Podcasts about Water treatment

Your water supply comes from various sources and can contain naturally occurring elements. Understanding what's in your water is the first step to proper water treatment from softening to filtered drinking water. Jon Owens of AquaZona Kinetico details where to get reports on your local water and what water treatment can do to improve home use. Plus a new reverse osmosis system that's more efficient and space saving that traditional systems. Broadcast archive page with expanded content https://rosieonthehouse.com/podcast/on-the-house-hour-advancements-in-water-treatment-with-aquazona-kinetico/

 When a water treater can run a test but cannot yet diagnose a failing system, the next training decision matters. In Growing Through Change with Mark Lewis, Part 2, Mark Lewis of CRB Water joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to connect training choices with work in the field.   Match Training to Experience Mark sees the space between AWT's March and November training sessions as a chance to revise material instead of repeating the same presentation. He explains how Fundamentals and Applications, Program Designs and Operations, and Technical Training serve different levels of readiness. His informal progression from "water tester" to "water technologist" gives managers a way to judge skills by the work someone can handle, not simply years in the industry. He also urges professionals to stay within their expertise when a system is unfamiliar. Managers can help people advance by pairing technical instruction with recognition and constructive feedback.   Give neglected accounts the attention they need Returning to the neglected accounts discussed in Episode 141, Mark describes how responsibility can sit with the water treater or the customer. A monthly visit may leave too much time for a broken valve, feed issue, or empty chemical drum to go unnoticed. First, learn how much time the customer can give the program. Then agree on practical checks for pumps, controller lights, and chemical inventory. If the account needs more attention, Mark suggests offering additional visits or equipment maintenance at a clearly priced service fee.   Use technology - and check what it tells you  Mark traces his shift from basic timers to remotely monitored controllers, PTSA probes, ORP control, and tank level sensors. For him, the advantage is seeing program behavior between visits and planning before a problem becomes a customer call. Yet he still checks level sensor readings against what is in the tank. That judgment carries over to AI. Mark and Trace discuss how a tidy report can mislead when it compares only the first and last conductivity readings while missing the fluctuations between them. The underlying data still need a professional's review.   Keep Learning Mark recommends the AWT Technical Reference and Training Manual and experienced mentors. He also asks listeners to consider where they want to be in five or ten years and begin taking steps toward it now. Better training, closer attention to account needs, and honest interpretation of data help water professionals decide where they are ready to lead and where they still need to learn.   Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!   Timestamps 05:00 — Trace and Mark consider the revised technical training schedule and how time between sessions can improve course material. 07:50 — Mark explains how to choose training by a person's current knowledge and responsibilities, rather than tenure alone. 09:30 — Mark urges water treaters to recognize the limits of their experience before taking on an unfamiliar system. 11:30 — Technical instruction, recognition, and constructive feedback all play a part in developing a colleague. 14:00 — Mark recommends the AWT Technical Reference and Training Manual as a resource to study and understand. 19:00 — Trace revisits Episode 141 and its lessons about neglected accounts for new water treaters. 20:00 — Mark distinguishes problems a vendor has overlooked from equipment issues a customer has left unresolved. 22:30 — Simple checks between visits can help customers notice problems with controllers, pumps, and chemical inventory. 23:40 — Mark explains why the value of added service should be considered alongside its fee. 26:40 — Remote monitoring gives Mark information he can use to plan service before a customer calls about a problem. 27:30 — Mark describes how PTSA probes and other controls have changed the way he manages a program. 32:20 — Mark explains why protecting test kits from moisture matters for field instruments. 33:10 — Mark cautions water treaters to verify a level sensor's reading against the tank. 34:50 — Mark raises the need to check the information behind an AI response. 37:40 — A report based on two conductivity readings can miss the fluctuations between them. 39:40 — Mark names a temperature gun as a useful test kit tool because temperature affects how water behaves. 40:50 — Mark asks listeners to choose a five- or ten-year goal and begin working toward it now. 43:40 — Trace invites listeners to take part in Industrial Water Week, October 5–9.   Quotes "you can't change the beginning, but you can change the end." "Today I realize that I have limitations and it's okay to say no."   Connect with Mark T Lewis Phone: 7043225406  Email: marktlewis@comporium.net  Website: CRB Water  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56     Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea   141 The One About Neglected Accounts   This episode is made possible through our valued partners at: 

