Scaling UP! H2O

The podcast where we scale up on knowledge so we don't scale up our systems.Find out why working in Industrial Water Treatment is the best job in the world.Hear industry experts share their knowledge and stories.Learn about technologies, methods, and career journeys.Join podcast host Trace Blackmore, former AWT President, LEED, and CWT every Friday for a new episode.

Scaling UP! H2O is a education podcast hosted by scalinguph2o.com, with 504 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

scalinguph2o.com hosts Scaling UP! H2O, a education show with 504 episodes published.

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  Episode #474

  489 Copper-Silver Ionization Technology and Legionella Control with Tory Schira

  Aug 14, 202640 min

  Copper-silver ionization offers building operators a persistent approach to Legionella control—one designed to carry an active disinfectant residual throughout complex plumbing infrastructure. LiquiTech CEO Tory Schira explains how the technology works, what operating data matters, and why successful implementation requires more than installing equipment. How Copper-Silver Ionization Works Copper and silver ions are introduced through a flow chamber containing sacrificial electrodes. A controlled electrical charge releases the positively charged ions into the water, allowing them to travel through the plumbing system and reach areas where biofilm and Legionella may grow. Tory describes the ions as independently biocidal but more effective when working together. Copper weakens the bacterial cell wall, while silver gains greater access to the cell and disrupts the bacteria. Unlike traditional oxidants that can decay with time and temperature, copper and silver ions remain persistent across hot and cold building water systems. Designing, Monitoring, and Controlling the System Proper design begins with engineering data. The deployment team evaluates whether treatment should be installed on the hot-water recirculation loop or at the building's cold-water point of entry. Peak demand, water consumption, conductivity, and pH also influence system sizing and operation. Tory outlines target ranges of 0.1–0.8 ppm copper and approximately 30–80 ppb silver. Real-time monitoring tracks ion introduction, while samples collected from distal locations help verify distribution. Those samples are analyzed by an independent laboratory using ICP-MS testing under EPA Method 200.8. Water Management Plans Must Match the Control Method Changing a building's disinfection method should trigger a review of its water management plan. Tory cautions that many plans remain too generic and fail to define method-specific target ranges, corrective actions, and root-cause analysis procedures. The conversation also examines lessons from pandemic-era building stagnation. LiquiTech used connected-system data to identify low-flow areas and guide more targeted flushing, demonstrating how water-use visibility can strengthen operational decisions. Persistent Legionella positivity should not automatically be accepted as control. Water professionals must define success clearly, verify distribution, and align technology, monitoring, and corrective actions with the desired water-safety outcome. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace Blackmore opens the second week of Legionella Awareness Month and explains why copper-silver ionization must operate within a broader water management plan. 04:20 — Trace highlights the Legionella Resources page, including materials from the CDC, World Health Organization, and previous podcast guests. 07:30 — Trace explains how episode discussion guides help teams turn podcast insights into practical workplace conversations and action items. 09:00 — Words of Water with James 10:50 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals include the WaterPro Conference, the ASPE Convention and Expo, and Industrial Water Week. 13:30 — Trace begins his interview with Tory Schira, CEO of LiquiTech, about copper-silver ionization technology and Legionella control. 14:20 — Tory traces LiquiTech's history and explains how copper-silver ionization was adapted for building water systems. 15:10 — Tory explains why the persistence of copper and silver ions supports their distribution through complex plumbing systems. 