Plans
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 1
121 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout, Part 2
NACE Basic Corrosion Class with Scaling UP! H2O Discount
ASHRAE 188
ASHRAE: Guideline 12-2020
CDC Legionella Toolkit
CDC Healthcare-Associated Infections
CMS Memorandum
New York City Dept. Of Health Cooling Tower Regulations
New York City Legislation
New York State Regulations
York City Dept. Of Health Summertime Hyperhalogenation
Scaling UP! Nation!, as a water treater, we always need to learn new things. If we ever stop learning, somebody else or the industry is going to pass you by. Staying ahead of this curve is especially important when it comes to learning new and innovative ways to treat the water treatment systems we oversee. If we are not careful, we can become overly comfortable with the same type of water treatment program. New technologies are always developing around us, but does new mean better?
Friend of the show, Mark Lewis, CWT, is back with me today to talk about some of the lesser-used water treatment strategies in the water treatment world. Learning about new or lesser-known water technologies gives water treaters more options. A good water treater with possibilities is always a good thing. Join Mark and me as we take you through some of the ways we evaluate new technologies.
Timestamps:
Details on this year’s AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition [04:00]
The importance of understanding the type of equipment you have [20:23]
Advice on equipping customers with knowledge about the equipment [20:48]
Chemistry technology that people may not be aware of [23:45]
Solid technology and treatments [30:42]
Moss and water treatment systems [34:23]
Non-chemical devices [45:20]
Quotes:
“If you don’t know something, that is an opportunity for you to learn something more about it.”
“Suppliers love to educate. If you have questions, call your suppliers today.”
Links Mentioned:
AWT Interactive Convention and Exposition
Mark’s LinkedIn
089 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (General)
090 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Boilers)
091 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Closed Loops and Cooling Towers)
Smithsonian Article
Nation! thank you for being a part of this platform that brings helpful information about our industry. The Scaling UP! Nation! is growing every day. That's because of you. And because we have an impressive following, we can attract guests to interview on this show.
Our Guest today is Charles Fishman, an award-winning, best-selling author who has written dozens of books like The Wal-Mart Effect and One Giant Leap. Today he and I talk about one of my favorite books, The Big Thirst. In The Big Thirst, Charles Fishman does an incredible job explaining presenting the facts about our odd relationship with water where we need it and love it but our world doesn’t respect it. This is a read I would recommend to anybody in our industry. Please enjoy my interview with Charles Fishman.
Timestamps:
Charles' background [05:35]
Inspiration behind The Big Thirst [14:40]
What has the impact of The Big Thirst book been? [20:12]
Lessons learned in Las Vegas [29:07]
What are some of the easy things anyone can do to make a difference? [34:04]
Research on waterborne pathogens [39:53]
Important topics to be addressed in the upcoming election when it comes to water [42:38]
Quotes:
"Good reporting will save you when good writing won't."
"Most people will be astonished at how much water they use".
"Water does not respond to wishful thinking. You have to figure out what your problems are, and then you have to fix them".
Connect with Charles Fishman:
LinkedIn: in/charles-fishman-a8071420
Books Mentioned:
The Big Thirstby Charles Fishman
The Wal-Mart Effect by Charles Fishman
A Curious Mind by Charles Fishman & Brian Grazer
One Giant Leap by Charles Fishman
Today’s episode is my favorite format that we do. It is where you ask questions, and I answer them. As a water treatment professional, we should always have more questions than answers. Generating new questions means that we are thinking about everything we are doing, and we are trying to do what we do better. If you are not asking questions (even to yourself), you are not stretching your level of understanding. When you stretch yourself, you are learning. When you are learning, you are getting better. The next time you do a water treatment task, ask yourself, “why.”
- Why does the chlorine test turn red when positive?
- Why do I run my tests in this sequence?
- Why do I always start at this account first on my route?
- Why take my sample from this location?
I’m sure you get the idea. Please enjoy this episode of Pinks and Blues where members of the Scaling UP! Nation! ask some questions they have.
Timestamps:
Boiler discharge, cooling tower discharge, and RO unit discharge clogging a single drain [02:26]
External weather conditions and how it affects water treatment [11:26]
Can a tower get diluted with rainwater? [21:15]
Why don’t we fill a water softener to the top with resin when we add new resin? [23:45]
Quotes:
“When you understand the equipment that you treat, you are now able to understand what you are doing concerning your treatment.”
“As professionals, we have to think of all of the different scenarios.”
Links Mentioned:
Submit a question or show idea
Rising Tide Mastermind
I know what you are thinking, I am crazy to have all these processes. Well, I think you are insane not to have all these processes. A process allows a standard of quality no matter who is performing the task. In episode 131, I spoke with Alicia Butler Pierre, all about processes. One of the components of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) is processes. EOS refers to it as “the way.” And companies following EOS don’t have an issue creating processes until it comes to the sales department.
Most sales departments have as many different ways to ‘make sales’ as they do salespeople. This method or lack of practice is inefficient and outdated. In episode 39, I spoke with Justin Roff-Marsh about this very topic. Justin makes a great case on why we need to bring the sales department into modern days when it comes to processes.
In today’s episode, we are going to talk with Adam Shapiro of Sales Reform School. Adam can help you find the right processes to achieve the highest results in the sales department. He is also an EOS speaker. We will learn about how we can take all of the items we learned in EOS into the sales department and make that department more efficient, more profitable, and more fun.
Timestamps:
Adam's background [09:33]
EOS and sales [13:10]
Vision/Traction Organizer and sales [19:50]
Landing on your ‘Three Uniques’ [22:48]
Proven process and sales [24:35]
Selling virtually [27:04]
Core values and sales [32:20]
Advice for sales managers [39:03]
Quotes:
“Proven process description is a great tool for salespeople to show confidence”
“If you rush someone into a sale, you are going to regret it and they are going to regret it”
“The right time to close is when the evaluation process is complete”
Connect with Adam Shapiro:
LinkedIn: in/adshap
Website: salesreformschool.com
Links Mentioned:
Proactive Webinar Series
Books Mentioned:
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
The Challenger Sale by Matthew Dixon & Brent Adamson
Traction by Gino Wickman
The Machine by Justin Roff-Marsh
Today’s episode might feel a little different than usual. However, we could all use a positive mental attitude boost during these challenging times. I know you’ve heard me talk about my favorite book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, before on this show. Habit 1 is about being proactive. It’s a choice not to react when something happens to you. Instead, we should pause and choose our response to what we should do. I wanted to share with you about the two circles that portray this habit.
Looking at these two circles, if we are not careful, we will gravitate towards spending our time in the sphere of concern. In other words, we tend to focus on the things we have no influence over instead of the things we directly can affect. In turn, we are unable to gain much traction. When we choose to spend our time and energy on the things we can directly influence our circle grows larger and we find movement.
Today’s message from Holly Duckworth is no different. She offers a few practical tips to help you slow down, be present with those around you, and find success in a more meaningful way. Holly teaches mindful leadership to stressed-out CEOs worldwide to create profits, peace, and presence. Our world has become mindless and stressed to unhealthy levels. Thru mindfulness practices, Holly works with leaders to release beliefs that no longer serve. What is mindful leadership you ask? Well, join us today to find out precisely what mindful leadership means and how you can implement it in your career for the positive!
Key Points
6:59 - Holly’s background
9:00 - defining leadership and mindfulness
12:54 - affirmations and intentions
14:14 - positive mindset tips
19:58 - mindfulness and sales
29:59 - learn more from holly
Key Quotes
“Your presence is your greatest present”
“What you visualize you actualize”
Links Mentioned in this Episode
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Rising Tide Mastermind
Start with Why by Simon Sineck
Sell More Stress Less
Holly’s Website
Holly’s Podcast
Holly’s LinkedIn
It is not uncommon for people to tell me they are impressed with the amount of work I can get done. This attribute has helped me get noticed over the years. As my years increased, so have my tasks. Like most of us, I had more to do, so I did more. Usually, this time came at the expense of taking personal time and time away from family activities. Eventually, when there was even less bandwidth, things were done subpar, or items were not getting done. To try to get above this scenario, I decided to be careful about what I said yes to do. But even that wasn’t enough, and I realized that I needed help.
This suggestion came from a friend of mine who recommended that I get a personal assistant. More specifically, a virtual assistant. Join me as I interview one of my favorite people, my virtual assistant, Lauren Vonfeldt. In this episode, you will learn some of the behind the scenes tasks that need to get accomplished producing this podcast, but more importantly, you will learn how Lauren and I work together.
The top ten things a virtual assistant can help with:
- Research
- Social media
- Marketing and emails
- Tracking expenses or invoicing
- Calendar management
- Email management
- To-do lists
- Project management
- Events
- Editing documents and publications
- Bonus: Creating staff and client appreciation
Timestamps:
Lauren’s background [12:02]
What is a virtual assistant? [13:50]
How Trace and Lauren got connected [16:44]
What is the biggest payoff of having a virtual assistant? [22:02]
First steps when working with a virtual assistant [26:18]
The importance of regular meetings [32:13]
How to know if you need a virtual assistant? [34:45]
Top ten things a virtual assistant can help with [42:57]
Quotes:
“If you don’t have the margin in your life that you want, a virtual assistant might be right for you.”
“A virtual assistant can help you get the right information out to the right people.”
“I really believe I have was created to be behind the scenes. When your business succeeds, I know that I did a good job.”
Connect with Lauren Vonfeldt:
LinkedIn: in/lauren-vonfeldt-a0537318b
Website: laurenvonfeldt.com
Book a call with Lauren!
Links Mentioned:
130 The One About The Tools I Use
Loom
The Proactive Webinar Series
Delegate and Elevate Tool
Scaling UP! H2O Virtual Assistant page
Find out if you need a VA by taking the online quiz!
Last Pass
Folks, many associations have online conventions right now; it is a perfect time to “try” them out! You won’t have any travel expenses, and you can see what they have to offer.
Here is a list of conferences coming up:
- July 13-16 Texas Water Conference (Online)
- July 28-31 Association of California Water Agencies Conference(Online)
- August 17-19 StormCom
- September 13-16 WateReuse Symposium (Online)
- September 14-16 Water Pro Conference
- September 30-October 3 Association of Water Technologies Annual Conference
- October 3-7 WEFTech Connect
- October 5-9 Industrial Water Week
Once a water treater, always a water treater! Our guest today is Jack Altschuler. Jack is not only a former water treater; he is a past president of The Association of Water Technologies. Today Jack helps leaders get obstacles out of their way so they can succeed faster. Our interview is all-around motivational leadership, employee retention strategies, and more. Take a listen.
Timestamps:
Jack’s background [05:30]
Jack’s transition into motivational leadership [18:10]
How leaders influence their people [21:40]
Self-imposed obstacles and how to remove them [34:19]
Common obstacles for water treaters [39:00]
How leadership applies to everybody [46:18]
How to work well with different generations [48:11]
Quotes:
“When we solve problems for other people, it’s actually disempowering to them.”
“A leader’s primary job is to bring out the very best in their people.”
“The best thing you can do is to let people know that you care about them.”
“When we agree to become a leader, we give up the right to fall to pieces.”
“Be the confident captain.”
Connect with Jack Altschuler:
LinkedIn: in/jackaltschuler
Website: fullyaliveleadership.com
Links Mentioned On This Episode
Engagement by Jack Altschuler
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber
Who would think that all of our meetings in the 2nd quarter of 2020 would be over video conference? Not me. I would have bought a hefty amount a Zoom stock if I did. Which, by the way, was trading for about $70 back in February and will now cost you $210. Hindsight, right! For those of us that didn’t make it rich buying Zoom stock, you probably use Zoom’s product or something like it. Have you ever wondered what the best way to have a video conference is?
As a Mastermind Group, The Rising Tide Mastermind meets weekly over Zoom. I have used it for years before the onsite of stay-at-home orders, but I could not remember ever seeing anything on video call etiquette. A member of our Mastermind asked if I could have a speaker come talk to us on this topic. The only issue was, I couldn’t find one. No one wanted to disappoint, so I decided to book myself.
Please join me for tips, tricks, and yes, etiquette for having your best virtual meeting ever.
Trace’s top tips for virtual meetings:
- Find a room that is comfortable, private, with good lighting and reliable wi-fi.
- Let your family members know that you are going to be on a video call.
- Find the platform that works best for you.
- When possible, use your computer, not your phone.
- Don’t sit in front of a window.
- Think about what is in the background of your video.
- Prepare for the meeting by reviewing agendas, preparing to screen share, etc.
- Test the software ahead of time.
- Dress professionally.
- Turn your phone notifications off.
- When you are not the one speaking, mute yourself.
- Use your camera and look directly into the camera.
- Think about what your nonverbal cues are saying.
- If using Zoom, use the gallery view.
- Be prepared for screen sharing.
- If you are hosting, offer lots of breaks.
- If you are hosting, send out an agenda.
- If you are hosting, make sure that everybody is being heard.
- If you are hosting, always ask for feedback.
- If possible, don’t eat during a video call.
- Stay focused on the call at hand.
- Take private conversations offline.
- If hosting, be the last to leave the video conference.
- BONUS TIP: Try right clicking your video to display the menu, then choose Hide Myself. You no longer see the video of yourself, even though others in the meeting can see you. This helps you feel like you are in person and keeps you from being distracted by your video.
Key Points
7:36 – Think about the right room to take your virtual meeting in
9:25 – What can you do to minimize interruptions?
9:58 – Trace’s preferred virtual meeting service
14:29 – How to prepare for the meeting
23:40 – Take advantage of the video feature
29:40 – Screen sharing
35:45 – Hosting virtual meetings
43:30 – How to stay focused during a video call
51:15 – The difference between video meetings and webinars
Key Quotes
“When you are in a meeting, be present in that meeting.”
“When we communicate, 60% or more is through nonverbal cues...make sure your cameras are on.”
“If you wouldn’t do it in a conference room, you shouldn’t do it in a video room.”
“Conference calls are more concentrated than regular in-person calls.”
“The host’s job is to manage the participants.”
“Don’t be afraid to tackle big issues in a video conference.”
Links Mentioned On This Episode
Submit a show idea
The Proactive Webinar Series
Rising Tide Mastermind
Zoom
It is the end of the 2nd quarter! Who knew what 2020 was going to bring? Nobody thought it was going to be a pandemic. As we all learn what the “new normal” is for our day to day routines that used to be so typical, we still have to deal with accounts that were not the best before the pandemic. They certainly didn’t get any better during the pandemic!
My good friend Mark Lewis, CWT is our guest today. Today, Mark is talking about neglected accounts. What is a neglected account? Well, it has a bunch of ways to define it. The bottom line is it is an account that is not at its best. And it is this way for a multitude of reasons. Mark and I are going to talk about those reasons and what we can do about them.
Key Points
9:30 – What is a neglected account?
25:28 – Is there a solution to bridge the gap on neglected accounts?
37:14 – What to do with a neglected account
52:20 – Taking over a new account
55:30 – What about neglect in reports?
1:03:10 – Lightning Round Questions
Key Quotes
“Our job is to go back and explain to the customer the condition that their equipment is in.”
“We should be saving the customer enough money that our water treatment invoice is not even noticeable.”
“You should always service the account the way that you feel it should be serviced.”
“Even though we are called water treaters, we are actually treating the equipment.”
“Our work-life balance needs to be: I enjoy what I do, and I am good at it.”
Links Mentioned in Episode
Hope Laugh Play Website
Hope Laugh Play Facebook Page
Submit a show idea
For the last two months, our world has been very different. Who would have thought we would have stay at home orders? I know I didn't! But it did. As we reopen, everybody wants to know what they can do to get back to work.
As a water treater, we have a different perspective on what it takes to get a building or facility back up and running. Most owners are thinking about all the things they can see whereas the water treater is thinking about the things we cannot see. Specifically, the things that have been growing in dormant piping while we were all at home. Bacteria and other pathogens did not take a break.
Our guest today is Dr. Janet Stout. Janet has been a great friend of our podcast by offering great information about the prevention of Legionnaires Disease. This episode is from an exclusive webinar we did for the Rising Tide Mastermind. To see it go to scalinguph2o.com/janetstout. There you can see the slides that Janet is presenting on. Janet shares what has been going on in the pipes of dormant systems. She gives us best practices that we should share with our clients.
Here's the bottom line; we need to help our clients understand that what they cannot see is just as important as the things they can see. We can assist our clients by giving them the information and letting them know what has been happening in their system's piping over the last two months. Ultimately, this will help save someone from suffering later.
Please enjoy and share this episode.
Key Points
12:50 – Best practices on starting water systems back up
23:45 – Changes that occur in stagnant water systems
26:00 – When to sample for Legionella
28:50 – Key resources for risk mitigation and decontamination
30:30 – What to do if you find legionella
38:25 – How to get building owners thinking about water systems during the reopening
43:11 – What to do with a stagnant system that's back online
Key Quotes
"While we humans are experiencing scarcity, the bacteria have everything they need in abundance in these building water systems that have been shut down."
"Make sure that whatever you are doing, you document thoroughly not only for your protection but also for the protection of the building owner."
"COVID is bad enough. COVID affects countries. Legionella affects you. If there is a Legionella problem, it will compound your economic recovery."
"If you ignore Legionella's risk in an unoccupied space, you may pay an enormous price."
Links Mentioned On This Episode
The Proactive Webinar Series
Rising Tide Mastermind
Special Pathogen’s Lab Covid-19 Resources
Last week we heard from Evapco’s Brett Alexander. Brett explained the inner workings of all types of cooling towers and how we can tell the differences between them. We also discussed the different metallurgies that these devices are made of. If you didn’t get a chance to listen to last week's episode, please do so. It is a great baseline on cooling tower knowledge.
Today, Brett is back, and he is going to continue our discussion from last week. Being a fellow water treater, Brett is going to share his knowledge of water treatment as it pertains to keeping cooling towers in their prime. Take a listen for tips and tricks Brett shares from a water treater’s prospective.
Timestamps:
Drift eliminators [02:45]
What to look for with spray nozzles [09:30]
Variable frequency drives [16:50]
Maintaining louvers [19:08]
Anatomy of a cooling tower [20:40]
What should a water treatment program include [25:05]
Top issues that come up with water treatment [33:00]
Why are there so few cooling towers with filtration [40:25]
Brett's tips [44:00]
Quotes:
“If you can get in with a contractor company or a sales representative company that does a lot of work with cooling towers it can really help increase your business”
“Cooling towers love water. When they have water and are seeing the water they are supposed to they usually run pretty well. It’s as simple as giving it the water it needs”
Connect with Brett Alexander:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/brett-alexander-849145b6
Website: evapco.com
Links Mentioned:
The Four Agreements
Leading at The Edge: Leadership Lessons from the Extraordinary Saga of Shackleton's Antarctic Expedition
Every day for the past 20+ years I think I have seen a cooling tower either in person, a picture or just thought about one. As an industrial water treater, cooling towers are part of our day to day lives. I do remember a time before that when I did not know what a cooling tower was and having to learn about how it worked. But I must admit, later, I really didn’t give them too much thought.
Later in my career, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the cooling tower manufacturers, talk about a group of people that have given cooling towers a lot of thought... I soon came to realize that the generic terms that I have for cooling towers did not always translate well when speaking to someone who had such a larger extent of knowledge around cooling towers. Today's episode is focus around this experience. We are going to learn from cooling tower expert Brett Alexander of Evapco. Brett will share with us terminology and function of the device we all know and love, cooling towers.
Timestamps:
Brett’s background [08:20]
Definition of a cooling tower [16:20]
Closed circuit cooler vs. evaporative condenser [21:34]
Types of cooling towers with regards to air flow [24:40]
Different materials of construction [28:27]
Stainless steel [35:00]
Importance of communication with new customers [46:40]
Fiberglass [48:15]
Quotes:
“The startup and commissioning of a new unit is the most critical time”
“We are trying to educate everyone on the importance of planning ahead”
“You’ve got to know the materials, the construction, and the equipment that you are dealing with”
Links Mentioned:
White Rust Bulletin
Rising Tide Mastermind
Last January, I started a group called The Rising Tide Mastermind. You probably have noticed that I've mentioned it quite a few times on the podcast. The fact of the matter is, I want to get the word out about this group. I can say that it has been transformational for its members. And me too!
Many of you in the Scaling UP! Nation! have asked questions about The Rising Tide Mastermind by going to our website and submitting your inquiry. The majority of questions hub around what the group does, and what you get out of it. I could easily answer these questions for you on a podcast episode, but instead of me answering them, I've enlisted some help. Today's conversation is all about what it is like to be a member of The Rising Tide Mastermind, from the perspective of four members of the group. Join me as I ask your questions to Mark Lewis, Conor Parrish, Eric Russo and Brian Fisk.
Quotes:
"We are fortunate to have a diversity of thought in this group."
"The Rising Tide Mastermind Group is showing us that our good is good, but it can be better."
"Ultimately, in The Rising Tide Mastermind Group, we have a highly functioning team who are bringing up problems, addressing them, holding themselves accountable, and developing themselves. It's a great format for any team that wants to achieve their goals."
"There is a clear structure on every call. We know what to expect every week, we follow it, and it keeps us on track."
"This is a genuine group of people getting together for a common goal that is not financial profit; it's self-betterment."
Timestamps:
What is a mastermind? [02:00]
Why join The Rising Tide Mastermind? [08:50]
What does a typical meeting look like? [12:15]
Holding each other accountable [17:56]
Expectations about the mastermind group [26:10]
Accountability Groups [32:20]
One to One Meetings [34:48]
Advice about joining the Rising Tide Mastermind [49:00]
Links Mentioned:
Join the Mastermind Group
Books Mentioned:
The Twelve Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
How do you know how well you are doing if you don’t measure it?
Ok, how about this... How would you know who was winning if they dint keep score?
Now try this: How do you know how you are doing if you aren't keeping score?
And the better question is: how do you get better if you don’t know to get better?
I am talking about metrics. Metrics is how we can keep score on everything we do. If it has and input and an output, you can measure it. But the thing is, most of us don’t measure anything. How long does it take you to service and account, run a test, write a report, or sale a new customer?
Peter Drucker said “What get’s measured get’s improved.”
So, if we aren't measuring, we don’t have the structure to improve.
One of the things we need to measure in business is our business. The is a limitless supply of items we can measure in business. But measuring them is only step one. Know what to do with that data and then how to know you are improvement is what is needed.
I'm guessing you are like me and you use a handful of metrics. But what about the ones you don’t know to use because you’ve never heard of them. Those could be the ones that solve that problem you are dealing with. IF you don’t know what they are, you cannot benefit from them.
That’s why I partner with people that know more than I do. Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich mentioned how Henry Ford admitted under oath that he didn’t know everything he needed to know about business. But he had access to those people he needed to help him fill in the gaps. What are your gaps? How will you fill them in?
Having a partner like Mr. Ford alluded to is key. Today I talk with one of those partners,Adam Lean of The CFO Project. Adam lets us know what we should be thinking about when it comes to tracking how we are doing in business.
Many have asked me about how they can find someone to help them in particular areas like:
- Financial (CFO)
- Technical
- Virtual assistance
- Insurance
- And the list goes on...
I and the Scaling UP! H2O team have partnered with individuals and companies we trust and can help you with your questions. Remember, Henry Ford didn’t know everything, he just knew who had the information he needed when he needed it. Isn't it time you started thinking like Mr. Ford?
Go to scalinguph2o.com/ta to find a trusted advisor to help you today.
Timestamps:
Hear more about Adam’s background [08:48]
At what point does a business need a CFO? [12:50]
What aspects of financials are important to consider for a successful business? [16:41]
Understanding sustainable growth rate [22:17]
What does the relationship with the CFO look like? [29:30]
Important metrics for businesses to track [41:10]
Where to start learning more about your financials [45:11]
Lightning round questions [47:40]
Quotes:
“More often than not accounting is just looking at what happened, not how to be proactive to make something happen.” - Adam Lean
“Fifty percent of all small businesses will fail within the first five years. It’s because they did not focus on the right things that matter to have a profitable business.” - Adam Lean
“Most business owners are very busy and are focused on the day to day operations because that is what they enjoy doing. In order to stay in business you’ve got to focus on the most important things needed to have a profitable business which turns into cash flow.” - Adam Lean
“Imagine going to a baseball game and you don’t know what the score is. So many people run their businesses that way and they simply don’t realize how much that information can lead to better decisions” - Adam Lean
Connect with Adam Lean:
LinkedIn: in/adamlean
Schedule a time to talk to Adam!
Links Mentioned:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Trusted Advisors Network
Covid-19 Webinars
Books Mentioned:
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
Financial Intelligence for Entrepreneurs by Karen Berman and Joe Knight
12 Week Year by Brian Moran
The ONE Thing by Gary Keller
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
I want to personally say thank you to all of the water treaters out there that are keeping our world running.
Please stay safe.
I am always looking for ways to find out what I don't know I don't know. The problem with that is you don't know what you don't know, you know...
For this reason, I try to put myself in situations to force what I don't know to become apparent to me. Some of the ways I do this is:
- Reading
- Going to events
- Listening to podcasts
- Participating in mastermind groups (like The Rising Tide Mastermind)
- Working with a personal coach
- Having others hold me accountable
- And the list goes on.
Again, you don't know what you don't know, so you have to put yourself in places that help bring the unknown to light. As the host of Scaling UP! H2O, I am very aware that there is a lot to know about running a podcast. And, there is a plethora of stuff I don't know. So, in following my advice I do all of the above.
About a year ago, I was at a podcasting event called Podcast Movement. It was a convention about podcasting. And boy, did I learn that I didn't know a lot of things! During one of the breakout sessions I went to attend a session on promoting your podcast through social media. It should have been named how to use LinkedIn better. Because it was all about LinkedIn. I'm not sure I would have attended it if it was called that. During that session, the presenter shared some fantastic tips about social media but specifically LinkedIn. Today's show is all about that session I attended and have been practicing from that time.
Here are the tips he gave during the session:
Many in the Scaling UP! Nation have asked me how to expand their network of contacts. I believe that today’s episode will not only answer that question, but it will also help you polish your online presence.
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Scranton Associates
The Rising Tide Mastermind
Nation!, one of my favorite things to do on this podcast is to talk to other water treaters. As a fellow water treater, I can relate to the trials and tribulations others in our industry face. I am continuously amazed at how water treaters will selflessly help other water treaters with issues. We are a part of such a great community! I have developed some great relationships because I ask a fellow water treater a question on how to do something. The bottom line: don't be afraid to ask someone to help you!
Our guest today is a water treater that has seen a lot during his career. John Fleig of Chemenergy Water Treatment shares with us some of his experiences in the industry. This is a conversation you don't want to miss!
Please welcome John Fleig.
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Scranton Associates
John Fleig on LinkedIn
Chemenergy
Chemenergy on Twitter
Books:
The Miracle Equation: The Two Decisions That Move Your Biggest Goals from Possible, to Probable, to Inevitable
132 Pinks and Blues: 12 Week Year
Episode 132: Show Notes
As you know, I love to make goals. I love achieving those goals even more. At a very early age, I learned how to stretch myself to accomplish things I wanted to do. However, it wasn’t until later in life that I learned tools to help me be more efficient at reaching those goals.
Last January, I started a Mastermind Group called The Rising Tide Mastermind. I am pleased to report it is a huge success. We have two full groups and a waiting list for another two groups. If you are interested in learning if this is the right fit for you, click here.
In the Rising Tide Mastermind, we expand our knowledge and help each other achieve our goals more efficiently.
- We use each other’s past experiences to give advice.
- We act as a sounding board to help vet out ideas.
- We hold each other accountable to do what we say we are going to do.
- We read topical books to help expand our minds and make us better.
One of these books was the 12-Week Year written by Brian Moran. It not only teaches you how to create your goals, but it also teaches you how to plan and execute those goals. I was introduced to this book about two years ago when my business coach Tim Fulton recommended it as a part of our one to ones. A one to one is where you get together with a coach and solve issues. This is something I offer as a part of the Rising Tide Mastermind.
The book does a great job of giving you a complete process around your goals.
Here are the eight elements of the book:
- Vision: A compelling vision creates a clear picture of the future.
- Planning: An effective plan clarifies and focuses on the top priority initiatives and actions needed to achieve the vision.
- Process control: A set of tools and events that align your daily actions with the critical actions in your plan.
- Measurement: Lead and lag indicators that provide comprehensive feedback necessary for informed decision-making.
- Time use: Using your time with clear intention is a must.
- Accountability: Accountability is ultimately ownership. It is a character trait, a life stance, a willingness to own actions and results, regardless of the circumstances.
- Commitment: Keeping your promises to others, build strong relationships, and keeping promises to yourself builds character, esteem, and success.
- Greatness in the moment: The results are not the attainment of greatness, but simply confirmation of it.”
Join me as a try my best to give you the in’s and out’s of this “game-changer” book when it comes to goals.
If you would like a copy of this book, please go to http://scalinguph2o.com/12weekyear .
This book is also available on Audible from the same link. If you don’t have Audible, please enjoy a free book and a free month on us http://scalinguph2o.com/audible
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Scranton Associates
Virtual Assistants
Audible
Books:
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
During this time of crisis, we need to focus on what we can do to stay the course. We want to help you come out strong on the other end! That’s why the Rising Tide Mastermind is hosting the Proactive Webinar Series. These webinars are completely free, so share this link with anyone you think can benefit. Our speakers will help advise us on what to focus on as we navigate this uncertain road. Join us Thursday at 1 PM EST!
-
- Thursday, April 2 at 1 PM EST - Adam Lean from the CFO Project will be sharing what metrics we need to be looking at during this time. He will also share tips on how we can use these metrics as navigation tools at any time.
- Thursday, April 9 at 1 PM EST
- Adam Shapiro of the Sales Reform School, will be sharing What the Heck Should Sales Do with EOS®?:Whether you are currently implementing EOS or are just EOS-curious, you can prepare your sales team with a few EOS lessons. He will also share with us how we should be considering sales during these unprecedented times.
131 The One About Standard Operating Procedures
Episode 131: Show Notes
Nation! Are you as excited as I am about Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). I’m guessing probably not. There was a time where I didn’t get very enthusiastic about them either, but they have changed my life. I promise, they did!
SOP’s are the specific items that have to be completed in order to perform a particular task or duty. As a business owner, most of these procedures were in my head because I was the one that did them (at least in the beginning.) For a solo-preneur, there is no issue with having all of your procedures in your head; you are the only one performing the task. The problem comes when you want to scale or, in other words, hire somebody who will take over those tasks. And this was my issue.
When I first started hiring people to do the tasks that I needed help with, the only way they could get that needed procedural information was to ask me. If they forgot how to do the procedure, they had to ask me again. If they needed the clarify something about the process, once again, they would have to ask me. I didn’t have time to do my work because I was busy doing their work, or at least that was how I felt. The truth is I trained them that the only way they could get the information they needed was to get it from me. It wasn’t that I was doing their work for them; I didn’t provide them with the necessary tools so they could get questions answered without me. I had created a nightmare for myself because I didn’t know how to put tasks into a procedure. Once I learned how to do that, everyone was happier.
Today’s guest is Alicia Butler Pierre, a Jedi master at creating standard operating procedures. It was Alicia that helped me understand the problem I was creating by not having SOP’s. She shared a technique using notes cards that allowed me not only to start thinking about writing the SOP’s but made it very more comfortable to see, understand, and deliver to my team. She is going to share that same technique with you on today’s show.
If you own a business, you need SOP’s. If you work within a company, you need SOP’s. If you do a task repeatedly, you need SOP’s.
Please welcome Alicia Butler Pierre.
More about Alicia Butler Pierre
Alicia Butler Pierre is the founder and CEO of Equilibria, Inc., a 14-year-old operations management firm specializing in business infrastructure for fast growing small businesses. Alicia has a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Tulane University. She’s also a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and has authored business content generating over half a million combined views across various online platforms.
Alicia hosts the weekly Business Infrastructure: Curing Back Office Blues podcast. She’s also the author of the Amazon bestseller, Behind the Façade: How to Structure Company Operations for Sustainable Success. Committed to doing the right things the right way, Alicia's mantra is "to leave it better than you found it."
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Trace was recently feature on the Business Infrastructure Podcast
Alicia Butler Pierre on LinkedIn
Alicia Butler Pierre on Twitter
Business Infrastructure.TV
Equilibria, Inc.
Scranton Associates
Virtual Assistants
GoCanvas
Books:
Behind the Facade
Scaling UP! Nation! , we are a community! And as a community, we can get through anything.
During this time of uncertainly, we must stay proactively positive.
As we socially distance ourselves, how do we stay connected? More specifically, how are you staying connected? Are you reaching out to people and letting them know you are thinking about them?
How are you punctuating the positives? Get yourself in the habit of recognizing positive things. Focus on things you can do, not things you cannot do. Choose to be proactively positive.
To help with this, the Rising Tide Mastermind is hosting The Proactive Webinar Series.
This week Cindy Miller, communications expert will tell us how we should be communicating with our customers. To register for this free webinar, go to http://scalinguph2o.com/webinar.
We will have a new speaker (expert in their field) every Thursday at 1pm.
Please help us spread and share this link.
Remember to be proactively positive.
During this time of crisis, we need to focus on what we can do to stay the course. We want to help you come out strong on the other end! That’s why the Rising Tide Mastermind is hosting the Proactive Webinar Series. These webinars are completely free, so share this link with anyone you think can benefit. Our speakers will help advise us on what to focus on as we navigate this uncertain road. Join us Thursday at 1 PM EST! * + Thursday, March 26 at 1 PM - Cindy Miller will be sharing Crisis Communications in a Coronavirus World: In today's new normal, strategic communications is more important than ever. We'll explore what smart companies are doing to protect and promote their brand with communications that put people first, embrace greater good, and provide transparency to customers. + Thursday, April 2 at 1 PM - Adam Lean will be sharing what metrics we need to be looking at during this time. He will also share tips on how we can use these metrics as navigation tools through any time. + Thursday, April 9 at 1 PM - Adam Shapiro will be sharing What the Heck Should Sales Do with EOS®?: Whether you are currently implementing EOS or are just EOS-curious, you can prepare your sales team with a few EOS lessons. He will also share with us how we should be considering sales during these unprecedented times.
Sign up below to get the link to join Thursday's webinar!
We invite you to join us Thursday, 3/26, 4/2, & 4/9 at 1 pm to hear from some great speakers on how to sustain your business during this Pandemic.
Send me the link!
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130 The One About The Tools I Use
Episode 130: Show Notes
Scaling UP! Nation! Thank you!
Why am I thanking you? Well, you're fantastic. More specifically, you have helped me with this podcast in so many ways. Here's what you do:
- You listen to the podcast.
- You get great guests for me to interview.
- You tell others to listen to the podcast.
- You give me questions to help with future episodes.
- And the list goes on.
Today's episode is from some questions that the Nation! has asked. They are specific topics that I have brought up on the show before but needed more clarity. I created this episode to help you with some of the tools I use that help me.
To be fully transparent, I have a unique opportunity and perspective to help water treatment companies and individuals. I have insight into how they can be of use for water treaters. Some of the items we are talking about today are tools I have developed and facilitated specifically for the water treatment industry. These products and services will create a commission or fee that will come back to me.
Tool #1: Roth IRA
A task I do that I love is meet one on one with people. A 'one to one' is where I devote a specific time to talk with someone about anything they would like to discuss. Typically, it is around goals or an issue, but I never know what topic someone will bring up. Most recently, people have been asking me about savings. Excuse the rant, but schools are not preparing people with how they need to save money for their long-term goals. Schools are not even preparing incoming students for the barrage of credit cards they will get as a new college student. The lack of knowledge and abundance of credit card debt has led many young people not to know what to do. So, by default, they do nothing, at least in the savings department.
I want people to know you have to pay yourself first. Otherwise, no one else will do it for you. What do I mean by 'pay yourself first'? Get a Roth IRA. Put $100 a month into it, and you will have a great savings plan started. Many younger people I speak with tell me that "I don't want to lose access to my money." Well, with a Roth, you can take out your contributions without any penalty. I believe you cannot afford not to do this. The best time to start is today. Compound interest is a game-changer. The more time your money has, the more your money will work for you. Please talk to a financial advisor to start contributing to a Roth IRA today.
Tool #2: Virtual Assistant
Using a Virtual Assistant is a tool that has been a real game-changer for me. As I am sure you know, you cannot do everything. Sometimes even trying will paralyze us into doing nothing. A few years ago, a friend told me about how he uses a Virtual Assistant (VA) to help him with tasks. Honestly, as much as the idea of having somebody help me, the sense of not knowing who the person was or how to delegate work to them paralyzed me. I did nothing for several months until my friend told me how concerned he was about how stressed I was getting. His conversation lead me to hire my first VA. Since that time, I have learned not only how to delegate, but how to create effective communication between myself and my virtual staff. If this sounds like something that could help you, let me help you through my experiences. Go to www.scalinguph2o.com/va to learn how we can help.
Tool #3: Calendars and Time Blocking
Time management is another issue that many water treaters struggle with. I have found that most do not keep a calendar. So, my biggest tip here is to start keeping a calendar. Anytime you commit your time to something, put it in your schedule. Your calendar should be a tool that you can use to see all of your commitments.
Another tip around the topic of time management is how to get non-time specific items done. For this, I use a tool called time blocking. All this means is I block an amount of time in my calendar to work on tasks. But here is the critical part, I don't do anything else while I'm working in that time block. I let people know I'm working on a time block and not to disturb me unless it is an emergency. These two tips will help you get things done. Implementing these boundaries will help you hold yourself accountable to do them.
Tool #4: Audible
People also ask me when I have time to read as much as I do. The truth is, I don't. I found a tool called Audible that reads to me in the car. With this tool, I'm able to get to where I need to be while reading. Two years ago, I read 65 books in a year using Audible. My grandfather told me that if I didn't take time to read, I wouldn't keep my mind open to learning when the opportunity showed itself. Reading encourages learning and keeps your brain, looking for learning opportunities. If you would like to try Audible for free, please go to www.scalinguph2o.com/audible.
Tool #5: Leadership Teams
I have dedicated several shows to a simple system for running your business more efficiently. Many people have asked me if I could help them adopt some of these principles in their company. I've helped other companies implement these strategies before, but I have never mentioned it on this podcast. If you think that a clear and straightforward system would help you and your company with its operations, please go to www.scalinguph2o.com/leadership to find out more.
Tool #6: The Rising Tide Mastermind
If you are a regular listener of the show, you have heard me talk about the Rising Tide Mastermind. Many of you have asked me about what a mastermind is. A Mastermind is a group of people who get together to:
- Have comradery with each other
- Help each other solve problems
- Hold each other accountable
- Celebrate the successes of others
The Rising Tide Mastermind is a group that serves the water treatment community in all of these areas and many more. If, after listening to today's show you want to find out more about The Rising Tide Mastermind, please go to www.scalinguph2o.com/mastermind to find out more. After you fill out an application, I will talk with you to personally see if it is a good fit.
I hope these tools help you get to where you are going faster. All of the tools talked about in today's show have helped me, please let me know if I can help you with anything mentioned here today.
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Virtual Assistants
The Top 30 Things You Can Delegate to a Virtual Assistant Right Now!
Leadership
Business Operating Systems Article
104 The One on Generational Diversity
Audible
12 week year planning
12 week year book
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business
What the Heck Is EOS?: A Complete Guide for Employees in Companies Running on EOS
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
129 The One That Helps You with Sales Presentations
Episode 129: Show Notes
Nation! a water treater must wear many hats. You have to be fluent in plumbing, electricity, chemistry, physics, and even psychology, to name a few. Our job never gets boring. We are always learning and taking on new challenges. One of the duties that I didn't mention in the list above was sales. It doesn't matter what you are doing in your job; you are always selling something. It could be your service, yourself, or even the actual account. To be successful in water treatment, we must all sell.
Our guest today is Bryan Gray. Bryan teaches others how to sell more effectively by using the psychology we know about the brain. He also addresses why we need to be concise with our sales messages to navigate through a multi-person decision. Today, it seems that with the internet, everyone is an expert. So, Bryan helps us understand how to address that and how to use that to our advantage. The key questions we must answer for potential clients are, "Why you?" and Why now?". Bryan Gray and his team at the Revenue Path Group offer a free e-book called Sales is Broken: Surviving & thriving through the tectonic shift in the Age of Acceleration. It will provide more information as you dig deeper into this subject.