Is Data Center Water Use a Threat to Your Town, or the Money Its Water System Has Been Waiting For?Data center water use has become one of the loudest arguments about AI, from the one-bottle-per-prompt claim to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick arguing both sides on The Daily Show. So I looked into where that water goes, what the tech giants' promises are worth, and how smart towns make the AI boom pay for better water systems.With insights from Ralph Exton, Executive Director of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), which founded the Water-AI Nexus Center of Excellence with Amazon and other partners.

Send us Fan MailAlthough the need to defend the networks, data and endpoints of critical infrastructure dates back to the first time a PLC was connected to an HMI, the realization of how damaging such a compromise could be was probably Stuxnet.And while we've progressed enough to typically spot an unknown or malicious player armed with a suspicious USB, the threat landscape has expanded, and the bad actors have evolved.Combining those factors with a lack of funds, training, expertise and resources has opened the doors to ransomware groups and state-sponsored hackers to infiltrate, shutdown or compromise infrastructure operations across the globe, and more recently, across the United States.These growing threats were recently on display when over 100 water treatment facilities across 12 states experienced temporary shutdowns due to breeches believed to have been carried out by Iranian hacking groups. Here to discuss the rise in these attacks, and what they mean in the broader scope of industrial cybersecurity is Jen Sovada, General Manager for Public Sector initiatives at Claroty.Listen as we discuss:The blocking and tackling of OT security that has become vital in defending critical assets on any plant floor.How Watershed 250 is working to help utilities protect their OT infrastructure.How the ongoing IT/OT divide is hurting new cybersecurity initiatives.The proper implementation of strategies like microsegmentation, artificial intelligence tools.How, despite all the challenges facing industrial cybersecurity, she can still sleep at night.To catch up on past episodes, you can go to Manufacturing.net, IEN.com  or  MBTmag.com. You can also check Security Breach out wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Amazon and Overcast. And if you have a cybersecurity story or topic that you'd like to have us explore on Security Breach, you can reach me at jeff@ien.com.As a go-to podcast for our listeners, we want to help you align your brand with our expertise. By sponsoring our podcast, your brand will build trust, and your message will stand out to an audience searching for tools to assist their cybersecurity efforts. Click Here to Become a Sponsor.To catch up on past episodes, you can go to Manufacturing.net, IEN.com or MBTmag.com. You can also check Security Breach out wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Amazon and Overcast. If you have a cybersecurity story or topic that you'd like to have us explore on Security Breach, you can reach me at jeff@ien.com.