16:00 — A flow chamber containing sacrificial electrodes releases copper and silver ions into the water to provide systemic disinfection. 17:20 — System design begins by choosing between hot-water recirculation treatment and cold-water point-of-entry treatment. 18:10 — Tory describes how positively charged copper and silver ions work together against bacterial cells. 19:30 — Tory explains LiquiTech's focus on using copper-silver ionization to control Legionella in potable water systems. 21:30 — Real-time monitoring and distal-site sampling help verify ion output and distribution throughout a building. 22:30 — Tory identifies the target copper and silver concentrations used to guide system performance. 24:10 — Copper-silver ionization is compared with oxidizing disinfectants that can decay over time and at elevated temperatures. 26:10 — Tory discusses deployment data from Legionella-positive environments, including facilities that previously tried other control methods. 28:40 — Changing a disinfection method should trigger a refresh of the facility's water management plan. 30:20 — Tory explains why generic water management plans may lack the treatment-specific corrective actions needed for stronger performance. 31:10 — Pandemic-era data revealed building stagnation patterns and helped teams identify locations that needed targeted flushing. 33:00 — Future monitoring capabilities may improve visibility into water age, stagnation, temperature, sediment, and other Legionella risk factors. 34:10 — Tory challenges water professionals to define what successful Legionella control means rather than accepting persistent positivity. 35:20 — Compact, custom-designed systems may provide an option for facilities with limited mechanical-room space. 36:00 — Tory shares partnership opportunities for water treatment companies that value integrity and higher performance standards. 37:40 — Trace summarizes the interview's central lessons: persistence matters, every building is different, and proper system design is essential. 38:50 — Trace reminds listeners to consult their water management plan and program team before adding or modifying a disinfection technology. Connect with Tory Schira Phone: 630-693-0500 Email: tory@liquitech.com Website: https://liquitech.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tory-schira-9530a19/ Guest Resources Mentioned LiquiTech — Copper-silver ionization and building water safety solutions LiquiTech Copper-Silver Ionization System — Technology for controlling Legionella in building water systems EPA Method 200.8 — Determination of trace elements in water using ICP-MS EPA Lead and Copper Rule — Official information concerning the 1.3 mg/L copper action level EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations — Federal drinking-water standards and treatment requirements NASA: Water Treatment Systems Make a Big Splash — Background on Apollo-era copper and silver ionization technology NASA: Nine Ways NASA Is Solving Water Problems Around the Globe — Overview of NASA's early use of silver-ion water purification NASA: Water Management System and an Electrolytic Cell — Historical technical document about silver-ion water sterilization The following studies support the technical discussion but were not identified by title during the episode. Examining the Efficacy of Copper-Silver Ionization for Management of Legionella in Building Water Systems Experiences of the First 16 Hospitals Using Copper-Silver Ionization for Legionella Control Intermittent Use of Copper-Silver Ionization for Legionella Control Controlling Legionella in Hospital Drinking Water: An Evidence-Based Review of Disinfection Methods Disinfection of Water Distribution Systems for Legionella Controlling Legionella Using Copper-Silver Ionization Maintaining Legionella Control in Building Water Systems Controlling Legionella pneumophila at Reduced Hot-Water Temperatures Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses The Rising Tide Mastermind Water You Know with James McDonald Today's definition is the flaky oxide layer that forms on the surfaces of iron and steel when they are heated and cooled during hot fabrication. Do you know the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