I'm sure you will get some great ideas from today's episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:12]
- Technical Training Schedule [0:04:05]
- Fundamentals of Selling [0:10:28]
- The Limbic Brain [0:16:03]
- The Transition [0:20:14]
- How Does The Brain Work? [0:23:18]
- Failure Point [0:30:19]
- Prioritize Decision [0:31:50]
- Helpful Tips [0:33:49]
- Bryan Gray’s Presentation [0:37:25]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change, a potential client will make a decision." @BryanGray @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatHelpsYouwithSalesPresentations #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #sales #salespresentation #watertreatmentindustry #presentation #howthebrainworks #RevenuePathGroup
“70% of the buying journey is done alone in this age of the internet. Technology makes it difficult to differentiate yourself.” @BryanGray @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatHelpsYouwithSalesPresentations #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #sales #salespresentation #watertreatmentindustry #presentation #howthebrainworks #RevenuePathGroup
"It’s not what you say to a prospect. It’s what they hear.” @BryanGray @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatHelpsYouwithSalesPresentations #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #sales #salespresentation #watertreatmentindustry #presentation #howthebrainworks #RevenuePathGroup
"The most critical questions to answer when speaking to a prospect are ‘why should they choose me?’ and ‘why should they choose me now?" @BryanGray @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatHelpsYouwithSalesPresentations #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #sales #salespresentation #watertreatmentindustry #presentation #howthebrainworks #RevenuePathGroup
"What motivates your prospective client? Then begin to elevate the threats that you eliminate.” @BryanGray @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatHelpsYouwithSalesPresentations #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #sales #salespresentation #watertreatmentindustry #presentation #howthebrainworks #RevenuePathGroup
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Radical Polymers
Bryan Gray on LinkedIn
Revenue Path Group on LinkedIn
Revenue Path Group on Instagram
Revenue Path Group Company Website
MediaSauce Company Website
Books:
The Challenger Customer: Selling to the Hidden Influencer Who Can Multiply Your Results
At Home: A Short History of Private Life
Beastie Boys Book
128 Pinks & Blues: Tonnage x3
Episode 128: Show Notes
Every week you hear me ask for questions from you, The Scaling UP! Nation! and I am happy to report that you answer those requests. One of the topics that have come up from listeners of the show is for me to define why we do certain things in water treatment. Most of your questions have revolved around math.
Over the last few Pinks and Blues episodes, I have been answering a few of your questions about equations we all use, but don’t know where they came from. Let’s do another one today! Today, we will be talking about the mysterious, tonnage times 3 to find the recirculation rate. If you are trying to find the evaporation of a cooling tower, you need to know the recirculation rate. And, because being a water treater is never easy, you can never find that information. At least not easily. Because of this common issue, we have all used the common “rule of thumb” tonnage times 3 equals the recirculation rate. But why and where does it come from? That’s what we are going to answer.
To calculate the evaporation rate, you usually use this equation:
If you have ever wondered why we measure cooling in tonnage, it because it is based on a ton of ice. So, our equation is all about melting a ton of ice. The image below shows how we get a chiller ton:
A cooling tower not only has to take out the heat a chiller removes, but also the heat that the chiller creates in that process. With all of that in mind, below proves how we get to tonnage times 3:
So there it is, the math does work!
I hope that you can now confidently use this equation we have all been using for years. But now, since you understand the equation, it should bring more meaning to you.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:10]
- AWT Training [0:01:43]
- Doing Math On the Podcast [0:06:46]
- Evaporation Rate [0:10:22]
- The Recirculation Rate [0:12:35]
- Why We Use The Word "Ton" [0:13:32]
- How To Get Tonnage x3 [0:20:05]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
“The more you give to this industry, the more that you will get back. @TraceBlackmore #pinksandblues #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #tonnagex3 #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #EvaporationRate #RecirculationRate #MathonPodcast
“When you let people know what issues you're having, they can use their experience to answer your question in a different way that will allow you to solve them. @TraceBlackmore #pinksandblues #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #tonnagex3 #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #EvaporationRate #RecirculationRate #MathonPodcast
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Radical Polymers
Rising Tide Mastermind
Association of Water Technologies
127 The One With Tom Hutchison
Episode 127: Show Notes
Several months ago, I released a podcast on having multiple generations in the business (EP 104). Since that time, I have heard from several members of the Nation! who wanted to know more about how one generation transitions to another. Many of the original owners of the water treatment companies out there are retiring. So, what should a business do to transition to the next generation properly?
At the last Association of Water Technologies conference, Tom Hutchison of HOH Water Technology delivered a paper on this very topic. Tom interviewed 22 business owners of multi-generational businesses and asked them questions around the transition. Tom was gracious enough to come on today’s show and share his findings with the Scaling UP! Nation!
AWT Multi-Generational Businesses | DOWNLOAD!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:10]
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:04:03]
- AWT Training Schedule [0:05:56]
- 40 Years After In Water Treatment [0:11:30]
- Multi-Generational Businesses [0:17:15]
- Reason Why Generations Fail [0:24:50]
- Start With “Why?” [0:29:16]
- Family Dynamics [0:35:40]
- 4 Ways To Transition A Business [0:45:46]
- Best Time To Talk Transition [0:54:07]
- Why We Need To Have EOS [0:56:15]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Things have changed since I was in the field in the '80s and '90s. I think customers have changed, as the market has changed, it is a different world for water treaters today. I think I know all the right answers, but I know what the answers were in 1980, and I am not so sure what they are now in 2019." - @TomHutchison @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithTomHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #HOH #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #TomHutchison #EOS #multigeneration
"Fifty (50%) percent of second-generation businesses are successful, fifteen (15%) percent of third-generation businesses are successful, and five (5%) percent of fourth-generation businesses make it." - @TomHutchison @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithTomHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #HOH #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #TomHutchison #EOS #multigeneration
"There is nothing more important to me with regards to HOH than to make sure that I've properly transitioned to the next generation." - @TomHutchison @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithTomHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #HOH #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #TomHutchison #EOS #multigeneration
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Tom Hutchison on LinkedIn
HOH Water Technology
Radical Polymers
Rising Tide Mastermind
Association of Water Technologies
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
104 The One on Generational Diversity
045 The One That Brings Your Team Together
085 The One with the Business Operating System
Books:
Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't
Dance in the End Zone: The Business Owner's Exit Planning Playbook
The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else In Business
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
126 The One That Explains where 120,000 Comes From
Episode 126: Show Notes
I think that one of the most chaotic fields out there is water treatment. Think about it. Most of your customers don't understand it, and many water treaters can't explain it. Everything can be perfect today and then be off tomorrow. Add to that the fact that most water treaters are only at their accounts every few weeks; there is just so much that can happen. Another entry into the race of chaos is that water is very dynamic; it changes. The system's operational parameters also change. Change is the norm when it comes to water treatment. Because of all this chaos, I seek salvation in math!
Did he just say that? MATH? Yes, I did. Math, albeit an unpopular topic or even a scary topic to some, is the only non-chaotic item we have in our world of water treatment. I know several out there in The Scaling UP! Nation! are not fans of math because they have not been properly introduced.
I get the privilege of teaching water treatment math for The Association of Water Technologies. When I first started this endeavor, I found that people had a hard time embracing the concepts around some of our mathematics water treatment equations because they did not understand the equation. That is the secret sauce to my math class. Teach the equation to help make sense as to why it works. Basic algebra is as advanced as we get for 90% of all of the equations we use. So, I believe that when a person understands why an equation works, they understand the equation.
You can't talk about a water treatment equation without using the words "rule of thumb." This is typically the answer someone will get when they ask to where a constant in an equation comes from. I guess "rule of thumb" sounds better than "I have no idea where that comes from." My self-inflicted task was to find out where all of these rules of thumb came from.
Today's episode is the second time I have talked about math on this podcast. I get requests all the time for me to talk about math. After airing episode 116 about the system sizing procedure, I received very positive feedback on how explaining the equation or doing math on the podcast was welcomed. We are going to talk about one of the most used constants or rules of thumb we use in water treatment equations, 120,000.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:10]
- AWT Business Owner's Conference [0:01:43]
- WQA Conference [0:06:36]
- The 120,000 Equation [0:09:12]
- Proving The 120,000 [0:13:45]
- How To Simplify 120,000 [0:17:12]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"If you don't take time out of your day-to-day to work on your day-to-day, you're not getting better." @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatExplainswhere120,000ComesFrom #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #pinksandblues #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #ruleofthumb #systemvolume
"Doing something incorrectly quickly is not fast; it is slow. It will cost you more time, and it will cost you just about every other resource that you can think of." @TraceBlackmore #TheOneThatExplainswhere120,000ComesFrom #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #pinksandblues #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #ruleofthumb #systemvolume
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Radical Polymers
Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT Business Owners Meeting
Water Quality Association
111 The One with Eric Russo, CWT
116 Pinks and Blues: System Volume
125 The One with Justin Ranger, CWT
Episode 125: Show Notes
I am an advocate for joining an association that contains people in the same type of water treatment as you. Our job is so specific, it can be lonely. You won't exactly find people who do what we do at the local pub. But that is the most likely place to find our kind. Just because water treaters are challenging to find, it doesn't mean that they are not out there. For example, look at the Scaling UP! Nation!, we are over 10,000 strong. It just means that we have to seek each other out intentionally. That is why associations are a great place to join. Associations expose you to educational programs and tasks that better the industry. You will hear about legislation update, breaking news in your industry and so much more.
One of the organizations I have been an active member of and promote a good deal on this podcast is The Association of Water Technologies, AWT. Last week the AWT hosted a Business Owners Meeting in Tampa, Florida. For this meeting, owners of water treatment companies can get together in the same room and share experiences to learn how to do business a little bit easier. I look forward to sharing with you what I learn from fellow business owners.
My top reason for joining an association is the people you meet. It was someone I met at AWT who encouraged me to start this podcast (Conor Parrish EP 8.) Most episodes you hear from someone that I met through the AWT. And today's guest is from that group.
Our guest today if Justin Ranger, CWT. Justin and I will be talking about how he got into this industry to what made him want to get his CWT. We are going to cover much ground today, so please enjoy my interview with Justin Ranger, CWT.
More about Justin Ranger
Justin is an Account Manager for CH2O, Inc. and is a Certified Water Technologist through the Association of Water Technologies. Ever curious, he pursued multiple degree paths (though he realized he needed to pick just one if he wanted to graduate) in math, chemistry, engineering, and philosophy while earning his bachelor's degree from Boise State University. After graduating, he entered the water treatment industry, where he was able to use his interdisciplinary background and critical thinking skills to solve problems.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:03]
- Water Treatment Community [0:03:32]
- The Technical Training & Seminar Schedule [0:07:00]
- The CWT [0:18:54]
- Justin's Day To Day Experience [0:26:41]
- Lockout Tags [0:37:46]
- Overcoming Common Issues [0:45:26]
- How To Be The Best Water Treater [0:48:16]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"The industry is relatively new in terms of the last 150 years; I think that people are going to want to see professional credentials when selecting and hiring water treaters or water treatment companies @JustinRanger @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithJustinRangerCWT #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #CH2O #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #JustinRanger #12weekyear
"It's good to educate ourselves, so we know the difference between when the responsibility falls with us and when it falls on the customer. We can help with the catalyst." @JustinRanger @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithJustinRangerCWT #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #CH2O #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #JustinRanger #12weekyear
"Be an excellent water treater: Know your trade well, and do the right things in terms of protecting the equipment, being a professional, and being an asset to the customer in every aspect." @JustinRanger @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithJustinRangerCWT #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #CH2O #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #JustinRanger #12weekyear
"Don't wait for somebody else to teach you, take the initiative to go out and find the information for yourself." @JustinRanger @TraceBlackmore #TheOnewithJustinRangerCWT #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #CH2O #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #JustinRanger #12weekyear
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Justin Ranger on LinkedIn
CH2O Inc.
Rising Tide Mastermind
13 Week Year Planning
Association of Water Technologies
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout Part 1
121 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout Part 2
Books:
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
124 The One That’s all about the International Water Conference
Episode 124: Show Notes
Nation!, you know I talk a lot about the Association of Water Technologies, AWT. However, there are so many water-related organizations out there. I wanted to share some other ones with you.
Today we are speaking with Jim Summerfield and Jay Harwood, who volunteers with The International Water Conference, IWC. I ask them all the questions I thought you would want to know about the IWC!
The IWC is holding its annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, November 8 -12, 2020. Their show is larger than the AWT and organized differently. If you haven't seen how papers are submitted, it is worth going just for that. They are currently accepting abstracts for papers at their upcoming conference. So, if you are interested in that, go to https://eswp.com/water/iwc-call-for-papers. The deadline for papers is March 6, 2020.
I would encourage you to take a look at different water-related organizations you can join to broaden your perspectives. You never know what you don't know. Being active in organizations exposes you to new people and new ideas. Being an active member helps raise the tide in the entire water treatment community. Please enjoy my interview with Jim and Jay.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:12]
- AWT Technical Training Schedule [0:01:40]
- What is IWC? [0:07:13]
- How To Join The Organization? [0:13:05]
- Volunteering Experience [0:19:35]
- Why You Need To Attend IWC? [0:28:02]
- What is PFAS? [0:34:30]
- 2021 Conference [0:38:16]
- One Thing To Know About IWC [0:42:26]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"We're all trying to make money, but at the same time, we have a passion for doing what we do." - @JayHarwood @TraceBlackmore @IntlWaterConf #InternationalWaterConference #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #IWC #JimSummerfield #JayHarwood #AWTTrainingandSeminars #WaterTreatment #Seminars #IntlWaterConf #IWC80
"We want to educate people more about the conference. For example, the papers are a big hook. As an attendee, it's great because you get to learn more." - @JimSummerfield @TraceBlackmore @IntlWaterConf #InternationalWaterConference #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #IWC #JimSummerfield #JayHarwood #AWTTrainingandSeminars #WaterTreatment #Seminars #IntlWaterConf #IWC80
"It is not just about holding a membership card that will do nothing for you. You have to get involved in those organizations, and by giving yourself to those organizations, you will get back ten-fold." @TraceBlackmore @IntlWaterConf #InternationalWaterConference #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #IWC #JimSummerfield #JayHarwood #AWTTrainingandSeminars #WaterTreatment #Seminars #IntlWaterConf #IWC80
Links mentioned:
Jay Harwood on LinkedIn
Jim Summerfield on LinkedIn
Radical Polymers
AWT Business Owners Meeting
International Water Conference Website
123 The Other One with Reid Hutchison
Episode 123: Show Notes
Last week we heard from Reid Hutchison of HOH. Reid told us about how he started in the industry and many more exciting things about himself. One of the many items that he and I share is that we both use the Entrepreneurial Operating System to help run our companies. EOS is one of the tools that I can say has made my team better, thereby making my company better.
EOS is a consolidation of tools that any business can use to run the company. The analogy that is used more often than any other is a computer operating system and a program running within that operating system, like a word processor. EOS is the operating system, and your company is the word processor. The tools in EOS give you a framework that any company can use to run more effectively and efficiently. Like so many others, I was taught to be a water treater; running a business was secondary. EOS has made all the difference.
I had the privilege of interviewing some of the top tiers of EOS on the podcast. Mark Winters on episode 38 and Mike Paton on episode 85. If you have any questions about EOS, I highly recommend you listen to these episodes.
In addition to our discussion of EOS, Reid and I continue to explore a host of topics. Please enjoy the conclusion of my interview with Reid Hutchison of HOH.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:11]
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:01:53]
- Attend To A Training [0:03:32]
- CWT Examination [0:07:41]
- Clean Water Projects [0:18:39]
- How To Learn New Things In Water Treatment [0:29:39]
- How To Get The Podcast On Your Feed [0:32:06]
- Weirdest Thing In Water Treatment [0:35:58]
- Advice For New Water Treater [0:39:59]
- Biggest Lesson In Water Treatment [0:46:58]
- The Therapy Question [0:45:12]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Scaling UP H2O was my introduction to the wild world of water treatment." - @ReidHutchison @traceblackmore #TheOtherOneWithReidHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #RadicalPolymers #sponsoredepisode #EOSJourney #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #ReidHutchison
"There are always new problems to solve in water treatment." @ReidHutchison @traceblackmore #TheOtherOneWithReidHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #RadicalPolymers #sponsoredepisode #EOSJourney #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #ReidHutchison
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Reid Hutchison on LinkedIn
Reid Hutchison Company Website
Rising Tide Mastermind
Radical Polymers
AWT Business Owners Meeting
WEX Global 2020
038 The One That Shows Us How to Run Our Business w/ Mark Winters
085 The One with the Business Operating System
Books:
How to Be a Great Boss
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
What the Heck Is EOS?
Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination That Will Get You More of What You Want from Your Business
The Personal MBA
Myths and Mortals
12 Rules For life
122 The One with Reid Hutchison
Episode 122: Show Notes
As water treaters, we all have many things in common. Our commonality is what allowed Scaling UP! H2O to form and grow a community called the Scaling UP! Nation! One of my favorite questions to ask members of the Nation! is: “how did you start in the industry?” While the answers can sometimes be similar, there is always a uniqueness to each one. I like this question because it reminds me that we all start at the same place; we all had the first day. How we get to that first day might be different, experiencing that first day galvanizes us all into a group called water treatment professionals. I asked that same question to today’s guest, Reid Hutchison of HOH.
I first met Reid at an AWT Technical Training Seminar that he was at because he heard me mention it on the podcast. I liked him right out of the gate! In case you missed a previous show or two, my advice was that if you are practicing the same type of water treatment as me, you should attend the technical training the Association of Water Technologies hosts. This advice also included attending both the Fundamentals and Applications training and the Technical training.
(Fundamentals and Applications training is for someone who has been in the industry for three years or less.) The Technical training is for those preparing for their Certified Water Technologist designation. Most people attend one or the other. Many think that since they have been in the business for several years, they have nothing to gain on the Fundamentals and Applications side. To this, I say nye, nye. The AWT strategically adds topics to the F&A seminar and deletes them from the Technical seminar to help with time and overall understanding.
If you don’t attend both, you are missing information. It is also a chance to connect with new water treaters and customers.
Reid talks about his experience with the seminars and so much more. As a member of the water treatment community, you are sure to relate to Reid and take away a lot of useful information.
Please enjoy my interview with Reid Hutchison.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:00:13]
- Business Owner's Meeting [0:01:56]
- Before Getting Into The Family Business [0:09:47]
- How To Manage Working With Relatives [0:13:45]
- EOS Journey [0:20:25]
- EOS Advice To Issues [0:31:20]
- Learnings From AWT Training & Seminar [0:37:51]
- Different Kinds Of Speaker [0:50:10]
- How To Make Math Interesting On Podcast [0:54:43]
- Takeaways From Technical Training Seminar [0:57:59]
- Take Notes Effectively [1:00:15]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"People that want to grow and succeed are willing to ask hard and challenging questions." @ReidHutchison @traceblackmore #TheOneWithReidHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #RadicalPolymers #sponsoredepisode #EOSJourney #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #ReidHutchison
"Even if you don't own a water treatment business, you do own what you do. @traceblackmore* @ReidHutchison* #TheOneWithReidHutchison #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #RadicalPolymers #sponsoredepisode #EOSJourney #AWTTrainingandSeminars #goalplanning2020 #TechnicalTraining #ReidHutchison
Links mentioned On This Episode:
Reid Hutchison on LinkedIn
Reid Hutchison Company Website
Radical Polymers
AWT Business Owners Meeting
WEX Global 2020
My hope as you listen to episode 120 and 121 is that you are starting to feel empowered to understand this preventable disease and that you are feeling equipped with better tools to fight this battle.
Dr. Janet Stout has always been a strong supporter of the water treatment community and Scaling UP! H2O. In this two-part episode, Janet fills us in on what has taken place in the world of “legionellology”. Janet created this term to better capture the work she does. Among this update includes the revision of ASHRAE’s 188, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services position, and even some new bacteria guidelines you may never have heard of.
I know you will receive a wealth of information about legionella from these two episodes. Please talk to your customers and help them understand that we all play a part in this “grey battle” called Legionellosis Prevention. Until a standard gives us guidelines, we have to partner with facility owners and managers to help them make better decisions.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:04]
- Establishing A Water Management Team [0:02:08]
- Text And Flow Diagram [0:03:58]
- Control Measures, Monitoring And Control Limits [0:05:42]
- ASHRAE 188 [0:11:17]
- Best And Worst Plans [0:13:41]
- Proper Way Of Testing Legionella [0:15:28]
- "CMS" (Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services) [0:20:26]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Don't collect the sample right where you added the biocide or right after you add the biocide. Collect the sample right before the next dosing and away from where the dosing is occurring." (How to collect samples for legionella) - Janet Stout @traceblackmore #AnotherOneWithDrJanetStout #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #legionella #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #DepressedCoolingTower #LegionellaDisease #7habits #goalplanning2020
"Test to protect. It's not hard. We can do it, and if we do it, we will end legionella's disease. - Janet Stout @traceblackmore #AnotherOneWithDrJanetStout #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #legionella #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #DepressedCoolingTower #LegionellaDisease #7habits #goalplanning2020 #SpecialPathogensLab #Pathogens #Lword #BadBlood #Traction #AtomicHabits
Links mentioned:
Janet Stout on LinkedIn
Rising Tide Mastermind
Special Pathogens Lab
AWT Business Owners Meeting
EP9: The L Word
120 Another One with Dr. Janet Stout Part 1
Books:
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Atomic Habits by James Clear
It is hard to believe that the last time I had a complete show featuring Dr. Janet Stout was in July of 2017. That was only episode 9, making her one of my first guests! Since that time, she has been on a few shows when I ran into her at various conventions we both attended. Janet has always been a strong supporter of the water treatment community and Scaling UP! H2O.
Since airing the interview with Janet back in 2017, I would have thought that by now, we would have seen more movement on legislation around the topic of legionellosis prevention. There has been a multitude of legionella outbreaks over the last three years, including a significant one in my hometown of Atlanta, GA. Today, most of us are still waiting for our cities to catch up to what other countries have been doing for years. While we wait, almost every party involved has questions on how to proceed in the prevention of Legionnaires Disease. Owners confuse a water treatment program with a Water Management Plan. Whether you like government getting involved or not, I think we can all agree that having a standard to conform to is better than having the “grey lines” most of us have to navigate through today.
In this two-part episode, Janet fills us in on what has taken place in the world of “legionellology”. Janet created this term to better capture the work she does. Among this update includes the revision of ASHRAE’s 188, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services position, and even some new bacteria guidelines you may never have heard of. I know you will receive a wealth of information about legionella from these two episodes.
My hope is you also are empowered to understand this preventable disease. How are we supposed to fight a battle without any tools? Sure, we have the tools, but our customers are not allowing us to use them in many cases due to cost and a general misunderstanding of responsibilities. Please talk to your customers and help them understand that we all play a part in this “grey battle” called legionellosis prevention. Until a standard gives us guidelines, we have to partner with facility owners and managers to help them make better decisions.
Janet Stout's Specialties: Legionella and waterborne pathogens
Key Points From This Episode:
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:04]
- New Year's Resolution [0:01:45]
- AWT Business Owner's Meeting [0:04:10]
- What's New With Legionella? [0:08:21]
- Legionella's Disease [0:15:18]
- Depressed Cooling Tower [0:22:51]
- Biggest Misconception About Legionella's Disease [0:24:40]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables
"Don't rinse your CPAP devices in tap water, you are opening yourself up to legionella's disease. " - Janet Stout @traceblackmore #AnotherOneWithDrJanetStout #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #legionella #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #DepressedCoolingTower #LegionellaDisease #7habits #goalplanning2020
"Most of the cases of legionella's disease that are occurring in the United States and around the world are associated with the building water distribution systems, particularly the warm water systems." - Janet Stout @traceblackmore #AnotherOneWithDrJanetStout #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #legionella #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #DepressedCoolingTower #LegionellaDisease #7habits #goalplanning2020
"A plan without a test result, is meaningless." - Janet Stout @traceblackmore #AnotherOneWithDrJanetStout #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #legionella #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #DepressedCoolingTower #LegionellaDisease #7habits #goalplanning2020
Links Mentioned On This Episode
Janet Stout on LinkedIn
Rising Tide Mastermind
AWT Business Owners Meeting
EP9: The L Word
Books:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
119 The First One of 2020
Episode 119: Show Notes
Nation! Happy 2020!!
Everyone gets excited about the New Year. Some look at it as a fresh start. Others look at it as a time to get things accomplished. And I know some look at it as 11 months until you have to produce results for the end of the year. (I see you out there!)
Last year, I took Nation through a process I do every year called SCOLL and SMART. I talked about SCOLL on the previous week's episode when I wrapped up my year of Scaling UP! H2O. If you missed it, listen to that episode first. Today's episode is about planning the upcoming year. I do this with a tool called SMART. SMART is a tool that allows you to get results from your goals.
SMART stands for:
- Specific
Answer the questions:
* "What is to be done?"
* "How will you know your goal is completed?"
Describe the results (end product) of the work to be done. Write your description in such a way that anyone reading the objective will most likely interpret it the same way. Specific goals are observable. Observable means that somebody can see or hear (physically observe) what you are doing.
- Measurable (use measurement)
Answers the question:
* "How will you know it meets expectations?"
Define the objective using assessable terms (quantity, quality, frequency, costs, deadlines, etc.). It refers to the extent to which you evaluate against a standard. An objective with a quantity measurement uses terms of amount, percentages, etc.. A frequency measurement could be daily, weekly, 1 in 3. A goal with a quality measurement would describe a requirement in terms of accuracy, format, within university guidelines.
-
Achievable
-
Achievable answers the questions:
* "Can the person do it?"
* "Can the measurable objective be achieved by the person?"
* "Does he/she have the experience, knowledge, or capability of fulfilling the expectation?"
* "Can it be done giving the time frame, opportunity, and resources?"
Each of these items must be included in the SMART objective if they will be a factor in the achievement.
- Relevant
Answers the questions:
* "Should it be done?"
* "Why?"
* "What will be the impact?"
- Time-Oriented
Answers the question:
* "When will it be done?"
It refers to the fact that an objective has endpoints and checkpoints built into it. Sometimes a task may only have a due date. It might signify the end of the task, or it might launch you into the start point of another. Sometimes a task has several milestones or checkpoints along the way to help you or others assess how well something is going. Checkpoints are reminders to allow for corrections or modifications to ensure that results meet expectations. Other times, an employee's style is such that the due dates or milestones are there to create a sense of urgency that helps them to get something finished.
We've created a downloadable that will help you through this process. Click here to download your S.M.A.R.T Objectives Worksheet.
Another one of my favorite techniques to get things accomplished is running a 12-week year. Most of us wait until year-end is upon us to take action with our objectives. Human nature is to create urgency when time is running out. The 12-week year plan takes advantage of that natural mindset by chopping up the year into 12-week segments.
The 12-week year uses the SMART tool and combines it with a scorecard around metrics that you will hit every week. Brian Moran wrote a book called The Twelve Week Year and I highly recommend reading it. Using this technique will allow you to get more done in 12 weeks than others do in a year.
Click here for another downloadable that will walk you through the Twelve Week Year.
Please Note: In the episode I refer to it as the 13-Week Year. This is because I use it over a period of thirteen weeks. Thanks for understanding!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Think And Grow Rich [0:00:05]
- The Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:35]
- Atomic Habits [0:03:08]
- Wins and Loses Last Year [0:04:51]
- What is S-M-A-R-T? [0:08:05]
- The 13 Week Year [0:14:03]
- How Much Do You Plan? [0:19:40]
- The Recap [0:21:20]
- Five (5) Minute Journal [0:22:53]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Most of us don't have a problem in planning, most of us have a problem in execution." @traceblackmore #TheFirstOneof2020 #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #13weekyear #5minutejournal #thinkgrowrich #atomichabits #goalplanning2020
"Always re-evaluate your plans." @traceblackmore #TheFirstOneof2020 #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #13weekyear #5minutejournal #thinkgrowrich #atomichabits #goalplanning2020
"When it comes to goal planning, less is more." @traceblackmore #TheFirstOneof2020 #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #13weekyear #5minutejournal #thinkgrowrich #atomichabits #goalplanning2020
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Rising Tide Mastermind
S-M-A-R-T Worksheet
13 Week Year Planning
Books mentioned:
Think And Grow Rich
Atomic Habits
The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months
The Five Minute Journal
118 The Last One Of 2019
Episode 118: Show Notes
Nation! It's almost 2020! Where did 2019 go?
Last year I shared with all of you how I set my goals. After that show aired, I received a lot of great comments on how others were using that information. So why not do that again this year?
I think it is essential to evaluate how the current year went before you start planning for next year. Doing so allows you to understand what life is telling you. Your life and your results are always critical indicators of how things are going and what you should be doing. We need to take the time to listen to what life is telling us. To bring this into perspective, I like to ask myself why I was successful at the items I accomplished and why I was not with the things I didn't? Then I can key in on what needed to happen or didn't happen to create success.
Another tool I use to help with this prospective is called SCOLL.
SCOLL stands for:
- Successes
- Challenges
- Opportunities
- Lessons
- Learned
In this episode, I take you through SCOLL on my past year's experiences with Scaling UP! H2O. I hope you use my example to start your year-end and next year planning off right. Happy New Year!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:32]
- What is "SCOLL"? [0:03:45]
- The Challenges Of The Show [0:07:24]
- Opportunities [09:10]
- Lessons Learned [0:12:21]
- 5 Minute Journal [0:18:41]
- How To Use The Journal [0:25:08]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Be sure to take your advice." @traceblackmore @kahleenedelman #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #TheLastOnefor2019 #FiveMinuteJournal #Journal #7habits #ThinkGrowRich
"Our words are gifts to people." @kahleenedelman @traceblackmore #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #TheLastOnefor2019 #FiveMinuteJournal #Journal #7habits #ThinkGrowRich
"If you can figure out what’s getting in the way of your goals, you will be unstoppable reaching them." @traceblackmore* @kahleenedelman* #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #TheLastOnefor2019 #FiveMinuteJournal #Journal #7habits #ThinkGrowRich
"We need to take the time to listen to what life is telling us." @traceblackmore @kahleenedelman #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #TheLastOnefor2019 #FiveMinuteJournal #Journal #7habits #ThinkGrowRich
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Rising Tide Mastermind
Ep 22: The One with Tim Fulton
066 The Last One of 2018
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
115 The One With Marketing Expert Jeff Henderson
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Books mentioned:
The Five Minute Journal
I Said This, You Heard That – Workbook: Kathleen Edelman
Think And Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
117 The One With Temperament Expert, Kathleen Edelman
Episode 117: Show Notes
Nation! I am so excited to bring this show to you. As I mentioned in last week's episode, learning about the four temperaments is hand's down one of the most useful things I did this year. It has helped ALL of my relationships. You are probably are asking yourself: What is a Temperament? This show will answer that for you.
My guest is Temperament expert, Kathleen Edelman. Her mission is to help people use words that build others up. She says that the words we use when we speak are our gift to others. That statement should make us want to think about our words more carefully! Kathleen explains what the four temperaments are by defining the needs, manipulation techniques, strengths, and weaknesses. This information is invaluable as we related to others.
Have you ever had a conversation with someone, and the person takes your meaning in a different way than what you meant to say? I have found that this used to happen to me all the time. After working with Kathleen, I have learned techniques on how to communicate best with others. Kathleen understands that different people respond to words differently. She has mastered how to identify what words to use and gives us the tools to do the same thing.
Please join me in welcoming Kathleen to Scaling UP! H20.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Think and Grow Rich [0:00:04]
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:36]
- I Said This, You Heard That Workbook [0:05:02]
- Kinds of Temperaments [0:10:37]
- Understanding Temperaments [0:15:22]
- Acceptance to Temperaments [0:20:55]
- Temperament Strengths [0:23:07]
- Responsibility Of A Listener [0:35:13]
- Communication [0:46:55]
- Know Your Temperament [0:49:05]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Most of communication lands on the listener not the person speaking." @kathleenedelman @traceblackmore #TheOneWithTemperamentExpert #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #Isaidthisyouheardthat #KathleenEdleman #temperments
“Most of the time we listen to respond. Instead, we should listen to understand.” @kathleenedelman @traceblackmore #TheOneWithTemperamentExpert #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #Isaidthisyouheardthat #KathleenEdleman #temperments
"The reason we have conflict is mostly miscommunication. What causes you not to pause, can cause so much damage because words are powerful. " @kathleenedelman @traceblackmore #TheOneWithTemperamentExpert #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #Temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #Isaidthisyouheardthat #KathleenEdleman #temperments
"Initiate the pause, celebrate the differences and show grace." - @kathleenedelman @traceblackmore #TheOneWithTemperamentExpert #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #temperament #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #Isaidthisyouheardthat #KathleenEdleman #temperments
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Rising Tide Mastermind
I Said This, You Heard That Website
Kathleen Edelman on LinkedIn
Kathleen Edelman on Instragram
I Said This, You Heard That on Instagram
I Said This, You Heard That on Facebook
I Said This, You Heard That on YouTube
Books mentioned:
I Said This, You Heard That – Workbook: Kathleen Edelman
Think And Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
116 Pinks and Blues: System Volume
Episode 116: Show Notes
I am so grateful for the members of the Scaling UP! Nation! I have the best audience in all of podcasting. To great content every week every episode, I beg the Nation! to help me by asking questions they would like for me to answer. The Nation! has responded to that call once again!
Today, a friend of the show, Eric Russo, of episode 111, asks about the rules of thumb when it comes to determining volume in a closed-loop system. If you have ever heard me speak on this topic, you know I don't trust rules of thumb. But I do accept math.
WARNING: This episode contains MATH. Today's episode is about how I use math to determine how much volume is in a closed-loop system.
Below are the calculations I talk about on the show.
Estimating System Volume:
Πr2 x 7.48 x pipe’
- Π = 3.14
- R = half the pipe diameter and then square that number (must be in feet)
- Pipe = 7.48 the conversion to get feet of pipe into gallons
Titration Drop Manipulation:
SDC / (NV / OV) = NDC
- SDC= Standard or Original drop count in ppm
- NDC = New drop count in ppm
- NV = New volume
- OV = Original volume
Volume Calculation:
(120,000 x NaNO2) / Δ x (conversion) = Gallons in the system
- NaNO2 = the lbs. Of sodium nitrite added to the system
- Δ = the change in NaNO2 in the system from your addition
- Conversion = if you are using a nitrite test (not a sodium nitrite test), you will need to account for the fact you added sodium nitrite and only tested for nitrite. The conversion will be 1.5
- 120,000 the conversion/axiom that 1 pound of anything in 1,000 gallons of water will yield 120 ppm
Nitrite test procedure courtesy of Aquaphoenix: https://www.aquaphoenixsci.com/resources/procedures/?fileid=7368
Test Species Conversion:
What we add / what we test = conversion factor
Key Points From This Episode:
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:00:35]
- Journaling [0:04:24]
- Rules Of Thumb [0:08:38]
- Calculating The System Volume [0:10:06]
- Calculation For Pipe [0:12:32]
- Compounded Addition [0:15:45]
- Nitrite Test & Sodium Nitrite Test Procedure [0:23:11]
- Get A Copy Of 5 Minutes Journal [0:32:55]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Setting goals is the first step into turning the invisible into the visible." @TonyRobbins @traceblackmore #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #systemvolume #PinksandBlues #TitrationDropManipulation #VolumeCalculation
"If you can figure out your losses and what was getting in your way, you can quickly turn those into wins." @traceblackmore #Masterminds #MastermindGroup #RisingTide #CWT #IWC #AWT #scalingupnation #scalinguppodcast #scalinguph2o #scalingupandbeyond #traceblackmore #systemvolume #PinksandBlues #TitrationDropManipulation #VolumeCalculation
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Rising Tide Mastermind
103 The One About What a Water Treater Fears
Ep 22: The One with Tim Fulton
114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
Robbins Research International, Inc. (Tony Robbins)
111 The One with Eric Russo, CWT
Books mentioned:
The Five Minute Journal
Think And Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
115 The One With Marketing Expert Jeff Henderson
Episode 115: Show Notes
Working in our day to day can be consuming, so consuming we sometimes forget how to market ourselves. When we are not the ones communicating our story, we can't control the message. Or even worse, we forget why we are doing what we are doing. That's where today's guest is going to help us.
Today's guest is Jeff Henderson, one of the best marketing people around. Jeff has an impressive resume. It includes working for The Atlanta Braves, Chick-Fil-A, and North Point Ministries. I'm going to guess what you are thinking; one of these things does not look like the others. Jeff went from selling chicken sandwiches to be the lead pastor at a church. Jeff brilliantly intertwines how secrets of the non-profit world can help the for-profit world. Just imagine what if your team loved their job so much that they were willing to do it for free. That is what the non-profit world experiences every day. Wouldn't it be great to learn from that perspective?
Join me as I interview Jeff about his new book, Know What You're FOR. You are sure to get some great information that you can put to use, today. Jeff's book is available by going to scalinguph20.com/for
Please welcome, Jeff Henderson!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:0:11]
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:01:47]
- Bookkeeping and Repricing [0:03:31]
- Taxes and Social Media Platforms [0:06:00]
- Plan the Holidays [0:09:30]
- Abraham Lincoln [0:14:50]
- Profit and Non-Profit [0:21:23]
- Advice from Jeff Henderson [0:30:23]
- Use of Social Media [0:38:31]
- System in Taking Down Notes [0:48:31]
- Great Big Change [0:52:59]
- Jeff's Motivation [1:04:03]
- Wildest Dream [1:07:22]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Great businesses combine purpose with your purchase. Don't just sell a product. People want to buy products that are doing good for the world." - @JeffHenderson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithMarketingExpert #JeffHenderson #Marketing #ScalingUPandbeyond #theforbook #TheForCompany #PurposeandProfit #thankfulFOR
"Leaders are repeaters." - @JeffHenderson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithMarketingExpert #JeffHenderson #Marketing #ScalingUPandbeyond #theforbook #TheForCompany #PurposeandProfit #thankfulFOR
"All great big change begins with you." - @JeffHenderson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithMarketingExpert #JeffHenderson #Marketing #ScalingUPandbeyond #theforbook #TheForCompany #PurposeandProfit #thankfulFOR
“One of the best gifts you can give to your team is to be the healthiest and most inspired version of yourself.” - @JeffHenderson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithMarketingExpert #JeffHenderson #Marketing #ScalingUPandbeyond #theforbook #TheForCompany #PurposeandProfit #thankfulFOR
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Jeff Henderson Website
Jeff Henderson on LinkedIn
Jeff Henderson on Twitter
ScalingUpH20.com/radical
ScalingUpH20.com/mastermind
Books mentioned:
Think And Grow Rich - Napoleon Hill
Know What You're FOR - Jeff Henderson
114 The One Where We Talk Masterminds
Episode 114: Show Notes
This week we are getting ready for our 2020 goals. But before we get started on the next year, we are going to analyze the current year.
-
What have you accomplished this year?
-
Why did these items get accomplished?
-
What did you not get accomplished this year?
-
Why didn’t these items get accomplished?
On today’s show, we welcome returning guest, Tim Fulton. Tim is my business coach. Over the years that I have known him, he has given me a wealth of advice. One of these nuggets of advice, he gave me was to join a Mastermind Group. Now you are probably asking yourself, what’s a Mastermind Group? And because we anticipated you asking that question, Tim is going to help explain exactly what a Mastermind Group is on this episode.
Please welcome Tim Fulton.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Radical Polymers [0:0:25]
- Tim Fulton [0:04:11]
- Think And Grow Rich [0:07:45]
- Group of Friends [0:11:40]
- Five People To Spend The Most Time With [0:15:12]
- Group Diversity [0:18:47]
- Accountability [0:23:40]
- Growth [0:27:06]
- Type Of Commitment [0:31:14]
- Rising Tide Mastermind [0:34:44]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"In your life, have you had a group of people that you enjoy being around, that you learn from, and that hold you accountable? That’s the basics of a Mastermind group." @TF_SBM @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." - Jim Rohn @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
"The more I give to the group, the more I get back." @TF_SBM @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
"When you engage with others, they can give feedback and ask more questions to allow you to examine issues in a way you never thought of." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
"We are definitely not built to do life by ourselves. There's something that happens when two or more people get together. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
"A rising tide raises all boats." - JFK @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereWeTalkMasterminds #CWT #mastermind #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #TimFulton #TraceBlackmore #radicalpolymers #sponsoredepisode #smallbusinesmatters #risingtide
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Tim Fulton - "Small Business Matters"
Tim Fulton on LinkedIn
Tim Fulton on Twitter
Vistage Worldwide, Inc.
ScalingUpH20.com/radical
ScalingUpH20.com/risingtide
Books mentioned:
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
113 Pinks and Blues: Questions From the Nation!, Using Your Five Senses
Episode 113: Show Notes
Pinks and Blues: Questions From the Nation!, Using Your Five Senses
Nation!, once a again friend of show James McDonald, CWT is trying to help us become better water treaters.