Change is unavoidable, but uncertainty does not have to control how water treatment professionals respond to it. Mark Lewis returns to share what he learned when Southeastern Laboratories was acquired by CRB Water—and how employees can remain valuable, informed, and open to opportunity during a business transition.    Navigating an Acquisition from the Employee's Perspective  Southeastern Laboratories began exploring a buyer because its owners wanted to protect the company and approximately 30 employees. When CRB Water entered the picture, employees naturally wondered what would change and how those decisions would affect their careers.  Mark explains how CRB Water's "do no harm" approach helped employees navigate the transition. Although changes to compensation, insurance, expenses, and operating practices required adjustment, the acquisition also brought additional resources and access to larger corporate accounts that may not have been available through a smaller organization.  His practical advice is direct: ask questions, understand the business, examine the available data, and keep an open mind. A change in ownership can create discomfort, but it may also expand what employees and their territories can accomplish.    Becoming an Asset Before Change Arrives  Professionals cannot always control when a company is sold, but they can control the value they bring to the organization. Mark encourages water treaters to strengthen their technical knowledge, return from training with something useful, understand how the business operates, and close gaps in their performance.  That mindset makes an employee valuable to both the current organization and any future owner. It also replaces fear with preparation. Instead of waiting for uncertainty to pass, professionals can become better account managers, technical resources, and business contributors.    Leadership Through Service and Preparation  Mark also reflects on his years of service with the Association of Water Technologies, including committee leadership, board service, and his term as AWT president. Effective association leadership, he explains, requires preparation, sound judgment, and a willingness to do the work behind every meeting and decision.  His receipt of the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award reinforces another leadership lesson: professional success is rarely built alone. Mark credits the people who taught, challenged, and trusted him throughout his career.  The conversation closes with lessons from rebuilding AWT's Fundamentals and Applications training. Strong instruction begins with a sound foundation, a clear explanation of why, and the confidence to speak from experience rather than simply read from a slide.  Growing through change requires curiosity, preparation, and trust in the value you continue building. Whether facing an acquisition, serving an association, or teaching the next generation, professionals move forward by staying open, asking better questions, and investing in others.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:20 — Trace reflects on the AWT Convention and how simple conversation starters helped water professionals expand their networks.  04:00 — The Hang on October 1 offers a free opportunity to reconnect with convention contacts and continue building industry relationships.  05:00 — Trace challenges water treaters to break out of routine by changing how they observe, test, and approach customer systems.  07:30 — The AWT Technical Training Seminar, scheduled for November 11–14 in Frisco, Texas, gives professionals another opportunity to strengthen their technical foundation.  09:30 — Industrial Water Week runs October 5–9 with daily themes and opportunities to celebrate the profession with teams and customers.  12:10 — Returning guest Mark Lewis explains that Southeastern Laboratories was acquired by CRB Water, beginning a new professional chapter.  13:10 — Trace and Mark revisit the AWT connection that developed into more than 20 years of friendship and professional collaboration.  17:30 — Mark outlines why Southeastern Laboratories' owners began researching a buyer and how employees initially responded to the uncertainty.  18:50 — CRB Water's "do no harm" approach helped employees understand that the acquisition was intended to support people and grow the business.  20:10 — Mark describes how the larger organization opened access to corporate accounts and resources unavailable to a smaller company.  22:30 — Mark explains why an acquiring company values the customer base and the representatives who maintain those relationships.  25:40 — Trace and Mark discuss how employees can prepare for ownership changes even when leadership has not shared the full plan.  28:00 — Mark reflects on his previous AWT roles and explains why trust, service, and a willingness to contribute led to greater responsibility.  31:30 — Board service requires a serious time commitment, preparation, and a willingness to make decisions affecting AWT's future.  35:20 — Mark encourages professionals to begin serving AWT through committee involvement and grow their understanding of the association.  37:00 — Mark reflects on receiving the Ray Baum Memorial Water Technologist of the Year Award after first setting that goal in 1998.  41:00 — Trace and Mark revisit the rebuilding of AWT's Fundamentals and Applications class and the importance of teaching from a strong foundation.  45:00 — Mark explains why presenters create stronger connections when they speak from knowledge and experience instead of reading their slides.    Quotes  "Ask questions and understand that at the end of the day, if the company is successful and you're part of that success, you're going to be successful." "Don't be scared of change. Don't be scared of doing things a little different ways."  "To be the best Mark that I can be will make me valuable to my current company as well as the next company that I work for." "Take everything life has to offer and have fun with it." "Always ask the why. If someone tells you something, ask them why."   Connect with Mark T Lewis Phone: 7043225406  Email: marktlewis@comporium.net  Website: CRB Water  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/mark-lewis-01a3b56     Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind 031 The One with Mark Lewis  034 The Other One With Mark Lewis, CWT   112 The One Where Trace Is Interviewed By Mark Lewis  136 The One About The Mastermind Group  141 The One About Neglected Accounts  149 The One About Some of the Lesser-Used Technologies  404 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 1 – Essential Strategies  406 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 2 – Essential Strategies     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   

Hour 3 - Local, national, and world news headlines on Woodward and Whit.