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  Episode #468

  488 Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root

  Aug 7, 20261h 11m

  "Our goal is not zero Legionella pneumophila bacteria. Our goal is zero cases." – Patsy Root Legionella risk becomes harder to manage when building teams treat every detection as equivalent—or collect samples without first deciding what a positive result will trigger. Patsy Root , Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water , explains how a clear water management program can replace uncertainty with defined responsibilities, routine monitoring, and proportionate action. Focus Testing on the Organism of Concern Patsy distinguishes between the broader group of Legionella species and Legionella pneumophila, the organism she recommends prioritizing during routine monitoring. She reviews research indicating that detecting non-pneumophila Legionella does not automatically mean L. pneumophila is present. That distinction matters operationally. Remediation can require significant time, money, facility disruption, and lost revenue. Testing targets and corrective actions should reflect public-health risk rather than a generalized fear of any Legionella detection. The goal is management, not eradication. A well-designed program aims to prevent disease while recognizing that completely eliminating the organism from every water system is not realistic. Define the Response Before Sampling Questions about routine monitoring remain among the most common Patsy receives: Where should samples be collected? How often should testing occur? Which laboratory and method should be used? What actions should follow a positive result? When reviewing a positive laboratory report, determine whether L. pneumophila was detected, its concentration, how many locations tested positive, and whether those locations are clustered or distributed throughout the building. Then compare the findings with the action limits and response procedures established in the water management program. Testing without a response plan can create unnecessary confusion. Likewise, writing a program does not protect a facility unless the assigned monitoring, flushing, temperature checks, chlorine residual measurements, documentation, and corrective actions are consistently completed. Connect Water Treatment, Exposure, and Ownership A conventional water treatment program designed for heat-transfer efficiency does not automatically address every public-health exposure route. Building teams must consider where people could encounter aerosolized or otherwise unsafe water—not only whether treatment chemistry is operating as intended. Patsy uses a milk-jug analogy to explain building ownership. Farmers, processors, transporters, and grocery stores maintain milk until it is purchased. Once the customer brings it home, however, that customer becomes responsible for storing it safely. Likewise, once water passes through the meter, the building owner becomes responsible for maintaining its quality. A comprehensive water management team may require a decision-maker with financial authority, a water treatment professional, plumbing expertise, maintenance and facilities personnel, and representatives from housekeeping, kitchens, or infection prevention where applicable. Communication with the public water system can also provide essential context about the incoming water source, seasonal temperature, distribution conditions, and disinfection. For water professionals advising building owners, the leadership challenge is translating risk information into repeatable actions that every responsible person understands and can sustain. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:00 — Trace Blackmore shares how Legionella Awareness Month began in 2020, why the topic continues to evolve, and why these episodes remain among the podcast's most downloaded and shared. 04:56 — Trace introduces returning guest Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water, and revisits her appearances in Episodes 403 and 434. 06:25 — Interview with Patsy Root about Legionella pneumophila testing, effective water management programs, professional education, and building-water responsibility. 08:50 — Patsy explains why Legionella education remains necessary six years after the pandemic highlighted the risks associated with reopening stagnant building water systems. 10:40 — Foundational Legionella education should be adapted to an audience's experience, responsibilities, and understanding of microbiology. 13:35 — AWT conferences and professional communities connect new practitioners with experienced professionals whose field knowledge may not appear in books or technical papers. 16:10 — Patsy explains how professional collaboration helps the industry reassess long-standing assumptions about Legionella species and focus more precisely on L. pneumophila. 