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Scaling UP! H2O

Scaling UP! H2O

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The podcast where we scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems.

Find out why working in Industrial Water Treatment is the best job in the world.

Hear industry experts share their knowledge and stories.

Learn about technologies, methods, and career journeys.

Join podcast host Trace Blackmore, former AWT President, LEED, and CWT every Friday for a new episode.
370 Episodes
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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: Follow the instructions in THIS link to Nominate a Speaker to TED  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 Copy this podcast episode link (scalinguph2o.com/325) in the “Please provide links to online video or audio featuring the proposed speaker” section *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?  
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 Workbook by Kathleen Edelman I Said This, You Heard That (2nd Edition) 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?  
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 I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring by Kathleen Edelman  
/*! 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  
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
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   
“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 “Ah
“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.   
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