In just a few months, water from Manton Dam will be flowing into people's homes across the Greater Darwin region.

SALUT! Brimob Polda Kalbar Bantu Atasi Krisis Air di Kubu RayaKrisis air bersih yang melanda sejumlah wilayah di Kabupaten Kubu Raya, Kalimantan Barat, mendorong Satuan Brimob Polda Kalbar turun tangan.Dengan mengerahkan kendaraan water treatment, Brimob mengolah air danau menjadi air layak konsumsi untuk membantu memenuhi kebutuhan warga.

In this episode of the Pumps & Systems podcast, we're speaking with Les Flynn from CAPE HydroTek, who is going to tell us about catalytic water treatment systems and what kinds of challenges that technology can help with. Tune in the first Wednesday of every month for new episodes of the podcast! Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xmYrtQTSd2A?si=hsGA-RF-XBCr6fLt Pumps & Systems Podcast homepage: https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/podcast/ Pumps & Systems Magazine: http://www.pumpsandsystems.com Opening music: Know Myself - Patrick Patrikios Closing music: Freeling - Lauren Duski

Support the show!https://preppertalkradio.com/goodlifeSupport the show, grab some merch!https://preppertalkradio.com/LibraryCheck out our recommendationshttps://preppertalkradio.com/recommendations-8108Use Code PrepperTalk10 for 10% offhttps://www.survivalfrog.com/Get Paris' Ebookhttps://pariscluff.com/preppertalkradiohttps://preppertalkradio.com/recommendations Click E1 App to download.Get your Patriot Packs 10% off use code PrepperTalkhttps://www.uspatriotpacks.com/preppertalkPreparedness Challenge Food Storage coursehttps://preparednesschallenge.com/home?am_id=paris6448Ozio Medical has your prescriptions and anti-bioticshttps://ozio.com/Use code Preppertalk for 10% offH2Go Purifier - Code PrepperTalk for $6 offhttps://store.h2gopurifier.com/collections/products/products/h2go-purifier-globalHam Radio operator! Use code PrepperTalk for 10% offhttps://hamradioprep.com/Get your Goldbackshttps://alpinegold.com/ref/PrepperTalkDevos Outdoor Get 10% OFF! Code PrepperTalkhttps://www.devosoutdoor.com/?rstr=preppertalkOur Amazon Store:https://www.amazon.com/shop/preppertalkradioSupport the show, join our socialshttps://bio.link/preppertalkradioLike Our Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/preppertalkradio Are you looking to be better prepared for life? Combining 3 lifetimes of experienced, tried, and true prepping and self-reliance with diverse backgrounds educationally, vocationally and regionally. Aligned on the principles of God, family and country to help build a stronger, more prepared community and Nation. We believe every person and family has an obligation to be or become self-reliant and to help build stronger, more prepared communities for all of life's unexpected emergencies, BIG or small. It doesn't matter if you call yourself a prepper, a survivalist, a citizen or patriot; we are all in this together. Our mission is to survive, thrive and carry on traditions of liberty and self reliance through our faith and fellowship