James wants to know “how do we use our five senses to be better water treaters?” While I answer his question, I don’t think there is just one answer. After listening to this episode, ask yourself these questions:
- How would you answer, “how do we use our five senses to be better water treaters”?
- What can you do differently now you are thinking about your 5 senses?
- How can I protect my 5 senses?
This question just goes to show how it’s not always the tough technical questions that make us better. It’s thinking about the common, everyday things that truly make us better at our job.
Thanks James!
If you have a question for me to answer on Scaling UP! H2O or if you want to be featured on Scaling UP! H2O with your question,simply click on the “Leave Voicemail” button on the left side of our homepage, or go the show ideas page.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Episode Sponsor: Radical Polymers [0:00:23]
- Question from James McDonald [0:03:36]
- Sense of "Sight" [0:06:19]
- Fight or Flight Reaction (Smell) [0:10:41]
- Normal Vs Abnormal Sound (Hearing) [0:14:32]
- Sense of "Taste" [0:17:12]
- Sense of "Touch" [0:22:28]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
How do we use our five senses to be better water treaters? @James McDonald @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging#CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #fivesenses
How do we use our five senses to make sure that everything we’re doing is the right thing and that we are continuously getting better in a safe way? @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging#CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #fivesenses
"Ask questions before acting." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging#CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #fivesenses
"We must take care of our five senses; they help us in our jobs and help us enjoy life." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging#CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #fivesenses #TraceBlackmore
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Episode Sponsor: Radical Polymers
Michael Standish on LinkedIn
Ep 14: The One with Mike Standish
Ep 21: The One with James McDonald
049 The One with James McDonald, Again
James McDonald on LinkedIn
112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis
Episode 112: Show Notes
This episode is all about lessons learned from when your friend, Mark Lewis, CWT, comes to your office. You see, Mark and I are both SCUBA Divers. We decided that we were going to celebrate Industrial Water Week by going SCUBA Diving in The Florida Keys. Pretty great idea, huh? You might have even seen the post we did during Industrial Water Week letting you know what we were doing.
As it turned out, Mark had other plans in addition to going SCUBA Diving with me. Mark planned another one of his turn the table around interviewed with me. You must give it to him with all the planning he did to make this happen. Mark knew I was working on podcast episodes the day he was coming in. So, he knew if he timed his arrival correctly, I would be in the middle of recording. Thereby ensuring my recording equipment would be on and ready to go. He then had one of the members of the Blackmore Enterprises team lure me out of my recording studio (my office.) When I returned, Mark was sitting at my interview table with a stack of questions waiting to interview me. Wow, didn’t expect that...
So, please join Mark as he interviews Trace Blackmore, CWT.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Trace's Favorite Episode [0:03:20]
- The biggest accomplishment [0:07:17]
- Reasons for starting the podcast [0:08:43]
- Praises and Criticisms [0:14:06]
- People to bring on the show [0:18:45]
- Organic Phosphate (O.P) Test [0:26:28]
- The lightning round [0:30:15]
- Vision in the next 100 episodes [0:34:47]
- Behind the scenes: Excellent team [0:42:54]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Let your good be good until it can be better. And let your better be better until it can be your best." - Mark Lewis @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereTraceIsInterviewedByMarkLewis #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #MarkLewis #TraceBlackmore
"Communication is two people getting together, sharing ideas and walking away with something bigger than what they entered the conversation with." - @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWhereTraceIsInterviewedByMarkLewis #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond #MarkLewis #TraceBlackmore
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Mark Lewis on LinkedIn
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
Tim Fulton - "Small Business Matters"
Tim Fulton on LinkedIn
Ep 22: The One with Tim Fulton
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
EP1: A New Podcast for Water Treaters
EP2: Meet the Host
111 The One with Eric Russo, CWT
Episode 111: Show Notes
I am sure I have shared with the Nation! before that I love hearing from people who listen to the Scaling UP! H2O podcast.
At last year's AWT Convention and Expo, I met Eric Russo. Eric told me that he absolutely loved the Scaling UP! H2O podcast. He went on to say it was the perfect format for a water treater because we drive so much. What else are you going to do during “windshield” time?
Eric graciously shared with me some ideas he had about guests and topics. We also started to get to know each other during that encounter. So, I invited him to come on Scaling UP! H2O. You will soon learn why I am so impressed with Eric.
Join me as I interview, Eric Russo, CWT.
More about Eric Russo:
Eric Russo is the New England Area Manager for Suez. He has been working in the water treatment industry since 2012 after earning a BS in Chemical Engineering. Eric obtained his Certified Water Technologist designation in 2017 and most recently completed his MBA in Marketing in 2018. He takes a process-oriented view of how value is delivered to the customer and continuously improves upon internal systems to consistently and more efficiently achieve the desired result. Eric has worked with teams to design and implement a company-wide cloud-based CRM/ERP solution.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Eric Russo's Advice [0:05:30]
- Catalytic Converter [0:07:05]
- Obtaining CWT Designation [0:14:16]
- Taking a Computer Based Test [0:20:01]
- Being A Young Professional [0:25:15]
- Customer Resource Management (CRM) [0:29:45]
- Advice On Putting Up The Software [0:33:38]
- Metrics To The Service Process [0:34:40]
- Recommendation On Leading Metrics [0:39:34]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Don't only focus on efficiency, but also factor and effectiveness." - Eric Russo @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithEricRussoCWT #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Eric Russo, CWT on LinkedIn
Million Dollar Maverick by Alan Weiss
The Advantage by Patrick M. Lencioni
The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. Gerber
Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don’t by Jim Collins
The 10X Rule: The Only Difference Between Success and Failure by Grant Cardone
The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande
102 The Other One with Colin Frayne, CWT
101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT
Colin Frayne on Linkedin
110 Pinks and Blues: Boiler Surging
Episode 110: Show Notes
Pinks and Blues: Questions From the Nation!, Boiler Surging
Nation! Once again, we have a show because one of the members of The Scaling UP! Nation! gave us a topic to talk about. Adam Sites, CWT sent us a voicemail about boiler surging. His frustration was that the water treater always gets blamed. And he’s right, we do.
When in doubt, blame the water treater is a phrase that rings true to most of us. However, as much fun as it is to joke about this. I do think we share in the problem of our customers not understanding what it is that we do. As a group, water treaters don’t explain what it is that they do. That leaves our talents to be explained as mystic voodoo and that leads to customers making bad choices when we are not onsite.
Join me as I try to answer Adam’s inquiry to the best of my ability. There is no substitution for being there. Since I am not there, I share with you some of my experiences that I have had in dealing with this issue.
Do you want to be featured on Scaling UP! H2O with your question? Simply click on the “Leave Voicemail” button on the left side of the our homepage, or go the the show ideas page.
Key Points From This Episode:
- 2019 Last Quarter [0:01:20]
- Conferences And Seminars [0:03:21]
- Low Water In Boiler [0:06:45]
- Water Boiling [0:10:05]
- Bottom Blowdown [0:13:59]
- 2 Types Of Valves [0:15:32]
- Surging [0:21:00]
- Freebies[0:26:16]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"The solution to pollution is dilution." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond
"If we don't understand the equipment that we are treating, we could not do our job to the best of our ability." - Jay Farmerie @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #BoilerSurging #CWT #ASHRAE #AWT #ScalingUPandbeyond
Links Mentioned On This Episode:
Adam Sites on LinkedIn
Jay Farmerie on Linkedin
109 The One with Super Villain Royalty, Brian Fisk
Episode 109: Show Notes
Nation! You have heard me speak on this show previously about going to trade association functions to expand your knowledge level. Going to these events is also a great way to expand your network. I love meeting new water treaters. By this, I mean new to the industry water treaters and new to me water treaters. We, as water treaters, all have a story in us, and I love to hear it!
Taking my advice, I went to the ASHRAE trade show this past January. It was huge! You can hear all about it on episode 73. When you listen to this episode, you hear me interview people I already know and people I just met. Truthfully, I didn’t expect to find some of the people I already knew at that trade show.
People like Gary Garcia and Colin Frayne of episodes 101 and 102. I think this goes to show when you do try to expand your network, you will surprisingly find people you know in places you don’t expect.
One of the new people I met was Brian Fisk. Brian struck me as an enthusiastic water treater. And... He is a fan of Scaling UP! H2O. How could I not immediately like him? As we spoke at the ASHRAE show, it was clear we had a lot in common and he had some great stuff to share. Why not have him share it on the world's favorite industrial water treatment podcast?
Please enjoy my interview with Brian Fisk.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Water Conferences [0:03:42]
- Brian’s Transition [0:10:54]
- How Valuable Water Treater Is? [0:16:24]
- Getting Along With Different Generations [0:18:32]
- Convincing A Client [0:23:19]
- Tips On Servicing [0:26:50]
- CWT (Certified Water Technologist) [0:30:15]
- Common Bad Practices [0:32:40]
- Getting Into Water Treatment Industry [0:33:32]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Make sure that you're fixing the problems before it becomes a problem." @BrianFisk @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithSuperVillainRoyalty #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto100 #CWT #ASHRAE*
"You can have all the answers in the world but if you can't convey them well, then they're just going to fall in deaf ears." @BrianFisk @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithSuperVillainRoyalty #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto100 #CWT #ASHRAE*
"A rising tide raises all boats." @traceblackmore* @BrianFisk #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithSuperVillainRoyalty #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto100 #CWT #ASHRAE*
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Brian Fisk on LinkedIn
Company Website
064 The One with the Youngest CWT
Books:
The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry
Mastering the Complex Sale
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment: James McDonald
108 Pinks and Blues: Cooling Tower Feed
Episode 108: Show Notes
Pink and Blues: Questions From the Nation!, Cooling Tower Feed Option
I hope you had a great time celebrating industrial water week. I also hope part of your celebration included listening to an episode of Scaling UP! H2O each and every day last week. The next Industrial Water Week is October 5th, 2020. So, start your celebration planning early to beat the rush!
You have heard me ask the Scaling UP! Nation! For help in topics for this show. Today I am going to answer one of those questions from one of our Nation! Members. Jinapat wants to know what the different ways are to feed inhibitor on a cooling tower controller.
Thank you Pat!
So, today’s episode is all about Pat’s question. Join me (and Pat) as we learn about all the different feed options for putting inhibitor into a cooling tower (I even though a bit extra in there too, biocide feed.)
Do you have a question you want me to answer on Scaling UP! H2O? Simply click on the “Leave Voicemail” button on the left side of the our homepage, or go the the show ideas page.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Schedule For IWW 2020 [0:01:46]
- Questions For Trace [0:06:30]
- Different Feed Options [0:10:10]
- Bleed After Feed [0:12:28]
- Ways To Feed Cooling Towers [0:16:32]
- P-TolueneSulfonic Acid (PTSA) [0:19:32]
- Biocide Feed [0:23:54]
- Sodium Hypochlorite [0:30:20]
- Oxidation Reduction Potential [0:32:48]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Don't write everything's good on a service report. Everything is not good, there's always something you can do there to make something a little bit better." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #PinksandBlues #CoolingTowerFeed #CWT #ASHRAE
Links Mentioned on this episode:
EP3: Controllers with Tom Tinney
Jim Lukanich on LinkedIn
Jim Lukanich Episode: EP10: The One with Jim Lukanich
Jinapat Yoswattana, CWT on LinkedIn
107 Day 5 Of Industrial Water Week (Careers)
Episode 107 (Day 5): Show Notes
Industrial Water Week, Day 5: Careers
It’s hard to believe, we are on our last days of celebrating Industrial Water Week. If you haven't done anything to celebrate, it’s not too late. We have heard from people who are having special parties to celebrate. Here, we went out for tacos. Because when you think of water treatment, you think of tacos, right? Well, it was fun. So, however, you choose to celebrate, we hope that this podcast has been part of your celebratory activities.
On this Careers Friday, we are back at the AWT Convention talking to more Scaling UP! Nation! Members: I know you have heard me say before, I love my job. I can't imagine doing anything else. So, what better way to wrap up the week than to reflect on being an Industrial Water Treater.
Key Points From This Episode:
- The Most Amazing Job [0:00:38]
- Getting Into CWT [0:04:26]
- The Highest Professional Designation [0:05:47]
- Winning The Ray Baum Award [0:07:54]
- The Prestigious Founder's Award Winner [0:11:09]
- Learn About Insurance [0:20:21]
- Polymer Technology Tip [0:23:54]
- Wrap Up of AWT Convention And Expo [0:24:33]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"The thing that makes people most happy is not money, love or stuff but achieving your goals. That is what encouraged me to get my CWT designation." - Amy Pollock @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IndustrialWaterWeek #CareersFriday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond**
"Being a water treater doesn't just mean you treat water. There's so much that we all do. And that is something to celebrate." - Michelle Farmerie @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IndustrialWaterWeek #CareersFriday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond**
"Every water treater needs to understand the degree of magnitude and the potential risk that is presented to them. Everything from small accounts to the very largest account that you have. It’s a people business with many personalities involved. Know your risk!" - Mike Highum @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IndustrialWaterWeek #CareersFriday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond**
"My number one tip for water treaters: Use the right product for the right application." - Mike Standish @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IndustrialWaterWeek #CareersFriday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond**
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Amy Pollock on LinkedIn
Greg Wannemuehler on LinkedIn
Brent Chettle on LinkedIn
Michelle Farmerie on LinkedIn
Ep12: The One with Michelle Farmerie
Michael Highum on LinkedIn (McGowan Insurance Group)
025 The One On Insurance
Mike Standish on LinkedIn
Ep 14: The One with Mike Standish
Tyler Cooper, CWT on LinkedIn (Premier Water & Energy)
Casey Walton on LinkedIn (Walton Technologies)
Steve Jacobs on LinkedIn
Ellaine Lee on LinkedIn (R2J)
Semra Gul on LinkedIn
107 Day 4 Of Industrial Water Week (Wastewater)
Episode 107 (Day 4): Show Notes
Industrial Water Week, Day 4: Wastewater
It’s a dirty job, but someone must do it. That someone is us, the Industrial Water Treater.
Today we are celebrating Wastewater Thursday. Wastewater is all about taking something out of our discharge water that came from our process. Most municipal plants require that the water they receive has a minimum water quality so that it will not harm their biological population. It’s all about the “bugs.”
A few months back we did 2 shows devoted to wastewater with our guest, Kevin Kope- episodes 78 and 79. Many water treaters have told me what a helpful resource these shows are. Feel free to incorporate re-listening to them during your celebration today.
In the meantime, we are back at the AWT convention here from Scaling UP! Nation Members.
Key Points From This Episode:
- WasteWater [0:00:30]
- Metals Precipitation [0:03:30]
- Supplier Of The Year [0:06:54]
- The Young Professional Council [0:08:24]
- Common Things In The Convention [0:11:09]
- Tips From Mark Lewis [0:14:47]
- Offers in Peabody Engineering [0:19:33]
- Free Enterprise Server Application [0:21:18]
- QCPR Device [0:23:25]
- And A Lot More!
Tweetables:
"Just because you get a number, it's gotta be the number that you can believe in and accept. Whatever you do, don't just run a test and say that's the number because that's the number it is." - Mark Lewis @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #*scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #WastewaterThursday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond***
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Kevin Cope on LinkedIn (Brentagg)
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1)
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2)
Matt Freije on LinkedIn - Supplier Of The Year
083 The One About Water Management Plans
Patrick Manning on LinkedIn
Ty Thomas on LinkedIn
Mark T. Lewis on LinkedIn
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
Tom Cass on LinkedIn (Aqua Laboratories, Inc.)
Doug Frassa on LinkedIn
Mark Peabody on LinkedIn (Peabody Engineering & Supply, Inc.)
Lori McPherson on LinkedIn (Walchem)
Charlie Heineman, CWT on LinkedIn
107 Day 3 Of Industrial Water Week (Cooling)
Episode 107 (Day 3): Show Notes
Happy Industrial Water Week everyone! Today, Day 3, of our weeklong holiday is all about Cooling. Yesterday was about boilers. Since we put heat (BTU’s) into something, today we have to cool it down. We are taking BTU’s out of something. In most processes, heat is a byproduct that slows the process down. The more widgets a machine makes, the hotter that machine gets. The hotter the machine gets, the fewer widgets that machine can make. And that’s where we come in.
Getting heat out of our process and sending it to a place we don’t care about it is key to our job. The less heat we have, the more widgets we can make. That means the widget factory can be more profitable. Our job as an industrial water treater is to make that process as efficient as it possibly can be. After all, the heat transfer medium they are using is the lifeblood of the whole operation.
As we celebrate Cooling Wednesday, we are back at the AWT conference. Join me as I continue to interview fellow Scaling UP! Nation! Members and take you inside the conference.
Key Points From This Episode:
- The Legionella Expert [0:02:03]
- Next Generation Culture Test [0:04:06]
- Supplemental Disinfection [0:06:24]
- Filming Amines With Logan [0:09:37]
- Pure Water For The World [0:12:00]
- Ideas For The Show [0:17:54]
- To Young Professionals [0:22:36]
- What is Endotherm? [0:24:55]
- Panel Builder Program [0:26:33]
- Talking With Michael Byerley [0:27:44]
- At The Lovibond Booth [0:28:47]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"When nobody is having dialogue around legionella, nobody is getting anywhere. Start talking to your clients because that is a tide that will raise all industrial water treatment boats. " @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #C*oolingWednesday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond***
"Water is what brings us all together and Pure Water for the World provides that most basic need for people." - Rye Thompson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #C*oolingWednesday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond***
"Water Treatment is not just for those in the industry, but for everyone!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #C*oolingWednesday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100andbeyond***
Links Mentioned on this episode:
AWT Website
Pure Water For The World, Inc.
Janet E. Stout Episode: EP9: The L Word
Kristin Majeska on LinkedIn (IDEXX)
Alberto Comazzi on LinkedIn
Logan Manaranche on LinkedIn
091 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Closed Loops and Cooling Towers)
Carolyn Meub Episode: 081 The One about Pure Water for the World
Rye Thompson on LinkedIn
Jim Lukanich on LinkedIn
Jim Lukanich Episode: EP10: The One with Jim Lukanich
Ep 15: The One with Jack Walker
Will Wilson on LinkedIn (EndoTherm)
Brian Katarski on LinkedIn (AquaPhoenix)
Michael Byerley on LinkedIn (Global Water Technologies)
Robert Reynolds, CWT on LinkedIn
Episode 107 (Day 2): Show Notes
Happy Industrial Water Week Scaling UP! Nation!
We are celebrating Day 2 of Industrial Water Week. Day 2 is all about boilers. One of the ways I like to think about our job is that we are heat transfer, efficiency managers. That means we take heat from one place and transfer it to another as cost-effectively as possible. When we talk about boilers, we are putting heat into the system, so that heat can do some work. This work might be to power something, or it could just be to heat something. Either way, the steam boiler is the “workhorse” of our modern-day world.
On this special holiday episode, we are back at the Association of Water Technologies Annual Convention. Where we talk a bit about steam boilers and chat with friends of our show.
Happy Day 2 of Industrial Water Week.
Key Points From This Episode:
- All About Boilers [0:00:43]
- Tips from Larry Pannell [0:03:39]
- Questions for Laura Sanders [0:07:54]
- The Upcoming AWT President [0:09:43]
- Appreciating Thomas Branvold [0:12:26]
- Upgrading with Tom Tinney [0:14:40]
- Learnings at The Convention [0:18:18]
- The Young Professionals [0:21:01]
- Cool Stuff In 2019 [0:22:45]
- Industrial Week 2020 Schedule [0:24:14]
- Understanding H2trOnics [0:24:45]
- pH Meter [0:26:00]
- Interview with Scott Olson [0:28:45]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"This (AWT) is one of the few organizations where vendors have an opportunity to participate in committees and contribute something meaningful. In return the water treatment industry benefits as a whole. - @TomTinney @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #boilertuesday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100***
"The number one tip for water treaters: If it wasn't written, it wasn't done." - @JayFarmerie @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #boilertuesday #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100***
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Larry Pannell on LinkedIn
Laura Sanders on LinkedIn
Reid Hutchison on LinkedIn
Adam Dumler on LinkedIn
Matt Black on LinkedIn
Chris Golden on LinkedIn
Scott W. Olson on LinkedIn
Marodi Cribari Filming Amines Episodes
089 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (General)
090 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Boilers)
091 The One That’s All About Filming Amines (Closed Loops and Cooling Towers)
EP3: Controllers with Tom Tinney
093 The One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
094 The Other One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
062 The One with the Pulsafeeder Guy
107 Day 1 Of Industrial Water Week (Pretreatment)
Episode 107: Show Notes
Industrial Water Week, Day 1: Pretreatment
Happy Industrial Water Week Nation! We have an entire week that is devoted just for us, the Industrial Water Treater. Last year, a friend of the show, James McDonald launched this holiday to help us celebrate how awesome our job is. Industrial Water Week is always the first full week in October.
Here is what we celebrate:
- Pretreatment Monday
- Boiler Tuesday
- Cooling Wednesday
- Wastewater Thursday
- Careers Friday
There is just so much to do in our job, our holiday requires more than just one day to celebrate. We get a whole week!
Today we celebrate pretreatment. Pretreatment is anything that we do to improve water quality to make it more acceptable for a specific end use. That means filters, water softeners, dealkalizers, and the list goes on. Today, as we celebrate industrial water week, think of all the things we use in our pretreatment processes.
To help us celebrate this awesome holiday week, we took our recording gear to the Association of Water Technologies Annual Convention to take you right into the action. Please enjoy.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Industrial Water Week Celebration [0:00:30]
- Pretreatment Monday [0:01:35]
- Who is Responsible For IWW Holiday? [0:05:06]
- AWT Online Training Modules [0:07:22]
- The Youngest CWT [0:10:45]
- Advantage Controls [0:13:45]
- Young Professional Happy Hours [0:18:08]
- Random Interviews [0:24:04]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Get here however you can! Show up. Be involved. Be part of the AWT. You won't regret it!" - Jason Turcsanyi @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #*pretreatmentmonday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100***
"Industrial water treaters are awesome! Industrial water treatment is awesome! And it just makes sense that we have an entire week to celebrate! " @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #*pretreatmentmonday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100***
“We have the best job and the best industry in the world. We all need to celebrate it!” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup* #*scalinguppodcast* #*scalingupnation* #Pretreatment #*IndustrialWaterWeek* #*pretreatmentmonday* #AWT #CWT #ScalingUPto100***
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Ep 21: The One with James McDonald
049 The One with James McDonald, Again
064 The One with the Youngest CWT
Dan Morris on LinkedIn
Michelle Farmerie on LinkedIn
Brady Benson on LinkedIn
Jason Turcsanyi on LinkedIn
Mauricio Nieto on LinkedIn
Griffin Rial on LinkedIn
Peter Myers on LinkedIn
Bill Hildebrand on LinkedIn
106 The One with the Agnostic Equipment Guy
Episode 106: Show Notes
Nation! I know your favorite thing in the water treatment industry is the equipment we use. Well, maybe not... But it is something that we must use to run our programs when we are not there. Many of us are loyal to a particular brand and model of equipment. There is nothing wrong with that as long as you know what your options are outside of your “comfort zone.” I have found by working with other water treaters that many of us learn how one thing works, get comfortable with it and stop. That is not ok. We have to keep apprised of what equipment is out there to make our systems better.
Our guest today is Blaine Nagao of H2Tronics. Blaine is a longtime friend and colleague of mine. We met through the Association of Water Technologies. Specifically, when he would do the equipment training portion at technical training. I still remember things I learned from him in the class. Blaine agreed to come on the show and talk with us about a few things we should consider when it comes to equipment.
Please get ready to enjoy my interview with Blaine Nagao.
Key Points From This Episode:
- AWT Annual Convention & Expo [0:00:30]
- Industrial Water Week [0:01:53]
- Audible (Reading Tool) [0:03:31]
- Water Treatment Equipment [0:04:38]
- Equipment Baselines [0:10:02]
- Additional Functions Of Controllers [0:13:05]
- New Technology For Pumps [0:15:44]
- 3 Ways To Verify Pumps [0:18:03]
- Familiarizing The Equipment [0:18:32]
- Installations [0:19:41]
- How To Improve Installations?[0:20:54]
- Choosing A Brand You Want To Use [0:28:44]
- Time Saving Tips [0:32:06]
- What H2TrOnics Does? [0:44:18]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
“Do as much as you can ahead of time!” @BlaineNagao@traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #CoolingTowerSystems #WaterTreatmentEquiptments #ScalingUPto100
“Treat every installation like it’s a reflection of yourself and your company.” @BlaineNagao@traceblackmore#scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #CoolingTowerSystems #WaterTreatmentEquiptments #ScalingUPto100
“Learn about the equipment that is running your programs.” @traceblackmore @BlaineNagao scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #CoolingTowerSystems #WaterTreatmentEquiptments #ScalingUPto100
What are 5-10 things that you need to know how to troubleshoot for your equipment? @traceblackmore @BlaineNagao #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #CoolingTowerSystems #WaterTreatmentEquiptments #ScalingUPto100
“When you elevate your water treatment program, you are showing customers that you are staying on top of all of their water treatment needs. You’re also making ways to save them energy and water!” @traceblackmore @BlaineNagao #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #CoolingTowerSystems #WaterTreatmentEquiptments #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Blaine Nagao on LinkedIn
H2trOnics, Inc.
Horse tradin' by Ben K. Green
The Terminal List by Jack Carr
The Machine: A Radical Approach to the Design of the Sales Function by Justin Roff-Marsh
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt
105 The Other One That’s All About Scale
Episode 105: Show Notes
A few weeks back I did and episode on Scale http://scalinguph2o.com/98. Truth be told, this is such a complex topic, one episode is not enough. I continue that conversation today. Learn more about one of the most difficult things for us to deal with in our job.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Calcium Carbonate [0:01:10]
- Learn More in Scaling UP! Episodes [0:04:05]
- Total Dissolved Solids [0:04:46]
- Sweet Tea [0:10:52]
- Concentration Ratio [0:15:36]
- Threshold Inhibition [0:21:14]
- Crystal Modification [0:22:06]
- Dispersion [0:23:06]
- Tips from Trace [0:33:57]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"The solution to pollution is dilution." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnethatsallaboutscale #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto100
"Make sure you understand what you are doing, because if you do not, the result could be disastrous."@traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnethatsallaboutscale #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto100*
Links Mentioned on this episode:
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
EP9: The L Word
086 Pinks and Blues: Alkalinity
083 The One About Water Management Plans
104 The One on Generational Diversity
Episode 104: Show Notes
Never before have we had 4 generations working together in the same workplace. So, it just stands to reason that we would have issues in dealing with multiple generations working together (in that same workplace) that we have never had to deal with before.
Today’s guest is Jeff Butler. Jeff is an expert when it comes to understanding the generations. He uses his expertise to help the Scaling UP! Nation understand what the generations are and how we can work better together. He especially goes into understanding Millennials better from their mindset.
Join me as I find out more about understanding the different generations.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Different Generations [0:07:04]
- Generation X [0:09:29]
- Multi-Generation Common Issues [0:15:02]
- Outdated [0:19:03]
- EOS (Entrepreneur Operating System) [0:26:06]
- Motivate the Millennial [0:29:02]
- Power of Social Media [0:34:27]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"All across the levels in the workplace, authenticity was being sort of a catalyst that people were jumping towards us." @iamjeffbutler @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneonGenerationalDiversity #GenerationalDiversity #Millennials #ScalingUPto10#ScalingUPto10*
"Stop being worried about the "HOW" and look more at the "WHAT" is being done." If the "WHAT" is great, the task is actually being done, that's fantastic." @iamjeffbutler @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneonGenerationalDiversity #GenerationalDiversity #Millennials #ScalingUPto10#ScalingUPto10*
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Jeffery Butler on LinkedIn
Jeffery Butler on Twitter
Jeffery Butler Company Website
Books:
The Key To A New You
The Authentic Workplace
Judgment in Managerial Decision Making
Never Die Easy: The Autobiography of Walter Payton
The Medal of Honor
103 The One About What a Water Treater Fears
Episode 103: Show Notes
When my assistant, Carla and I were setting up our production calendar a few months ago, we noticed that a release date was going to fall on Friday the 13th. That made me think of Jason Voorhees. But it also made me think about doing a show about what water treaters fear. A fear Factor episode, if you will...
I requested that the Scaling UP! Nation! let me know what they feared as water treaters. The list of items you came back with wasn't inclusive of ghost and goblins or even Jason Voorhees, but real things that happen to us every day. Today's episode is my reveal of that list. But I don’t stop there. I let you know how to deal with that fear.
Please enjoy the scariest water treatment show ever. Happy Friday the 13th!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Cold Calling [0:01:05]
- The "Height" [0:03:05]
- Feedback Call [0:04:17]
- Produce Revenue [0:06:33]
- Forgetting To Run A Test [0:10:30]
- Losing An Account [0:13:32]
- A Call At 3AM [0:17:01]
- Unfamiliar Equipment [0:18:21]
- Getting Bored With The Job [0:19:51]
- Not Knowing The Right Answer [0:25:00]
- Freaky Story [0:28:27]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Keep some procedures with you especially for the tests that you don't run on a regular basis." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutWhataWaterTreaterFears #fearfactor #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #ScalingUPto100andbeyond
"Think outside of the box. That's proving to the customer what you're worth is." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutWhataWaterTreaterFears #fearfactor #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #ScalingUPto100andbeyond
"Make a commitment." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutWhataWaterTreaterFears #fearfactor #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #ScalingUPto100andbeyond
“Your test kits is a tool that works for you, you do not work it!” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutWhataWaterTreaterFears #fearfactor #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #ScalingUPto100andbeyond
“Help me with my fear of running out of material as I have helped you on today’s fear factor episode. Give me some show ideas and give me some guest recommendations and I will be happy!” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutWhataWaterTreaterFears #fearfactor #watertreatment #watertreatmentindustry #ScalingUPto100andbeyond
Links Mentioned on this episode:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Show Ideas & Guest Recommendations
102 The Other One with Colin Frayne, CWT
Episode 102: Show Notes
There was just too much wisdom from Colin to fit in one week. So, he’s back. Colin Frayne, CWT joins us for the conclusion of his interview.
Sit back, relax and enjoy my interview with Colin.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Trends and Expectations [0:01:04]
- Learning Fundamentals [0:05:03]
- Companies Key Metrics [0:06:45]
- Identifying and solving problems [0:12:31]
- Tips from Colin Frayne [0:37:12]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"If you want to be in this business, you got to be a player. And that means developing your skills technically, financially, and networking with people and all the rest of it." - Colin Frayne @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto10
"There's actually no other better networking system, than to start with AWT." - Colin Frayne @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
"Never stop learning, never stop trying to improve yourself, never stop trying to find challenges, because it’s solving challenges that becomes the most rewarding thing in this business." - Colin Frayne @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
“Associate yourself with people who have knowledge that you want.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Colin Frayne on Linkedin
AWT
101 The One with Colin Frayne, CWT
Episode 101: Show Notes
Nation! you have heard him before on Scaling UP! H2O. I’ve interviewed him at AWT events, IFMA events and ASHRAE Events. But I have never interviewed him on a regular episode of our podcast. I’m talking about none other than Colin Frayne, CWT.
Colin has been involved in my water treatment training since 2002 when I first saw him at an Association of Water Technologies Technical Training Seminar. Colin had just come out with his water treatment books around that time. He graciously signed them for me, although I left those books behind when I started my own company. Since that time, I have replaced the books and continued to utilize Colin as a resource.
Join me as I interview Colin Frayne, CWT
Key Points From This Episode:
- Understanding Water Treatment [0:3:23]
- Getting started and involved [0:05:58]
- Resources and more [0:18:45]
- Companies/Suppliers Objectives [0:20:37]
- Staying involved with AWT [0:23:19]
- Exchange Forum [0:31:44]
- Recognition of Water Technologists [0:34:48]
- Getting involved in Lawsuits [0:37:28]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"If you love what you do, you don't work a day in your life." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
“You have to keep on learning on this business. There’s just so much to learn and none of us are going to be true masters.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
“You’ve got to enjoy this business and but to enjoy it, you gotta keep on learning.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
"If the company doesn't grow, no one does well. So, your job is to be a cash generator and you can generally generate more cash if you know more!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutColinFrayneCWT #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Colin Frayne on Linkedin
AWT
Cooling Water Books
Cooling Water Treatment Principles and Practices: Charts and Notes for Field Use
Cooling Water Treatment: Principles and Practice
Boiler Water Books
Boiler Water Treatment Principles and Practice: Charts and Notes for Field Use
Boiler Water Treatment, Principles and Practice, Vol. 1
Boiler Water Treatment, Principles and Practice, Vol. 2
100 The 100th One
Episode 100: Show Notes
Can you believe it, I can't! This is Scaling UP! H2O’s 100th episode! If you are a listener of the show, you have heard my voice 100 times. Unbelievable...
Hosting this podcast has become a passion of mine. Several years ago, I didn’t even know what a podcast was, now I'm celebrating 100 episodes of having a podcast. During the past 100 episodes, I have learned a great deal about several things.
On this episode we are going to celebrate not only what was done over the last 100 episodes, but what we learned, like these:
- The importance of having community in our industry?
a.) I don’t think I can take credit for it, but I have seen a shift in how water treaters reach out to fellow water treaters. Before the show, I didn't think crossing company lines was a common practice. But since the show started, I have had several individuals let me know that they have befriended other water treaters and they have both benefited from the new relationship. The podcast gave creation to The Scaling UP! Nation! The Scaling UP! Nation! has become the community for industrial water treaters, and I think that is amazing. I am humbled to be the tribe leader of our Nation!
- Other people think there is a need for the podcast:
a.) When I started on 4/4/2017, I would have been happy if my company’s team would have listened to the show. To date we are over 10,000 listeners in over 64 countries and growing every day. If this show didn't fill a need, we wouldn’t have numbers like that. GO Scaling UP! Nation!
- It’s all about the guests:
a.) This podcast was the first experience I had interviewing someone, outside of a job opportunity. I learned how others in the podcast community conducted interviews and morphed it to my own style. Interviewing was something I used to fear, now I find it very enjoyable. I have learned so much. Not just how to interview, but on a multitude of topics like how to be a better listener. Additionally, our guests have been fantastic, not only are they knowledgeable, that are at the top in their field. Thank you to all of our guests!
The list goes on but suffice it to say, I have experienced so many wonderful things in the past 100 episodes.
Thank you for being a listener of Scaling UP! H2O. I truly wouldn’t have been able to get to 100 without you!
Please enjoy this 100th episode. I know I enjoyed bringing it to you and look forward to the next 100!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Our humble beginning [0:02:05]
- Significance of 4-4-2017 [0:04:08]
- Trace's Favorite Story [0:05:50]
- Mark Lewis [0:07:25]
- Why Scaling UP! H2O? [0:09:11]
- Our Listeners a.k.a Scaling UP! Nation [0:10:38]
- Message from Charlie Cichetti [0:18:25]
- Message from Kevin Cope [0:22:43]
- Message from Michelle Farmerie [0:26:43]
- Message from Conor Parrish [0:29:56]
- James McDonald (Our Biggest Fan) [0:34:03]
- What's Coming Up? [0:39:53]
- Question from Listeners [0:40:52]
- How A Podcast Is Produced? [0:46:13]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"If you ever get information from somebody, and it could be critical, it could even sound like somebody is being judgmental about you-- take a deep breath and listen to what they are saying" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
"If you're gonna be in the industry, why not be the best and then prove to others that you've achieved that." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
"Joining associations like the AWT will help you become a better water treater." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
“I want this podcast to be a catalyst that makes us all make the water industry better!” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
Congratulations! I know your serving your industry here because you have a big heart to share your expertise to bring in guests not just within this industry but related to this industry. And even those that are just business and encouraging, and pro tips. And I really like the variety of guests you have.” @CharlieCichetti @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
“Great service to the AWT and to the water treatment industry!” Kevin
“This podcast has been one of the BEST things that has ever happened to this industry! @auntieseashell @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
"Congratulations on hitting your 100th episode. I knew you’ be successful but the scale of what you hit is truly incredible. A global audience, turning out contents it’s just been great and on the plus side. You’ve made my windshield time significantly better.” @ConorParrish @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
“Your FREE podcast has provided regular ideas of solid industrial water topics, drop by drop!” @JamesMcDonald89 @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #The100thOne #CertifiedWaterTechnologist #WaterTreatmentindustry #AWT #ScalingUP!behindthescenes #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Audible
Drop by Drop: Articles on Industrial Water Treatment: James McDonald
EP1: A New Podcast for Water Treaters
Charlie Cichetti: EP4: It’s Not Easy Being Green!
031 The One with Mark Lewis
034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT
087 The One That Takes You to AWT’s 2019 Technical Training
052 Day 3 of Industrial Water Week (Cooling)
093 The One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
094 The Other One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
Ep 22: The One with Tim Fulton
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 1)
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2)
Ep12: The One with Michelle Farmerie
EP8: The One with Conor Parrish
Ep 21: The One with James McDonald
049 The One with James McDonald, Again
099 The One About Health Insurance
Episode 99: Show Notes
As an employer and a business owner, I know how important it is to take care of the people that allow our businesses to function. If it were up to me, my team would want for nothing. However… With the changing climate of benefits and pricing of those benefits, some items can be out of reach.
I have spoken with several company owners who used to have great benefit plans only to have to cut back on their offerings due to high price increases. Most of these owners express a concern that the people that work for them do not understand the strain these price increases can have on the company. Sometimes all the employee sees is a cut back in benefits.
It is my hope that this show will educate both employers and employees about the twisting road of health care benefits. Our guest today is Allison De Paoli (dih-PAULY). Allison is an expert on health care benefits. Her superpower is being able to look outside of the box to find unique solutions that others might not of thought of.
This episode will help you understand not only the issues behind your health insurance plan, but give you some things to think about and do.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Health Insurance [0:00:32]
- Encouragements [0:05:04]
- Plan Options [0:08:11]
- Transparency of Cost [0:11:00]
- Concierge Doctor [0:13:02]
- Association Plan [0:16:44]
- Health Sharing Arrangement [0:17:55]
- Finding the right plan for your Company [0:19:05]
- Health reimbursements [0:24:12]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"A frank conversation about what health insurance cost with employees is important to have." @acdepaoli @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutHealthInsurance #HealthInsurance #ScalingUPto100
"A Health Reimbursement Arrangement, an (HRA) is something that you can contribute to, and then if somebody needs to go to the hospital you pay extra amount of the deductible." @acdepaoli @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutHealthInsurance #HealthInsurance #ScalingUPto100
"The only way that you are going to control the cost of health care, is to control the cost of health care." @acdepaoli @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutHealthInsurance #HealthInsurance #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Allison De Paoli on LinkedIn
Allison De Paoli on Twitter
De Paoli Professional Services
098 The One That’s All About Scale
Episode 098: Show Notes
Nation! this one is straight from the Scaling UP! Mailbag! As you know I try to talk on topics that members of the Scaling UP! Nation! Want to know about. And this episode is exactly that. Several people have contacted me wanting to know more about scale.
Join me as I “boil down” what scale is and why it is so important for us to take care of it in our programs.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Getting in Touch with Trace [0:00:28]
- Free Audio book [0:02:44]
- Water Treater Job [0:03:40]
- 3 Water Categories [0:07:01]
- Importance of Water Testing [0:11:49]
- Cycles of Concentration [0:12:29]
- Nucleation [0:15:25]
- Sample Computation/Costing [0:19:55]
- Scaling UP! T-Shirt [0:24:00]
- 2019 AWT Annual Convention and Expo [0:25:30]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Audible is a service that has so many book titles on it and it allows you to listen as you go through your day to day." @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnethatsallaboutscale #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto10#ScalingUPto10*
"Corrosion is something we always going to deal with, but we can severely slow it down." @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnethatsallaboutscale #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto10#ScalingUPto10*
"Clean systems means more efficient systems." @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnethatsallaboutscale #scale #watertreatment #ScalingUPto10#ScalingUPto10*
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Audible
The One that’s All About Corrosion Coupons
AWT Annual Convention 2019
097 The One About Filtration on Cooling Towers
Episode 97: Show Notes
Nation! If you have listened to the show, you know that I believe that every system we treat should have a filter on it. There is only so much that a water treatment program can do when mechanical filtration is not used.
My guest today is Bryan Hayward. Bryan is an expert on cooling tower filtration.