20:20 — Patsy discusses how CWT and ASSE 12080 certifications are understood outside the water treatment industry and why credentials should be evaluated alongside experience, references, and work products. 23:20 — Research from KWR, the World Health Organization, and the Journal of Hospital Infection challenges the use of non-pneumophila Legionella as an indicator for L. pneumophila. 27:10 — Patsy distinguishes water management from eradication and explains why the objective should be zero disease cases rather than zero Legionella bacteria. 29:40 — Legionella longbeachae is associated primarily with soil, potting mix, and compost, illustrating why professionals must consider the environmental context of published research. 31:20 — Routine monitoring questions—where, when, how, and what to test—remain the questions Patsy receives most frequently from facility teams and water professionals. 32:30 — Sustainable implementation depends on teaching everyone responsible for the program what to do and why each activity matters. 34:30 — Patsy challenges the belief that avoiding Legionella testing eliminates risk and explains why routine verification remains necessary even when treatment measures are in place. 37:10 — A conventional water treatment program may support heat-transfer efficiency without addressing every point where people could be exposed to unsafe water. 38:40 — Patsy shares the milk-jug analogy to explain why a building owner becomes responsible for water quality after the water passes through the meter. 42:00 — Patsy discusses the regulatory gap surrounding water inside many buildings and the need for persistent education, communication, and outreach to building owners. 46:20 — Legionella requirements are beginning to appear in insurance policies as insurers and building owners recognize the financial consequences of outbreaks. 48:40 — Accurate outbreak reporting should explain transmission, exposure routes, risk factors, and reliable sources of public-health information without creating unnecessary panic. 51:20 — Patsy outlines how to interpret a positive laboratory result by reviewing the organism, concentration, number of positive locations, distribution, and established action limits. 54:00 — Sampling should not begin until the facility knows how it will respond if Legionella is detected. 55:30 — A cross-functional water management team should include financial authority, water treatment knowledge, plumbing expertise, facilities personnel, and representatives familiar with potential exposure areas. 58:30 — Stronger collaboration between public water systems and building water management teams can clarify incoming water conditions and each party's responsibilities. 1:02:00 — Patsy answers four Legionella Awareness Month questions about management, trusted resources, common implementation failures, and the value of focusing on L. pneumophila. 1:04:00 — Trace shares the episode discussion guide and the Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Library for professionals reviewing the topic with their teams. 1:07:00 — Words of Water with James McDonald Quotes "It's important to have everybody at the table, make sure everybody understands not only what they're doing, but why they're doing it." "Don't test the water for Legionella bacteria until you know what you're going to do if it comes back positive." "The housekeeping person's not going to think like the plumber, and the plumber's not going to think like the infection person, and the finance person's going to think differently, too." "Having a water management program does not absolve you from the daily or weekly activities that are required to be done. It must be done for it to be effective." Connect with Patsy Root Phone: (207) 523-0835 Email: patsy-root@idexx.com Website: IDEXX: Overview | LinkedIn LinkedIn: Patsy Root | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned World Health Organization — Legionella and the Prevention of Legionellosis CDC Toolkit: Developing a Legionella Water Management Program ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 188-2021: Legionellosis—Risk Management for Building Water Systems KWR Publication: The Right to Effective Legionella Prevention—Section 7.4.4 begins on page 54 Compulsory Screening for Legionella pneumophila and Legionella spp.—Journal of Hospital Infection Water Research Foundation: Occurrence of Legionella pneumophila in Drinking Water Distribution Systems The Analyst — AWT publication and archive for water treatment professionals Certified Water Technologist — CWT professional designation Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Library 403 Navigating the New Frontier: Patsy Root on Legionella Legislation 434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root 435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the sodium salt of hypochlorous acid and is most commonly known as liquid bleach. 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