Ever wonder what actually happens between the Ohio River and the glass of water on your kitchen counter? In this episode of Thursday Thoughts, Bourbon Lens Studio heads to the Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant to talk with Chris, Manager of Water Quality and Compliance for Louisville Water Company, about the science and chemistry behind every glass of Louisville tap water.Chris walks through the idea of a water "recipe" — how the Ohio River supplies raw water that changes day to day depending on sediment, minerals, and seasonal conditions. You'll learn why Louisville's water is naturally mineral-rich and calcium-carbonate heavy, and why the region's uniquely low iron content happens to be a major advantage for the local bourbon industry.The conversation breaks down the full treatment journey step by step: coagulation and sediment removal, on-site disinfection, pH adjustment with lime, filtration, and water storage — plus why disinfection is considered the single most critical process in protecting a million-plus customers from naturally occurring bacteria and pathogens.You'll discover:What a water "recipe" actually means and why every source is differentHow sediment from a massive watershed gets removed before it reaches your tapWhy disinfection is the top priority in water treatment, more than pollution eventsHow on-site bleach generation and residual disinfectant prevent bacterial regrowthWhy lime is added to raise pH and protect homes with lead or galvanized pipesHow certified, high-grade chemicals ensure treatment is safe and effectiveWhether you're curious about the science behind your tap water, interested in how it connects to Kentucky's bourbon industry, or just want a deeper appreciation for what happens before you turn on the faucet, this episode breaks it all down in an easy-to-follow conversation.Hashtags:#BourbonLens #ThursdayThoughts #LouisvilleWater #WaterTreatment #CrescentHill #TapWaterScience #DrinkingWaterSafety #OhioRiver #WaterQuality #KentuckyBourbon #WaterDisinfection #PublicHealth #LouisvilleKentucky #BourbonPodcast #WaterChemistry #CleanWater #KentuckyWater #BourbonCulture #WaterEngineering #InfrastructureMattersKeywords:water treatment process, Louisville Water Company, Crescent Hill Water Treatment Plant, tap water safety, drinking water disinfection, Ohio River water source, water quality compliance, mineral content in water, coagulation and filtration, pH adjustment lime, corrosion control lead pipes, Bourbon Lens podcast, Thursday Thoughts, Kentucky bourbon industry water, drinking water chemistry, Bourbon Lens, Bourbon Lens News

In this episode of Mining Minds, we sit down with the leadership team behind South32 Hermosa in Southern Arizona: Andy Thompson, Vice President of Project Delivery; Aaron Lamb, Project Director; Miguel Lamadrid, General Manager of Operations; and Joe Dase, Construction & Execution. The team takes us inside the realities of building a major underground mining project on an exceptionally tight footprint—from shaft sinking, concentrator construction, dewatering and water treatment to the project's "Bluetooth laydowns," an 11-day continuous headframe pour, and the logistics required to keep construction moving safely and efficiently. The conversation goes beyond construction to explore the culture and long-term vision behind Hermosa: developing a local Santa Cruz County workforce, building a regional mining supply chain, supporting critical mineral production, and integrating autonomous equipment, remote operations, real-time data and AI into the mine of the future. At the center of it all is a clear leadership commitment: build the project without fatalities or life-changing injuries, create lasting opportunities for the community, and prove that advanced technology works best when it empowers the people doing the work. The best mining stories are never just about the project. They're about the people building it.   Chapters: 00:00 South32 Hermosa: Building a Major Mine on a "Postage Stamp" 06:30 Inside the Hermosa Project: Shafts, Concentrator & Construction Progress 08:30 "Bluetooth Laydowns" — Solving Hermosa's Massive Logistics Challenge 10:30 Building the Right Team, Culture & Trust from Day One 15:00 The 11-Day Continuous Headframe Pour vs. Arizona Monsoon Season 17:00 50% Complete: Leadership, Humility & Executing a World-Class Project 21:00 Water Treatment, Dewatering & Investing in the Local Community 25:00 Critical Minerals: Zinc, Silver, Lead, Manganese, Copper & U.S. Security 39:30 The Future of Mining: Autonomous Equipment, Remote Operations & AI 49:00 No Fatalities, No Life-Changing Injuries — The Legacy Hermosa Wants to Build

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Find us at https://wqa.org. Ethics in the water treatment industry involves more than following rules. It is reflected in how professionals test water, explain results, recommend treatment and respond when something goes wrong. Candice Wentling, MWS and director of Certified Action, joins the WQA Podcast to discuss the four A's of professionalism. She explains the ethical gray areas that can arise in customer conversations, the difference between education and fear-based selling and how company leaders can create standards that hold up under pressure. Learn more about the WQA Code of Ethics at http://wqa.org.