Today's show will teach you some things you may have never thought of. From installation to operation, Bryan helps us understand this indispensable tool call filtration.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Heat Transfer Efficiency Managers [0:00:53]
- Importance of Filter Person [0:05:30]
- Filter on Cooling Tower [0:08:30]
- Laser Particle Analysis [0:11:43]
- Centrifugal Separator [0:19:59]
- Sand Filter [0:21:17]
- High Efficiency Filter [0:23:00]
- GPM Re-circulation Rate [0:26:05]
- Installation Place [0:34:30]
- Tips from Bryan [0:43:01]
- AWT Annual Convention and Expo [0:46:47]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"If you have clean water, it's going to help the water treatment program heat, the heat transfer surfaces clean and with minimum corrosion. If they try sand filters they gonna love them." @bryanhayward @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutFiltrationonCoolingTowers #Filtration #CoolingTowers #ScalingUPto100
"It's important for the water treater to work with the filter person and communicate with them and find somebody they can trust." @bryanhayward @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutFiltrationonCoolingTowers #Filtration #CoolingTowers #ScalingUPto100
"Communication is really important, when something's installed incorrectly, the filter will not work." @bryanhayward @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutFiltrationonCoolingTowers #Filtration #CoolingTowers #ScalingUPto100
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Downloadable File: Cooling Technology Institute
Bryan Hayward on LinkedIn
Audible
096 The One That Helps Introverts
Episode 96: Show Notes
Well, Kermit the Frog said It’s not easy being green, but it’s not easy being introverted either. It may be hard for the Scaling UP! Nation! To believe, but introducing myself in a crowdy room doesn’t come naturally for me. Through the years I have been able to work of a few tricks that I do to help in this situation. I have also found that getting started is the hardest part for me. Once I get started, I'm OK.
A family friend of mine, Donna Srader of The Texas Tech University Career Center has written a webinar series on this very issue. As you will find from this interview, there are many different levels of introversion and introversion does not mean shy. Even though many think that it does. It is my hope that you can take several items from my interview with Donna that will help you get out there and meet people.
More about Donna Srader:
As an introvert, Donna Srader has excelled in a career that has “clients” come to her! As a lead counselor at the Texas Tech University Career Center, Donna has counseled, advised, and coached countless numbers of students and some alumni through the job search process. In addition, she has advised students through her service in the Texas Tech College of Engineering and Honors College as well as at the University of Texas at Dallas. She is an active member of several professional organizations, including SOACE and the National Career Development Association, although she freely admits that she is working to better her networking skills! Also, if you have read this far, Donna would like you to know that she has singlehandedly prevented the zombie apocalypse. How you ask? By planning for it – planning avoids many problems and minimizes the problems that cannot be avoided!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Learning new things [0:00:37]
- Exchange Information [0:01:45]
- Assessment Test [0:03:35]
- Difference between Introverted and being Shy [0:06:07]
- Networking Confessions of an Introvert [0:07:36]
- Tips (on remembering names) [0:10:37]
- Don’t let that last person down? [0:15:03]
- Tips to Make the Most from Networking Events [0:15:46]
- Setting Goals [0:20:58]
- Networking Event Tips for Introverts [0:26:36]
- Walk over yourself [0:31:19]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Multiply your efforts by working with somebody else" @traceblackmore* @donnasrader* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
"Get over being shy so we can all profit from knowing people through networking" @traceblackmore* @donnasrader* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
Planning avoids many problems and minimizes the problems that cannot be avoided! @donnasrader* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
"Every conversation starts with small talk" @donnasrader* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
"Practice how to move beyond of the small talk" @donnasrader* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
"Connection is so much better than getting fifty (50) business cards" @donnasrader* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatHelpsIntroverts #introverts #ConfessionsofanIntrovert
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Donna Srader on LinkedIn
Texas Tech University Career Center
Books:
The Secret Lives of Introverts by Jenn Granneman
The Introvert's Guide to Professional Success by Joyce Shelleman
Autobiography by Eleanor Roosevelt
095 The One at the IFMA Conference
Episode 95: Show Notes
As a water treater, we have many organizations we have to track. Most of us are familiar with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) but they are so many others out there too.
Scaling UP! H2O was contacted by IFMA and asked if we would cover their recent Facility Fusion Convention and Expo that took place April 8-10, 2019. We were honored to accommodate them.
Today's show is a walk through the Exhibition Hall where I talk to exhibitors who touch our industry in one way or another.
Key Points From This Episode:
- IFMA Conference Walk-In [0:02:21]
- All about IFMA [0:03:53]
- Irrigation Systems [0:05:56]
- IFMA Foundation [0:08:07]
- Digital Logbook [0:09:56]
- VIGA [0:12:24]
- Energy Saver [0:14:31]
- Recommendations [0:19:22]
Tweetables:
"Prevention is better than a pound of cure." Dave Deschar @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneattheIFMAConference #IFMA #IFMAConference
"Water treaters touched every single industry." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneattheIFMAConference #IFMA #IFMAConference
"People work with people they like, and so you have to give them a reason to like you." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneattheIFMAConference #IFMA #IFMAConference
Links mentioned:
https://www.ifma.org/
https://foundation.ifma.org/
https://www.bevi.co
https://www.viega.us
https://georgialightscapes.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7bT5CgUXuE
https://www.smartrain.net/
https://www.logcheck.com
094 The Other One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
Episode 94: Show Notes
I'm sure you couldn't wait to tune into the conclusion of last week's episode http://scalinguph2o.com/93. The wait is over. This week Jay Farmerie, CWT joins us again to talk about what happens when water treaters get called in to court. Jay has served as an expert witness for both plaintiffs and defendants for many years. During that time, he has learned many helpful items that he graciously shares with us, The Scaling UP! Nation!
This episode is sure to make you think about how you do your service and document it in a service report. I hope you enjoy my follow-up interview with Jay Farmerie, CWT Key Points From This Episode:
- What happens when parties don’t agree?[0:01:39]
- Working with customers[0:3:41]
- Equipment failures [0:04:15]
- Being Pro-Active [0:07:42]
- Metallurgy [0:15:56]
- Courtroom experience [0:28:30]
- Tips and advise [1:07:41]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"The more data we have, the more we can predict what's going to happen. And we can stop the problems before they start." @jayfarmerie* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
"Don't ever stop learning. There's something new to learn everyday." @jayfarmerie* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
“Do something pro-active and help yourself!” @jayfarmerie* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
“The only stupid question is the one that’s not asked.” @jayfarmerie* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
“Read more and learn more faster!” @jayfarmerie* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
"If it wasn't written down, it wasn't done." @jayfarmerie @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOtherOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
Links mentioned:
AWT
Cyrus Rice Water Consultants
Bruce Ketrick on LInkedIn
The One with Jim Lukanich
Controllers with Tom Tinney
Books:
AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual
Never Call Me a Hero
093 The One with Jay Farmerie, CWT
Episode 93: Show Notes
As you all have heard me speak about on the show, I am endeavoring to become a better water treater each and every day. This includes learning what I don’t know I don’t know. This can be a very difficult task when you embark on this journey by yourself. That is way I have engaged others to help me. I believe that everyone should have a mentor to help them with the above-mentioned task. Fortunately for me I have several. About 20 years ago I asked Jay Farmerie, CWT if he would mentor me. Lucky for me, he said yes. Because of our relationship, I have someone who is engaged in helping me find my blind spots to uncover what I don’t know I don’t know. On today’s episode I interview Jay about his career and all things water treatment. I hope you enjoy our conversation.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Being a Mentor [0:07:30]
- Starting GLA Water Consulting [0:20:21]
- Bid Specifications [0:23:35]
- Requirements to become a Certified Water Technologist [0:32:54]
- Water Treatment Standards [0:35:57]
- Water Doctors[0:41:12]
- Minimums for Water Treatment [0:47:32]
- Water Softener tests[0:50:13]
- Magic Questions [0:52:49]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"It's so much easier to become better at this job when you are not doing it alone." @traceblackmore* @jayfarmerie* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
“It takes a village to build any Water Treater!” @traceblackmore* @jayfarmerie* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
“What do you know from the testing that you’re doing that actually validates that you’re doing what you are supposed to be doing?” @traceblackmore* @jayfarmerie* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
"If it wasn't written down, it wasn't done." @jayfarmerie @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneWithJayFarmerieCWT
Links mentioned:
AWT
Cyrus Rice Water Consultants
GLA Water Consultants
American Association for the Advancement of Science
092 The One About My TED Talk Experience
Episode 92: Show Notes
If you have listened to my end year shows, you know I am a goal setter. I believe that if you challenge yourself to grow beyond your comfort level, you challenge yourself to grow, period. I also believe that most people don’t challenge themselves to grow and by default they stay the same. The brutal fact is if you are staying the same, others are going to pass you, so there is no staying the same, the same will actual move you backwards.
This year I decided I wanted to work on my public speaking skills. Specifically, I wanted to do my first TED Talk. For those of you that don’t know TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Most of my speaking experience is with training. I have never made up a narrative (story) and spoke on it before. At the time of the release of this episode, I have not yet made it to the TED Stage. In an effort to get there, I'd love for you to nominate me at: https://speaker-nominations.ted.com/
If you want to see the actual recording of my talk go to: http://scalinguph2o.com/tedtalk
I hope you enjoy this episode as I take you through the process of my preparation to do something I have never done before.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Working with Tim Fulton [0:01:01]
- TED Talk and all about it [0:04:07]
- 7 Habits of Highly Effective People [0:05:16]
- Preparing for the TED Talk [0:08:06]
- Professional Speech Coach [0:39:44]
- My Small Business Matters Conference 2019 experience [0:42:13]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Don't just live to get to the next thing. It is not about the end, it is about the journey and getting there!" - John Finton @TF_SBM @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutMyTEDTalkExperience #SmallBusinessMatters #SBMConference2019
"If we know what we're building together, we can help each other build it." @traceblackmore* @TF_SBM* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutMyTEDTalkExperience #SmallBusinessMatters #SBMConference2019
"If your people understand why you started the company, now they can help you more than you can ever imagine." @traceblackmore* @TF_SBM* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneAboutMyTEDTalkExperience #SmallBusinessMatters #SBMConference2019
Links Mentioned on this episode:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
TED Talk Speaker nomination
TED Talk Experience | 2019 Small Business Matters Conference
060 The One About Public Speaking
Tim Fulton on LinkedIn
Tim Fulton on Twitter
Small Business Matters Website
091 The One That's All About Filming Amines (Closed Loops and Cooling Towers)
Episode 91: Show Notes
Wow! Three weeks of filming amines. What else is left to talk about? Closed Loops and Cooling Towers of course...
Marodi Cribari and I are back to finish up this series on filming amine technologies. Adding from our previous two conversations, we talk about using filming amines in the application of cooling tower and closed loop systems.
This episode lets you in on valuable tips and information you need to know if you plan on using filming amines in a system that is not a steam boiler.
More about Marodi Cribari:
Marodi Cribari is a biochemist from Denver, Colorado. She graduated in 2008 from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a degree in biology and chemistry. Early in her career she was a bench chemist developing fluid systems and colloidal particle dispersions. Now she works in water treatment focusing on technical education an product application.
Fun Fact about Marodi: She is a professional ballroom dancer!
DOWNLOADABLE MATERIALS
**Key Points** **From** **This Episode:**
- Closed Loops Systems [0:01:39]
- Nitrate Programs [0:04:51]
- Metallurgy of systems [0:07:18]
- Metering [0:07:36]
- Dosages [0:13:08]
- Aluminum [0:16:07]
- Glycol [0:25:27]
- PTSA and Filming amine [0:28:25]
- PTSA Residual [0:34:53]
- Cooling towers [0:36:45]
- Oxidizers and Non-Oxidizers [0:40:55]
- Material compatibility [0:49:52]
- Cleaning Probes [0:52:43]
- Filming Technology [0:54:17]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
“Don’t pigeonhole yourself into one testing result.” @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
‘Knowing what type of problem’s you are trying to solve is vital. And identifying what needs to be done in order to be successful.” @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
“The water treatment industry is the original green industry. We were saving water before other people knew how to save water.” @traceblackmore* @marodicribari* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
"Filming Technology is not only coming, but it has arrived. And it’s here in force!" @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
"Educate yourself, get familiar with it, be comfortable with it. So that if you're competing against it, you know how." @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Audible
Logan Manaranche on LinkedIn
Xavier Labeille on LinkedIn
Books
Dr. Seuss ABC's
Girl, Wash Your Face
Birth in Four Cultures
Downloadable Materials
IAPWS Technical Guidance Document
Long Chain Fatty Amines and Their Derivatives for Corrosion Protection in Water Treatment Applications
Film-Forming Amines in Steam/Water Cycles
090 The One That's All About Filming Amines (Boilers)
Episode 90: Show Notes
If you haven't listened to last week's episode, Episode 89, The One That's All About Filming Amines (General) I think you should start with that one first. That is the episode where we talk about general knowledge of the filming amine products.
In today’s episode we get down to application in boilers. Boilers are where filming amines got their start (at least in the water treatment arena.) And this is where I personally have most of my experience. A manufacturer sought me out about six years ago and asked me to evaluate how a particular blend a filming amines worked in a steam boiler. It was new technology at the time, and we all learned together. You will hear about this experience in today’s episode. You will also learn amount many of the things I learned as a part of that and applying these products since that time. But it’s not just me, Marodi is back too!
Join Marodi Cribari and I as we talk about all things filming amine when it comes to steam boilers.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Using Filming Amines [0:00:40]
- Filming Amines on Boilers [0:01:35]
- Film Forming Products [0:04:47]
- Scale or Corrosion [0:08:47]
- System Inventory [0:08:56]
- Key Performance Indicator [0:09:28]
- Calcium Scale Build-Up [0:10:57]
- Specific Limits [0:12:38]
- Feeding the Product [0:16:23]
- Water Meter [0:21:42]
- Other tests [0:29:09]
- Picking a method [0:35:37]
- New to Filming Amines? [0:38:57]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Testing for residual of Filming Amine is truly no different than testing for residual like a different product, like sulfite." @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari #filmingaminesinboilers
"In a world of residual testing, instead of testing the four common ones that we're we used to, we're just testing the one." @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari #filmingaminesinboilers
"When it comes to testing filming amines, pick a method and go with it" @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari #filmingaminesinboilers
"In the world of testing, it's better to be consistently wrong, than not consistent." @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari #filmingaminesinboilers
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Audible
The One That's All About Filming Amines (General)
AWT Presentation
089 The One That's All About Filming Amines (General)
Episode 89: Show Notes
This one is straight from the Scaling UP! H2O mailbag! I have received dozens of questions about filming amines after Episode 80, Filming Amines. In that episode, I shared with the Scaling UP! Nation! the paper I presented at the 2018 Association of Water Technologies Convention and Expo. In fact, after I presented this paper, several people came up to me with question about filming amines. So here is what I think is going on: We water treaters are used to doing our craft in a particular way (the way we are used to.) When we change what we are used to (say using filming amines) some of us get nervous. Scaling UP! H2O to the rescue...
Today's episode was meant to be a one-part episode with WST’s Marodi Cribari. However, there was so much information to cover we decided to cover filming amines for the next 3 weeks! Marodi has a great way of explaining us through many of the questions water treaters have. Although she works for WST, she answers our questions in a way that can apply to any supplier that you use.
This week we will be talking about filming amines in general. You will learn how they started and how they came to be used in our water systems. Next week we tackle boilers and the third and final week, we talk about closed loops and cooling towers. I promise that after these episodes you will be well prepared to start your journey into learning more about filming amine technologies. Happy Learning!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Systems and Products [0:00:55]
- What is a Filming Amine? [0:07:12]
- Organic and Inorganic Chemistry [0:07:45]
- BCT [0:09:36]
- Polyamines [0:09:50]
- Organic Surfactants [0:10:18]
- Different types on Filming Amines [0:11:06]
- ODA (Oxydiamine) [0:15:06]
- How does Filming Amines work? [0:19:57]
- Does it affect Heat Transfer? [0:22:50]
- Suitable Systems [0:27:29]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"We should be allowed to functionally make choices and move forward and make decisions for ourselves but at the same time that slows us up and sometimes we hold ourselves back." @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
"Part of the innovation and the development of this types of things came out as a necessity!" @marodicribari @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
"If your goal to educate yourself more about Filming Amines, just READ and educate yourself." @marodicribari@traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
“Scaling UP! Nation, stay tuned because next week we are going to talk about specific systems on Filming Amines." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatsAllAboutfilmingamines #FilmingAmines #MarodiCribari
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Audible
088 Pinks and Blues: Heat Transfer
Episode 88: Show Notes
Key Points From This Episode:
- Heat Transfer Efficiency Managers [0:02:00]
- Equipment Treaters [0:01:35]
- Heat Exchange [0:02:58]
- Heat Transfer [0:03:42]
- Water Treater Job [0:05:55]
- Universal Solvent [0:09:37]
- Microbial [0:11:24]
- Calcium Carbonate Scale [0:14:28]
- Chillers and more [0:16:53]
- AWT Annual Convention and Expo [0:26:57]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Our job is to make sure that the equipment that we are treating is working as efficiently as possible." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesheattransfer #heattransfer #pinksandblues
"Water treaters have a prospective that other vendors don't!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesheattransfer #heattransfer #pinksandblues
"When you come back to your territory you will be able to just lie it on fire because you now have a new idea that you didn't have before." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesheattransfer #heattransfer #pinksandblues
“It all starts with meeting people! It all starts with you wanting to improve the industry that you are in.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesheattransfer #heattransfer #pinksandblues
Links mentioned
Audible
EP10: The One with Jim Lukanich
AWT Annual Convention 2019
Show Ideas
087 The One That Takes You to AWT’s 2019 Technical Training
Episode 87: Show Notes
Scaling UP! Nation! you know my favorite time of year is when I get to teach at The Association of Water Technologies Technical Training Seminars. Not only do I get to talk about my favorite topic, I get to teach it! But the best part is I get to talk to other water treaters!
Being the gracious host that I am, I decided that I had to share this experience with the Nation! Join me as I talk with Attendees and Trainers of the AWT 2019 Technical Training Seminars.
Key Points From This Episode:
- AWT Technical Training [0:02:11]
- Class Comments [0:03:36]
- How to decide on which class to attend to? [0:03:54]
- Best of Fundamental Applications [0:8:55]
- 4 Equipment manufacturers [0:10:30]
- Boiler Controllers [0:13:20]
- Cooling Water Systems [0:18:41]
- Tooth Analogy [0:19:24]
- Agastopia [0:23:48]
- Waste Water [0:30:28]
- Legionella [0:3027]
- Sales Training [0:45:25]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Technical Trainings: Study before you go!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"There's always new stuff, new information coming out" @KyleRossi @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"AWT is the BEST resource to further your knowledge in the water industry." @KyleRossi @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"When you come to training, have a few goals. And get those goals accomplished and when you go back, take back something and teach some other people." @MarkLewis @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"When you leave here, you know what to expect, you know what's out there, you know how you're gonna be spoken about, and you can do a better job" @MarkLewis @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"There is always a bright spot." @JimLukanich @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"Everybody that came to the AWT Technical Training walked away with knowledge and confidence!" @JustinRanger @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
“Start learning about Legionella now because if you don’t other will and we need to keep our business safe!” @BillPearson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
Come to AWT Technical Training. It’s educational, it’s a great networking experience.” @AngelaPike @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"I think coming to the AWT Technical Training is great because you learn things and then later on look back on it. And might skip the “Making the mistakes” part.” Tanner Mark @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"AWT Seminar is a great unbiased training/learning format for us to learn." John Wendell @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"As a business owner, we set funds back for training and education. And if you aren't doing that, you aren't moving forward." John Wendell @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
“Beyond the piece of learning educational classes, it’s the networking and feeling a part of this larger industry and not just the little island that is your territory.” @ConorParrish @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"You have got to keep learning, you have to keep up with technology, and what's coming up in the industry." @RussellBaskin* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
"Going to these Technical Training seminars is like drinking from a fire hose.If you go with the intention to try and capture every bit of water out of that fire hose then you are not set up for success!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneThatTakesYoutoAWT2019TechnicalTraining #AWT2019TechnicalTraining
Links Mentioned on this episode:
AWT Technical Trainings
CWT Tips
GUESTS
Russell Baskin of Tower Water Management
Conor Parrish of FCT Water Treatment
Kyle Rossi of Aqua-Serv Engineers, Inc.
Mark Lewis of Southeastern Laboratories
Jim Lukanich of Applied Technologies
Justin Ranger of CH2O, Inc.
Bill Pearson of BPEARSON Consulting LLC
Angela Pike of Management Solutions Plus
EPISODES
EP8: The One with Conor Parrish
EP10: The One with Jim Lukanich
062 The One with the Pulsafeeder Guy
086 Pinks and Blues: Alkalinity
Episode 86: Show Notes
If there is one thing that confuses most water treaters, it is the subject of alkalinity. Alkalinity is a topic that if you can understand, it helps you better understand some of the tests you run on your systems. In fact, knowing alkalinity can tell you what test to run and not to run.
Join me as I answer several questions about alkalinity on this Pinks and Blues episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
- What is Alkalinity? [0:01:08]
- pH Scales [0:02:09]
- Bicarbonate Alkalinity [0:03:59]
- Carbonate Alkalinity [0:04:16]
- Hydroxyl Alkalinity [0:04:53]
- Calcium Carbonate [0:05:34]
- Calcium Phosphate [0:06:40]
- Zero-Alkalinity (Carbonic Acid) [0:10:48]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
Join me as I answer several questions about alkalinity on this Pinks and Blues episode. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesalkalinity #understandingalkalinitybetter #wateralkalinity
"Alkalinity is very important to our water treatment programs because our programs are designed on the type of Alkalinity that you have in your water." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesalkalinity #understandingalkalinitybetter #wateralkalinity
"Calcium Phosphate - hard and will crack concrete walls. Hydroxyapatite - nice fluffy snow." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesalkalinity #understandingalkalinitybetter #wateralkalinity
“We now have more than 10K subscribers in over 60 different countries! Thank you so much Scaling UP! Nation.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesalkalinity #understandingalkalinitybetter #wateralkalinity
Links Mentioned on this episode:
084 Pinks and Blues: pH
085 The One with the Business Operating System
Episode 85: Show Notes
OK Scaling UP! Nation! You know that I love business. And I love helping people in business even more. If there is a common denominator with almost every business I help, it is that they are trained to be water treaters, but not to be business owners or managers.
Here I go again, more on EOS, The Entrepreneural Operating System. EOS has helped me and my company more than any other system or book. Today, we cannot imagine working without it. I also use EOS as a tool to help other companies I work with. And... They love it as much as I do. Join me as I interview Mike Paton of EOS Worldwide. We talk about how to solve most of the problems we all have in business. So, if you own a business or work for a business, get ready to learn about one of the best tools for any business.
FREE TOOL: EOS Delegate and Elevate
More about Mike Paton:
Mike Paton has been learning from entrepreneurs for most of his life. Today he works hard to give back - as an award-winning speaker, best-selling author, Certified EOS Implementer™, and as the Visionary for EOS Worldwide.
Paton discovered the Entrepreneurial Operating System® (EOS) a dozen years ago while trying to take a $7 million company to the next level. Feeling stuck and more than a little frustrated, his search for answers led him to Gino Wickman and EOS. Having helped run four entrepreneurial companies, Paton instantly recognized the power of this simple, holistic “way of operating” a small business. He quickly became a passionate advocate, joined the Professional EOS Implementer Community, and dedicated himself to helping other entrepreneurs get what they want from their businesses.
Since then, Paton has conducted more than 1,200 full-day sessions with the leadership teams of more than 110 companies and helped thousands more entrepreneurs by sharing EOS in dynamic talks and workshops the world over. During that journey, Paton wrote Get A Grip: An Entrepreneurial Fable with Gino Wickman and then succeeded Gino in the role of Visionary for EOS Worldwide. In that role, he leads a close-knit community of more than 250 Professional EOS Implementers™ around the globe - each passionate about helping entrepreneurs run better businesses and live better lives.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) [0:00:46]
- Book Recommendation [0:01:22]
- How to take advantage of EOS [0:05:04]
- What is EOS? [0:08:05]
- Lessons Learned [0:09:42]
- EOS Creed [0:10:16]
- Common frustrations and challenges [0:10:39]
- EOS activities [0:14:33]
- Why is it called an Operating system? [0:22:20]
- EOS Series books [0:28:16]
- FREE tools [0:33:39]
- Learning more about EOS [0:36:22]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Lesson #1: If the people in-charge don't want to run their business this way, it will not work!" @MikePaton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
"Don't lose sight of your vision and your passion." @MikePaton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
"Make sure to surround yourself with great people who are good at and have passion that your business needs." @MikePaton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
"Trust the process!" @MikePaton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
"I urge you to try something new so you can get better results." @traceblackmore* @MikePaton* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
"Folks! We are almost 10K Subscribers and we're in 57 countries. And the only way that is happening is because you. The Scaling UP! Nation are out there!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #Theonewiththebusinessoperatingsystem #EntrepreneurialOperatingSystem
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Mike Paton on LinkedIn
The Entrepreneurial Operating System
Mike Paton Email
Books Mentioned
The Son: Philipp Meyer
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less
Learning How to Avoid THE GAP
Unique Ability
Good to Great
The Energy Bus
EOS Series books
Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business
Rocket Fuel: The One Essential Combination
Get a Grip: An Entrepreneurial Fable
How to Be a Great Boss
What the Heck is EOS?
Shows Mentioned
Ep 22: The One with Tim Fulton
084 Pinks and Blues: pH
Episode 84: Show Notes
Everybody uses pH but very few truly understand what it is. Moreover, the people that are brave enough to ask, “What is pH?” hardly ever get an answer that is helpful.
No promises, but I am going to do my best to explain pH in a way that is not only helpful but useful.
Requirement: You must visualize what I am saying during the podcast.
Please enjoy my explanation of pH.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Show Ideas [0:01:16]
- Why behind the Q's [0:02:12]
- Explaining pH [0:03:07]
- Visualizing pH [0:05:19]
- Pressing pH on your meter [0:11:02]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"One of the 5 ingredients of scale is pH." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesph #understandingphbetter
"As we increase the pH, the more susceptible to scaling we become. As we reduce pH, the more susceptible dissolving scale the water become." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesph #understandingphbetter
083 The One About Water Management Plans
Episode 83: Show Notes
Water Management Plan, Oh My!
Many wonder about what they are, do they need them and how to educate their customers on them.
Today we have one of the industry's leading experts to help answer all of these questions and more. Join me as I talk with Matt Frejie of HC Info.
Claim your discount now - Code: scalingup5
More about Matt Freije:
Matt Freije is the founder and CEO of hcinfo.com and the content director for LAMPS, its cloud-based application used by thousands of building engineers, water treatment professionals, and health officials for Legionella water management plans, analytics, and training.
Download your CDC ToolKit
Download your Legionnaires' info Key Points From This Episode:
- Most incredible substance on earth [0:01:54]
- Introduction on Legionella [0:00:49]
- Myths on Water Management Program [0:01:15]
- Legionella Prevention [0:01:59]
- What is Legionella? [0:03:57]
- Cooling Towers [0:05:59]
- ASHRAE 188 [0:07:10]
- Site Survey Training [0:13:02]
- Common Mistake during the survey process [0:25:14]
- Tips from Matt Freije [0:36:18]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Know what you need to know, know who you need to partner with. What you want to do and what you don't want to do. It's not always the same perfect company." @mattfreije @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutWaterManagementPlans
"Don't compromise and just enjoy the training work!" @mattfreije* @traceblackmore* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutWaterManagementPlans
"Learn more on what you don't know." @traceblackmore* @mattfreij* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutWaterManagementPlans
"Don't be afraid to take a professional with you. And learn from that professional and make sure you're doing the right things in the right ways." @traceblackmore* @mattfreij* #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutWaterManagementPlans
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Matt Freije on LinkedIn
Matt Freije Company Website
Legionellosis Video
EP9: The L Word
082 Pinks and Blues: Calibration
Episode 82: Show Notes
I know you know the feeling. You just got a delivery and it's your brand-new pH meter you ordered from your favorite supplier. You open the box, experience that new meter smell and can wait to start using it. In fact, most of us are so excited, we never even open the operations manual.
On today's episode we are going to talk about all the different probes and sensors we have on our meters and controllers. Specifically, how to calibrate them. The truth is that most probes are dying as soon as they come off the manufacturing floor. As a water treater we rely on the tools we use to be accurate so we can make changes based on the right information.
Sit back, relax and learn about all things calibration. Oh, and maybe read that manual to help to.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Proper way to calibrate [0:00:52]
- Different Probes [0:01:25]
- How to Properly Calibrate Probes [0:02:37]
- Cleaning your meter [0:06:24]
- Standard Conductivity Probes [0:09:12]
- High Conductivity [0:11:40]
- Different types of standard [0:12:08]
- pH Standards [0:14:06]
- Controllers [0:19:01]
- Handling Probes [0:19:54]
- Importance of Original Equipment Manual [0:20:43]
- Failing probe back to life [0:21:08]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"9 times out of 10 - When people have probes that aren't holding consistently, their battery hasn't been replaced like it should." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluescalibration #calibrationandprobes
"If you keep your equipment clean, you will get so much better results from that equipment." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluescalibration #calibrationandprobes
"You are only as good as the equipment you are using. And your equipment is only as good as the person that is using that piece of equipment." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluescalibration #calibrationandprobes
081 The One about Pure Water for the World
Episode 81: Show Notes
Speaking for myself, days can go by without me thinking about where my water comes from. I turn on the faucet and crystal-clear water comes out. It is there when I need it. Our water is clean and free from pathogens. However, it is not like this all over the world. In fact, more places don’t have good drinking water than places that do.
As an industrial water treater, our job starts and ends with water. Without water we would all be in another career. I've always wanted to try retail...
Because we are industrial water treaters, we have an enormous opportunity to not only save water, but educate others about water. Join me as I interview Carolyn Mueb of Pure Water for the World. PWW, was introduced to me by The Association of Water Technologies (AWT.) To be perfectly honest, I thought it was a strange partnership. However, after taking the time to find out more, I can see where there are synergies between the 2 organizations. It is my belief that you will also change your mind on not only how you think about water but how so many do not have the same access to it.
More about Carolyn Meub:
Carolyn has been serving as the Executive Director of Pure Water for the World, Inc. since 2003. Under her guidance, Pure Water for the World has transformed from a Rotary Club project into an impactful, international humanitarian non-governmental organization. Prior to leading PWW, Carolyn had a successful career in public relations, special events and organizational management, including projects in political campaigns and fundraising. Carolyn is active in Rotary International, and, in 2012, she was recognized by the White House as one of ten US Rotarians to receive the distinguished Champion of Change award for her dedication to improving lives. Additional leadership in Rotary includes: Executive Committee of the Water and Sanitation Rotary Action Committee (2007-10); Chair of the first Water Summit at the Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles (2008); District Governor for District 7870, southern Vermont and southern New Hampshire (2001-2002). Carolyn and her husband, Bill, reside in Rutland, Vermont with their Portuguese Water Dogs: Calypso and Abracadabra.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Most incredible substance on earth [0:01:54]
- Pure Water for the World [0:02:38]
- Partnering with AWT [0:08:15]
- How can you help the World? [0:09:08]
- Waterborne Pathogens [0:14:32]
- Experiences helping Honduras and Haiti [0:19:18]
- Mission Trips [0:23:12]
- Getting involve [0:25:02]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Water is a GIFT that we need to make sure that everyone in this planet has access to." @traceblackmore @PureWaterPWW #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutPureWaterfortheWorld
"We all have similar goals and that is "Improving our Water."" @PureWaterPWW @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutPureWaterfortheWorld
"Even the smallest contribution can make a HUGE difference." @PureWaterPWW @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutPureWaterfortheWorld
"If you change the difference in one child's life, the child's life has been changed! And that is terrific." @PureWaterPWW @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutPureWaterfortheWorld
"Get your hands involve in an organization where you're bringing water to those who desperately need it." @traceblackmore @PureWaterPWW #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOneaboutPureWaterfortheWorld
Links Mentioned on this episode:
Carolyn Meub on LinkedIn
Pure Water for the World on Twitter
Pure Water for the World, Inc. website
Tel 802.747.0778
Fax 802.773.8575
Email info@purewaterfortheworld.org
Haiti:
Tel (011) 509.3770.0815
WASH Training Inquiries marion.nonglaton@purewaterfortheworld.org
Honduras:
Tel (011) 504.2226.5674
WASH Training Inquiries oandino@purewaterfortheworld.org
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080 Pinks and Blues: Filming Amines
Episode 80: Show Notes
Last year I had the pleasure of speaking at the AWT Conference in Orlando, Florida. I thought the information I shared during the conference would make a good show. For your sake, I hope I'm right.
As I am sure you know by now, I love to trust but I insist on verification. For example, when someone told me about using the SperiPen for phosphate digestions, I did and experiment to verify the information I received. You can hear all about what I did with this on Episode 47. So, using the same methodology, I decided to test the information I was receiving about Filming Amines in the same style.
Water treaters never have a problem giving their opinion on what they think of something. Just ask one! However, I do think we have an issue with explaining why we have such an opinion. Especially when it comes to giving enough information for others to make decisions based on such an opinion. Nation! It is my goal to get you to think on this show! My commitment to you is that I will get you started, but you then need to take that information and verify it for yourself.
Enjoy the “podcast version” of my AWT presentation on Filming Amines.
Key Points From This Episode:
- AWT Annual Convention & Expo 2018 [0:00:49]
- Filming Amines Testing [0:01:19]
- Steam Boilers [0:04:52]
- Closed Loops [0:05:50]
- Corrosion Coupons [0:10:17]
- Nitrite Test [0:13:19]
- Resolving System Leaks [0:30:02]
- Cooling Tower testings [0:41:33]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"The hotter the surface is the better the Filming Amines work!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesfilmingamines #filmingamines
"I hope that this helps you understand how we set up a test for Filming Amines." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesfilmingamines #filmingamines
"Just because we have good results in our Filming Amines test does not mean that you're going to have the same results in your system because you might have totally different parameters." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesfilmingamines #filmingamines
"The better you know the test, the better you're going to interpret the results. And the better you interpret results, the better you're going to run that program for your customer." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #pinksandbluesfilmingamines #filmingamines
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
AWT Presentation 2018
046 The One About Phosphate Testing
Steri Pen
075 The One that’s All About Corrosion Coupons
079 The One with The Waste Water Guy (Part 2)
Episode 79: Show Notes
Nation! you ask for it, so here it is! An Episode series on Waste Water.
Every year the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) offers a training seminar on waste water. The trainers that donate their time are top notch. They explain everything a beginner would need to know to begin a career in waste water treatment. Unfortunately, not everyone can attend these seminars. So, in an attempt to deliver to the Scaling UP! Nation! a piece of what you get at the that training, my friend Kevin Cope of (insert his company) was gracious enough to come on Scaling UP! H2O and take us through a complete survey of a water plant.
I know this episode will be one of your favorites. So, buckle up! Your about to be transported into a water plant though the expertise and experience of Kevin Cope.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Waste Water Treatment Survey [0:01:11]
- Collecting Data and more [0:02:03]
- Getting to know your operators [0:03:15]
- Samples and Test [0:05:12]
- Competing from yourself [0:15:13]
- Feed Systems [0:15:46]
- AWT App (Waste Water Calculations [0:17:34]
- Know the numbers [0:20:19]
- Things to consider when doing field trials [0:23:40]
- Waste Water vs Boiler Cooling Water [0:31:08]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Make sure you always follow those procedures and make sure you get it right before you move on to the next step." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy "Find your own way of doing it, and stick with it for as long as it's correct." @KevinCope @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy "Know and understand what your plan is when going to a plant. Don't just jar test the jar test!" @KevinCope @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy "Understanding all aspects of our markets, not just waste Water Industry but ALL." @KevinCope @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy I hope that you use today to make whatever you're doing 1% better. If you can just get 1% better each and every day, imagine where you're going to be at the end of the week, month or year." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy What are you going to do today that was better than you did yesterday? - @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kevin Cope Company Website: https://www.brenntag.com/
Kevin Cope on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cope-5b50651b/
078 The One with The Waste Water Guy
Episode 78: Show Notes
Nation! you ask for it, so here it is! An Episode series on Waste Water.
Every year the Association of Water Technologies (AWT) offers a training seminar on waste water. The trainers that donate their time are top notch. They explain everything a beginner would need to know to begin a career in waste water treatment. Unfortunately, not everyone can attend these seminars. So, in an attempt to deliver to the Scaling UP! Nation! a piece of what you get at the that training, my friend Kevin Cope of (insert his company) was gracious enough to come on Scaling UP! H2O and take us through a complete survey of a water plant.
I know this episode will be one of your favorites. So, buckle up! Your about to be transported into a water plant though the expertise and experience of Kevin Cope.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Learning more about Kevin Cope [0:02:01]
- Complete Waste Water Process [0:04:38]
- What to do and expect during Waste Water Survey? [0:09:44]
- Clarifier [0:18:04]
- Coagulant & Flocculant difference [0:19:29]
- Secondary Clarification [0:24:45]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
"Welcome to the best and most listened podcast! Scaling UP! H2O." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy "To me this is really the essence of what we do at the training at the AWT. Give the folks some kind of idea when they walk in." @KevinCope @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy "When you're going to a plant, ASK! (What are you doing here? What are you trying to remove? What are these equipment use for)." @KevinCope @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy Next week with Kevin Cope (Part 2): We are going to talk about what a Water Treatment Professional needs to do now that they know what's inside the plant and much more! @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheWasteWaterGuy Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kevin Cope Company Website: https://www.brenntag.com/
Kevin Cope on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cope-5b50651b/
077 Pinks and Blues
Episode 77: Show Notes
Water treaters run test. That’s a fact. However, the tests should never run the water treater. How well do you know your tests? Do you know how they work? Do you know how to tell when your tests are “lying” to you?
Many of you have written in asking about specific testing questions. Today's show will not only answer those questions but hopefully get you to start questioning every test that you run.
076 The One with the Consulting Client
Episode 76: Show Notes
Have you ever wondered what would happen if someone found out about your short comings? Maybe they could: expose you, take your business, tell your boss or even make fun of you. Or maybe they could help you overcome those short comings?
Many get a frightened felling by the prospect of someone finding out we don’t know something, or that we are not the best at a particular area. That’s normal. The thing that makes someone get better at that area is what they do once they have that feeling. Don’t let fear or pride get in the way of making yourself better.
I've been in water treatment for well over 20 years. If there is one thing I can say for sure about our industry, it is people in our industry go out of their way to help others. Time and time again, I have seen competitors help a fellow competitor just because they asked. I can't say for sure, but I don’t think this is true for other industries. So, the next time you are worried about not knowing something, remember this, there are people out there that want to help you better yourself and better the industry, don’t let pride or fear get in the way of that.
Now, you want to find out what you don’t know you don’t know; you have two options: 1. read about it, 2. ask someone about it. My preference has always been both. Reading about something allows me to start to know the topic better. Where working with someone allows me to use their experience to help me with my lack of experience. When you work with someone, they may charge you for their time and access to their expertise. If they do, the term we give them is a consultant, if they don’t the term I give them is a mentor. Each have their merits as you will learn from my interview today.
My guest is Brian Waymire of Innovative Water Consulting. Brian is a consulting client of mine. Join me as I talk to Brian about our relationship, why he hired me, what I did for him and how we work together today.
075 The One that’s All About Corrosion Coupons
Episode 75: Show Notes
If you are an industrial water treater, most likely you have seen a corrosion coupon at some point. However, if you haven't, today’s episode will teach you all about them. I remember a time when I placed an ad for my corrosion coupon lab in an industry magazine. After we created the layout for the ad, the sales rep called me to tell me I forgot the “coupon” in my graphic. The graphic I created featured 3 corrosion coupons. He wanted to know what discount (coupon) I was going to offer people who used my corrosion coupon lab. I thought that was funny. It also gave me the prospective that corrosion coupons tell you how much metal is being taken off of the system. Finding this information out quickly can save you a ton of money on your heat transfer equipment. So maybe the sales rep was on to something.
Corrosion coupons are very inexpensive ways that you can measure metal lose in a system you are treating for corrosion protection. Because they are inexpensive and easy to use, you can use them to pro-activity make a change in your program based on their results. In my career, I have analyzed 1000’s of corrosion coupons. Do anything enough, and you get pretty good at it. Scaling UP! H2O has received a large amount of questions around corrosion coupons. I normally answer a few questions from the audience on Pinks and Blues episodes. Since there were so many corrosion coupon questions, I decided to make it an entire show on everything you ever wanted to know about corrosion coupons. Join me as I talk about corrosion coupons from A(l) to Z(n).