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  Episode #487

  487 The 60‑Minute CFO: Tracy Bech on Making Business Finance Less Scary

  Jul 31, 20261 hour

  "Our gross profit margin is truly the battle we have to win in order to win all of the downstream wars." - Tracy Bech Financial statements become useful when leaders can translate the numbers into decisions. Tracy Bech , founder and author of 60 Minute CFO , explains how business owners, managers, salespeople, and field professionals can develop financial fluency without becoming accountants. Turn Financial Data into a Meaningful Scorecard Tracy teaches finance through stories and relationships rather than isolated numbers. Revenue alone does not reveal whether a company is financially healthy. Leaders need ratios that show how efficiently the company earns money, whether it can meet its obligations, and how prepared it is to withstand adversity. Her three foundational measures are gross profit margin, liquidity, and safety. Gross profit margin shows what remains after the cost of producing a product or delivering a service. If that margin is too low, the company may not have enough money to cover operating expenses and generate a net profit. Liquidity compares current assets with current liabilities, revealing the company's ability to pay its bills. Safety compares debt with equity and helps leaders understand the company's financial resilience and capacity to obtain financing when needed. Move From Historical Reports to Forward Planning Tax preparation and year-end reports explain what already happened. However, financial fluency allows leaders to use that history to forecast what should happen next. Tracy outlines three stages: learn the key ratios, understand the difference between cash and profit, and use historical results to develop forecasts. Instead of simply accepting the final score, leaders can establish financial targets and create specific marching orders for pricing, sales, expenses, hiring, and growth. Give Teams Metrics They Can Influence Financial planning should not remain confined to the executive team. Salespeople and technicians can provide valuable information about customer responses, operational friction, pricing, quality, rework, referrals, and service delivery. However, Tracy cautions leaders against sharing financial information that employees cannot control. Teams benefit most from clear measures connected to their work, such as proposals won, project margins, pricing discipline, accurate service, reduced callbacks, customer reviews, and referrals. Financial visibility also strengthens succession planning. Owners preparing to exit can improve their position by optimizing financial ratios, protecting the balance sheet, exploring future growth opportunities, and developing the next generation of leadership. Understanding the story behind the numbers helps water treatment professionals evaluate risk, communicate priorities, and make decisions that support long-term stability. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace Blackmore shares what listeners can expect during Legionella Awareness Month, including a weekly series addressing Legionella and other waterborne pathogens. 03:20 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals: Trace highlights the 2026 AWT Technical Training, taking place November 11–14 in Frisco, Texas. 05:40 — Words of Water with James 08:40 — Interview with Tracy Bech , founder and author of 60 Minute CFO and business finance educator and strategist, about making business finance less intimidating and developing financial fluency. 11:30 — Tracy explains why business finance often feels overwhelming and how simple calculations and relatable stories make financial concepts easier to understand. 13:20 — Financial performance becomes a team scorecard that helps technicians and employees understand how their work contributes to the company's health. 16:40 — Finance terminology can create communication gaps, leaving otherwise successful owners uncertain about retained earnings, working capital, and cash flow. 21:50 — Tracy explains why profit is essential for serving customers, supporting employees, and keeping a business financially sustainable. 23:30 — Gross profit margin emerges as a critical measure because it determines whether enough money remains to cover operating expenses and generate profit. 25:50 — Liquidity and safety help leaders evaluate whether the company can pay its bills, manage debt, and withstand financial adversity. 33:10 — Tracy presents three steps toward financial fluency: learn the essential ratios, understand cash versus profit, and use historical performance to forecast the future. 35:20 — Leaders can improve execution by establishing a clear destination while allowing their teams to identify obstacles, opportunities, and necessary adjustments. 38:10 — Open-book management works best when employees receive financial metrics they understand and can directly influence. 40:00 — Field professionals affect financial results through accurate work, fewer callbacks, controlled expenses, positive reviews, and customer referrals. 41:10 — Business owners can begin improving their financial fluency by reviewing the previous month's income statement and balance sheet and confirming that the information is accurate. 44:00 — Understanding the numbers helps leaders balance growth and stability while making informed decisions about profit, debt, equipment, and owner distributions. 47:10 — Tracy explains how owners preparing for retirement can strengthen financial performance, protect the balance sheet, and develop future leaders. 50:30 — Tracy encourages business leaders to give finance another chance, discover the story behind their numbers, and recognize financial fluency as a learnable skill. Quotes "Your business cannot exist without profits and you owe it to your customers and you owe it to your employees to have profits." "But when you get your strategies and you understand why things went the way they went, now you actually create your forecast and your marching orders." "The best time to plant the tree was 20 years ago, and the next best time to plant the tree is today." "I think that honestly, this is easier than you think." Connect with Tracy Bech Email: tracy@60minutecfo.com Website: 60 Minute CFO LinkedIn: Tracy Bech | LinkedIn Guest Resources Mentioned 60 Minute CFO The Great Game of Business, Expanded and Updated: The Only Sensible Way to Run a Company by Jack Stack (Author), Bo Burlingham (Author) Grow Up Fast: Lessons from an AI Startup by Zach Rattner (Author), Rita Sus (Illustrator) Power vs. Force: The Hidden Determinants of Human Behavior by Ph.D. Hawkins, david R., M.D. (Author) Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) AWT 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition means "water loving" and refers to substances that are attracted to water. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