In The Londinium Chronicles, Gaius (John Batchelor) and Germanicus (Michael Vlahos) explore the intersections of Roman history and modern geopolitics. and Germanicus: In their expanding Londinium wine bar, the hosts discuss the unraveling of Ukraine. Germanicus describes a strategic bane where Russia utilizes siege tactics to destroy the Ukrainian economy, targeting water treatment plants and fuel hubs. The depletion of US interceptors represents a ballistic bane, allowing missiles to strike with impunity. Germanicus dismisses the new US nuclear strategy as hysteria born from a weak position. (1)

Thermal desalination lost the water industry to reverse osmosis on one number: boiling seawater takes about ten times more energy than pushing it through a membrane. So why is one of the 20 teams left in the XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition still betting on heat?Desolenator is a Dutch water tech company that desalinates with heat instead of pressure, running on solar energy and industrial waste heat rather than grid electricity. Its hybrid panel harvests electricity and thermal energy from the same sunlight, recovers the latent heat of its own steam, and can run to zero liquid discharge, leaving salt instead of brine. Four patents, and a scale-up from 25 to 100, then 1,000 cubic metres a day.William Janssen built the first proof of principle in his living room and kept the distilled water in his freezer as proof. He won 100,000 euros at Climate Launchpad, was picked up by the Dubai Future Accelerator and Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, and delivered plants in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Desolenator is chaired by Paddy Padmanathan, who led ACWA Power for 18 years and made it the world's largest desalination company.

Scientists funded by the NIEHS Superfund Research Program (SRP) developed a new strategy to effectively break down stubborn chemicals in water. Researchers at the Yale University SRP Center, led by Jaehong Kim, Ph.D., used advanced engineering approaches to create a stable and reusable material that targets specific pollutants.

On today's program, Michael Rogers talks with Charles "Buddy" Sebastian, third-generation owner of Sebastian & Sons Well Drilling -- a VIP member of the Small Business Association of Michigan. He says Michigan's unique geography and legal doctrines provide superior water access compared to other regions. "Michigan is fortunate because our glacial drift and clay layers can filter some [microplastics and other contaminants) out before it hits the water supply. Overall, quality in Michigan is relatively good. We have some iron, manganese, and calcium, but it is treatable. In some areas like Ohio and Pennsylvania, the water is so sulfury it is almost untreatable. Michigan has great water." The Small Business Association of Michigan is the only statewide and state-based association that focuses solely on serving the needs of Michigan's small business community. We have been successfully serving small businesses like yours in all 83 counties of Michigan since 1969. We're located in Lansing, just one block from the Capitol. Our mission is to help Michigan small businesses succeed by promoting entrepreneurship, leveraging buying power and engaging in political advocacy. When small businesses band together through the Small Business Association of Michigan, they achieve more than they could on their own.  Our 32,000 members are as diverse as Michigan's economy. From accountants to appliance stores, manufacturers to medical, and restaurants to retailers, what unites the SBAM membership is the spirit of entrepreneurship…a spirit that drove you to start and continue to operate your own business because you believe you can do something better than anyone else is doing it! (music licensed from www.jukedeck.com)  

FREE TOOL ➡️ Get your water tech pitch reviewed: https://app.leviathandata.io/pitch-deck-analyzerMore #water insights? Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoinewalter1/See how the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival brings together creative minds in Newcastle for collaborative problem solving.Watch the energy of this unique event.This episode takes you inside the Northumbrian Water Innovation Festival to show how large groups tackle industry challenges through structured collaboration.You will see firsthand how participants move from concept to practical solutions using specific frameworks like sprint tents and the Crystal Ball method.Whether you are interested in corporate innovation or local Newcastle events, this footage highlights the collaborative process in action.It is designed for professionals and curious viewers who want to observe how collaborative problem-solving works in a real-world setting, moving beyond traditional meeting rooms to open, creative environments.If you enjoyed seeing how an Innovation Festival operates, subscribe for weekly industry event recaps, and let us know in the comments if you prefer structured workshops or free-form brainstorming sessions.#️⃣ All the Links Mentioned in this Video #️⃣Design Thinking with Lea im Obersteg: https://dww.show/who/lea-im-obersteg/