Key Points From This Episode:
- What’s Corrosion Coupons? [0:01:01]
- Corrosion Coupons Analysis [0:02:35]
- Types of Corrosion Coupons [0:07:40]
- Corrosion Coupons Standards [0:12:35]
- Guidelines [0:30:55]
- Analysis [0:31:16]
- And much more!
073 The One at the ASHRAE EXPO
Episode 73: Show Notes
AHSRAE and AHR combine their efforts to put on one tremendous trade show. Many of us in the Scaling UP! Nation! are not able to attend conferences such of this. So, me being the nice guy that I am, take you onto the tradeshow floor via Scaling UP! H2O.
Join me as I talk to both vendors and water treaters so you can start thinking about that next thing that will help you succeed with a particular client.
Key Points From This Episode:
- ASHRAE AHR Convention [0:00:15]
- L.A.W. [0:01:33]
- Water Boiler [0:05:11]
- Indoor Air Qualities [0:06:34]
- Fluid Coolers [0:09:49]
- Compact Glycol Field System [0:11:55]
- EVAPCO Water Savers [0:12:30]
- Legionella Cube [0:13:54]
- Largest Cooling Tower [0:15:19]
And much more!
Tweetables:
"I can't believe how large this show is (ASHRAE AHR Convention). There had to be at least 2000 vendors exibiting on this trade show." @traceblackmore @ahrexpo @ashraenews #AHREXPO #AHRexpo2019 #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #theoneATtheASHRAEEXPO
"We can all get better, together!" @traceblackmore @ahrexpo @ashraenews #AHREXPO #AHRexpo2019 #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #theoneATtheASHRAEEXPO
"Never overlook an opportunity, anything that you can do to make yourself better will make the industry better. And then that just makes everything we touch gets much better." @traceblackmore @ahrexpo @ashraenews #AHREXPO #AHRexpo2019 #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #theoneATtheASHRAEEXPO
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
EVAPCO, Inc.
WARE, Inc.
SPX Cooling Technologies, Inc.
Masters Company, Inc.
Tower Tech
Spartan Bioscience Inc.
J.L. Wingert Company
When was the last time you spent time out of water treatment to work on water treatment? Sometimes you must take yourself out of the wok you are doing so you can do the work you are doing better. The AWT’s Technical Training is the best opportunity available for this purpose.
S-C-O-L-L
Success:
- 39 shows this year
- Jumped from 5000 to 9000 subscribers
- Started the weekly format
Challenge:
- Need more material for the weekly format
- Had to change my production routine to accommodate the weekly format
- Switch podcast hosting server because we were so popular
Opportunity:
- Asked to speak in China
- Enhancing the website to make it easy for listeners to use
- Spoke with one of my heroes, Captain David Marque
- Meeting so many people from the podcast
Lessons Learned:
-
The vision I had for the podcast has changed so much since April 2018
-
2 people on staff
-
Monthly to weekly
-
Practice makes better (listen to episode #1)
What I have done personally this 2018:
- Read (listened to 44 books)
-Implemented at least one thing from each of them
- Joined a mastermind group
- Personally, reached out to people that I want to meet and ask them to meet
-David Marquet
-Jesse Itzler
-
Started working with a trainer and start really paying attention to what I eat
-
Being diabetic
-
Possibility of coming off medication
-
Helped 4 companies be better at treating water
-
Took what they already know and had and taught them how to use it better.
-
Reading P and L balance sheet and cash-flow statement
-
Received thank you about how much more profitable they are and happier the people in their company are
- Spoken at 6 events this year
- Asked to serve as chair of the BTO (Building Trade Organization) within BOMA GA
- David Vinces
-
This really is a first
-
I started working with kid at my church
-
Camp
-
Hearing from so many scaling up listeners about how this show motivates them
2019 The forecast (quantum run)
- 5G will start taking over our networks
- GM will release their seal driving cars
- Game of thrones Season 8
- Harley Davidson will release there first electric motorcycle (livewire)
- Volvo will on release new car models’ electric motors
- Foldable phones will make a comeback
- The internet will overtake TV in terms of minutes consumed
- An economic recession
- Star Wars Episode 9
Key Points From This Episode:
- What 2018 meant for this show? [0:00:12]
- How we started [0:02:24]
- SCOLL [0:03:12]
- Water Expo Opportunity [0:08:47]
- Enhancing the website [0:09:22]
- Achievements [0:13:03]
- Multitasking is a NO [0:16:10]
- MasterMind Group [0:17:31]
- Transit [0:27:29]
- Predictions for 2019 [0:29:27]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
Ultimate Goal: Make this industry better! @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheLastOneof2018
I hope you take a couple of moments. Think about how your going to be better for 2019. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheLastOneof2018
What are the accomplishments in 2019 year that can allow you to be better. And celebrate it when you get it done! @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheLastOneof2018
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
029 The One with the Submarine Captain
056 The One with The Building Engineers Perspective
Audible
Scaling UP! H2O Resources Page
Turn the Ship Around
The seven Habits of highly effective people
The ONE Thing
The Mastermind
Living with a SEAL
Thanks for a wonderful year and thanks for helping get 2019 started off great.
See you next year folks !
065 Pinks and Blues
Episode 65: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be answering the following questions:
- What should I do to go about taking the CWT examination?
- What is the difference from Free Chlorine, Combined Chlorine and Total Chlorine? And when would you use each of them?
- How do I get a Scaling UP! Shirt?
Action list to taking the exam
- Decide you will take it.
- Set a date.
-
Create a plan working backwards from that date.
-
How/what will you study
-
How will you confirm your knowledge?
-
Who will you work with (accountable)
-
What is your reward to yourself when you get it?
-
Schedule the exam (Pearson Yue)
-
This way you can’t back out
-
Look at when you can come to training (refresher).
- Take the tutorial at home (How to use the exam).
- Reward yourself!
Key Points From This Episode:
- CWT Challenge [0:02:04]
- CWT Tips [0:04:51]
- Action List [0:07:46]
- Difference between Chlorine [0:13:43]
- How to get the Scaling UP! T-Shirt [0:18:18]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
Go to Scaling UP! H2O and leave me a voicemail message with your question. And if I use your question, then I will surely send you the Scaling UP! T-shirt. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
It is the end of the year and everyone in the Industrial Water Industry should be certified. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
AWT is no longer offering the examination after the AWT Training courses. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
CWT Tips
2018 AWT Tech Training
064 The One with the Youngest CWT
Episode 64: Show Notes
If you have ever listened to this show, you have heard me say “Be the best you can be by being the best in this industry.” You also have heard me say “make the industry better because you are in it.” So... are you?
This was the reason I started this podcast. Scaling UP! H2O is my way of raising the bar in the water treatment industry. Based on the feedback I have received, I think we are doing that. And “we” was not a typo. The Scaling UP! Nation! Is what is doing the hard work, I just bought a microphone.
One of the individuals I met as a result of this podcast is Chandler Mancuso. I don’t think it will take long in this interview for you to realize why I'm so impressed with him. He has done items that have been suggested in this podcast and is a great example of how to do your part at making the industry better. Enjoy...
More about Chandler:
Chandler’s career in water treatment began courtesy of a recommendation by his academic advisor while he was an undergraduate student at Oakland University. Since then, he has earned his Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and returned to his Alma mater in pursuit of a Master’s Degree in Chemistry. As Technical Coordinator of Plymouth Technology Inc., Chandler has gained valuable experience developing solutions for industrial consumers across the Midwest region in the areas of wastewater, boiler and cooling water treatment.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Youngest CWT member [0:03:20]
- LEED Green Associate [0:11:19]
- Building Certifications [0:16:48]
- Tips for the CWT examination [0:20:00]
- Mentor Relationship [0:22:11]
- Changes after the CWT designation [0:29:45]
- Advises from Chandler M. [0:34:41]
- CWT Challenge [0:50:30]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
Make those connections, Ask those questions and be Curious! @ChandlerMancuso @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeYoungestCWT
"Anybody can find their way into this industry, if they find the right resources and you put your on it and spend some time in the industry." @ChandlerMancuso @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeYoungestCWT
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Chandler Mancuso Company Website
Chandler Mancuso on LinkedIn
Chandler Mancuso on Twitter
Audible
5 CWT Tips
Green Building Education Services
Unstoppable
How Successful People Think
Advanced Birding
063 Pinks and Blues
Episode 63: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be talking to some of the new Certified Water Technologists in our industry.
Andy McGill
Chandler Mancuso
Conor Parrish
Jeff Burton
Kevin Thurston
Key Questions from this episode:
- Why did you feel it is important to get the CWT designation?
- As a CWT, what is the biggest tip you can think of that people in the Scaling UP! Nation need to know about their test kits?
- How CWT helps your confidence level?
Key Points From This Episode:
- CWT Certification [0:01:21]
- New CWTs of 2018 [0:02:20]
- What you need to know about your test kits? [0:04:42]
- How to prepare for the exam? [0:06:39]
- Study Routine [0:11:54]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"You have taken it to yourself and let the world knows that you have achieved the highest designation in the part of Water Treatment that we practice." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"It is amazing when I see people making this industry better. It is my hope that today after listening to this show you're going to think, What can I do as a water treatment professional to make the industry better because I am in it?" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Andy McGill on LinkedIn
Chandler Mancuso on LinkedIn
Conor Parrish on LinkedIn
Jeff Burton on LinkedIn
Kevin Thurston on LinkedIn
CWT Tips
Share us your show ideas and get a chance to win our very own EXCLUSIVE Scaling UP! H2O T-shirt for FREE!
Have you ever thought about what our water treatment control equipment allows us to do? Yes, it feeds our products and bleeds the system, but what it really does is allow us to go home! If we did not have something monitoring our program 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, we would have very different job. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to sleep in a mechanical room! It is for this reason that I want the Scaling UP! Nation! to focus on understanding what they are using to control their water treatment programs.
With this in mind, if you know of a mistake that you could make, wouldn’t you want to know about it before you made it? I would. This way I wouldn’t make that mistake, I would be free to make another. In this scenario two things happened, 1. I avoided a mistake and afforded myself less time on the job site and 2. I learned something from the “new” mistake I just make. And Folks, if you are not making mistakes, you are not working hard enough or working outside of your comfort zone. To also clarify, these are new mistakes, not the same ones over and over again, that just proves you are not learning.
Who can you align yourself with, so you can find out how to resolve mistakes or even better, what mistakes not to make in the first place? Answer: It’s you friendly neighborhood equipment vendor. The people that distribute your water treatment equipment are a great resource for learning items such as these. How well do you know these people? And, are you really using your relationship with them properly?
Our guest today is Laith Charles of Pulsafeeder. Laith and I met though the Association of Water Technologies and have gotten to know each other since that time. Laith is an electrical engineer and an expert on Pulsafeeder equipment. On today’s episode, we will learn about some new items Pulsafeeder has for all of us, as well as, some tips, tricks and common mistakes water treaters do. All designed to save you time in the field and make you a better water treater.
Key Points From This Episode:
Common Mistakes on Equipment [0:01:00]
Pulsafeeder [0:02:03]
Application Engineering Solutions [0:07:30]
Enthalpology [0:10:00]
Security Concern [0:14:47]
Installation Nightmares [0:17:18]
Proper Probe Care [0:20:15]
Fundamentals and Application Training [0:32:07]
Quotes:
"Today's show we are going to be talking to an individual that knows equipment that can help us go home at night." - Trace Blackmore
"Participate and get involve in a community." -Laith Charles
"Lean on the AWT community and take advantage on that." - -Laith Charles
"Reinforce, don't be afraid for failure and definitely put yourself out there." - Laith Charles
"How well do you know your equipment?" - Laith Charles
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Laith Charles Company Website
Laith Charles Blog
Laith Charles on LinkedIn
Episode 24
Episode 46
The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry
Cat's in the Cradle
061 Pinks and Blues
Episode 61: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be answering the following questions:
- What are some of your tips for me to become faster at running my tests?
- How to get better consistency when multiple people are running the same test?
- Why do we filter some samples and some we don't filter?
- Why can you not take your sample if your missing that pill? What's the difference? Why can't we grab the sample anyway?
Key Points From This Episode:
- Becoming more efficient on testing [0:01:58]
- Sacrificing the ability of your test [0:05:49]
- Collecting samples [0:08:17]
- Consistency [0:11:32]
- Filtering [0:15:02]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"A lot of people think that they get faster at running tests by cutting corners or not running certain tests." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"Things get better when you look at them. Simply by knowing your baseline, knowing how long it takes and competing against yourself to not sacrifice standards but to make yourself efficient." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"Never become faster than your accuracy can allow you to take." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Who can you challenge to see if you can make each other better with running your test? @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
055 Pinks and Blues
060 The One About Public Speaking
Episode 60: Show Notes
I’m willing to bet that when you think about public speaking, you get nervous or at least a bit uncomfortable. The great Google says it is one of the top fears that most of us share. And who can argue with Google? I remember the first time I gave a water treatment speech in front of some of my father’s clients. It was not very good.
In fact, it was downright bad. However, that was my first, not my last. To date I have spoken hundreds of times on water treatment topics. And... many actually pay me to do it (it’s a good thing they didn’t see that first presentation.) Don’t ever make first into the last. I cannot tell you how many times I did not make a great presentation, but I can tell you that ever presentation I make is better than the one that came before it. Embrace the felling of fear, it means you are challenging yourself to grow.
Fast-forward to today and I love to speak (a good quality to a podcast host.) I still apply the same philosophy of I get better at everything that I do because I challenge myself to not only keep doing it but do it better the next time. Any one that listens to episode one of Scaling UP! H2O can see that practice makes you better (please don’t listen to episode 1...)
My guest today is Dez Thornton, a public speaking coach. Dez work with CEO’s, sales people and everyone in between to make them be able to better get their message across. I know because he has helped me. Dez can deconstruct what and how you speak to make you speak better. Join me as I interview Dez and he leads us all down the path of communicating better.
More about Dez Thornton:
A lot of people would rather take a beating than get up and speak in front of a group. But with a speaking coach like Dez, before you know it … you’ve chiseled out a tight outline, told a great story, had a few belly laughs and realized you’ve got the audience eating out of the palm of your hand.
Professionally trained at the University of South Carolina and Dale Carnegie, he is a past president of the Georgia Chapter of the National Speakers Association and the winner of Speak Tank, a speaking competition hosted by the NSA. He has been a speech coach for TEDx Peachtree, coached hundreds of professionals and corporate clients, and even taught a public speaking class for 7 years at a federal prison.
At the tender age of nine, Dez forgot his lines in a church play but he never forgot the embarrassment and humiliation that followed. Since then, he’s dedicated himself to learning and teaching the art of speaking and helping thought leaders say the right words in the right way when they matter most.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Fears on Public Speaking [0:02:58]
- How to become a good communicator [0:07:16]
- Public Speaking Myth [0:10:11]
- Strategies on getting your audiences attention [0:11:09]
- Problems on Public Speaking that we have to deal with [0:13:53]
- Understanding your audience [0:19:56]
- Things you need to accomplish on public speaking [0:21:04]
- What to expect|goals? [0:29:41]
- How to do presentations? [0:32:43]
- How to plan ahead for a presentation? [0:41:02]
- Tips from Dez [0:43:01]
- Starting you presentation with a Powerpoint is a NO [0:46:50]
- Sales and Communication [0:48:38]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
Everybody's fear is to get in front of bunch of other people and start speaking. - @traceblackmore @Dez_Thornton #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
The more I have done it, it does not make me as nervous. But the less I am prepared the more nervous I am. - @traceblackmore @Dez_Thornton #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
One of the main objective when you are speaking is CLARITY! - @Dez_Thornton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
Every presentation needs to have that one thing that the communicator wants the audience to get - @Dez_Thornton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
Everything matters when it comes to presentations. It's home-run or nothing! - @Dez_Thornton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
Starting you presentation with a Powerpoint is a NO! Here's why... - @Dez_Thornton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
You need to analyze what does your audience needs to know before you start speaking to them. - @Dez_Thornton @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithAboutPublicSpeaking
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Dez Thornton Company Website
Dez Thornton on LinkedIn
Dez Thornton on Twitter
Audible
Million Dollar Maverick
Toastmasters International
059 Pinks and Blues
Episode 59: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be answering the following questions:
- What are some of the items you've recommended on Scaling UP! H20?
- Titration - How can you find a new drop count when you change the sample size?
- How do I know if I am doing a good job since I am so new to the water treatment industry?
Key Points From This Episode:
- Differences of RSI|LSI|PSI [0:03:22]
- Finding tools to help us [0:05:24]
- Changing sample size [0:10:12]
- Knowing what test you are using [0:13:51]
- Drop Test [0:14:00]
- Keeping track on how you are doing as a water treater [0:14:42]
- Importance of having a mentor [0:16:05]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"Get the people you trust that you want to become like. That you want to use what they've done so you can start going on that path." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"If you are not setting time deadlines to your goals, then they are no good!" @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"You have to work towards something or it's just a dream and you're never going to get there." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"Make the water industry better because you are in it. And because you are in it, be the best in what it is that you do." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
046 The One About Phosphate Testing
024 The One With All the Questions
Audible
The Leathermen Supertool 300
Sunlite 51003
058 The One with the Sales Energizer
Episode 58: Show Notes
It doesn't matter what your job title is, you are a sales person. Now granted, some are better that it than others, but we are all in sales no matter what we do. I like to look at sales as something we do to help solve a problem for someone else. Many look at it as I need to make this person do this, so I can make some money. To those who say this, I say that if you motive is to help, the money will come, and you will have a lot more fun in the process.
Dan Jourdan calls himself the Sales Energizer. Dan is an in your face kind of guy that can get you excited about going out there to sell something. He is also good at not letting people he coaches “excuse” their way to failure. There are 1,000 reason why to not do something. The simple fact is, you could have done “that something” in the time you thought of all the excuses of why not to do it. After you listen to Dan, you can tell he doesn't live on excuses, he lives on action.
Please enjoy my interview with Dan Jourdan.
Key Points From This Episode:
- How to become a better salesperson [0:06:31]
- Beautiful parts of sales business [0:10:25]
- Sales Metrics to remember [0:11:29]
- Anatomy of a Sales process [0:16:51]
- How to get pass sales assistant (Gatekeeper) [0:20:13]
- Questions you need to think about [0:25:43]
- Follow up rules [0:37:06]
- Referrals [0:40:01]
- How to shorten sale cycle? [0:44:06]
- Closing your sales [0:50:00]
- Discounts from Dan Jourdan [0:52:31]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"You have to transfer your energy to your prospect because they crave it, they need it, they desire it, and they are attracted to it!" - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"Nothing good has ever happened without a sales person selling it." - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"A good person can do a lot more good being successful than being successful." - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"It's a lot easier to make a friend out of a customer that it is to make a customer out of a friend." - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"Constant-Consistent-Valuable Follow-Up." - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"We are going to change the way people think about sales people, and we are going to change the way sales people think about themselves". - @DJjourdan @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
I like to look at sales as "It is how we communicate with the other person that we are trying to get our point across with." - @traceblackmore @DJjourdan #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"It is not something we do to someone, it is something WITH someone". - @traceblackmore @DJjourdan #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
"Read a sales book to help you COMMUNICATE and NOT MANIPULATE." - @traceblackmore @DJjourdan #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewiththeSalesEnergizer
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Five Fundamentals of Sales
Dan Jourdan Personal Website
Dan Jourdan Blog
Dan Jourdan Company Website
Dan Jourdan on LinkedIn
Dan Jourdan on Twitter
Audible
The seven Habits of highly effective people
057 Pinks and Blues
Episode 57: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be answering the following questions:
- How do you talk to customers that doesn't have time to talk to you?
- What is the difference of a free and total chlorine?
- What are some other things that we can monitor in the system to make sure that our inhibitor is working?
Key Points From This Episode:
- How to talk to customers? [0:01:00]
- Building trust/relationship with customer [0:01:31]
- Transition Statement [0:03:35]
- Understanding schedule [0:04:00]
- Podcast suggestions [0:07:28]
- Chlorine difference [0:08:00]
- Metals in the system [0:013:43]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"I know what to do because my listeners tells me what they want to listen to." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Let me know what your questions are, that allows me to continue doing this format. @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
046 The One About Phosphate Testing
New Generation Engineering By David Vences (Podcast)
The Smart Passive Income (Podcast)
Entrepreneurs On Fire (Podcast)
The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Green Building Matters (Podcast)
Your Move with Andy Stanley
056 The One with The Building Engineers Perspective
Episode 56: Show Notes
One of my philosophies is “teach what you know.” Which works out great for me because I have this podcast. I have always felt you know something better when you can teach it. As a teacher, you must be able to convey your point to who you are speaking with, anticipate their questions and make sure you increase the listening party's overall knowledge of the subject matter.
Truth be told, this is how I sell. I sell by educating the client on what they should expect. If the client is already getting those expectations fulfilled, great. They know I am a contender if they ever need me. But what happens mostly is our client starts looking at their water treatment in a different light. A light of “proper” expectations.
I am so very pleased to call so many of our clients friends. These friendships grew from meeting (and in many cases exceeding) expectations over and over. When someone knows they can trust you, they give themselves permission to like you. And we all know we’d rather buy from people they like. This is my story about our guest today. His name is David Vences, a Building Engineer in Atlanta. David is a super impressive guy. He started at the bottom and has been very successful of working his way up the ladder in Atlanta’s world of Building Engineers.
We all have to work with clients. We all have some clients that we have better relationships with than others. So why is that? Join us today as David and I discuss how we started and how we have arrived to where we are today.
More about David V.
David Vences is commercial office building Portfolio Chief Engineer for Lincoln Properties. David supervises and manages multiple engineers and maintenance mechanics in 8 commercial class A buildings totaling slightly over 1 million rentable sq. ft. of office building in Alpharetta.
David Vences has served as BOMA BTO Vice Chair in 2016, BOMA BTO Chair in 2017, BOMA BTO Chair in 2018, and has served in several BOMA task forces including the BE101 and the TOBY task force.
David enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer and daughter Sofia, going to the gym, and his newest hobby has been starting a podcast on engineering called “New Generation Engineering”.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Weekly Podcast Episode [0:00:33]
- How does somebody get in to building engineering? [0:05:50]
- What to expect from your water treater? [0:10:05]
- Water treatment view from David V. [00:10:23]
- What to recognize when you see a complete water treatment program? [00:16:19]
- Is your water treatment program working? [00:18:13]
- Adding value to your building [00:23:50]
- Advises from David Vences [00:25:54]
- How important the reports are? [00:28:02]
- Educating our new engineers [00:40:43]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
"A poor report shows that they don't care as much about you. It's a respect thing!" - @traceblackmore @vences_vences #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheBuildingEngineersPerspective
It's a good opportunity to put yourself out there and get involved. - @vences_vences @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheBuildingEngineersPerspective
When I join an organization, I have the GIVING attitude and not the GETTING attitude. - @traceblackmore @vences_vences #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheBuildingEngineersPerspective
"Invest and have that partnership with the engineer to get a detailed report that you need." - @vences_vences @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheBuildingEngineersPerspective
If you can make one change in what you are doing right now, make sure that every relationship you start is on real expectations. - @traceblackmore @vences_vences #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #TheOnewithTheBuildingEngineersPerspective
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
New Generation Engineering By David Vences (Podcast)
David Vences Company Website
David Vences on LinkedIn
David Vences on Twitter
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
Audible
The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader
055 Pinks and Blues
Episode 55: Show Notes
On today’s Pinks and Blues episode we will be answering the following questions:
- What is the small blue pill in the bottom of a legionella sample bottle?
- I have a large territory that requires me to travel. On many days I find myself traveling back to accounts that are in the beginning of my route to check items I did a day or two before. What can I do to reduce that?
- Do I still need to come to AWT technical training since they stopped administering the test after those functions?
Upcoming Seminars
2019 Technical Training (West)
February 27 – March 2, 2019
Doubletree Mission Valley
San Diego, CA
2019 Technical Training (East)
March 27-30, 2019
Hotel Annapolis
Annapolis, Maryland
Key Points From This Episode:
- Ways to submit your Q’s to Scaling UP! H2O [0:00:50]
- What is a small blue pill? [0:01:28]
- Legionella Sampling [0:2:03]
- How to prepare better for an account? [0:05:20]
- How to be a better service technician [0:07:16]
- Reasons on attending technical training [0:09:16]
- How to supercharge your people to do Water Treatment? [0:11:24]
- What are the things you need to know to be a better water treater? [0:13:32]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
“Most people gain speed as a service technician as leaving things out. Folks! That is not what your job is. Your job is to make sure that you’re ensuring that that water treatment system is the best it could be at that moment in time because you are there.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
“You get faster by getting better at the things you need to do.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
“Get to the point where you can run your tests as fast as you can and still be accurate.” @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
"Come to technical training, it’s the best training that’s out there for water treatment. And because of that it’s going to give you some extra confidence to go home and take the CWT designation." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Advice: Work backwards from their goal! @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #scalinguph2opinksandblues
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The seven Habits of highly effective people
054 Day 5 of Industrial Water Week (Careers) Episode 54: Show Notes What a week! Day1: Pretreatment, Day 2: Boilers, Day 3: Cooling, Day 4: Waste Water and the last day... Careers. Speaking for myself, I am so happy that I work in the Industrial Water Industry. After all, you most likely wouldn’t be listening to me right now if I didn’t. I am a Water Treater. And personally, there is no better job out there. Today we talk about careers in water treatment and I bring on my friend, Thomas Hardy to talk about how he: finds new people, trains new people and what the expectations are along the way. I love this industry. I’m thankful that we have a holiday that allows us to express our appreciation for it. Thanks for listening each and every day this week so we could celebrate together. My gift to you is we will now be doing weekly shows of Scaling UP! H2O. Thanks for a great Industrial Water Week Scaling UP! Nation! Key Points From This Episode: * Why should someone choose a career on Industrial Water Treatment? [0:01:03] * Water Treater Qualities [0:08:36] * How to look for new people [0:09:012] * Which degrees match up? [0:11:01] * How to train employees to grow? [0:12:11] * And much more!
Tweetables: Industrial Water Week Friday (Careers) - Question of the Day! @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCareers #careersfriday I’m thankful that we have a holiday that allows us to express our appreciation for it. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCareers #careersfriday Today we talk about careers in water treatment and I bring on my friend, Thomas Hardy to talk about how he: finds new people, trains new people and what the expectations are along the way. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCareers #careersfriday "No matter what, never think that you know everything! Always be willing to go out there and seek more knowledge to help you grow." - Thomas Hardy #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCareers #careersfriday Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Thomas Hardy Company Website: http://towerwater.com/ Thomas Hardy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-hardy-3410b728/
053 Day 4 of Industrial Water Week (Waste Water) Episode 53: Show Notes Many of us in the Industrial Water Industry work in waste water. Today we are talking about what that means, and we get the following question answered: What are some tips to make sure a jar study mimics system conditions as closely as possible? A huge thank you to Kevin Cope. Kevin has 40 years in the waste water industry and it shows. I find it comforting that we all had a first day, even if it was 40 years ago, we all start at the same place. It is my hope that you continue to learn each day you are in the water treatment industry. There is no doubt that Kevin has spent the last 40 years learning. It’s may hope that you’ve learned something today (and every episode of Scaling UP! H2O.) Happy Industrial Water Week! Industry Water Week Join me each and every day this week for a special themed episode.
Key Points From This Episode: * What is a jar test? [0:04:20] * How do we make sure we use jar tests properly [0:06:38] * Understanding the functions [0:08:49] * How to do a plant survey [0:17:12] * And much more!
Tweetables: Wasterwater Thursday - Question of the Day! @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWwastewater #wastewaterthursday A huge thank you to Kevin Cope. Kevin has 40 years in the waste water industry and it shows. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWwastewater #wastewaterthursday Many of us in the Industrial Water Industry work in waste water. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWwastewater #wastewaterthursday Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Kevin Cope Company Website: https://www.brenntag.com/ Kevin Cope on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-cope-5b50651b/
052 Day 3 of Industrial Water Week (Cooling)
Episode 52: Show Notes
It’s hard to believe, we are half way into Industrial Water Week. Today’s questions are all about cooling and we are joined by another mentor of mine, Jay Farmerie, CWT.
The questions we will answer today are:
- Cycles of concentration in a cooling tower, if you can control your limiting factors, is there any reason to stop concentrating the water indefinitely?
- How do you weigh downtime against maximizing water and chemical consumption in a cooling tower and a boiler?
Don’t forget my challenge to you: What can you do differently in your regular routine that will impact everything else? It’s no secret, if you do the same things your will keep getting the same things. So, what can you change that will impact everything you do.
Happy Cooling Wednesday!
Industry Water Week
Join me each and every day this week for a special themed episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Limiting factors [0:02:15]
- Concentration Ratio [0:04:35]
- Water and Chemical Consumption [0:11:03]
- Chiller plant [0:14:13]
- And much more!
Tweetables:
Cooling Wednesday - Question of the Day! @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCooling #coolingwednesday
"Reach out to the people that have helped me in my career." @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCooling #coolingwednesday
Cycles of concentration in a cooling tower, if you can control your limiting factors, is there any reason to stop concentrating the water indefinitely? @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCooling #coolingwednesday
"Your job as a water treater is more or less not to sell chemicals but prevent energy use." @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCooling #coolingwednesday
What are you thinking about that you can change what you do on a regular basis that is going to impact on everything that you do on a redular basis? @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWCooling #coolingwednesday
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Jay Farmerie Company Website: http://www.cyrusrice.com/
Jay Farmerie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-farmerie-07b80015/
051 Day 2 of Industrial Water Week (Boilers) Episode 51: Show Notes Day 2 of Industrial Water Week is here! Today we celebrate by answering a few questions about boilers and I am joined by one of my mentors, Bruce Ketrick, CWT. Here are the questions we are answering today. * What causing foaming in a boiler? David
Foaming is primarily caused by high solids. As the boiler concentration increases, the boiling bubble cannot “pop” as quickly and they begin to build up on each other. Forming a creamy foam. This can be solved by lowering the concentration or reducing other items that may be cause high solids in the boiler water like product over feed. The bigger issue is when the foam level increases, the boiler water sensors get a false sense of where the water level is. This can cause the boiler to cut off on low water. Another issue is the foam can get up into the steam line and cause wet steam. Water only has 180 btu's on its best day, where steam has a 1150 btu’s on its worst. If we get water in the steam, we don’t have enough btu’s to get the job done. Many will try to treat this issue with a defoamer, but a true water treater will investigate the real reason for the foam and correct the cause. So the exact issue needs to be investigated, but hopefully this information will get you off to a good start. * How can you reduce corrosion in a boiler? David
Again, knowing the exact issue with the exact system is key. With out knowing exactly what the issue is, let me answer that very generally. When ever anything happens in a boiler that bad, water treatment is always blamed first. Weather it is the issue or not. Water treaters are guilty until proven innocent. It has been my experience that most issues dealing with boiler corrosion are more operational than water treatment based. Many times companies purchase boiler that are too big and they get underutilized. Or maybe they have 2 boilers on a lead/lag operation, but never rotate them. Boilers are meant to run at the pressure there were designed to run at, straying from this can make a corrosive situation. Among the biggest issues I see are seasonal operations. When a boiler is not being used continuously, it needs to be wet or dry stored. Wet storage is preference when there is a short period of time the boiler will be down and the owner may need to put the boiler back online quickly. This is where you will purge all of the air out of the boiler to the steam header with treated water. Normally with high sulfite and caustic. Dry storage is for more long-term storage. This is where the boiler is opened and completed dry. I've seen this done with desiccants left in the boiler, fan blowing into the boiler so the air can circulate a drop light hung in the boiler to allow for some heat to drive away moisture and a combination of all of these. My preferred method is to use some of the volatile amine products out there the help protect the boiler during dry storage. No matter which method you choose, none are set it and forget it. You need to periodically check to make sure the conditions you created to store the boiler stay within range. * What is the maximum concentration ratio for low pressure boilers using high purity makeup water such as RO or DI water?
http://www.veoliawatertech.com/crownsolutions/ressources/documents/2/21879,Water-pp43-45.pdf * What resources do you use to differentiate between low pressure and high-pressure boilers? How do treatments change as boiler operate from low to high pressure? (Mark Juhl)
Have a great Industrial Water Week! Industry Water Week. Join me each and every day this week for a special themed episode.
Key Points From This Episode: * Boiler Tuesday [0:00:23] * Questions from Scaling UP! Nation [0:01:17] * Answers from Bruce Ketrick [0:14:30] * And much more!
Tweetables: Boiler Tuesday - Question of the Day! @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWboilertuesday #Day2ofIndustrialWaterWeekBoilers "Nobody is an island". If we were just there by ourselves, we would not need a holiday for all of us. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWboilertuesday #Day2ofIndustrialWaterWeekBoilers It needs to remind us that we are there to help each other grow more than we are now. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWboilertuesday #Day2ofIndustrialWaterWeekBoilers
Bruce Ketrick Sr. Company Website: https://guardiancsc.com/ Bruce Ketrick Sr. on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-ketrick-94111511/
050 Day 1 of Industrial Water Week (Pretreatment) Episode 50: Show Notes Happy Pretreatment Monday! Today we will be starting off Industrial Water Week with Pretreatment questions for the Scaling UP! Nation! Here is the question I answer today: What can make a water softener pass hard water sooner than expected? Happy Industrial Water Week! Industry Water Week. Join me each and every day this week for a special themed episode.
Key Points From This Episode: * Water Treatment Holiday [0:00:31] * Celebrating Industrial Water Week [0:00:35] * Message from James McDonald [0:01:00] * Question of the day (QODD) [0:04:35] * *And much more!*
Tweetables: Here is the question I answer today: What can make a water softener pass hard water sooner than expected? @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWpretreatmentmonday How are you folks out there celebrate your #IndustrialWaterWeek Holiday? @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWpretreatmentmonday Welcome to the special holiday episode of Scaling UP! H2O. @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #scalingupnation #IWWpretreatmentmonday Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Episode 035 The One with RO Expert, Wes Byrne
049 The One with James McDonald, Again
Episode 49: Show Notes
Scaling UP! Nation!, you know that I believe you get out of our industry what you put into our industry. This is my normal response to when someone asks me why I train others, why I volunteer for trade organizations and especially why I do this podcast. I truly believe that you should teach what you know. Educate yourself and you get smarter, teach what you know, and you get even smarter (because a teacher needs to know content better than a student) and the person you are teaching gets smarter. Did you see what just happened in that scenario? The industry of that particular topic just got better.
My guest today is no stranger to that way of thinking. James McDonald is a champion for the water treatment industry. He is continuously finding new and innovative ways to share information. We had James on the show almost one year ago. Since that time, he has some new things he has been working on he wants to share with the Scaling UP! Nation!
As we wrapped up 2017, The Scaling UP! Nation! was given the CWT Challenge! This was when I ask every member of the Nation! To take their career seriously and go after the highest designation we have in our industry, the CWT! I am happy to say that well over 100 people have contacted me saying that they had the CWT in their sights. AWESOME!!
I wanted to take a moment and recognize those who have received their CWT this year.
Don't forget, next week is Industry Water Week.
Join me each and every day next week for a special themed episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
- AWT Convention & Expo [0:00:29]
- Scaling UP! Meet up [0:00:37]
- Updates from James McDonalds [0:04:46]
- What are the reasons to get CWT [0:05:43]
- CWT Benefits [0:05:50]
- Study tips from James McDonalds [0:07:26]
- Holiday for water treaters [0:11:10]
- Resources you can find on AWT website [0:15:19]
- Industrial Water Science [0:18:24]
- Detective H2O Series [0:19:02]
- Exciting news about CWT examination [0:33:11]
- CWT Challenges [0:36:22]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables:
CWT is the highest designation that somebody that practices in the area of water treatment to receive. @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #cwttips #cwtexam #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment
Some exciting news on the CWT exams. @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #cwttips #cwtexam #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain
A VIP Pass on Detective H2O Series. @JamesMcDonald89 @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain
Some tips and trivia's on how you can get better resources for CWT examinations. @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #cwttips #cwtexam #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment
The #1 benefit for taking the test on the computerized format is that you can mark your answers. @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #cwttips #cwtexam #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain
Upcoming Event: Industrial Water Week (Oct. 1-5). @IndustWaterWeek @traceblackmore @JamesMcDonald89 #IndustrialWaterWeek #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #theonewithJAMESMCDONALDagain
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Upcoming events:
- AWT annual Convention September 26 –29 in Orlando Fl
- Industrial Water Week October 1-5, 2018
Scaling UP! Meet UP! at the AWT convention
- 10:00 AM Thursday, immediately following the Keynote speaker, meetup in chillers lounge.
Places to see Trace at the AWT convention
- 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM - Friday, Workshop about Legionella from the water treaters prospective : Russel Baskin of Tower Water
- 3:30 PM -4:30 PM - Friday, Panel Discussion: Understanding Young Professionals
- 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM - Saturday, Filming Amines panel (Nathan Hardy)
- Trace will be recording at the convention, so be sure to come talk to him!
James McDonald on Twitter
James McDonald on LinkedIn
Chem Aqua, Inc.
Industrial Water Treatment LinkedIn Group
Star trek Outpost Bral character debut
"Family & Friends of Industrial Water Treatment Professionals" Facebook page
MarketScale Podcast on Industrial Water Week
Audible
Now we have a holiday dedicated just to us, The Industrial Water Treater!
Join Scaling UP! H₂O as we celebrate Industrial Water Week October 1 -5. We will have a new episode each and every day.
Industrial Water Week: Your Holiday [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_fRv_ZVk8k[/embed]
October 1, 2018 Celebrate water softeners, reverse osmosis, demineralizers, dealkalizers, filters, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, cold lime softeners, hot lime softeners, clarifiers, deaerators, electrodeionization, water chemistries, water analysis, and much more! October 2, 2018 Celebrate firetube and watertube boilers! Celebrate steam and hot water boilers! Celebrate boiler chemistry, cycles of concentration, energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, boiler water analysis, blowdown control, calculations, corrosion minimization, scale/deposit minimization, water analysis, and much more! October 3, 2018 Celebrate open-recirculating cooling towers, evaporative condensers, chillers, closed loops, cooling chemistry, cycles of concentration, energy efficiency, water efficiency, microbiological control, biocides, corrosion minimization, scale/deposit minimization, safety, water analysis, blowdown control, calculations, water analysis, and much more! October 4, 2018 Celebrate filtration, clarification, coagulants, flocculants, aeration, microbiological treatment, filter presses, oxidation, gray water, recycling, equalization basins, dissolved air filtration, induced air filtration, settling tanks, sand filters, water analysis, and much more! October 5, 2018 Celebrate the people and wide range of careers available within the noble Industrial Water Treatment profession! Celebrate Water Management Specialists, Technical Support Engineers, Application Engineers, Business Development Mangers, Accountants, Supply Chain Managers, Management, Administrators, Marketing Specialists, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and many more!
Tweetable: To learn more about industrial water treatment, check out these links. #IndustrialWaterWeek #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeekisComing How should you celebrate Industrial Water Week? @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeekisComing Like any good holiday, the best celebrations are the traditions that mean the most to you. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeekisComing Industrial Water Week, a global holiday dedicated to the celebration of Industrial Water Treatment and those who practice it. @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeekisComing Check out the videos on celebrating. #IndustrialWaterWeek @traceblackmore #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeekisComing To learn more about the birth of Industrial Water Week, read this Pulse article on LinkedIn. #IndustrialWaterWeek #IndustrialWaterTreatment #scalinguph2o #scalingup
Scaling UP! The podcast for water treaters by water treaters.
• Introduction and Welcome
• Announcements/ Updates in the industry
• Catalyst
• Interview/Presentation
• Pinks and Blues
• Wrap up
This was really the first episode of Scaling UP! Even though it is Episode #2. The first episode was simply a placeholder to allow me to get the Podcast registered on iTunes and Stitcher and also get the website up and running. It was for this “real” episode that I purchased items to actually have a sound studio to record in. Many of you wrote in to tell me how much better I sounded on episode 2 than episode 1. This is for a few reasons:
Research
I did a lot of research before recording the second episode. This included reading post, watching YouTube (I love YouTube,) exploring around with the sound software and purchasing a good condensing microphone. Many of you asked which microphone I am using. It is called the Samson Meteor. I read on several reviews that it was almost indistinguishable from many other more expensive microphones. A top rated podcasting microphone was ten times more expensive than the Meteor and the Meteor got a better review! If you are curious, I bought it from Amazon (as I do most things).