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  Episode #485

  486 Meter Optimization: Air in the water with Anthony Giudice

  Jul 24, 202645 min

  Water meters register the volume passing through them, but what happens when that volume contains both water and entrained air? Anthony Giudice , president of AquaFlow , explains how turbulent flow can influence meter readings and how AquaFlow's calibrated valve is designed to help meters reflect what he describes as true water consumption. Why Flow Conditions Matter at the Meter Anthony connects entrained air to the pressure required to move municipal water and the turbulence created as water travels through piping, changes direction, and encounters shifting demand. Because a conventional meter cannot distinguish between water and air within that volume, he says the resulting air-water mixture can contribute to overreading. The valve addresses the condition from the customer's side of the property. Installed immediately after the meter, it creates a slight backpressure intended to establish laminar flow upstream while compressing the entrained air rather than removing it from the system. Calibration, Placement, and System Conditions Each valve is calibrated for its specific meter and operating environment. Anthony explains why valves cannot simply be exchanged between meters of the same size and describes a dual-spring design that responds to changing pressure throughout the day. Available sizes range from three-quarter inch to 32 inches, supporting applications from residential service to power plants, data centers, manufacturing facilities, and cooling tower systems. Trace and Anthony also examine an important secondary-metering question: where should a valve be installed when cooling tower makeup and bleed meters affect water and sewer billing credits? The answer depends on the measurement objective. Teams must first identify which meter they want to optimize and how any downstream reading affects utility calculations or sewer credits. Measuring Results Beyond the Utility Bill A lower invoice alone does not prove that a valve is performing. Facility activity may change substantially from one billing period to another. Anthony recommends a measurement and verification reconciliation using 12 clean pre-installation months, the installation month, and at least three clean post-installation months. Consumption should then be normalized against an operating unit such as cars washed, hotel guests, or stadium attendance. A car wash example demonstrates the distinction. Recorded consumption changed from 16.03 gallons per car before installation to 13.13 gallons per car afterward. That per-unit comparison provided a clearer performance indicator than the total bill, which could rise or fall with the number of vehicles served. Careful meter selection, operating data, and normalized analysis help water professionals evaluate this technology without confusing reduced recorded consumption with changes in production or occupancy. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:20 — Trace Blackmore Shares: Reflections on Episode 485's listener-submitted questions, ways to suggest future topics and guests, and learning resources available at ScalingUpH2O.com. 05:00 — Words of Water with James: James McDonald challenges listeners to identify the term for the distribution ratio of a volatile substance between the steam and liquid phases. 07:20 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals: Trace previews the 2026 AWT Convention and Expo, the American Chemical Society Expo, and August's Legionella Awareness Month programming. 10:40 — Interview with Anthony Giudice, President of AquaFlow: Anthony introduces water-meter optimization and explains how entrained air can affect recorded water consumption. 12:50 — Anthony explains how municipal pressure, pipe length, changing demand, and directional changes contribute to turbulent flow and entrained air. 14:00 — Trace raises a practical question about secondary metering for cooling-tower makeup and bleed water. 16:00 — Anthony explains the valve's placement on the customer's side of the meter and connects its operation to Bernoulli's principle, the Venturi effect, and Boyle's law. 18:20 — Anthony distinguishes AquaFlow's dynamic, meter-specific valve from conventional pressure-reducing and check valves. 20:00 — Anthony clarifies that the device compresses entrained air—not water—and describes what happens after the mixture passes through the valve. 21:00 — Anthony discusses reported payback periods, 316L stainless-steel construction, certifications, installation time, trial terms, valve sizes, and industrial applications. 23:50 — Anthony connects water-meter optimization with property value, water-hammer reduction, booster-pump protection, and possible carbon-credit opportunities. 28:30 — Anthony explains how visual demonstrations and measurement and verification reconciliation can document performance more reliably than invoice comparisons alone. 30:50 — A car-wash example demonstrates why gallons per vehicle provide a clearer performance measure than total monthly consumption. 32:50 — Trace and Anthony revisit cooling-tower submetering to determine valve placement when sewer credits are involved. 36:10 — Anthony outlines the site survey, meter-specific calibration, recommended valve location, and typical installation process. 38:50 — The conversation explores possible applications for creating laminar flow in blood, eggs, oil, gas, and other fluid-handling systems. 41:20 — Anthony directs listeners to AquaFlow's website and homepage demonstration for more information. 42:20 — Trace explains AquaFlow's 90-day trial offer for the Scaling Up Nation, including discount code H2O750 and the additional money-back guarantee. Quotes "Meters, unfortunately, people don't like to hear this, but they're designed to register volume. Volume is anything that passes underneath the meter." "Each one is specific to that meter. You can't just start, even if they're the same size, you can't just start switching them around." "We're not compressing water. We're compressing the entrained air in the water." "It was 16.03 gallons of air and water. When the valve was installed, it forces a true water consumption reading of 13.13 gallons." Connect with Anthony Giudice Phone: 19544156973 Email: tony@aquaflow.com Website: AquaFlow – Reduce Water Bills with Smart Water Valves LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbe750/ Guest Resources Mentioned AquaFlow – Reduce Water Bills with Smart Water Valves International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol Bernoulli's Equation Venturi Theory Boyle's Law NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Testing and Certification IAPMO R&T Water Systems Certification Kiwa NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 Certification Siemens Process Instrumentation Honeywell Flow Meters Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a measure of the tendency of a volatile substance, such as a neutralizing amine, to remain in the steam phase. It is defined as the ratio of the concentration of the substance in the steam phase to its concentration in the liquid phase. Can you guess the word or phrase? 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