Send us Fan MailIn Episode #82 of Let's Talk About Pools, we dive into the world of residential UV and ozone water treatment with Michael Falzer, National Sales Manager with AquaComfort Water Group. Michael shares insights into how Solaxx UV and ozone systems work, their benefits for residential swimming pools, and how these technologies can complement traditional pool sanitation methods. Whether you're a pool professional or a homeowner looking to better understand advanced water treatment options, this episode offers an informative look at the science, applications, and future of UV and ozone in residential pools.Strategic Podcast Sponsor:  Pool Brain

The City of North Port has received an application for construction of a data center - but the commission voted unanimously on Tuesday to slam the brakes on any project, including this one.Next: This developer lawsuit against Sarasota County is different - it actually tries to hold individual commissioners responsible for their “no” vote. Then: In a surprise, last-minute vote Tuesday, the Sarasota School Board reversed course on a controversial vote it took just a few months ago.Next: The City of Sarasota will spend millions to expand its wastewater treatment plant, and to underground utility cables on the keys. We explain.Finally: He is the only incumbent on the Sarasota Public Hospital Board facing a challenger in the upcoming elections. We have a profile of Brad Baker.

Behind-the-scenes look at the city department responsible for clean drinking water. Voter rights and civic engagement center becomes independent national organization. Animal shelter offers community program to help control cat population.

Advanced water treatment is entering a new era. Utilities are moving beyond conventional treatment to tackle PFAS, expand water reuse, and secure new water supplies. That often means using technologies like membranes, ozone, activated carbon, and advanced filtration.Jaime Safulko of PCL Construction explains what's driving this wave of investment and why these projects are more complex than the treatment plants of the past. She shares lessons from the El Paso Pure Water Project, which is expected to become the nation's first direct potable reuse facility. She also highlights recycled water projects in California and new PFAS treatment facilities in Colorado that are putting advanced technologies into practice. The conversation explores why collaboration has become just as important as the treatment technology itself. Bringing project partners together earlier helps utilities evaluate options, reduce risk, and avoid costly surprises during construction. Looking ahead, Safulko expects water reuse to become much more common. She also sees more regional partnerships and a new generation of treatment technologies that improve efficiency while lowering energy use and operating costs.Learn more about PCL Construction.waterloop is a nonprofit news outlet exploring solutions for water sustainability.

After a century of mining pollution that tinged their creek in orange, Belt residents are finally seeing clear water flow again. It's one example in Montana's long effort to clean up its abandoned mines with federal funds.

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Learn more at https://wqa.org. Artificial intelligence is changing the way businesses operate—but what does that actually look like inside a water treatment company? In this episode, host Wes Bleed talks with Mike Baird, CEO of Aquamor, about how his company is using AI agents to reduce friction, improve consistency, and support employees across multiple departments. Topics include: • What Mike means by "assisted intelligence" • How AI agents differ from simply using ChatGPT • Using AI to support customer service, operations, and reporting • The role of SOPs in successful AI implementation • Lessons learned from real-world AI deployment • Potential applications for water treatment dealers and manufacturers • Measuring ROI and organizational impact • How business leaders can stay current in a rapidly changing AI landscape Whether you're just beginning to explore AI or already experimenting with it in your business, this conversation offers practical insights from a water industry leader actively putting these tools to work.