During this episode, we talk about the Association of Water Technologies, AWT and the Certified Water Technologist designation, CWT. I mention the booklet that helps guide you through the CWT process, here it is:
I also mention the corrosion coupon guidelines from AWT, here that is:
I hope you enjoy the Podcast. I am having a lot of fun with it.
Links Mentioned:
Association of Water Technologies (AWT)
Scaling Up! H2O on iTunes
Scaling Up! H2O on Stitcher
Samson Meteor
Certified Water Technologist (CWT) Application Handbook
AWT – Standards for Corrosion Rates
Join me as I interview Tom Tinney of Lakewood Instruments. We explore what you should know about controllers. Tom talks about basic functionality, advanced functionality, troubleshooting tips and just general information about the controller.
Lakewood Instruments Newsletter
Die Hard Movies, Can you find the Lakewood Controller?
In this episode Tom mentions several items you should have in your tool bag. Here they are:
"This is the “cheap” multi-meter that is in all of the technicians bags at Blackmore Enterprises, Inc. It’s cheap, but it works."
"This is the one that if it breaks, I would get upset. It is our “expensive” multi-meter that we have in our shop and check out when we need it"
A short video on how to use a multi-meter:
Here is a decade box for testing your controller's probe interfaces:
A box of fuses.
Should work with most controllers, but check for yourself:
Just in case:
Tom classifies himself as the world’s only biker/nerd. He has written 2 books. Here they are:
The Blackmore Equation/Method! No doubt about it, I am a math nerd! I like to have emphatic answers using the data I gather from the system. This formula answers the age old question: how do I know what to set my biocide pre-bleed on? Most of us just simply subtract 200 umhos from the standard setpoint and call it a day. I think we can do better than that! So…
If you know the system volume, incoming makeup water conductivity and how much you evaporate every minute, this equation will tell you exactly what to set your pre-bleed to:
Stay tuned for more math like this. I have written about a dozen equations to help solve water treatment issues using data we already have.
Thanks for listening!
Water treaters need to realize that everything we do is “green.” Our entire reason for being is to make the systems we treat more efficient. If we do our jobs properly, we save the customer water and energy which in turn saves the customer money. That’s Being Green! Water Treatment is the original "Green" industry.
I interview Charlie Cichetti of Green Building Education Services, GBES and Sustainable Investment Group, SIG. Charlie sheds light on what we need to be aware of when it comes to USGBC, LEED and working with customers in the know about being green.
Links Mentioned:
Learn more about about LEED GA (Overview)
Online classes to pass LEED examinations
The Tim Ferriss Show (PodCast)
Books Mentioned:
Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss
LEED GA Candidate Handbook
I bet you didn’t know that you are a Superhero. A water treater has to combat issues that most mortals are unable to overcome. These issues are corrosion, scaling, microbial fouling and invasion of dirt and debris in our systems. Maybe a human can take on one or two of these issues. Taking them all on at the same time, successfully, only a Superhero can do that…
Water Treaters = Superheroes
On episode 7, I introduce a new segment called “The Boiling Point.” This new section is therapy for me and hopefully a learning opportunity for you. Frankly, The Boiler Point is for things I see some water treaters do that water treaters shouldn’t do. SO STOP!
After my rant, John Zibrita of Zibex stops by to talk about his time in the water treatment industry and his involvement with AWT.
We then answer a few of your questions in “Pinks and Blues.”
Links Mentioned:
The 2017 AWT Annual Convention and Exposition
Log into the "Member's Only" section to get a copy of the Al Boiler paper that John talks about.
Volunteer in AWT
I dare you to prove me wrong! AWT is something that you get out of more than you put in to. So how do you start getting more out of the AWT? Volunteer! AWT needs your help, and you need to knowledge.
On this episode we learn what it means to be a heat transfer efficiency manager. Heat transfer efficiency is really what we do as water treaters. After that Conor Parrish stops by to talk about being a relatively new water treater and how he goes about learning.
Today’s show is something that most of us misunderstand, we don’t know how to talk to our customers about it, and we simply do not know what the right information is and where to go find it. We are talking about the L word today; Legionella. We are going to get to the bottom of what Legionella is, what we need to know about it, how we explain it to our customers, and how we get everybody working together towards a common goal.
We welcome Dr. Janet E. Stout, she is the president and director of Special Pathogens Laboratory, and research associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
A clinical and environmental microbiologist, Dr. Stout is recognized worldwide for more than 30 years of pioneering research in Legionella. Her expertise includes disinfection and control strategies for the prevention of Legionnaires’ disease and other waterborne pathogens. She is credited as the first to demonstrate the link between Legionnaires’ disease and the presence of Legionella in hospital water systems.
Timestamps:
Janet shares with us about who she is and what she does [05:08]
Learn how Legionella cannot be treated by all kinds of antibiotics, only certain selected ones [08:20]
Find out what the signs and symptoms are of Legionnaires disease [09:10]
Understand what a water treater can do to prevent Legionella [11:20]
Learn what building owners need to understand about cooling towers and utility water systems and the questions we need to be asking these owners [13:28]
Hear how New York is the first to have a law that requires building owners to adhere to specific requirements [16:49]
Janet tells us where to get information on the guidelines and standards for Legionella [19:00]
Find out what the Ashrae 188 document is all about, and how it is used [19:21]
Hear how there is a lot of freedom in the standard 188 for you to make decisions [24:16]
Understand why Ashrae 188 in New York only deals with the water in cooling towers [28:15]
Learn more about the Centre for Medical and Medicaid Services Document on Ashrae 188 [34:41]
Find out why you need to test for Legionella and what systems you should be testing [36:49]
Hear how only about 30-50% of cooling towers are positive for Legionella [40:52]
Janet tells us what to do if your test for Legionella in the water comes back positive [42:59]
Learn how decisions made need to be evidence-based [48:58]
Understand the procedure on the collection part of the Legionella test [49:40]
Learn about the ELITE program developed by the CDC [52:45]
Hear what’s an acceptable free chlorine and what to test for when you’re testing chlorine [65:26]
Find out why you need to take negligence off the table [70:05]
Janet tells us what she sees around the topic of Legionella that needs to stop [72:14]
Quotes:
“The symptoms of legionnaires disease is no different than the symptoms of other forms of pneumonia.” - Dr. Janet E. Stout
“I always try to have a little lawyer on my shoulder when I am advising our clients on Legionella management.” -Dr. Janet E. Stout
Connect with Dr. Janet E. Stout:
Email: jstout@pathogenslab.com
Twitter: @specialpathogen
Website: specialpathogenslab.com
Links Mentioned:
ASHRAE
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC
US Environmental Protection Agency
Legionella
CDC Legionella Toolkit
CDC Vital Signs
CDC: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
CMS Update Memorandum
New CDC Vital Signs Report on Legionnaires' Disease: What You Need to Know
Special Pathogens Laboratory Resources
On today’s episode we welcome Jim Lukanich, a former AWT board member, he is a Certified Water Technologist (CWT) and the director of applied technology with U.S. Water. Jim won the Ray Balm Memorial Water Treater of the Year award in 2008. Jim describes himself as a short guy, about 59 years old, he runs, bikes and swims and just happens to be a water treater. Jim has been in the water treatment industry since 1981, he comes with a great deal of experience over the years and he has a big interest in microbiology and chemistry. Jim and his wife, alongside their nine rescue cats and two rescue dogs live in Grapevine, Texas.
In this episode we’re going to talk a little bit about closed loop systems, what you need to know and how they are the step child of the water treatment community. Jim Lukanich also joins us to share some need-to-know things about water treatment.
Closed Loop Systems
The close loop is just as important as that cooling tower loop and you know what that tower looks like when you don’t feed a microbiocide, well it’s a lot easier to see, of course we’ve got a more dynamic system with the cooling tower and sunlight might be getting in but we have things that are growing in the close loop as well. Give the closed loop the respect that it deserves and give your profession the respect that it deserves. If you are going to take care of a customer’s systems, make sure that you’re completely taking care of all of the customer’s systems. Treat for all four areas of water treatment: scaling, corrosion, microbial fouling and taking the dirt and debris out of the system.
Timestamps:
Jim shares a bit more about himself [09:58]
Hear how Jim ended up working in the water treatment industry [12:53]
Learn what secrets Jim has learned through his many years of water treatment experience [22:30]
Find out why Jim believes it’s important to admit when you’re wrong [26:11]
Discover how if you understand microbiology, it’s easy to treat the cooling tower [28:29]
Understand how Jim relates a cooling tower and it's ecosystem to teeth.
Hear at what age Jim gained wisdom and noticed a difference in his reactions [30:26]
Discover how the words potable and microbicide are two words often misused. - And how he called Trace out on it years ago [36:24]
Find out how Trace and Jim challenge each other when they do presentations [39:23]
Learn what things Jim did and still does to become a better speaker [42:48]
Listen as Jim helps us understand what PTSA is [45:05]
Hear some of Jim’s experiences about using PTSA [45:14]
Learn about TTPC, the one particular microbicide that could interfere with PTSA [49:32]
Discover some of Jim’s small wins throughout his career [53:02]
Hear why Jim considers his biggest failure, failing to recognize his own failures [54:56]
Find out what advice Jim has for people new to the water industry [57:18]
Clarifying Points:
Jim mentioned the issues with PTSA and TTPC. To clarify PTSA stands for para toluenesulfonic acid and is used as a product tracing. TTPC stands for tributyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride. The most well know TTPC is Bellacide 355.
Quotes:
“Try to keep learning; never stop learning.” - Jim Lukanich
“I think the secret to becoming a world class water treater is to never stop learning.” - Jim Lukanich
“Microbiology plays a major role in all types of depositions. Most important.” - Jim Lukanich
“My biggest failure is my failure to recognize any of my failures.” - Jim Lukanich
Connect with Jim Lukanich:
Website: www.uswaterservices.com
Twitter: @jlukanich
Links Mentioned:
US Steel
Nalco
Buckman Laboratories
Tom Peters
Tastes great, Less Filling - Miller Lite 1987 Commercial
AWT Training
Pyxis
H2tronics
Books Mentioned:
The Primal Scream by Arthur Janov
Our guest today is Michael Iverson, part-time CFO for Blackmore Enterprise. Michael is an experienced financial executive with over 25 years of financial accounting and management experience at both privately held and publicly traded companies. He has an understanding of all things financial and the cool thing about Mike is he is able to put things in a way that you can understand it and from that, to make informed decisions based on that information. On today’s episode we’re talking a little bit about finance and how we manage things that go along with that.
We also talk about the differences between D.A. and Feedwater tanks, corrosion coupons and a few more things.
Our guest today is Michael Iverson, part-time CFO for Blackmore Enterprise. Michael is an experienced financial executive with over 25 years of financial accounting and management experience at both privately held and publicly traded companies. He has an understanding of all things financial and the cool thing about Mike is he is able to put things in a way that you can understand it and from that, to make informed decisions based on that information. On today’s episode we’re talking a little bit about finance and how we manage things that go along with that.
Feed Water Tanks and the Deaerators
A feed water tank and a deaerator is exactly the same thing except for one difference; the difference is pressure. The feed water tank has no pressure whereas the deaerator does. The whole purpose for the feed water tank and the deaerator tank is to drive off oxygen and they do this with heat. You can only get water so hot before it does a phase change and it changes into steam. The way you get water hotter is you put it under pressure. We want to keep it in the water state but we want to put more BTU’s in it, we want to get it hotter. So how do we do that? We can put more pressure to hold the water as water and not allowing it to convert into steam. A feed water tank can only get to 212 degrees and still be water but we’ll have issues with cavitation. A deaerator can take it up to 240 or 250 degrees before it starts to boil because it’s under pressure. The hotter it is the more we can drive off oxygen.
Key Points:
Mike tells us how he works with multiple clients, giving all his clients CFO-level expertise without them having to hire and pay for a full-time CFO.
The basic key financial information that all business owners should know.
Learn how you limit the amount of cost by limiting the amount of time
Find out about the 8 financial drivers in a business.
Why what you do in business and what you do in your personal life cross pollinates.
Understand Mike’s outlook on the economy; a possible recession coming up in 2019.
How to ensure your balance sheet is clean and stays in the attack-growth mode for 2019.
The importance of comparing your business to industry metrics and benchmarks.
Why you need to create a strategic plan for your business.
How to find out what you want to measure by asking what drives your business.
Find out why you need to set a goal to determine what those measures should be.
The reason why Mike would want to, most of all, have a conversation with Abraham Lincoln.
Quotes
“Being able to measure yourself against somebody is tremendous because otherwise you’re driving against yourself.” — Mike Iverson
“As a well rounded water treater we need to understand chemistry, finance, electricity, plumbing and the list goes on.” — Trace Blackmore
“The best location to feed a means is in a steam header.” — Trace Blackmore
Connect with Mike Iverson:
Website: www.trilliumfinancial.com
Links Mentioned:
Blackmore Enterprises
AWT Convention
AWT Webinars
Galvanic Series
AWT-Standards-for-Corrosion-Rates
Our guest today is Mike Standish, co-founder of Radical Polymers. Mike has over 28 years experience in polymer additive design and development. Prior to forming Radical Polymers, Mike served in technical and business leadership roles within global, publicly traded chemical companies and is responsible for the development and patenting of industry leading polymers for use in the water treatment, oilfield and detergent industries.
In this episode Mike will be talking about what we need to know about polymers and also how we can take all of those categories and lump them into three simple categories so we know what they do based on functional groups.
And we talk about Stack Temperatures on boilers.
Stack Temperatures
If you’re concerned with your boiler system in terms of efficiency, you need to record your stack temperatures. Stack temperatures is simply the temperature of the gas, the exhaust, after the heat goes through the boiler and exhausts out. There is a thermometer located on the stack to let us know what the temperature is. You are responsible for making sure you’re taking care of the entire system. That stack temperature is a look inside that boiler to see how efficient you are. If you just get one stack temperature it’s not going to tell you anything, over time, if you and your customer are recording those stack temperatures you’ll be able to see if those temperatures are staying the same, getting hotter or if it’s getting cooler.
If it’s getting cooler, it tells us that we’re transferring more heat from the inside of those tubes to the outside where the the water is. That’s good. If it’s getting hotter, it tells us that there’s something on those tubes that’s insulating that heat inside that tube so we can’t transfer it out. That might be an indication that we’re starting to scale some ion inside the system. If we ran the proper test we should be able to look back and see exactly what’s going on. If you don’t keep track of your stack temperatures you’re never going to know what they’re telling you.
Timestamps:
How Mike got into the water treatment industry [11:30]
Hear about Mike’s rollercoaster ride of starting his own company [12:45]
Why Mike spent the first year doing only product development and not selling anything [14:18]
Family run businesses in the water treatment industry and how Mike makes it work [14:56]
Mike tells us how his business helps people with mineral scale control and corrosion issues [16:45]
Learn how polymer is derived from greek, poly meaning many and mer meaning unit [18:54]
The definition of a polymer, according to Mike [20:15]
The different nuances in the way that polymers are put together and initiators used [20:34]
Mike tells us how there are hundreds of polymers out there [21:49]
The three different types of building blocks: carboxylates, sultanates and or non-ionics [22:38]
The most economical raw materials out of the three [23:49]
Why most polymers people buy are heavily weighted with carboxylated monomers [24:37]
Where Sultanates tend to be employed most [24:45]
Understand how Non-ionics are more nuanced and they are used to enhanced properties [25:08]
Why to never buy or select products based on opposition alone [26:00]
How adding functionalities increase the efficacy of the products for different types of scale [26:40]
Median molecular weight and the weight difference for polymers and small molecules [28:00]
Going beyond the marketing material and engaging directly with the supplier [30:10]
Why polymers are not discrete molecules [45:16]
Quotes:
“People should always start with the problem and work their way back to the polymer selection.” - Mike Standish
“The key is to fit the right polymer with the right application.” - Mike Standish
“If you don’t keep track of your stack temperatures you’re never going to know what they’re telling you.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Mike Standish:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-standish-7890627/
Twitter: @RadicalPolymers
Website: radicalpolymers.com
Links Mentioned:
2015 AWT Paper - Mike Standish - Rules of Three...Simplifying Polymers
AWT Convention
AWT Webinars
Kelly Registrations Systems
Books Mentioned:
The Operator - Robert O’Neill
Our guest today is Tim Fulton, my Vistage coach. Tim is the Vistage Chair to some of the most successful CEOs in Atlanta. It’s why in 2013 he launched the Small Business Matters Conference, which has become an all-star, exclusive gathering that attracts some of the best small business owners in the state. And it’s why he’s a tireless advocate for small businesses, every single day. Small Business Matters is owned and operated in Atlanta, Georgia by Tim Fulton. Tim is a nationally-recognized small business coach, consultant, and advocate. He has been involved in the field of entrepreneurship for over three decades as a successful business owner, small business counselor, and adjunct university professor. Vistage is an international membership organization for company CEO’s and Presidents that provides a very unique growth experience for its members. In addition, Tim is a facilitator for the University of Georgia SBDC’s GrowSmart training program, which is designed for growth-oriented small business owners, operators, and executives.
Each year, he celebrates small business with the Small Business Matters Conference, gathering his tribe and beyond to dedicate a day to the development and success of the businesses that drive the U.S. economy. Small business stimulates international trade, helps the young get started, and encourages innovation. In today’s episode Tim is sharing on what Vistage is but the short of it is that in business we’re really good at what we do but we don't know what we don't know about business and it was with that that I went looking for somebody like Tim. He’s also talking to us about GrowSMART. Give it a listen!
Timestamps:
Tim tells us what it means to be a small business coach [05:46]
Understand what GrowSMART and Vistage is and does [06:30]
Myths that surround small business and ownership [08:08]
Find out whether running a business ever gets easier [11:54.]
The importance of keeping score and what to be keeping score on [15:54.]
Identifying certain key performance indicators within the business [16:38]
Establishing the vision of the business through the owner and the employees. [18:38]
The importance of having a business plan [21:52]
Advice for multi-generational/ family businesses [25:30]
Discover what an exit plan is and why it’s essential [29:20]
Thinking of your business as a game and sharing financials with your employees [33:05]
The signs of beginning to know what you don’t know [37:35]
Hear what were the last three books Tim read [39:07]
Top three business book to read, according Tim [42:50]
Find out more about Tim’s books, Small Business Matters and Small Business Matters and All That Jazz [44:43]
The benefits of doing stand-up comedy and improv in the sales community [50:30]
Why Tim would want to talk to Ben Franklin [51:20]
Why to always to listen and act on that voice in the back of your head [53:35]
Quotes:
“I am constantly learning from my clients and my members.” - Tim Fulton
“The growth paradox is the assumption that as a company grows it’s going to get easier.” - Tim Fulton
“Think of your business as a game and any good game, we’re going to keep score.” - Tim Fulton
“In business we’re really good water treaters but we don't know what we don't know about business.” - Trace Blackmore
Connect with Tim Fulton:
Website: smallbusinessmattersonline.com
LinkedIn: in/timcfulton
Twitter: @tf_sbm
Links Mentioned:
ScalingUp! Podcast
AWT Young Professionals & SEED Group
AWT
AWT Convention
AWT Webinars
IWC Conferences
Seth Godin
Books to Read:
Michael Gerber’s book, The E-myth
Seth Stephens-Davidowitz’s book, Everybody Lies
Charles Duhigg’s book, The Power of Habit
Bo Burlingham’s book, Finish Big
Jim Collins’s book, Good To Great
Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Tim’s book, Small Business Matters
Tim’s book, Small Business Matters and All That Jazz
Seth’s book, Tribes
Our guest today is Cpt. David Marquet of The United States Navy. David (now retired), was the Commander of the nuclear submarine Santa Fe – probably the most amazing job in the world! (in my opinion) In addition to commanding nuclear powered submarines, David is also the author of Turn The Ship Around, which was written in 2013 and tells the remarkable true story of how David was able to turn the lowest performing submarine into the highest performing evaluation in the history of The Navy. David was able to do this by transforming his team with what he calls a “leader-leader” mentality, rather than the pervasive “leader-follower” mentality, which is typically how The Navy had always gotten things done!
In this episode, we learn more about this model of leadership and how you can transform a team by cultivating the creativity and independent thinking of its members. This is a book about how you can apply the 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People on an organizational level and why the legacy of a true leader is to bring out the leader in everyone else. An episode with a true hero – take a listen!
Timestamps:
Find out how David came to be in the Navy [03:50]
Critiques of the “leader-follower” model of leadership [05:50]
Why David was re-assigned to the lowest performing submarine [07:15]
How to lean back so others can lead forward [10:15]
Developing leaders and an independently thinking team [14:15]
Introducing the “I intend to” technique in permission-based organizations [15:10]
Allowing your team to have more authority by thinking out loud [20:00]
The importance of team interaction in determining business success [27:10]
Writing procedures that support “leader-leader” thinking [27:49.]
The impact of the “three name rule” on team building [34:43]
Building the ladder of leadership [43:20]
Quotes:
“The leader fixes the environment, not people.” - Cpt. David Marquet
“Creating an environment where your people can go off and express the leadership they have inside them… that’s the legacy of leadership.” - Cpt. David Marquet
Connect with Cpt. David Marquet:
Website: www.davidmarquet.com
Twitter: @ldavidmarquet
Links Mentioned:
David finding inspiration in the bathroom
Books Mentioned:
Turn The Ship Around
7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Today on the show, we welcome Chris Nagle. Chris has a background in water treatment and today works at Evapco, one of the largest cooling tower manufacturers in the world. Have you ever heard the term white rust? It is a problem that many water treaters face and is the topic of this episode today. In a nutshell, white rust is the galvanizing coming off of a cooling tower. Galvanizing is a coating of zinc over the steal surface, which is done so that the zinc corrodes instead of the steel below it. White rust is the premature corroding of that zinc and this is a serious problem, one that it often blamed on the water treater.
Evapco have been doing an amazing job at teaming up to gather and share information on white rust and how we can help solve this issue in new ways, together. Chris has a unique perspective and a wealth of insight on the topic of white rust and today, he explains the process of galvanizing and passivation and the challenges white rust has placed on the industry today. Chris shares some of the fascinating things Evapco are doing to help solve this issue and provides some great advice for water treaters on how to prevent and manage white rust.
Timestamps:
Find out how Chris Nagle got involved in water treatment [04:35]
How Chris came to work for Evapco in 2006 [06:15]
Chris explains the process of galvanizing [09:00]
Mill galvanizing versus hot-dip galvanizing [09:30]
The challenge with galvanizing in the industry today [11:15]
How Evapco are addressing the issue of white rust [15:10]
The importance of heat-load in addressing galvanization [18:02]
Advise for water treaters who are faced with white rust [21:40]
What is the best procedure for passivation? [23:25]
The magic numbers when it comes to pH and alkalinity [26:28]
Communicating with your customer about white rust [27:35]
The longevity of properly passivated equipment [36:08]
Selecting the best cooling tower equipment for your area [38:17]
The biggest passivation mistakes water treaters make [41:33]
Quotes:
“It’s important that your customer knows that minimizing white rust is a team effort.” - Chris Nagle
“When it comes to pH control, either do it right or don’t do it.” - Chris Nagle
Connect with Chris Nagle:
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/chris-nagle-84721111/
Website: evapco.com
Links Mentioned:
Beyond Laboratory Research on White Rust and Passivation - Chris Nagle
Association of Water Technologies
Understanding Passivation and White Rust
Today on the show we welcome Justin Roff-Marsh, Founder of Ballistix and author of The Machine: A Radical Approach to the Design of the Sales Function.
When was the last time you thought about sales? About how it is managed and who does what job? And whether the method you’re using is really the best method? As water treater’s, our job is to go out there and sell what it is that we do. But if you really look at the way we do sales and the systems in which we do sales, it hasn’t changed all that much since the dawn of time! Yet everything else has... Justin is someone who has re-designed the sales process by taking a whole new approach to the way in which companies sell. In his book, he delves deep into the world of sales functions; looking at how and why we’ve been approaching sales in the same way for so long and how you can break these models a part and improve them to benefit of your own sales practice today. In this episode, we chat to Justin about the key concepts in his book, about some of the things we take for granted in sales and what we can do better in this field.
Timestamps:
The problem with the traditional sales model [05:50]
Why there is a more efficient way to operate sales [07:50]
Removing sales people from customer service and prospecting [10:20]
Find out what an ideal sales department looks like to Justin [11:23]
Hear Justin’s advice on how to sell to the right people [13:00]
Measuring customer service within this new sales philosophy [19:54]
The actions Justin would like people to take after reading his book [24:45]
Why your salespeople need to be either independent or part of a team [28:10]
Find out how Justin came up with the concept for his book [31:31]
How Justin discovered that salespeople don’t like money as much as he thought [33:40]
The outcome from companies who have implemented the new sales process [35:25]
Find out the last three books that Justin has read [38:00]
Leathermans, test-kits and copper: Questions from the listeners [42:30]
Quotes:
“The first thing that we should take away from sales people is customer service.” - Justin Roff-Marsh
“The approach that we are advocating is absolutely chalk and cheese compared to standard practice.” - Justin Roff-Marsh
Connect with Justin Roff-Marsh:
Website: justinroffmarsh.com
Twitter: @justinroffmarsh
LinkedIn: in/justinroffmarsh
Links Mentioned:
Ballistix
Test Kit Light
Books Mentioned:
The Machine: A Radical Approach to the Design of the Sales Function
Rational Optimist by Matt Ridley
The American Kingpin by Nick Bilton
If you have ever listened to my show, you know I am totally dependent on your suggestions on what I should be talking about. Today’s show is straight from the “Scaling UP! Mailbag!" You ask for it, so here it is… Phosphate… (Tap...Tap) Is this thing on?
Yes, I said Phosphate. Believe it or not, questions around phosphate top my list of the most asked questions from the Scaling UP! Nation! So, who am I to argue. Phosphate it is...
I have also taken this opportunity to play “Mythbuster” Scaling UP! Style. A few months ago, several blogs and listservs started talking about using a particular device used for digestion in phosphate testing. The device is called the SteriPen and it was developed for outdoor lovers to sterilize their drinking water. Many water treaters have found that it could be used as the ultra violet source in the phosphate digestion process (azole too.) The aforementioned post alluded that the SteriPens would not work for this purpose. Join me as I take the Nation! though how I explored these questions myself.
You will hear how I take my own advice of, “Trust but verify” (I think Ronald Reagan said that) when you get water treatment opinions. I also get a little help from my friends (John Lennon said this one) by interviewing people that have been using the SteriPen and who developed the SteriPen.
Timestamps:
Viewer Requested Show [00:35]
What Phosphate is? :01:00]
AWT Annual Convention [01:30]
Industrial Water Week [02:28]
Scaling Up! Nation Testimonials [04:27]
What are the different types of Phosphate? [07:15]
Building blocks of scale [11:26]
Testing Phosphate [12:34]
Kinds of tests for Phosphate [06:22]
SteriPen [22:23]
Techniques on testing [29:37]
Repeatability [33:05]
How SteriPen works? [38:01]
Batteries works with SteriPen [42:15]
Difference on SteriPens versions? [35:53]
Quotes:
"Take away on today's show: Keep your ears open, read everything you can about what you do on a regular basis. " - Trace Blackmore
"Trust me, every water treater out there has an opinion about how you do it, what you use. @traceblackmore." - Trace Blackmore
"It's great to hear what those opinions are but that's all they are to you." - Trace Blackmore
"Do something that allows you to believe in what you are doing." - Trace Blackmore
"Improvements on Steri Pen is a huge time saver. " - Trace Blackmore
"Episode 46 Tip: Make sure you bring extra batteries when you do Steri Pen tests. " - Trace Blackmore
Resources:
Steri Pen
Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA Batteries
Eowpower 30pcs 50ml Plastic Vial Storage Container
The unboxing of everything you need to use the SteriPen in your Phosphonate and Azole testing
Augmenting your testing procedures for Phosphonate and Azole testing
Hach UV Lamp Kit, 115V
Taylor Technologies Test Procedures: Phosphonate, Azole
Correction!:
Nation! I misspoke about LSI and RSI on this show. As I think you know, I am an RSI guy (so that's how I think.) Here is the breakdown of Ranges for LSI, RSI and PSI:
-
-
- LSI Range: -3.0 – 3.0 * >0=Scaling * <0=Non-Scaling
-
-
-
- RSI Range: 1 – 12 * <6=Scaling * >6=Non-Scaling
-
-
-
- PSI Range: 1 – 12 * + <6=Scaling + >6=Non-Scaling
-
For more information on this, check out the show we did on it by clicking here.
047 The One with the Guy Who Writes About Water Episode 47: Show Notes I think it is safe to say that the majority of the Scaling UP! Nation! is on one or more social media platforms. I try to post news about my upcoming podcast on social media, mainly LinkedIn. Social Media is how we stay connected in today’s world. In fact, many of you found out about the Scaling UP! podcast from LinkedIn. In an effort to stay sharp for the Scaling UP! Nation!, I try to read as much as I can. From books to articles, you just never know what fodder is out there that you can turn into a good episode. During my assimilation of this data, I ran across Jim Lauria on LinkedIn. Jim wrote a very intriguing article about Leonardo DaVinci and water. It was fascinating. I enjoyed not only the article but the way that in which Jim wrote it. This led me to start reading other articles written by Jim. If you are connected with me on LinkedIn, you have seen me share many of them. Since connecting on LinkedIn, Jim and I have shared several insights and conversations. Jim is a renaissance man when it comes to water, in his own right. On today’s episode Jim shares with us not only his passion for writing about water but also some tips about promoting yourself on LinkedIn. We even sneak in a few words on “Mind Mapping.” Do you even know what that is? I though I was the only one… Please enjoy my interview with Jim Lauria. More about Jim: Jim Lauria is Vice President of Sales & Marketing for Mazzei Injector, a fluid design company that manufactures mixing and contacting systems. He is a leader in the water treatment field with a proven track record of revenue growth, profit improvement and new business development. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering degree from Manhattan College, Jim has traveled the world benchmarking the best water management practices. He lives in San Francisco with his wife Laurie Lauria, who fills his life with love, laughter, and alliteration. Key Points From This Episode:
- Michelle Farmerie's come back and AWT news [0:03:00]
- What to expect at the AWT convention 2018 [0:03:30]
- Russell Baskin on the Legionella presentation [0:09:50]
- Overview on Trace and Nathan Hardy's presentation [0:17:23]
- Scaling UP! H2O on Social Media [0:22:05]
- How we can do it better on Social Media? [0:23:22]
- Benchmark practices in Water Industry [0:27:19]
- Why LinkedIn is the best [0:28:05]
- How you should present yourself on Social Media [0:30:15]
- Why Water is so important [0:33:00]
- Lessons from Leonardo Da Vinci [0:38:10]
- Understanding the Science of Water [0:39:45]
- Mind Mapping [0:43:35]
- Venturi Injectors [0:49:53]
- How we treat and value Water? [0:53:35]
- How to learn new things about Water [0:54:40]
- And a lot more!
Tweetables: "How best deal with young professionals in our industry today?" @mrf5061 #awtannualconventionexpo #awtconvention #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment "We all need to help our industry to grow and thrive because it is such an awesome industry. Help each other up so we all win!" @mrf5061 #awtannualconventionexpo #awtconvention #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment “This is going to be one of the most influential presentations during the upcoming AWT Convention.” - Russel Baskin #awtannualconventionexpo #awtconvention #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment "In this new world, It's not who you know, It's who knows you! And who's willing to say that they know you and that you're good at something." - @peopleforwater @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater "I want water professionals to be out there promoting water." - @peopleforwater @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment Q: Why am I training my competition? A: A rising tide lifts all ships! - @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater “Anything I see, anything I do. I relate it to water.” -@peopleforwater @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater "If you really want to write about water, you almost have to be an investigative reporter." - @peopleforwater @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater "There's a lot of ways to treat water and we have to look at different parts of the world who are doing it right." -@peopleforwater @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #IndustrialWaterWeek #watertreatmentindustry #watertreatment #TheOnewiththeGuyWhoWritesAboutWater Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mazzei Injector Company Jim Lauria on LinkedIn Jim Lauria on Twitter Jim Lauria Book Website Jim Lauria on Huffpost Jim Lauria's Articles on LinkedIn Jim Lauria's Articles on Water Online Top 2 Articles from Jim Lauria: Using LinkedIn to Position Your Company as a Thought Leader Lessons From Leonardo: What Leonardo da Vinci Can Teach Us About Water Tools Mentioned Mind Jet - Mind Manager Recommended Books: The Mind Map Book The Big Thirst The Blue Death Unquenchable When the rivers run dry Leonardo Da Vinci The Great Bridge Do I Make Myself Clear?
Upcoming events:
- AWT annual Convention September 26 –29 in Orlando Fl
Here are some times you want to mark on your schedule.
- Scaling UP! Meet UP! at the AWT convention
10:00 AM Thursday (Immediately following the Keynote) We will hold a Scaling UP! MeetUP! In Chiller Lounge (located in the exhibit hall). 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM - Friday, Water Management Plan from the Water Treaters Prospective. The One with Conor Parrish The One with Michelle Farmerie 3:30 PM -4:30 PM - Friday, Understanding Young Professionals: The What’s, How’s and Why’s for Our Industry. I will be moderating (not a young professional…) 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM - Saturday, (The field evaluation of using Polyamines in Closed Loop and cooling systems) I will also be walking around the exhibit hall reporting on who is exhibiting and all the cool stuff you need to know about to help your water treatment business. I’d love it if you see me, come up and say hi! You may even get on the air. And the craze in the Scaling UP! Nation! is all about “how do I get a Scaling UP! Button?” Well, come find me and I will give you one. Select vendors in the exhibit hall will also be giving those out. As you can see, I am going to be very busy at this year’s convention. If that didn’t get you excited enough, we have even more coming up on the water treatment calendar”.
-
Industrial Water Week October 1-5, 2018
Since this is our holiday and the first time it has ever been offered, I want to do something special. I will be doing an episode each day during industrial water week! I know what you are thinking, that’s a lot of work, wow Trace you are awesome… Well... I am… but I can’t do it without you. So here is my ask: I need you to go to Scalinguph2o.com and click on the “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of the screen. You can leave a question for me to answer on the air during Industrial Water Week. I’m looking for questions on:
-
Pretreatment
- Boilers
- Cooling
- Wastewater
- And Careers
I will either answer your question or have somebody who is a leader in that particular field answer your question. I’ve never done anything like this, so thanks for helping me make it happen! Now let me leave you with this thought: Are you doing water treatment to the best of your ability or our you doing water treatment the best it can be done? Think about that, have you plateaued? Many of us get to a certain point and then settle. Don’t’ settle, push yourself to be better. You deserves it, your company deserves it, your customers deserve it and most of all the industry deserves it. It’s my hope that this podcast helps motivate you to get there and let’s all Scale UP! On information so we don’t scale up our systems. Have a great week folks!
045 The One That Brings Your Team Together Episode 45: Show Notes Our theme this month is team building. The last episode demonstrated how well a business can run when the team comes together. So, this episode helps us build a team to get there. Our guest today is Rick Packer of the Table Group. The Table Group is Pat Lencioni's company, author of the Five Dysfunctions of a Team. Rick has years of experience working with companies and making their team more functional, Including Chick Fil A. Rick helps us explore how to bring a team together but more importantly why we need to bring a team together. More about Rick? Rick brings over 20 years of experience to his partnership with The Table Group. His global consulting clients are CEO’s and executive teams comprised of talented individuals with strong personalities. Rick’s clients love his flexible approach in tackling difficult issues and making sure all team members are accountable to both individual and team commitments. Rick specializes in CEO succession, large privately-held and family-run organizations, and building better relationships between executive teams and board of directors. Currently, Rick works regularly with CEOs and executive teams in quickly and effectively applying the concepts related to organizational health. His clients span a broad spectrum of various industries, including consumer goods, health care, and insurance. Prior to partnering with The Table Group, Rick worked for CompuServe and Maximum Impact. At CompuServe he experienced an excellent standard in corporate culture that continues to drive his passion for developing high performance organizations. At Maximum Impact he worked alongside author John C. Maxwell developing leadership solutions for global clients. Rick holds an undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University, an MBA from the University of Dayton, and executive education credentials from Stanford, College of Business. In addition to his work with consulting clients, Rick serves on the Table Group Practice Advisory Board where he advises on practice-wide strategic direction. At his church, Rick volunteers with middle school students and is an Elder at North Point Ministries. He also serves on the board of directors at Growing Leaders. Rick and his wife Kristy are blessed with raising three daughters. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia. Key Points From This Episode:
- Exciting News on the Scaling Up! H2O website [0:02:40]
- Industrial Water Week [0:07:25]
- Mini Episode for IWW [0:08:00]
- Submitting your question and be played on air[0:09:15]
- How to build our teams better? [0:13:30]
- How to be better at work? [0:15:12]
- Getting rid of dysfunctions[0:16:45]
- Importance of the “TABLE” [0:17:15]
- What is the most important organization in our lives? [0:17:55]
- What is a business fable? [0:21:30]
- What is the “Advantage”? [0:23:57]
- Four discipline of a healthy organization [0:25:53]
- Creating Clarity [0:30:03]
- Overcoming the dysfunction of a team [0:46:53]
- Clarity enclosure [0:48:50]
- Peer to peer accountability [0:52:12]
- Collective Results [1:00:00]
- And much more!
Tweetables: Two requirements for #SUCCEESS: You have to be #SMART and you have to be #HEALTHY. #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #rickpacker #theadvantagebook “Why does the organization exist beyond making money?” #rickpacker #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast “A #TEAM creating #CLARITY together is #ESSENTIAL.” #rickpacker #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast “Conflict in the absence of trust is just office politics.” #rickpacker #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast "We need to rely on our colleagues to be successful.” #rickpacker #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast #TIPSfromTRACE : Without way in there is no buy in. @traceblackmore #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast Our core values: #Integrity, #TeamWork, GAS (Give a stuff), #SolutionOriented, #Attitude. What's your core values?@traceblackmore #thetablegroup #scalinguph2o #scalingup #scalinguppodcast Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Rick Packer Website: https://www.tablegroup.com/ The HUB: https://www.tablegroup.com/hub Organizational Health: https://www.tablegroup.com/advantagemodel/org-health/##tab_survey Team assessment: https://www.tablegroup.com/teamwork/online-team-assessment Patrick Lencioni video library: https://www.tablegroup.com/pat/video-library Rick Packer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickpacker/ Audible:http://scalinguph2o.com/audible Sample Core Values: https://www.tablegroup.com/imo/media/doc/AdvantageSample_Core_Values_Hiring_Profile(6).pdf Association of Water Treaters (AWT) Annual Convention and Exposition: http://scalinguph2o.com/awtconvention Industrial Water Week: http://scalinguph2o.com/industrialwaterweek The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business: http://scalinguph2o.com/theadvantage The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable: http://scalinguph2o.com/5dysfunctions The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate the Three Essential Virtues: A Leadership Fable: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book1 Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable about Solving the Most Painful Problem in Business: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book2 The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive: A Leadership Fable: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book3 The Five Temptations of a CEO: A Leadership Fable: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book4 Silos, Politics, and Turf Wars: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book5 The Three Big Questions for the Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book6 Leadership and self-deception: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book7 The Cure: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book8 Beneath a Scarlet Sky: http://scalinguph2o.com/45book9
044 The One with The Chick Fil A Guy Episode 44: Show Notes If you’ve listened to the show for any length of time, you know I love business! Due my love of business, I study businesses in how they conduct regular transactions and issues. This can sometimes get on my wife's nerves since I'm always turning every customer service experience into a learning opportunity, just ask her... In my observations, I have noticed that successful businesses seem to rally around a core set of values that you can see throughout their entire company. I’ve also noticed the opposite is true when companies lack a set of values that are followed by all. Just think back to when you had an issue with something at a place of business, it's impossible not to see how core values are applied if you look for it. Observing this is one of my favorite things to do. One of my best examples of this came from my service manager, Chris. He took his father-in-law out for dinner and his father-in-law wanted to order a meatloaf sandwich. The waiter told him NO, he could not order that because it wasn’t on the menu. However, meatloaf and bread were on the menu, just not together. This was an example of enforcing rules that did not give the customer want he wanted. And the kicker is putting meatloaf between two pieces of bread would not have cost the company anything. In this situation, what do you think the company's core values were? If they had anything to do with the customer, they weren't followed. If they did, they weren't trained or at the very least followed by all. I'm not going to tell you the company that owned the meatloaf saga, but I will use the story to introduce a company that I think gets core values right, each and every time. That company is Chik Fil A. If you have ever been into a Chick Fil A I know you were greeted properly and told that it was their pleasure for them to serve you. I also know you got the best chicken sandwich put on this earth! In case you didn’t know, I'm am a fan of Chick Fil A. They are a staple here in the south. In fact, they have built much of the Atlanta landscape. And truth be told, I eat there probably more than I should. But when I'm there I'm conducting research, at least that's what I tell my wife... My guest today is Daniel Perry, Owner of the Lawrenceville/316 Chick Fil A. His store is practically in walking distance from my office and we have become friends over the years. During this time, I have seen him, and his team demonstrate how much they care about their guests, handle complaints and reach out to the community. Simply put, I have seen them LIVE their core values in everything they do. It's my hope you will be inspired to work on your core values from this episode. Key Points From This Episode:
- How do you show your customer their value? [0:01:05]
- How businesses practice business. [0:01:19]
- How they teach their employee work ethics. [0:01:05]
- Selecting great team members. [0:05:15]
- How to train employees. [0:11:20]
- Ways to use your core values [0:20:30]
- How to work with teenagers [0:20:10]
- Advise on working and communication with the team[0:35:15]
- How to stay better organized?[0:43:16]
- Goal setting[0:46:30]
- And much more!