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  Episode #483

  485 Questions from the Nation Around the World with Trace Blackmore, CWT

  Jul 17, 20261h 6m

  Ten questions from water professionals around the world become a practical decision-making session with Trace Blackmore, CWT . Drawing on earlier Scaling UP! H2O conversations, Trace explains how to evaluate treatment changes, use emerging tools responsibly, begin water reuse projects, strengthen teams, and continue growing professionally. Evaluate the Entire System A proposed treatment change should be evaluated by more than its purchase price. When comparing chlorine dioxide with traditional chlorine, Trace recommends examining biocide consumption, chemical storage, corrosion rates, biofilm control, heat-transfer efficiency, cleaning requirements, downtime, labor, equipment life, and Legionella risk. A documented pilot on one tower can provide evidence before a facility commits to a larger investment. Water reuse decisions require the same discipline. Before introducing treated wastewater or cooling tower blowdown into another application, characterize the water, calculate current and projected costs, identify regulatory requirements, and determine compatibility with the existing treatment program. Starting with a blended approach or limited pilot can help a team test feasibility while managing operational risk. Use New Tools Without Surrendering Professional Judgment For technicians exploring AI, Trace recommends beginning with approved, nonrestricted data. Service reports and controller data can help an AI platform organize information, identify subtle trends, prepare meeting summaries, and improve the wording of recommendations. However, AI output still requires verification. Company data policies must come first, and technical recommendations should be reviewed against field experience, trusted references, and knowledgeable mentors. Product changes also demand controlled testing. When evaluating maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors, Trace recommends laboratory compatibility testing, careful review of the order of addition, temperature and shelf-stability checks, and a low-risk field pilot. Corrosion coupons, system cleanliness, dosing performance, and historical results can then be compared before expanding the program. Strengthen Teams, Goals, and Professional Growth The listener questions also address turnover, accountability, education, and industry involvement. Trace explains how behavioral assessment can support job fit and team communication, while weekly accountability, visible goals, time blocking, and lead-measure tracking can make a 12-week plan more achievable. He also reflects on how his MBA and DBA studies have influenced his strategic thinking, data-based decisions, leadership, and approach to scalable systems. The discussion closes with the value of continuing education, professional certification, trade association membership, committee participation, and relationships that provide support when difficult field problems arise. These answers offer practical starting points for making better technical, operational, and professional decisions—while knowing what evidence to gather before recommending change. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace introduces ten questions submitted by Scaling UP! Nation members around the world, connecting earlier episodes to current field decisions. 04:40 — Upcoming industry events highlight opportunities for water professionals to plan ahead, network, and continue learning. 06:10 — August's focus on Legionella and waterborne pathogens prepares listeners for a month of specialized technical education. 07:00 — Industrial Water Week returns October 5–9 with daily episodes and new Detective H2O segments. 07:40 — Trace explains how to build a business case for chlorine dioxide by tracking operating costs, system performance, and total ownership value. 14:30 — A beginner's roadmap for AI shows technicians how to analyze trends while respecting company data policies and verifying results. 23:30 — Water quality, current costs, regulations, treatment compatibility, and stakeholder involvement frame an initial cooling tower reuse assessment. 29:30 — Laboratory testing, order of addition, stability checks, and field pilots reduce risk when evaluating maleic acid-based corrosion inhibitors. 34:10 — Trace connects Culture Index with turnover reduction, better hiring decisions, improved communication, and stronger job fit. 40:20 — Weekly accountability, visible goals, calendar blocks, and lead measures help route-based professionals execute a 12-week plan. 45:30 — Characterization, regulatory review, plant tolerance, and a limited pilot provide a practical path for reusing cooling tower blowdown. 49:00 — Episodes 441–445, discussion guides, transcripts, and team-led conversations can support structured technical training. 52:40 — Trace reflects on how his MBA and DBA studies influence systems thinking, leadership, scalability, and data-based decisions. 58:20 — AWT membership, CWT certification, committee participation, training, and professional relationships offer value to water treaters worldwide. Quotes "And then I would look at the total cost of owning this equipment, not just the cost of buying the equipment." "AI can be incorrect. So, if it tells you something, the bottom line I want to tell you is fact check to verify." "And the last thing that comes to mind is maybe you start off with a pilot instead of the entire program. And maybe you start out with a blended approach instead of an all or nothing approach." "You'll be amazed at how having somebody that is interested and holding you accountable will make you make better decisions when you need to make decisions." "And also, I'm hoping that it creates a model where I just didn't stop learning at my CWT." Connect with Scaling UP! H2O Submit a show idea: Submit a Show Idea LinkedIn: in/traceblackmore/ YouTube: @ScalingUpH2O Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned 12 Week Year AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea Ep 405 - Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability Ep 418 - Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish Ep 420 - Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing Ep 422 - Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis Ep 424 - Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson Ep 441 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Pretreatment Monday Ep 442 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Boiler Tuesday Ep 443 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Cooling Wednesday Ep 444 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Wastewater Thursday Ep 445 - Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday Ep 446 - Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish Ep 447 - Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen Ep 456 - The 12 Days of Scaling UP! H2O 2025 Ep 457 - 2026: A New Year with New Intentions Ep 459 - From Wastewater to Resource: Water Reuse with Dr. Veronika Zhiteneva Ep 474 - Questions from the Scaling UP! Nation about Trace 2026 Events for Water Professionals Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE . This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

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