Tweetables: "People over profits: If you give people what they want then they will give you what you want." @daniel_perry @ChickfilA #scalinguph2o #scalingup #chickFilA #scalinguppodcast "They are not just there to do their job, but because they have that job because of the customers." @traceblackmore @daniel_perry @ChickfilA #scalinguph2o #scalingup #chickFilA #scalinguppodcast "Our mission is to be remarkable. And so we want our guests to have remarkable experiences." @daniel_perry "People don't believe what you say, they believe in what they've discovered on their own." @daniel_perry @traceblackmore @ChickfilA #scalinguph2o #scalingup #chickFilA #scalinguppodcast "There are a lot of things that have made me who I am today through mistakes and failures but I would say just don't take yourself so serious." @daniel_perry @traceblackmore @ChickfilA #scalinguph2o #scalingup #chickFilA #scalinguppodcast Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Daniel Perry Website (Chick-fil-A): https://www.chick-fil-a.com/ Daniel Perry on Twitter: https://twitter.com/daniel_perry Daniel Perry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-perry-6620546/ Talent Magnet by Mark Miller: http://scalinguph2o.com/44book1 Rest by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang: http://scalinguph2o.com/44book2 Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth: http://scalinguph2o.com/44book3 Good to Great by Jim Collins: http://scalinguph2o.com/44book4 Every person has a story: https://youtu.be/2v0RhvZ3lvY Grit ted talk: https://youtu.be/H14bBuluwB8 Audible:http://scalinguph2o.com/audible
043 The One with the WaterCycle Guy Episode 43: Show Notes Did you know we all have something in common? Well, I'm willing to bet that we have many things in common but the one I want to focus in on is we all start something new as someone new to starting that something. I know that is not very profound, but it's true. In my career I have been concerned about how someone would view my presentation or recommendation because I was: too new, too young, too... I absolutely love hearing from the Scaling UP! Nation about how this show has inspired people to: try something new, change up the status quo and ask why. When we know why something does what it does, we change our role from a task doing to a tool master. When we have command over the tools that we use, we become exceptional water treaters. If you have listened to Scaling UP! before, you know I believe it takes the gift of others investing in you that will lead you to a successful future. Today I interview someone who has really shape the water treatment industry. Most likely, he has had a hand in all of the products you use. If you use a controller, he has had a hand in creating some of the algorithms the controller uses. He has authored many papers and spoken at many venues. But here's the thing, when he started he was: too new, too young, too... After knowing all these accolades, you are ready to listen to him, right? My guest today is Rob Ferguson, of French Creek Software. Rob founded French Creek Software where he developed several programs. The one you are most likely familiar with is WaterCyle. WaterCycle is a modeling software that allows you to theoretically test your product in a simulated environment. Rob was new when he started as water treater. He was new when he started WaterCylce. If there is one thing I hope you get out of this episode is that we all start at the same place and we never get where we are going alone. Rob explains how many have helped him become what he is today. Join me as I interview Rob Ferguson. More about Rob Ferguson? Rob Ferguson began modeling corrosion, mineral scale solubility, scale formation, and scale and corrosion control in 1974 and continues to be a major contributor to the practical application of physical chemistry to identifying and solving industrial water treatment challenges. Major career accomplishments include:
- developing the first successful ultra-low dosage treatment approaches for scale control in high volume utility once through cooling systems (1974).
- designing and implementing the first real-time microprocessor controlled scale inhibitor controller (1984).
- making advanced physical chemistry and laboratory study results to water treatment professionals through software available in a user friendly, visual format.
- Developing a user friendly system for evaluating scale formation and control under extreme conditions.
Rob wrote much of the software in use today for cooling water, reverse osmosis, and oil field chemistry. He co-founded French Creek Software in 1989 and has presented and published papers at AWT, NACE, the IWC, CTI, ACS, AWWA, AMTA and in many trade journals. His motto is "Physical Chemistry for Fun and Profit." He opened a scale and corrosion laboratory in 2014 to develop and refine inhibitor performance data and other work not being published by the major service companies and inhibitor synthesizers. Rob began advocating for change in the approach to evaluating and resolving lead and copper contamination of potable water in 1995 with the release of a municipal water modelling systems, though technology publications, and through editorials such as the UltraPure Water guest editorial “Paradigm Change Could Drive Pb and Cu Crisis Resolution.” Rob was educated at the US Naval Academy and University of Minnesota and received a BS in Biochemistry and Microbiology in 1971. Rob worked in research, marketing, and software development for several major water treatment service companies prior to cofounding French Creek Software in 1989, Rob received the Association of Water Technologies Ray Baum Water Technologist of the Year award in 2017 for technology contributions to the industry and the association. French Creek was proud to be honored as the AWT Supplier of the Year in 2011. Key Points From This Episode:
- How to elevate tasks [0:01:20]
- Advise on learning about the reagents [0:02:18]
- What is WaterCycle? [0:05:20]
- Back story of Rob Ferguson [0:08:10]
- Test Markets [0:15:02]
- Water analysis [0:18:05]
- What's going to interfere with my inhibitors?[0:20:15]
- WaterCycle Treatments [0:21:45]
- Evaluating the system [0:22:23]
- Applications Research [0:28:01]
- Corrosion Rates [0:30:03]
- Holistic Treatment Approach [0:33:15]
- Troubleshooting formulations [0:39:20]
- What happens when you blend two (2) inhibitors together? [0:39:40]
- Safety Factor [0:41:15]
- What water treaters should stop doing? [0:42:05]
- And much more!
Tweetables: "People can teach us the WHAT TO DO, they can teach us the HOW TO DO IT and we can learn those things. But the magic happens when we connect the WHY to the HOW and the WHAT." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "You are inspired to do things, to answer questions about WHY! And that is how we make ourselves great at anything that we do." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "Don't think that you can't locate what is done in the past instead of reinventing the wheel. You can refine that wheel but there's no need to reinvent a lot of it." @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "Quick Advise from Rob: "Trust yourself, trust your instincts. Make us many contacts within the industry as you can, rely on friends and work with others!" #robferguson @traceblackmore #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "No matter how hard you start up a business, you probably did not do it all alone." #robferguson #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "Looking outside of my area of expertise and see if there's something else that would help." #robferguson #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore "Take away from http://scalinguph2o.com/43 : It's not about how much grey hair that you have, it's the fact that you want to get something done." #robferguson #scalinguph2o #scalingup #watercycle #frenchcreeksoftware #scalinguppodcast #watertreatment #traceblackmore Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Robert Ferguson Website (French Creek Software, Inc.): http://www.frenchcreeksoftware.com/watercycle/ Robert Ferguson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-ferguson-1607a69/ Robert Ferguson on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/French-Creek-Software-508227242598833/ John Zibrita Show:http://scalinguph2o.com/7 Audible:http://scalinguph2o.com/audible The Foundation series by Isaac Asimov: http://scalinguph2o.com/43book1 Aquatic Chemistry by Stumm & Morgan: http://scalinguph2o.com/43book2
The One That Helps Us Understand Our Test Kits Episode 42: Show Notes The topic that surrounds most of the question I receive are about tests kits and testing in general. Ever since I shared with the Scaling UP! Nation what was in my personal test kit, these types of questions keep coming. So, I thought rather than me answer these questions, I will ask a guest to answer them for us. Our guest today is Harland Pond of AquaPheonix Scientific. Harland manufactures the test kits now, but he once used them in the field as a fellow water treater. This gives Harland a great perspective on how we actually use our test kits. I am sure you are going to get many tips and ideas from this interview with Harland Pond. Harland’s career passions have always centered on the junction of technology and business, using customer insights to find creative innovations for organizations, markets and products. Currently he is the VP of sales, marketing and business development for AquaPhoenix Scientific, providing custom product and service solutions in the water testing and science education space. Previously he worked for Grundfos Pumps in a variety of roles in Business Development, product management and most recently as VP of Industry for the Americas. He began his career at Ashland, as a water treater and market manager. Harland holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from BYU and an MBA from Lehigh University - focused on corporate entrepreneurship. He dedicates his time for adventures and exploration with his wife Amy, and three children, Abby, Grace and James. Any remaining free time is spent in broad spectrum of too many hobbies and interests, but always focused on learning something new. Key Points From This Episode:
- How to send in questions to Trace [0:01:03]
- Coming Soon! Products [0:01:33]
- The different components of test kits [0:02:12]
- How should people look at test kits? [0:06:08]
- How do I know what tests I need? [0:07:05]
- How to organize those test kits? [0:07:10]
- How do you know what's best on your application? [0:09:19]
- Best methods in testing [0:09:40]
- The amount of time you have to spend on test [0:10:03]
- What interference is? [0:12:03]
- How to find all missing procedure on the test kits? [0:15:51]
- Safe and proper ways to testing [0:17:50]
- Tips on how to better streamline their tests? [0:32:45]
- Important tool in test kits [0:42:09]
- One thing you need to know in test kits [0:43:00]
- And much more!
Tweetables: "The number one item that you should be using is your BRAIN!" - @potop42 #scalingUPh2o "Some tips on using your test kits." - @potop42 #scalingUPh2o "Learning and understanding your test kits." - @potop42 #scalingUPh2o Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Harland Pond Website: http://www.aquaphoenixsci.com/ Harland Pond LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harlandpond/ Harland Pond on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harland.pond Harland Pond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/potop42 The Association of Water Technologies (AWT): http://scalinguph2o.com/AWTTT Appetite for Life: The Biography of Julia Child: http://scalinguph2o.com/42book1 The Art of Manliness – Manvotionals: http://scalinguph2o.com/42book2 Sous-vide: http://scalinguph2o.com/Sous-vide HACH-Water Analysis Handbook: https://www.hach.com/wah LED Desk Lamp for Test Kit: http://scalinguph2o.com/light LED Desk Lamp for Test Kit Video: http://scalinguph2o.com/lightvideo
The One with Your Nerdy Best Friend Episode 41: Show Notes. I don’t have time to do the things I need to do! Ever heard this? I’m sure you’ve not just heard it, you’ve said it! And you probably heard someone tell you to work smarter not harder. This advice sounds great, but how do you do it? What is “working smarter? I say working smarter is letting someone or something do your work for you. Think of how long calculations used to take in the dawn of the space program. Now how long do they take? The equations are solved almost instantly because of technology. So, our question is how do we let technology work for us thereby making us smarter workers? Well, that is today’s show, we are going to learn how to find repeatable tasks that technology can do for us; freeing us up to do other things. Pretty smart, huh? Our guest today is my Nerdy Best Friend, Beth Ziesenis. Beth makes a career out of finding technology such as apps to do the work we shouldn’t be doing. Beth was a speaker at the Association of Water Technologies 2017 Convention. She has also written several books and appeared on other podcasts and programs. Beth has personally helped me use technology to make the most general of tasks easier to manage (like email.) I have no doubt that Beth will be your new Nerdy Best Friend too. I hope you enjoy my conversation with Beth Ziesenis. Key Points From This Episode:
- Things that allows us to be better water treaters [0:00:38.2]
- The things that we can use that make use more efficient [0:00:46.2]
- Allowing technology to do work that we do not need to do [0:01:02.3]
- How do we let technology do the tasks that we don't necessarily have to do? [0:01:13.6]
- 30 days FREE Audible Trial [0:03:14.8]
- Lifestyle of a nerd [0:06:50.0]
- How nerds are accepted and encouraged? [0:08:21.0]
- How to become nerdy? [0:09:06.9]
- Ways for technology to help us save time [0:09:18.5]
- Better organization/Productivity [0:11:48.0]
- Set up rules for email [0:13:55.5]
- To-do-list (keeping track of all the things we need to do [0:16:28.0]
- Ways to integrate paper into technology [0:18:47.4]
- Risks of using repetitive passwords [0:22:53.9]
- Scary computer language [0:35:18.0]
- How computer played chess with the masters and won [0:36:20.8]
- Some technology advises from Beth[0:43:10.0]
- Advice on writing a book [0:46:32.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: "Stop what you're doing. Choose one thing, try it out and see how it transforms things." - @NerdyBFF [0:43:55.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Beth Ziesenis Website: https://yournerdybestfriend.com/ Beth Ziesenis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourNerdyBFF Beth Ziesenis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NerdyBFF Beth Ziesenis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nerdybff/ Audible: http://scalinguph2o.com/audible The Big Book of Apps: http://scalinguph2o.com/41book1 Yes Please by Amy Polers: http://scalinguph2o.com/41book2 Nerd Know-How: The 27+ Best Apps for Work: http://scalinguph2o.com/41book3 Gmail: http://scalinguph2o.com/gmail Office 365: http://scalinguph2o.com/Office365 Todoist: http://scalinguph2o.com/Todoist Evernote: http://scalinguph2o.com/evernote Microsoft One note: http://scalinguph2o.com/microsoftonenote Microsoft surface pro: http://scalinguph2o.com/microsoftsurfacepro Live Scribe: http://scalinguph2o.com/livescribe Notability: http://scalinguph2o.com/notability LastPass: http://scalinguph2o.com/lastpass Postagram: http://scalinguph2o.com/postagram If this, then that: http://scalinguph2o.com/ifthisthenthat Zapier: http://scalinguph2o.com/zapier
The 7 Key Qualities of Great Leaders and Finding Your Sweet Spot To Success With Pat Williams Episode 40: Show Notes. On today’s episode, we welcome Pat Williams. Pat was the keynote speaker at the 2016 AWT Convention, as well as, a basketball Hall-of-Famer and co-founder and senior vice president of the NBA’s Orlando Magic. As one of America’s top motivational speakers, he has addressed thousands of executives in organizations ranging from Fortune 500 companies and national associations to universities and nonprofits. Pat is also the author of over 100 books, his most recent title being Success Intersection: What Happens When Your Talent Meets Your Passion. Pat is an expert on the topic of leadership, building teams and dreaming big. In this episode, he shares his wisdom and insight into what makes a great leader and why we should all be living in our sweet spot! We hope this episode will inspire you to be a better water treater, a better leader in the industry and an avid chaser of your own dreams. [0:01:45.0] Key Points From This Episode:
- Why Pat moved to Orlando and wrote a biography about Walt Disney. [0:02:20.0]
- Dreaming big dreams and applying Walt Disney’s lessons to your own life. [0:04:50.0]
- Why Pat believes the most important thing as a leader is to ask questions. [0:07:40.0]
- Find out more about Pat’s most recent book, Success Intersection. [0:09:24.0]
- Living in the sweet spot: Where your talent meets your biggest passion. [0:09:40.0]
- How do you know when you have or haven’t found the sweet spot? [0:10:50.0]
- Why adults need to be investing in children’s talents and passions. [0:11:30.0]
- Pat’s advice for adults who haven’t found their sweet spot yet. [0:12:52.0]
- Discover the seven key characteristics that great leaders have. [0:14:35.0]
- Can we develop leadership qualities and learn how to lead? [0:16:45.0]
- The last three books that Pat has read and how he’s written over 100 of his own. [0:20:15.0]
- The advice Pat would have given to himself on his first day in professional sports. [0:22:15.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: “If you can dream it you can do it.” — @OrlandoMagicPat [0:05:20.0] “The most important thing as a leader is to ask questions… and above all listen.” — @OrlandoMagicPat [0:07:40.0] “The best leaders are the greatest servants.” — @OrlandoMagicPat [0:16:03.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Pat Williams Website – http://patwilliamsspeaking.com/ Pat Williams on Twitter – https://twitter.com/OrlandoMagicPat Pat Williams on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoMagicPatWilliams How to be like Walt by Pat Williams - http://scalinguph2o.com/40book1 The Success Intersection by Pat Williams – http://scalinguph2o.com/40book2 First Founding Father by Harlow Giles Unger - http://scalinguph2o.com/40book3 Golden Days by Jack McCallum – http://scalinguph2o.com/40book4 Sam Smith’s books on the MBA – http://scalinguph2o.com/40book5
Episode 38: Show Notes. Being a water treater, that’s easy… Well, maybe not. However, I have found it easier than running my own business. As with everything, you don’t know what you don’t know. So, when I learn something, that I didn’t know, and it works, I want to share it with you. About 3 years ago, we started using a program at my company called EOS, The Entrepreneur Operating System. This system was introduced in a book called Traction by Gino Wickman. Gino explains that EOS is like an operating system you would use for you computer, like Windows. Your company is the program that will run on that operating system, like Word (yes, I am a PC guy.) The EOS system has five books within the series. On today’s show, we have the author of the second book in the series “Rocket Fuel,” Mark Winters. Mark is one of the best facilitators of the EOS system out there! He explains EOS and how different people in our company have different talents. By properly utilizing these talents we can energize our company with “Rocket Fuel” to get to the next level and beyond. Please join me for my interview with Mark Winters. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Rocket Fuel Tools: https://www.rocketfuelnow.com/category/resources/ Visionary/Integrator Assessments: http://blastoff.rocketfuelnow.com/quiz/ Mark C. Winters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markcwinters Rocket Fuel Video: https://youtu.be/-YRGZfzyk8M Rocket Fuel the Book: http://scalinguph2o.com/rocketfuel Traction the Book: http://scalinguph2o.com/traction Get a Grip the Book: http://scalinguph2o.com/getagrip How to be a Great Boss the Book: http://scalinguph2o.com/greatboss What the Heck is EOS: http://scalinguph2o.com/whatiseos Leaders Eat Last: http://scalinguph2o.com/38book1 Essentialism: http://scalinguph2o.com/38book2 The Millionaire Next Door: http://scalinguph2o.com/38book3
Life Lessons About Leading When You Are Not In Charge with Clay Scroggins Episode 36: Show Notes. My guest today is one of the pastors of my church, Clay Scroggins. Clay wrote a book called “How to Lead When You’re Not In Charge, Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority.” The book is unique in several ways, it is the story of how he began to lead when he wasn’t in charge and, the reason that really caught my attention, it is a book written for all of us. Not just the leaders who are already in charge. The wisdom in this book will allow you to start taking charge of things that you may not even realize you are in charge of. It will help you stand out and grab the attention of those who are in charge. Simply put, this book will help you advance your position regardless of where you are in the organization. As Clay says so very well, “you don’t have to have authority of something to be in charge of something.” All of this being said, Clay is a pastor so there is some scripture in this book. He draws reference from the bible to help explain his ideas. If you don’t like that part, don’t let that bother you because the “nuggets of gold” you will find in this book are ones that I have never seen presented to an audience other than existing leaders. Folk’s this book will help your career and your relationship with your boss! Please enjoy my interview with: Clay Scroggins. BTW, I mention a lot of books on my show. Chances are, you listen to this podcast while driving. So why not read that way? Try Audible!, It’s safer. It is also the only way I can read all these books with my job demands. Learn something in your windshield time, try Audible today! http://scalinguph2o.com/audible Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Clay Scroggins online: https://clayscroggins.com/#home Clay Scroggins on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-scroggins-5106a16 North Point Community Church: http://northpoint.org/ The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast: https://andystanley.com/podcasts/ How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority: http://scalinguph2o.com/howtolead How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Study Guide: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority: http://scalinguph2o.com/howtoleadworkbook How to Lead When You're Not in Charge Study Guide with DVD: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority: http://scalinguph2o.com/howtoleaddvd Predictable Success: Getting Your Organization on the Growth Track--and Keeping It There: http://scalinguph2o.com/36book1 Mo' Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove: http://scalinguph2o.com/36book2 The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place: http://scalinguph2o.com/36book3
How To Troubleshoot With Reverse Osmosis and Why It Is A Miracle Process With Wes Byrne. Episode 35: Show Notes. Today on the show, we welcome one of the leading experts on the topics of reverse osmosis – Wes Byrne. Reverse osmosis (RO) is a relatively new technology whose applications are rapidly growing. Wes Byrne is the perfect guest to tackle RO as he has literally written the book on reverse osmosis titled: Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide For Industrial Users. Wes’s book is a go-to guide in the industry and is hugely valuable to design and process engineers working for RO equipment manufacturers, engineering companies and those who are responsible for the operation of an RO system. Wes has been working with RO for forty years in the fields of design, engineering, field support, monitoring, piloting, troubleshooting and new product development. His forte, however, is fixing troublesome RO units. In this episode, Wes explains what RO is, what we should be looking for in order to troubleshoot and why RO is a miracle process for today and the future. [0:03:05.0] Key Points From This Episode:
- Find out how Wes got into the RO industry. [0:02:20.0]
- Wes explains exactly what reverse osmosis is. [0:05:36.0]
- What type of applications require reverse osmosis. [0:06:43.0]
- Examples of pre-treatment for the RO unit. [0:10:42.0]
- Indications of when to clean to RO system. [0:13:10.0]
- Discover how reverse osmosis works. [0:13:24.0]
- How long should a RO membrane typically last? [0:14:50.0]
- Wes shares his basic troubleshooting tips. [0:16:50.0]
- The craziest things Wes has seen in his RO experience. [0:22:00.0]
- Learn more about the RO cleaning process. [0:23:17.0]
- Wes’s advice for anyone trying to learn more about RO. [0:25:58.0]
- The exciting new innovations taking place in RO. [0:27:15.0]
- How will RO help us with the water crisis leading into the future? [0:29:12.0]
- Why a failed RO system is not to blame for problems. [0:31:15.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: “RO gives us the ability to take a previously unusable water stream and turn it into something very valuable.” — Wes Byrne [0:29:12.0] “RO, in my mind, is a miracle process that just keeps expanding in the world of water.” — Wes Byrne [0:30:43.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Reverse Osmosis: A Practical Guide For Users by Wes Byrne – http://scalinguph2o.com/robook Wes Byrne Consulting – http://www.diwater.net/Water-Treatment-Consulting.html Wes Byrne on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/wes-byrne-1358604/ Pure Water Cloud – http://purewatercloud.com/
The Other One with Mark Lewis The most 2nd requested guest in Scaling UP! History! (Mark was the one doing all the requesting this time too) Episode 34: Show Notes. Today on Scaling UP! we re-welcome Mark Lewis, CWT. On this episode, Mark takes the interviewer position and asked me questions. As different as this experience was, I found it very interesting to be on the other side of the mic. Mark also joins me for a Pinks and Blues session, that I’m sure will not be forgotten anytime soon. Please enjoy my interview with Mark Mark’s interview with me… Topics on the Show: 0:09 – Introduction 1:46 – Begin interview with Mark 2:30 – Mark’s opinion of Scaling Up 6:25 – Where does Trace find the time for Scaling Up? / The inspiration for Scaling Up 14:43 – What has been the one comment about Scaling Up has made you the proudest? 17:11 – Mark’s opinion of the benefits of CWT Certification 19:59 – What topics would Trace like to cover on future episodes? 23:05 – Closed loops 26:06 – Filters on closed loop systems 29:41 – How do you determine the proper treatment program? 35:21 – Inspection tools 42:05 – pH and alkalinity 43:07 – Lightning Round with Trace! 43:15 – What are the last 3 books that you have read? 45:41 – If they made a movie about your life, who would play you? 46:19 – What would you tell yourself if you could go back in time to your first day as a water treater? 47:42 – if you could have a conversation with any person in history, who would it be? 48:21 – Pinks and Blues 48:49 – How do I know if my chiller is scaled? 52:28 – How would you know if your boiler is starting to get fouled? 54:51 – How do you know if you’ve had a softener upset? 56:58 – How can someone detect hardness leakage before the regeneration period? 1:00:06 – What is the difference between a sand filter and a separator? 1:04:56 – Is a sock filter/pleated filter better on a closed loop system? 1:07:56 – Closing statements Tweetables: 18:00 – Are you a water treater with 15 years of experience, or are you a water treater that has been in the industry doing the same thing for 15 years? - Mark 24:21 – Closed loops are the most neglected system in the water treatment portfolio. – Trace 47:19 – Write books, take notes, do whatever you need to do. Get all of the knowledge out of this man’s head. – Trace on his father 52:16 – We’ve got to address all of our chemical issues chemically, and our mechanical issues mechanically. 53:36 – Your service doesn’t start when you walk in. Your service starts as you’re driving up, looking around. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: AWT Technical Training Seminars: http://scalinguph2o.com/tt2018 CWT Exam Handbook – http://scalinguph2o.com/CWTExam Low cost endoscope - http://scalinguph2o.com/scope Test kit light - http://scalinguph2o.com/light Association of Water Technologies – https://www.awt.org/ The Advantage: - http://amzn.to/2EdMKFb The 5 Dysfunctions - http://amzn.to/2EP33oM The Machine – http://amzn.to/2FZX6Vv Turn the Ship Around - http://amzn.to/2C5Ywvl Certified Water Technologist Certification – http://scalinguph2o.com/cwtinfo Mark Lewis on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56/
032.5 The One About the AWT Technical Training Episode 32.5: Show Notes. Having been a trainer for The Association of Water Technologies (AWT) for several years, I have picked up a few tips to help individuals going to a Technical Training Seminar. This episode is a special episode of Scaling UP! where I share these tips. Specific AWT Technical Training information can be found below. Members of the Scaling UP! Nation! have asked me questions on working within the LEED system. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Rather than answer those questions directly, I talk with Charlie Cichetti of Sustainable Investment Group for his point of view. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: AWT Technical Training Link – http://scalinguph2o.com/tt2018 Green Building Matters Podcast - https://www.gbes.com/podcast The Best LEED GA Training Around! – http://scalinguph2o.com/leed Charlie Cichetti on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlie-cichetti-9012a0b Sustainable Investment Group - https://www.sigearth.com/ GBES - https://www.gbes.com Special Notes for Technical Training: Meeting Materials: No hard copies of the seminar material will be provided onsite. To view electronic files:
-
- Go to http://scalinguph2o.com/program
- Click on the tab for the course you are attending (i.e., Sales Training or Water Treatment).
- Find the handout you would like to download.
- Click "Handout" listed under the session title.
- Log in using your username and password: Provided in the email sent from AWT and on your Name Badge
- The presentation will automatically download.
Attendee List: Download the attendee list (as of February 21). Hotel Information : Green Valley Ranch, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson, NV 89052 (866) 782-9487 Ground Information : Complimentary shuttle service is available from the airport to Green Valley Ranch Resort every two hours, beginning at 7:00 am, on a first-come, first-served basis. See the shuttle schedule. A variety of shuttle services are available at the airport and are located on the west side of baggage claim, outside door exits 7-13.
- Taxi: Approximately $30 each way from McCarran International Airport (LAS) to the Green Valley Ranch Resort.
- Uber: https://www.uber.com/invite/traceb238ui
- Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/invite/SCALINGUP
- Hotel Self-Parking: Complimentary
- Hotel Valet parking: Complimentary
Weather: The temperature in Las Vegas in late February normally reaches a high of 60 degrees and a low of 40 degrees. Please note:* Meeting room temperature is typically set at 68 degrees. A sweater or light jacket is recommended when attending the sessions.** If you have any questions about administration, the exam, or registration, contact Angela Pike at apike@awt.org or (240) 404-6477. For questions concerning accommodations, please contact Morgan Prior at mprior@mgmtsol.com or (240) 404-6480.
Episode 33: Show Notes. Our guest today is Taylor Technologies’ Chris Golden, CWT. Chris is a great resource to the water treatment community as a water testing expert. He also provides a great perspective to our industry because he was a water treater himself. In this episode, we will hear about several articles Chris wrote that deal with the opposite of treating equipment. He addresses what will happen if you don’t treat equipment. Chris has found that this approach sometimes creates a better understanding when explaining how vital our services are. He also tells us about his career as a water treater and throws in a few tips on testing. Articles Mentioned: The Benefit of Chemically Treating a Open Cooling System Part I_FINAL The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 2_FINAL The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 3_FINAL The Benefit of Chemically Treating an Open Cooling System Part 4_FINAL What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Epilogue_FINAL What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 1_FINAL What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 2_FINAL What If I Don't Treat the Boiler Part 3_FINAL Why Test for Azole in Cooling Waters Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Taylor Technologies Website – https://taylortechnologies.com/ Chris Golden Linked IN Page- https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgoldentaylortech Co-Create: How Your Business Will Profit from Innovative and Strategic Collaboration - http://amzn.to/2GSZXRe SPIN Selling – http://amzn.to/2nOdJMl SPIN Selling Workbook - http://amzn.to/2se0ERP
032 The One with Dick Hourigan, What I’ve Learned From 45 Years In The Water Treatment Industry. Episode 32: Show Notes. Today on the show we welcome Dick Hourigan. Dick is a Retired US Army Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel and an Analytical Chemist who has been in the water treatment industry since 1973. After being retrenched from his job in 1992, Dick founded Richard Hourigan Inc., as an Illinois water treatment company serving Illinois and southern Wisconsin customers. In 2007, Dick also launched his own website, www.RichardHouriganInc.com and in 2009 opened www.TheWaterTreatmentStore.com to sell his water treatment products on the global market. In 2010 Dick also opened www.MissedPerceptions.com, which is a blog that serves to facilitate communication with global customers. 2018 will mark the 45th year of Dick being in the water treatment industry. He has had a lot of unique experiences and today shares the trials and the triumphs of being a water treater for the most part of his life. There is so much value in hearing the experience of others in this industry and in this episode, Dick walks us through his first jobs, the process of starting his own company and encourages us to never give up and to do whatever you do, well. Take a listen! [0:02:00.0] Key Points From This Episode:
- Find out the three cornerstones in Dick’s life and career. [0:02:28.0]
- How Dick found himself in the water treatment industry. [0:03:08.0]
- Dick’s process and advice for approaching customers. [0:07:27.0]
- Learn more about Dick’s first beginnings as a sales manager. [0:11:00.0]
- How Dick picked himself up after getting fired and discovered a new path. [0:17:30.0]
- Why Dick decided to start his own company and how he did it. [0:20:30.0]
- When Dick knew that he had made it as a business owner. [0:24:50.0]
- Find out why Dick has never hired a single employee. [0:26:05.0]
- Why Dick’s biggest accomplishment was achieved in his first job. [0:26:50.0]
- The most prolific changes Dick has seen in the water treatment industry. [0:31:48.0]
- Why Dick applauds the stupid things that happen in the field. [0:34:30.0]
- Hear Dick’s advice for anyone starting out in the industry. [0:36:15.0]
- Where do you go to learn more about water treatment? [0:37:45.0]
- The first steps Dick takes in any troubleshooting process. [0:42:40.0]
- Questions from the mail bag! [0:52:00.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: “Almost none of us got into this business intentionally.” — @dhourigan [0:03:12.0] “I thought hiring an employee is either going to be the best or the worst thing I ever do.” — @dhourigan [0:26:05.0] “Anything that is worth doing, is worth doing well.” — @dhourigan [0:36:15.0] “It’s not what happens in our life that defines us, it’s how we respond to those things.” — @dhourigan [0:49:40.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Dick Hourigan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dickhourigan/ Dick Hourigan Inc – https://www.richardhouriganinc.com The Water Treatment Store – https://richardhouriganinc.com/sunshop/ Dick Hourigan on Twitter – https://twitter.com/dhourigan General Chemistry by Linus Pauling – http://amzn.to/2GW3Epr The Narrative of Life by Frederick Douglass – http://amzn.to/2BO3lNZ Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly – http://amzn.to/2BNnnIE Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly – http://amzn.to/2BhaDJ3 Uhlig’s Corrosion Handbook - http://amzn.to/2siDLN1
The One with Mark Lewis The most requested guest in Scaling UP! History! (Mark was the one doing all the requesting) Episode 31: Show Notes. It can be lonely out there as a water treater. Having friends you can count on is a must. Mark Lewis is that kind a friend to me. After meeting Mark over 12 years ago, we have encouraged each other to be better water treaters. In this episode, we are going to learn how Mark became a water treater. We will also hear how he started volunteering with the Association of Water Technologies and all the opportunities he was able to take advantage of because of this. Mark will let us know how everyone should approach AWT’s Technical Training and what the difference is between the Fundamentals and Applications Training and The Water Treatment Training. We will even talk a little about chillers. In fact, you will hear Mark answer questions I didn’t even ask. This is sure to be one of your favorite episodes as we talk a bit about everything. And, since I know you will be left wanting more, I have invited Mark back for another episode. Please enjoy my interview with Mark Lewis, CWT. Tweetables: “Getting on this show is harder than selling some pieces of water treatment business.” — Mark Lewis [0:01:50.0] “You are now asking your own questions?” — Trace Blackmore [0:26:17.0] “Saturation temperature is the refrigerant coming out of the condenser barrel going back into the economizer.”— Mark Lewis [0:34:42.0] “I shook Chuck Branvold’s pants and they ripped.” — Mark Lewis [0:44:25.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: AWT Technical Training Seminars: http://scalinguph2o.com/tt2018 CWT Exam Handbook – http://scalinguph2o.com/CWTExam Association of Water Technologies – https://www.awt.org/ It's How You Play the Game: The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith - http://scalinguph2o.com/itshowyouplaythegame Soul Keeping: Caring For the Most Important Part of You - http://scalinguph2o.com/soulkeeping Certified Water Technologist Certification – http://scalinguph2o.com/cwtinfo Mark Lewis on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56/ STEM TASKFORCE- The STEM taskforce is looking for some volunteers to help in the booth for a few hours each day. If you have children, bring them along, and enjoy the rest of the festival after your few hours are up in the booth. For more information on the USA Science and Engineering Festival you can visit their website at www.usasciencefestival.org. If you are interested in helping the AWT STEM taskforce, please contact Sara Wood. Her email is swood@awt.org or call her at 1-(240) 702-1671
The One with the 2018 Association of Water Technologies President, Marc Vermeulen Episode 30: Show Notes. On today’s show we talk to the 2018 president of the Association of Water Technologies, Marc Vermeulen. Marc tells us about his life from becoming a water treater to becoming the AWT president. We will also learn about specific items that you can take advantage of that the AWT is offering this year. AWT Technical Training: If you have listened to the show before, you know that I am proud to be a training with AWT for the Technical and Fundamental trainings. This episode talks specifically to what is offered at the seminars as well as how to get the most out of the seminars. Pinks and Blues: This segment of Pinks and Blue deals with a set of questions, not just one or two, around pH meters. I have complied a list of about 12 different and similar questions and talk about the pH meter to try to answer them all. We will talk about proper meter care, calibration procedure and many more items around the pH meter. Take a listen. Key Points From This Episode:
- 00:05 - Introduction
- 00:55 – AWT Technical Training Seminars
- 14:20 – Interview with Marc Vermeulen Introduction
- 16:10 – About Marc
- 17:40- CWT Certification
- 21:45 – International Business
- 23:55 – Biggest water treatment victory
- 24:43 – Biggest water treatment hurdle
- 26:11 – AWT presidency
- 28:42 – AWT board meetings
- 29:55 – AWT – technical
- 32:10 – Pure Water for The World
- 39:15 – AWT 2018
- 40:47 – AWT volunteers
- 43:20 – What one thing should we know about AWT?
- 44:50 – Lightning Round
- 51:35 – Pinks and Blues (Listener Questions)
- 52:45 – pH meter calibration
- 1:07:17 – How long should a probe last?
- 1:08:55 – What is the best pH meter?
- 1:11:07 – The necessity of a pH meter
- 1:12:21 – Alkalinity vs. pH meter
- 1:13:55 – Closing statements
- And much more!
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Scaling UP! Nation! Linked IN Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12074848 Marc Vermeulen Linked IN – https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-vermeulen-20416721/ Hawkstone Solutions – http://hawkstonesolutions.ca/ CWT Tips – http://scalinguph2o.com/cwt AWT Certification(CWT) - https://www.awt.org/certification/index.cfm AWT Technical Training = https://www.awt.org/education_events/technical_training.cfm AWT Technical Training Booklet - http://www.awt.org/pub/0d1c4ef7-afef-94eb-dc75-2286998dba10
The End of Year One about the CWT. Episode 28: Show Notes. On this year’s last episode of Scaling UP!, we will be talking again about the Certified Water Technologist Designation, CWT. I was only planning on doing 2 shows on the CWT, but with getting so much response from the Scaling UP! Nation!, I decided to do one more. Key Points From This Episode:
- A review of the last few weeks on the CWT. [1:52]
- Do I need to be a AWT member to become a CWT? [5:20]
- Is there a cost difference between in-person and remote examination? [6:05]
- What is a passing score on the CWT exam? [6:43]
- Can I use the CWT logo when I get certified? [7:02]
- Standardize test tips. [8:23]
- Helpful links to navigate the CWT process. [19:53]
- Sharing with your successes and challenges with your peers. [21:37]
- More questions. [23.02]
- Solve the problem about not having good light during running your tests. [23:43]
- Closing comments. [24:46]
- And much more!
Take the CWT Challenge: If you are going to be in this industry, why not be the best in this industry? I challenge you to start on the journey to getting your CWT. You may not get it tomorrow and it may be 5 years from now. The point is you are on your way to getting it. You’ve started. And one thing is for sure, you will never finish anything you never start. On last week’s episode I asked you to go to the Scaling UP! Nation’s Linked IN page and let everybody know the date you will take the exam. If you haven’t done that, I urge you to do so. Be sure to sign up for the 5 tips to help you with the examination. http://scalinguph2o.com/cwt Making your job easier: The mechanical is usually a place that has horrible light. Our tests results are based on interpretation of color changes that require good light. If you don’t have good light where you are, bring the good light with you. We have solved this issue with a small, portable and cost effective rechargeable LED light. It is small enough to fit in your tests kit without taking up too much space and provides good quality light (6500K.) After mentioning this light on show number 24, I have received dozens of questions about it. To better answer these questions, I have created a video to show you what it looks like: http://scalinguph2o.com/lightvideo. If you are interested in purchasing this light, I have set up an affiliate link to Amazon: http://scalinguph2o.com/light. The affiliate link adds no extra charge to you; however, Amazon does pay me a commission for the sale. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Scaling UP! Nation! Linked IN Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12074848 CWT Tips: http://scalinguph2o.com/cwt Jaytech – http://www.jaytech.com/ Pearson Vue – https://home.pearsonvue.com/ CWT Certification Information – https://www.awt.org/Certification/ CWT Exam Handbook – https://www.awt.org/pub/003E635F-0E09-48FD-2C6A-FF566C4E005B Why Become a CWT Presentation - https://youtu.be/1a7KAUr90kE The Value of a CWT - https://youtu.be/kz1ZM7ceRpY CWT Code of Ethics - http://ethics.iit.edu/codes/ethics-1.pdf Light Video: http://scalinguph2o.com/lightvideo
What To Expect From Your CWT Designation and Why You Should Get It With Andy Morcomb and Andy Williams. Episode 27: Show Notes. Today on the show, we welcome recently Certified Water Technologists, Andy Morcomb of Jaytech and Andy Williams of South Eastern Laboratories. We are continuing our series on how to become a Certified Water Technologist (CWT.) We invited the Andys on the show to hear about their experience with the CWT process, from start to finish. As you know from our previous episode (Episode 26) there are two different ways to take your CWT examination – digitally or on good old-fashioned paper. Andy Morcomb took his test remotely through Pearson Vue and in this episode, he shares with us all about this unique experience. We also find out how both Andy and Andy prepared for their exam and how the CWT has boosted their confidence in the industry. This episode is packed with helpful tips and insightful advice for taking your CWT exam. You will hear firsthand why this is exam is so valuable and how it can advance your role in the industry at large. It is important to know that you are not alone in this process and this episode is here to help you on the brave journey towards your CWT. It’s time to get out there and do it, so take a listen! [0:02:50.0] Key Points From This Episode:
- Find out how Andy M got into the water treatment industry. [0:03:10.0]
- What made Andy M decide to take the CWT exam. [0:07:00.0]
- Tips for navigating the CWT Handbook and other resources. [0:09:00.0]
- How to know when you are ready to take the CWT exam. [0:10:50.0]
- Registering for the CWT exam and advantages of taking it remotely. [0:12:15.0]
- How long does it take to get your CWT exam results? [0:17:00.0]
- The biggest lessons Andy M learn from taking the CWT exam. [0:22:30.0]
- What the CWT designation has done for Andy M’s [0:29:10.0]
- Re-applying for the CWT certification after five years. [0:33:50.0]
- Find out how Andy W got into the water treatment industry. [0:44:30.0]
- Andy W’s reason for taking the CWT exam. [0:49:30.0]
- Andy W’s experience and process of getting his AWT. [0:57:16.0]
- Find out how Andy W finds new water treatment business. [01:10:16.0]
- Keeping up with changes in the industry. [01:11:40.0]
- And much more!
Start your journey to becoming a CWT: The first thing you should do to start is to pick a date to take the examination. Once you have a date, you can work backwards to success! Once you pick a date, go to the linked In Page: Scaling UP! Nation! and tell the whole Nation! Then share your study plans, tips and the like so we can all help each other get the CWT. Tweetables: “You have to learn what your learning style is… And find the outlet for that material.” — Andy Morcomb [0:10:00.0] “If you study and spend the time in the industry, absolutely anybody who puts their mind to it can pass this test.” — Andy Morcomb [0:22:50.0] “What I would say to someone who is waiting to do the test, is you’re really missing out.” — Andy Morcomb [0:27:13.0] “I found, after taking the test, that I can solve a lot of problems that not a lot of water treaters can.” — Andy Williams [0:59:45.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Scaling UP! Nation! Linked IN Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12074848 Andy Morcombe – https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-morcomb-84b6b140/ Jaytech – http://www.jaytech.com/ Pearson Vue – https://home.pearsonvue.com/ South Eastern Laboratories – www.selaboratories.com CWT Certification Information – https://www.awt.org/Certification/ CWT Exam Handbook – https://www.awt.org/pub/003E635F-0E09-48FD-2C6A-FF566C4E005B Why Become a CWT Presentation - https://youtu.be/1a7KAUr90kE The Value of a CWT - https://youtu.be/kz1ZM7ceRpY CWT Code of Ethics - http://ethics.iit.edu/codes/ethics-1.pdf
The One That’s All About the CWT and Why There’s No Reason Not To Become A Certified Water Technologist (CWT) With Angela Pike. Episode 26: Show Notes. Currently on the show we are doing a multi-episode series on getting your Certified Water Technologist (CWT) designation. The CWT is the highest professional designation in the water treatment industry and is administered by the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). A CWT exam is a rigorous, 200-question, four-hour exam that water technologists can take after five years of experience in the industry. It may sound daunting, but having a CWT is a sure way to bump up your career and demonstrate your knowledge, ethics and commitment to the industry. In this episode, we are going to be exploring all things CWT together with Angela Pike, self-proclaimed queen and Senior Service Manager at AWT. Angela works directly with the committee responsible for the CWT and has since become a guru on the entire AWT process. Together, we’ll be delving into the reasons why you should get your CWT, how to get it, how to study for it, how to pass the exam (not test,) as well as what to do if you do not pass the exam and how to re-certify. We’re going to be providing some tips and advice to help you prepare and pass the exam the first time around. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new perspective on the value of a CWT certification and how to best go about the process. Take a listen! [0:00:16.0] Key Points From This Episode:
- Learn more about Angela’s role at the AWT. [0:04:22.0]
- Angela’s definition of a Certified Water Technologist. [0:05:49.0]
- Why is the CWT an important certification? [0:08:30.0]
- The elevated status that comes with having a CWT. [0:10:02.0]
- How to begin the process of becoming a CWT. [0:11:50.0]
- What to expect from the CWT exam. [0:15:25.0]
- Advantages of taking a computer-based exam. [0:18:19.0]
- Angela’s tips for passing the CWT exam. [0:21:02.0]
- When is the best time to take or re-take a CWT exam? [0:25:10.0]
- Find out what happens after you pass your CWT exam and hear Angela almost say “test” instead of “examination.” [0:26:50.0]
- How long does a CWT certification last for? [0:33:47.0]
- The CWT Continuing Education Unit (CEU). [0:37:04.0]
- Remember: Your CWT does not automatically re-certify! [0:43:35.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: “At the moment we are 10% CWT certified. I would like to see us at least be 25%.” — Angela Pike [0:06:45.0] “A CWT proves that you are knowledgeable and ethical… It’s a stamp of approval.” — Angela Pike [0:09:10.0] “We’re proud of the people that take this step and finish the process.” — Angela Pike [0:10:47.0] “The pass rate is typically one third of the class... Nobody said it was a simple exam but it’s well worth it.” — Angela Pike [0:17:08.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: CWT Presentation - https://youtu.be/1a7KAUr90kE CWT Exam Handbook – https://www.awt.org/pub/003E635F-0E09-48FD-2C6A-FF566C4E005B Association of Water Technologies – https://www.awt.org/ Certified Water Technologist Certification – https://www.awt.org/Certification/index.cfm Angela Pike on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-pike-63b8a513/
The One On Insurance and Liability in the Water Treatment Industry and Why We Need It, with Mike Highum. Episode 25: Show Notes. Our guest today is Mike Highum, Vice President of McGowan Insurance Group. McGowan is a trusted provider of insurance and risk management products and services across the United States. McGowan Insurance Group just received the AWT Supplier of the Year for 2016. Specialty protection includes Primary and Excess Liability, Pollution Liability, Professional/E&O, Executive Liability, Workers Compensation, Property and Fleet coverages. Complete risk analysis, loss prevention and claims management, as well as consulting services, are also provided. McGowan incorporates a collaborative approach that emphasizes client educational, along with delivering meaningful resources to equip clients with the necessary tools to manage risk. During the last few weeks I’ve had multiple people in the water treatment industry asking me questions about insurance, so I thought to bring in the professional. In this episode we’re talking about what we should be thinking about when it comes to insurance and liability to protect not only ourselves but also our business. Insurance. [0:00:28.0] Why would we talk about insurance on ScalingUP? Scaling UP! is not just water treatment and chemistry. It’s about all things that have to come into play for us to have a successful water treatment business. Unfortunately, there’s liability out there and we cannot protect ourselves from all liability. That’s why we have insurance. As a employee you will think, “If the company does well, I’ll do well” or “If I know more about the company and what they have to go through then I can do better job.” During this interview, think in this mindset and think how you can be a better water treater tomorrow than you are today, knowing more about your company’s liability risk. Insurance is not the sexiest topic however it’s something that every business needs to have and it’s one of the things, as a business owner, you need to know about. Key Points From This Episode:
- Mike tells us how he got into this industry he’s been in for 30+ years. [0:05:38.0]
- How McGowan Insurance Group has made a practice around the AWT. [0:06:37.0]
- What water treaters should be aware of with regard to insurance and risk management. [0:08:45.0]
- Defining what a certificate of liability is and the importance thereof. [0:10:21.0]
- Reasons why clients are purchasing insurance. [0:11:45.0]
- Instances where water treaters have said no to business because of higher insurance. [0:14:23.0]
- Why getting all the boxes checked can be so costly. [0:15:13.0]
- Three key areas water treatment business owners should be aware of when talking about insurance. [0:16:28.0]
- Areas water treatment technicians should be aware of when talking about insurance. [0:19:08.0]
- Documenting training, development, meetings held and practices adopted. [0:20:37.0]
- Insurance benefits for being a member of AWT or a CWT. [0:22:51.0]
- Mike tells us what opportunity we have with our insurance provider. [0:25:18.0]
- The core liability program comprising of three essential parts. [0:26:42.0]
- More areas of insurances available to us. [0:27:20.0]
- Reviewing and checking your policies every few months. [0:29:40.0]
- Comparing quotes and finding the insurance company that’s right for you and your business. [0:31:31.0]
- Knowing your business well enough to know whether you have the right insurance coverage. [0:35:08.0]
- Ways to start applying good practices in your business. [0:37:07.0]
- Find out why Mike would want to talk to his dad if he could talk to anybody. [0:42:13.0]
- And much more!
Today’s Questions: Pinks and Blues Can I get continuing education points for my CWT? [0:44:20.0] That’s my number one question! The answer is no, however, “we’re working on it” is really the right answer. Based on your interest on getting continuing education points, I did speak to the education committee. The issue is that they don’t know how to track it, meaning they don’t know how they prove that the listener actually listened to it? I will say that the podcast is a newer format for the education committee and they may not be totally familiar with that. I’m going to ask you to help me help you with this question and the Scaling UP! Nation! can come up with a way that the Certification Committee feels comfortable issuing these points. If you have any ideas, let me know. On an earlier show you mentioned resin cleaning, how do you do that? [0:46:44.0] I believe that show was the one I did with Bruce Ketrick and in the intro I spoke on water softeners and did a very brief operational explanation and then I went into some brief trouble shooting. There’s not really a simple answer to that, the simplest way to do that is to use some sort of resin cleaning product and put that into the brine tank so that you have that going into every brining cycle and that will help clean up the resin. To back up even more, what I’m talking about here is iron fouling and if I remember the episode, I was talking about the valance and that sodium has a +1 charge, calcium and magnesium have a +2 charge. The way we get the calcium magnesium off the resin with a +1 charge is that we put so much sodium in there that the resin starts getting rid of the calcium magnesium because we faked it out to think it had a higher charge. If we have iron on the resin with a +3 charge, sodium is not going to go in there and remove the iron that's in that resin hole, so how do we remove it? The resin cleaner should help promote getting some of that iron out, it won't get all of it but it will help with some. My advice is not to wait for the resin to become fouled but to start using that resin to keep that resin cleaner longer. Offline cleaning is when you put a whole bunch of cleaner in with the resin and then you have to agitate everything. So basically, you take a PVC wand and hook it up to a compressor and bubble through a very, long, tedious, boring process. You can manually clean the resin using that airline that I just described, or you can put a little bit of resin cleaner in as an ongoing basis and/or you can send the resin sample off to be analyzed. It’s sometimes easier to just replace the resin rather than cleaning it. You hear a lot about people job hopping these days, especially millennials. Do you have any statistics that talk specifically about how long people stay in the water treatment industry? [0:50:19.0] I want to say I don't have specific statistics that I have taken myself but I have heard Colin Frayne talk on this topic and he has said that throughout his career he has found, he’s a consultant an contributor to AWT and has been in water treatment for a while, that if somebody gets into water treatment and they stay for two years, they’re kinda hooked, they’re there for life. If people don't reach that two-year mark, they’re more apt to switch jobs and do something else. That make a lot of sense. For somebody brand new that’s coming into this industry, it can be overwhelming for some. If someone were to stick it out and learn all along the way, they get hooked. My advice is, for those new people out there. Keep doing what you're doing. This job is not going to come easy, this job is hard, but there will be a reward if you stay in this job. If you try to learn and be the best water treater you can be and make sure you’re better tomorrow than you are today, the more you're going to appreciate being here. That’s what speaks to what Colin has found out. Action Items Out There [0:53:20.0] Tweetables: “Your actions really not only impact you, but they impact the entire company.” — Mike Highum [0:19:53.0] “If we don't have it documented, we can’t prove that it ever happened.” — Trace Blackmore [0:22:34.0] “Don’t position your business to accommodate insurance; position your insurance to accommodate your business.” — Mike Highum [0:35:16.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mike Highum — http://www.mcgowaninc.com/ AWT — https://www.awt.org/ AWT Convention — https://www.awt.org/annualconvention17/ AWT Webinars — http://www.awt.org/education_events/webinars.cfm
It’s been a while since it was just the two of us on an episode. To fix that, I am only answering questions from the Scaling UP! Nation, for the whole episode. No guest, no rant from the host, just your questions. Truly, the show for you, by you. LSI, RSI, PSI Can you tell us more about LSI, RSI and PSI? (1:04) LSI, RSI and PSI are all scaling indices. Each tells us whether the water is scaling or non-scaling. Not if the water is scaling or corrosion. ALL water is corrosive. In 1936, Wilfred Langelier developed a calculation for predicting the pH at which water is saturated with calcium carbonate called pHs. The “Saturation pH” is the first step in all scaling indices. Saturation pH (pHs): 12.3-(log CaH + log Malk + (0.025xC˚) - (0.011x√𝑇𝐷𝑆))
-
LSI= pH – pHs
- Range: -3.0 – 3.0
-
0=Scaling
- <0=Non-Scaling
-
- Range: -3.0 – 3.0
-
RSI= (2 x pHs) – pH
- Range: 1 – 12
- <6=Scaling
-
6=Non-Scaling
- Range: 1 – 12
-
PSI= (2 x pHs) - pHeq
- pHeq= (1.465 x log Malk) + 4.54 (Paul, call me!)
- Range: 1 – 12
- <6=Scaling
-
6=Non-Scaling
AWT Help How can I go to AWT functions as a non-member and how do I convince my boss to join? (9:58) My advice is not to ask him to buy anything. Instead, tell him what you will bring back as a result of the event or membership. When you go to the event, go with the intent to not only learn, but the intent to teach. You will get more out of it and you will be able to bring back what you learned to your company. If you do this well, your boss will instantly see that value in your request. He will also be more open to sending you to other events.
- AWT Membership Information
- Technical Training
- The AWT Convention
Test Tips Can you please give us some more testing tips like you did for the calcium test and high iron? (13:49) Get to know your tests by learning all the interferences of each test by going to: Hach’s Water Analysis Handbook. Diluting the sample to below an inference ppm will allow you to run the test. However, you must remember to multiply your final answer to account for the dilution. In most cases you can dilute the offending interferer creating the issue. Boiler Inspections What do I need to tell my customer to make sure they are prepared for an upcoming boiler inspection? (18:33)
- Take a team approach to the boiler treatment program.
- Increase blowdown to remove the boiler sludge.
- Increase product feed to compensate for lower concentration in the boiler (since you have increased blowdown.)
- Add extra polymer to aid in sludge removal during increased blowdown.
- Allow for more than enough time for the boiler to cool before it is inspected.
- Pre-treat the boiler with the proper amount of products you want to maintain, then allow your pumps to maintain that concentration.
- Oh, bringing donuts to the inspection never hurts!
CWT Do I really need to get my CWT or LEED GA? (23:19) Getting a professional designation is completely up to you. My feeling is a professional designation gives you a multitude of benefits.
- It’s the affirmation that you obtained a base level of knowledge.
- It’s a credential that you can show customers and put on your business cards
- Gives you a goal to start leaning, an affirmation that you learned.
- LEED GA gets you back in the mode a studying and taking standardized tests
- CWT
- LEED GA
Iron and Copper Why should we run copper and iron in cooling towers and closed loop systems? (27:10) More data allows for better decisions. Copper and iron can give you information directly related to your water treatment program. Keep in mind many of your tests won’t give you an answer, but rather a question. Exploring the question is where the magic happens.
- Blackmore Enterprises consulting
ORP What is ORP? (34:37) ORP is Oxidation / Reduction Potential
- Oxidation is the loss of electrons or an increase in oxidation state.
- Reduction is the gain of electrons or a decrease in oxidation state.
We normally use ORP as a means to feed and maintain oxidizer. Oxidizers are chlorine, bromine, ozone, clorine dioxcide, hydrogen perioxide… My advice is not to worry so much about the mv ORP reading, but rather the consistent or stable ppm of what you are feeding. Microbicides What is the best biocide to use in a cooling tower? (41:22) (Micro)Biocide is very system dependent and issue dependent, this question does not have a general answer. Knowing about all the microbicides you have available to you and how they work may help. Biocide Article Biocide Matrix Helping Scaling UP! How can we help you? (45:28)
- Keep sending me questions
- Tell others about the show
- Share episodes
- Subscribe to the show
- Review and write comments on the show
- Continue to listen to the show (without listeners, there is no show)
- Connect with me on LinkedIn (Trace Blackmore) (Scaling UP!)
Test Kit Can you tell us what’s in your test kit? (48:36) Here it is: Hardware
- Myron L 6p
- DR 900 (20 vials)
- UV Pen
- Digital Titrator
- ATP Meter
- Temperature Gun
- Refractometer
- Fluorimeter
- Erlenmeyer flasks
- 500 ml sample bottles
- Channel locks
- 10 ml and 50 ml graduate cylinders
- 60 ml syringe with filters
- Emersion heater
- Flashlight
- Portable desk lamp
- Trash Bag
- Phone (service report, calculator, charts, tables, instructions…)
Software
- Azole
- P, M and OH alkalinity
- Chlorides
- Copper
- Iron
- Hardness (total)
- Phosphate (ortho)
- Sulfite
- Nitrite
- Silica
- DI water bottles for rinsing and diluting
Magnetite What is magnetite? (56:39) The technical answer is 3 iron and 4 oxygen molecules. The water treatment answer is the glorious dark grey or black substance on boiler tubes.
| 3Fe | + | 4H2O | → | Fe3O4 | + | 4H2 | | iron | water | magnetite | hydrogen |
It is a passive form of corrosion that inhibits corrosion. It is only formed in high pH, low oxygen environments. Show topics Why do you not just talk about core water treatment topics like how to run tests? (60:00) My goal is to cover every aspect of water treatment. I always look at water treatment as a job that is never boring because of all of the things you can learn. So it is only natural the show would mirror that. My other goal is to make the information, which I have had to seek out to find, easier for you to find and learn. This show was only possible because you sent in questions for me to answer. THANK YOU!
Knowing what to do in an emergency situation with Lt. Rob Pendleton Episode 23: Show Notes. Our guest today is Lt. Rob Pendleton of the Snellville, GA Police Department. Snellville, GA is located about 35 miles north of Atlanta, GA. In the aftermath of the Las Vegas shootings, we are all asking ourselves what we can do. Many cannot think of a good answer to that question. It is my hope that we can take the information discussed in today’s episode and keep ourselves safer and more aware. Lt. Pendleton has spent his adult life learning about how to keep others safe at his own peril. In this episode he condenses years of experiences, training and reading into real life information that we can use to keep ourselves safe and think through any emergency situations. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ScalingUp! Podcast – http://scalinguph2o.com/ The Snellville, GA Police Department - http://www.snellville.org/police-department ALERRT and CRAS - https://alerrt.org/page/CivilianResponse
Connecting Water Treaters Around The Globe and Why The Water Treatment Industry Should Continue To Learn, Share And Laugh With James McDonald. Episode 21: Show Notes. Our guest today is James McDonald. James has been in the water treatment industry since 1997 and is a Chemical Engineer by degree with a Master’s from the University of Louisville. After college, James worked for an environmental compliance company, doing environmental assessments for the likes of the FAA and various army bases. Later James went on to work for Crown Solutions and today is also a much loved committee chair at the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). Interestingly, after many years at Crown Solutions, his next job at Chem Aqua, was discovered via a LinkedIn advertisement pop-up seeking a Corporate Engineer. Most of you out there are on LinkedIn and LinkedIn is probably dominated in the water technology community by James McDonald. James spends a lot of time on social media, specifically his LinkedIn page. But when we have so much work to do already, is social media really worth it and what are the rewards? James loves the work he does and loves sharing it with other people, so today we hear James’ story, his role in the AWT, how LinkedIn has helped him connect hundreds of water treaters around the globe and why we should continue to keep learning a little bit every day and share our knowledge even more. Take a listen! [0:03:20.0] We also answer questions from listeners on Pinks and Blues. Key Points From This Episode:
- About James and his career and history in the water treatment industry. [0:03:46.0]
- How James became a well-rounded water treater with a rich knowledge bank. [0:05:51.0]
- Reaching a knowledge plateau in the water industry. [0:07:13.0]
- James’ book and philosophy of Learning Drop By Drop. [0:08:45.0]
- James’ thoughts on the use of PTSA in water treatment today. [0:11:20.0]
- What James loves and hates about the water industry. [0:14:10.0]
- How James maximizes his LinkedIn profile. [0:16:59.0]
- Learn more about James’ Industrial Water Treatment Group. [0:20:14.0]
- Meet Detective H2O. [0:20:55.0]
- Projects James is involved in within AWT. [0:24:03.0].
- Advice to new people approaching the water treatment industry. [0:28:10]
- Current goals and objectives of the AWT committee. [0:29:10]
- The value of an AWT membership. [0:30:13.0]
- Key strategies James uses to look for or find new business. [0:33:26.0]
- Taking on new challenges to expand your knowledge and learn new skills. [0:35:22.0]
- Resources for young professionals coming into the industry. [0:37:18.0]
- Learn, share and laugh! [0:41:23.0]
- And much more!
Today’s Questions: This person just switched hardness test manufacturers and the softener used to be soft all the time with the old manufacturer. Now it’s hard all the time. So is something wrong with the softener or with the test kit? [0:45:05.0] Here at Blackmore Enterprises, we had that exact same thing happen. We were using manufacturer A and the softener was soft all the time. Then we switched to manufacturer B and it was soft some of the time, but a lot of the times we were getting that red tinge to the hardness test, and as those of you know out there in the ScalingUP! Nation, a soft sample is nice and blue and if it has a red color to it, then that indicates hardness and then we add the EDTA to it as a titrant until it grabs all that hardness and then turns it blue. So in a softener situation, as soon as we put the buffer in there and the indicator in there, we want that sucker to be nice and blue. Well, we thought that the softener was malfunctioning, and it actually was. The only reason we found that out was because the test that we then started buying with manufacturer B actually was able to test to a smaller degree, less than a ppm. The other test was only testing down to 2 or 3 ppm and we actually worked with somebody and we sent those off and actually had an independent lab measure those using a different method and we actually found that out, that one of the test manufacturers was able to get that lower. So it might be your tests are working fine, but they’re only working in the limits that they are able to work in. What we did when we did that, we found out that we were actually putting hard water in when we thought we were putting soft water in with the other manufacturer, Manufacturer A, and that actually explained some of the readings that we were getting where we were losing alkalinity on occasion and things like that. The water was still clean, but everything didn’t add up and then we found that when we were testing with this lower range test kit that we were actually leaking over some hardness. So I say this because the boilers, in order to be soft, need to be less - actually I think it’s supposed to be less than half a ppm. So if your test kit’s only testing 2 or 3 when it says it’s soft, that’s several times higher than half a ppm. So make sure you know what your test kit is actually doing and even in the same manufacturers, they have different ranges. So if one drop equals 10 parts, that’s probably not good when you’re titrating. That’s probably not good enough for a softener. You probably want to figure out either how to change the sample size, or maybe change the test kit so you can get that to a really fine amount. But then also realize that your test that you’re using may not go as low as you think it goes. Trace, what do you do for fun? [0:49:05.0] I am a scuba dive instructor. That is my passion. I absolutely love being under water. It is the most therapeutic thing that l can think of. Underwater you can fly around like Superman. You want to go up, go up. You want to go down, go down. You can bank left, bank right, it’s totally awesome. I love it so much, and you out there in the ScalingUP! Nation know that one of my passions is teaching, so I actually teach scuba diving to other people and try to get them to enjoy it as much as I do. Teaching scuba diving has made me a better instructor when it comes to water treatment, because when you’re teaching somebody that they’re not going to die, you learn how to deal with people at a different level. Because everybody’s scared that there’s no air underneath that water, and you’ve got to convince them that if an emergency or if a situation happens under water, you can deal with it underwater and not panic and go up to the surface because once you have all that pressure under you under water and then you get up too quickly and that pressure is gone, you can actually hurt yourself. So, to answer your question, I don’t even have to think about it; what I do for fun is I scuba dive. I know Mark Lewis has been brought up on this show. Mark Lewis and I scuba dive together, so there you go. It’s fun for water treaters to get together. You know, we’re working in water and now we’re playing in water too. So we just have a whole life that talks about water, or deals with water. Which is better: LSI, RSI or PSI? [0:51:45.0] So for those of you out there in the ScalingUP! Nation that don’t know what those letters stand for, there’s the Langelier Stability Index, the Ryznar Stability Index, and the Practical or sometimes called Puckorius Scaling Index. So, better is not a work that I really like, but I understand why you ask it. Better is an opinion. All of them are the same thing. What they deal with is when calcium carbonate comes out of solution or goes into solution. We’re either precipitating or we are dissolving, if you will. Right in the middle where neither of those has happened, is called the saturation pH. That’s the equation that all of these different scales use and then they do something with it to make it unique, and then they can name it something else. LSI takes the saturation pH and what you do is you take the system pH and you subtract the situation pH from it to get LSI. The range from that is -3 to 3. Anything above 0 has a scaling tendency. Anything below 0 has a non-scaling tendency. We know water is the universal solvent, i.e. water is corrosive. Now some water might be more aggressive than others, depending on what’s dissolved in it, but that being said, all water is corrosive. The RSI take the saturation pH times 2, and then subtract the system pH. That is a range between 0-12 and anything above 6 has a non-scaling tendency and anything below 6 has a scaling tendency. The PSI takes the station pH and multiples by 2, but then subtracts the pH of equilibrium, then add 4.54. The scale is 0-12, above 6 is a non-scaling tendency and below 6 is a scaling tendency. Now, you get to choose which is best for you. We at Blackwater Enteprises use RSI, and the only reason we use it is because that’s what my father used and that’s what he taught me, and that’s what I’m used to. Tweetables: “As long as you keep learning more each day all the guys that started where you did will never catch up.” — @JamesMcDonald89 [0:07:30.0] “PTSA should be a guidance and should be checked on a regular basis.” —@JamesMcDonald89 [0:11:35.0] “The most important part of my job is telling bad, bad jokes.” — @JamesMcDonald89 [0:12:35.0] “You sell yourself by your qualities and the value you bring.” — @JamesMcDonald89 [0:16:34.0] “A water treater is a lonely job. Water treaters are often hungry to connect.” — @JamesMcDonald89 [0:20:14.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: ScalingUp! Podcast – http://scalinguph2o.com/ Association of Water Technologies (AWT) Website – https://www.awt.org/ Chem Aqua Website – http://chemaqua.com/ Chem Aqua on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/475270/ Industrial Water Treatment Facebook Group – https://www.facebook.com/IndustrialWaterTreatment/ AWT Young Professionals & SEED Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1377068122547724/ Detective H2O – https://sites.google.com/site/industrialwaterscience/detective-h2o James McDonald on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcdonald-pe-cwt-%F0%9F%92%A7-9760328/ Industrial Water Treatment on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/groups/4155017/profile James McDonald on Twitter – https://twitter.com/JamesMcDonald89 Industrial Water Science – https://sites.google.com/site/industrialwaterscience/
Join me for the final day at the 2017 AWT Convention as I take you though the exhibit hall taking to guests.
Join me as I virtually take you through the 2017 AWT Convention Hall. I speak with attendees and vendors to let you know what it is like to attend.
Day 1 of the 2017 AWT Convention. Unfortunately, I am traveling and not recording interviews as I had planned. Darn that Hurricane Irma!
How The Water Treatment Industry is Evolving and the Changes That Come With It with Jack Walker. Episode 15: Show Notes. Our guest today is Jack Walker, CEO of WaterTech Specialties Incorporated. Jack is also one of the founders of The Association of Water Technologies. WaterTech is a family-owned and operated business. They pride themselves on the diversity of their customer base, from small family businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Truly, they are small enough to care and large enough to make a difference. In this episode we’re talking about what changes Jack has seen throughout his lifetime, what it was like for him transitioning his company to his children and what he thinks about water treatment in general. We also talk about some things to think about when the season change and answer listener questions on “Pinks and Blues.” Season Changes. When seasons start to change you need to look at making changes to your programs. For instance, chiller and cooling tower cleaning. If your customer doesn’t have filtration on their cooling tower, they should be cleaning their cooling tower a minimum of twice a year. It’s easier to keep a clean system clean than it is to clean up a dirty system. There has to be a synergy with mechanical i.e... cleaning and chemical. Whenever there is a season change it’s also recommended that legionella testing be done. Any equipment upgrades or maybe you have to change some product dosing, you need to think of all those things next time you go to service your accounts, now that you’re in a different weather pattern. Key Points From This Episode:
- Jack’s accolade of Water Technologist of the Year 2017 by AWT. [0:06:55.0]
- Jack tells us how he started in the water treatment industry. [0:07:54.0]
- Hear about Jack’s goals when he started his company. [0:10:34.0]
- Understand what Jack looks for when hiring employees. [0:12:51.0]
- How Jack manages the company as a successful family business. [0:16:07.0]
- The importance of having an interest in what you’re doing. [0:17:53.0]
- Discover why you need to understand the industry in order to make decisions. [0:21:00.0]
- Tips on leaving a business gracefully and not burning your bridges. [0:25:10.0]
- Hear how sales have evolved to networking and how your approach needs to change. [0:32:10.0]
- Some of the biggest changes Jack has seen in the water treatment industry over the years are chemicals and communications. [0:36:29.0]
- Find out about some of Jack’s failures in business and what he learnt from those failures. [0:41:35.0]
- Learn why Jack loves having the ability to help resolve problems in the water treatment industry. [0:45:31.0]
- Discover how Jack discerns in giving away free information and helping other water treaters. [0:50:30.0]
- The important of being well trained in the water treatment industry. [0:57:28.0]
- Hear more about AWT in the infant stages back when it first started. [0:59:25.0]
- Jack tells us how he got involved with AWT and what his experience has been like. [1:00:45.0]
- Listen as Jack explains how many different people and situations have taught him what he knows about the water treatment industry. [1:04:00.0]
- Understand how some people are applicators in the industry. [1:05:00.0]
- What Jack has learnt through his journey with AWT. [1:06:05.0]
- The advice Jack would give people starting in the water industry is to know the industry really well. [1:09:35.0]
- Why once you think you know something, it’s all over . [1:14:30.0]
- Picking an industry you’re comfortable with. [1:19:30.0]
- And much more!
Tweetables: “If you don’t have an interest in the long term, it’s not going to work.” — Jack Walker [0:17:53.0] “You need to be focused on one thing, one industry.” — Jack Walker [0:42:19.0] “Whatever you do, make sure you make referrals and talk to someone in the same industry.” — Jack Walker [0:52:39.0] “When you’re sending new people out, make sure that they’re trained at least well enough so it looks good on the company.” — Trace Blackmore [0:57:28.0] “If we’re all better then people are going to look at the industry better.” — Trace Blackmore [0:59:05.0] “Most of us are applicators; we are not scientists.” — Jack Walker [1:05:35.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Jack Walker — http://www.watertech.net/ AWT — https://www.awt.org/ AWT Convention — https://www.awt.org/annualconvention17/ AWT Webinars — http://www.awt.org/education_events/webinars.cfm IWC Conferences — http://www.iwcconferences.com/
Several listeners have asked for help on how to use Microsoft's OneNote. Download it for free: OneNote For help, please view this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h07qZLLQc4I
Just a quick reminder about the Scaling UP! Meet UP! on Thursday for Breakfast. Don't forget to get your Scaling UP! button. And, in an effort to help your drive, I have created this list of songs that will help get you to your next account. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.
The AWT Convention, or any convention for that matter, can be scary. Walking around the exhibit hall and not knowing anyone or not knowing which presentation to go to can cause anxiety. On today’s show we talk about how to get the most out of a convention while dealing with these two issues. Join Trace as he talks about tips and tricks he has learned throughout the years to make this your best convention ever!
Our guest today is Bruce T. Ketrick Jr., president of the Association of Water Technologies. Bruce began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative and later a technical trainer. Bruce's career in water technologies started 13 years ago with Guardian CSC. During his employment with Guardian CSC he has held various positions including Field Service Representative, Sales Management, and Business Manager. Bruce has been involved in the creation and management of new companies and divisions including: EnvoGuard an environmental products company, KTS (Ketrick Technical Services) a custom blending, specialty products, technical support and consulting company, and the Equipment Division of Guardian CSC offering design, installation and support of industrial water technologies equipment with a focus on controls, reverse osmosis, pretreatment and filters. We also talk about water softeners and answer some listener questions in “Pinks and Blues.” Episode 14: Show Notes Our guest today is Bruce T. Ketrick Jr., president of the Association of Water Technologies. Bruce began his career in the pharmaceutical industry as a sales representative and later a technical trainer. Bruce's career in water technologies started 13 years ago with Guardian CSC. During his employment with Guardian CSC he has held various positions including Field Service Representative, Sales Management, and Business Manager. Bruce has been involved in the creation and management of new companies and divisions including: EnvoGuard an environmental products company, KTS (Ketrick Technical Services) a custom blending, specialty products, technical support and consulting company, and the Equipment Division of Guardian CSC offering design, installation and support of industrial water technologies equipment with a focus on controls, reverse osmosis, pretreatment and filters. Bruce earned his BS in Biology from Juniata College and holds the CWT (Certified Water Technologist) designation. In this episode Bruce is sharing with us how to get involved in associations such as AWT. He’s also telling us what’s going on in the association, what one can expect from the association, how he got involved and where he sees AWT going in the future. We also talk about water softeners and answer some listener questions in “Pinks and Blues.” Water Softeners Water softening is a technique that serves the removal of the ions that cause the water to be hard (or form scale,) in most cases calcium and magnesium ions. Iron ions may also be removed during softening. A water softener is a unit that is used to soften water, by removing the minerals that cause the water to be hard. If you’ve ever taken a softener apart you’ll notice that it has resin beads inside. The purpose of the resin beads is to provide an exchange surface for ion. The ions we’re specifically talking about is calcium and magnesium.The resin is full of sodium and we’re putting it online and we’re putting hard water through it. This hard water contains calcium and magnesium and it’s flowing through across the resin bead. The resin bead wants the calcium and magnesium so it spits off the sodium and collects the calcium and magnesium until there’s no more sodium for it to trade. Once that happens, we start passing hard water again which isn’t the purpose of the water softener. Now we have to go through the process of regeneration. The resin is also acting as a filter. In order to regenerate to softener you have to follow five steps. The first step is to backwash where we reverse the flow. The next step is brining, brine travels through the salt storage area up into the resin tank. Step three is the slow rinse, where we flush hard minerals and brine from the resin tank into the drain. The fourth step is the fast rinse, the same as the slow rinse, just faster. It packs down the resin beads to make sure there’s no channeling. The final step is refilling the brine tank. Now that you have a water softener you have to make sure you test properly for it. Key Points From This Episode: • How Bruce found himself in the business of water treatment. • Hear more about the dynamic of second and multi-generational businesses • Why flexibility and decision making is both a positive and a negative for business owners. • The importance of listening and asking questions in order to learn. • Common mistakes made by water treaters. • What holding the CWT designation means for Bruce. • Hear about Bruce’s journey starting out in the AWT and his rise to president. • Understand Bruce’s tasks during his leadership year as president of the AWT. • How the AWT is laser focused on the water treatment industry. • Find out why decisions made at the AWT are made on the benefit and values of membership. • Discover the purpose and mission of the AWT. • Resources being spent on online fundamentals by the AWT. • Identify how a new water treater can take advantage of offerings by the AWT. • Tools and resources being made available through the AWT. • Hear more about the upcoming AWT Convention taking place in Grand Rapids, Michigan. • And much more! Tweetables: “If you’re not changing and growing all the time, you’re not going to succeed.” — Bruce T. Kenrick Jr. [0:21:32.0] “The presidential year is actually more of a leadership year.” — Bruce T. Kenrick Jr. [0:38:36.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Bruce T. Ketrick Jr. — https://www.awt.org/ Bruce on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-ketrick-jr-cwt-9b11189/ Guardian CSC — https://guardiancsc.com/ AWT Convention — https://www.awt.org/annualconvention17/ AWT Webinars — http://www.awt.org/education_events/webinars.cfm Inc. Magazine — https://www.inc.com/ The Harvard Business Review — https://hbr.org/
Several listens have asked how they can easily be informed to when their favorite podcast, Scaling UP! comes out with a new episode. In this mini episode I explain how to “subscribe” using services like ITunes for IPhones and Sticher for Androids. Subscribing alerts you when a new episode of Scaling UP! comes out so you can start listening! It's Magic! To make it even easier, check out the buttons below every post that send you directly to ITunes and Sticher. If you want more information, below are some YouTube links to demonstrate how to easily subscribe to Scaling UP! How to subscribe to a podcast on the Itunes App (IPhone) How ti subscribe to a podcast on ITunes (Mac) How to subscribe to a podcast on Sticher (Android)
Marketing and Mentorship in the Water Treatment Industry with Michelle Farmerie. Our guest today is Michelle Farmerie. Michelle is the daughter of Jay Farmerie and the Marketing Director for GLA Water Consultant, Inc. Michelle has also become more involved in the water treatment industry by joining various AWT committees. Most significantly, she has taken lead of the Young Professionals Group whose purpose is to help solidify the future of the AWT. Michelle also participates in annual Training Seminars to continue to learn more about the water treatment industry and to better understand actual hands-on operations that take place at customer sites. On today’s episode Michelle tells us more about what she’s doing with AWT, the marketing side of the water treatment industry, and we are answering some questions. Episode 12: Show Notes Our guest today is Michelle Farmerie. Michelle is the daughter of Jay Farmerie and the Marketing Director for GLA Water Consultant, Inc. Michelle has also become more involved in the water treatment industry by joining various AWT committees. Most significantly, she has taken lead of the Young Professionals Group whose purpose is to help solidify the future of the AWT. Michelle also participates in annual Training Seminars to continue to learn more about the water treatment industry and to better understand actual hands-on operations that take place at customer sites. On today’s episode Michelle tells us more about what she’s doing with AWT, the marketing side of the water treatment industry, and we are answering some questions. Heat Transfer Efficiency Manager. You are a heat transfer efficiency manager. Everything you do is a sub product from making sure the equipment you are treating is effective discharging that heat as efficiently as it possible can. If you do your job correctly, you are making sure that it is the most cost effective way of transferring that heat on the equipment that you’re treating. If you are not doing your job correctly that heat has to transfer through some sort of insulator meaning that we have to flow more water through the system, meaning that we might have to use more energy in that system and it’s not being effective. Your job above all else is heat transfer efficiency management. If we’re heating something we’re putting heat in and we’re taking it to a place where we need it. still making sure we’re managing all the transfer of that heat. where we’re putting it in where we need it. When we’re cooling, we’re removing heat. We’re taking the heat out of a place where we don’t want it, we’re flowing it through our equipment and we’re discharging it to a place where we don’t care about it, normally that’s the atmosphere. Key Points From This Episode:
- Michelle tells us about what she does as the Marketing Director at GLA Water Consultants.
- Hear as Michelle tells us about GLA being a family business that her father started.
- Learn how Michelle grew up in the industry with memories of hanging around the lab with her father on weekends and learning about elements from a young age.
- How you can provide yourself as a resource and create relationships with your customers to better market yourself and your business in this industry.
- Listen how to acknowledge people with more experience than yourself in order for them to respect you more as a young person in the industry.
- Understand how to provide the best customer service possible by making sure everything across the line is the same.
- Discover what Michelle absolutely loves about the water treatment industry.
- Michelle tells us how the water treatment industry is vital and is fast becoming one of the biggest industries.
- Hear why Michelle least likes the money part of the industry.
- Learn how AWT foundations training and the Scaling Up podcast are being used as tools to market the industry and inform people more about it.
- Find out what Michelle does at AWT with the young professionals group and young professionals task force.
- Listen as Michelle explains how AWT has helped develop different industry tools such as The SEED Program.
- Understand how Michelle wants to grow SEED by reaching out to schools all over the country.
- Discover why The Harry Potter series are the last books that Michelle has read.
- Michelle tells us that she would want Sandra Bullock to play her in a movie about her life.
- Hear why Michelle would want to sit down with Jesus.
- And much more!
Tweetables: “I have found from growing up in this industry, I am a pro at the periodic table, I know all the elements.” — @auntieseashell [0:12:03.0] “When you have everything synced together it really helps.” — @auntieseashell [0:16:40.0] “What’s the old saying, people don't care what you know until they know that you care.” — Trace Blackmore [0:20:21.0] “Most people consider their service working out of their test kit but it’s really working with that customer.” — Trace Blackmore [0:21:06.0] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Michelle Farmerie — http://glaconsultants.com/ Michelle’s Email — michelle@glaconsultants.com Michelle on Twitter — https://twitter.com/auntieseashell AWT Convention — https://www.awt.org/annualconvention17/ AWT Webinars — http://www.awt.org/education_events/webinars.cfm SEED project — https://www.awt.org/education_events/student_education_enhancement_development_program.cfm
We take a closer look at service reports. The service report is a legal document AND it is a direct link to everything you did or didn't do on-site. Many of us do not give the service report the respect it deserves. Far too often when I consult with other water treatment companies, I see lacking service reports. Use the service report to enhance the value you give to that account.