How well do you know river otters? They are cute (obviously). But did you know they are carnivores? They are the apex predator of our local watersheds, hunting on fish, crustaceans, and even waterfowl! Otter experts Charlotte Norman and Gina Culver join the program to talk about the diets of local otters and their complex social lives.You can report an otter sighting and learn more about these critters at the River Otter Ecology Project.For a deep dive, check out Wolves of the Wetlands? River Otter Behavior and Space Use at a Water Treatment and Recreational Wetland in Northern California, by Jeffrey Black, Cal Poly Humboldt.Support the show

In today's episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with workplace resilience expert and U.S. Marine veteran Tiffany Wentz‑Root to decode how different generations show up in the industrial water treatment industry. From the Silent Generation's post‑war loyalties through Baby Boomers' commitment to long hours, Gen X's distrust of corporate loyalty, Millennials' desire for purpose and feedback, and Gen Z's demand for emotional literacy, the conversation illustrates how each cohort was shaped by historical and technological upheaval. The discussion reframes "hustle culture" and argues that a focus on mental health and values alignment can increase retention and performance. Generations and the events that shaped them Tiffany explains that generations are roughly 20–30 year cohorts defined by shared formative experiences. The Silent Generation (1928‑45) endured the Great Depression and World War II; Baby Boomers (1946‑64) were taught loyalty and stability; Gen X (1965‑80) witnessed mass layoffs and became fiercely independent; Millennials (1981‑96) were helicopter parented and accustomed to participation trophies; and Gen Z (1997‑2012) grew up online, socializing via games and apps and weathering school shootings and a pandemic. These histories explain why Baby Boomers and Gen X equate "hard work" with hours logged, whereas Millennials and Gen Z measure effort by pride, alignment and emotional impact. Gen Z's exposure to constant online crises makes them the "anxious and afraid generation" with record rates of anxiety and depression, highlighting the need for supportive leadership.   Hustle culture versus emotional literacy The conversation challenges the idea that toughness equals success. Wentz‑Root stresses that leaders must "stop prizing strength" and recognize that feeling and processing emotions is hard work. She advocates for environments where people can bring their whole selves to work rather than suppressing feelings in order to conform to traditional hustle culture. She notes that Gen Z sees phone calls as "prehistoric" and prefers to communicate via apps like Snapchat or Discord, so older professionals should adapt their communication style—using fewer capital letters, punctuation and more emojis or GIFs—to avoid appearing angry or dismissive. For water treatment companies seeking to recruit young professionals, she urges them to articulate company values and support mental health, because Gen Z will leave if work doesn't align with their skills or passions. Practical strategies for leaders and organizations To bridge the generational divide, Wentz‑Root proposes creating a "social contract": a collaboratively defined set of values, behaviors and communication norms that are revisited regularly. Such agreements encourage teams to discuss how they prefer to give and receive feedback, when to use Slack versus meetings, and what good work looks like across ages. She also recommends structured cross‑mentorship, matching senior employees who are nearing retirement with junior colleagues based on skills rather than age, so institutional knowledge isn't lost. She cautions against judging younger staff as entitled or weak; rather, leaders should ask why behaviors exist and treat differences as strengths. Lastly, she reminds Baby Boomers and Gen Xers that sharing decades of hard‑earned experience with Gen Z isn't charity—it's how you build a legacy and ensure the industry thrives. For water‑treatment professionals, recognizing that "different doesn't mean wrong" can unlock better collaboration, innovation and resilience. By replacing judgment with curiosity, establishing social contracts and mentorship programs, and adapting communication to younger workers, leaders can turn generational tension into an asset. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:32 — Trace Blackmore introduces the episode and sets the context: exploring generational dynamics in the industrial water treatment community 09:20 — Tiffany Wentz‑Root introduces herself as a Marine Corps veteran and therapist who helps corporations improve communication, empathy and resilience. 15:07 — Definition of a "generation" and how cohort boundaries from Silent Generation to Gen Alpha are defined 18:06 — Examination of how Baby Boomers were taught loyalty and work stability, Gen X learned independence after witnessing mass layoffs, and Millennials received participation trophies and craved feedback 00:24:33 — Wentz‑Root calls for leaders to stop equating strength with suppressing emotion; feeling and processing emotions is difficult work 25:02 — Gen Z is described as the anxious and afraid generation with record levels of anxiety, depression and suicide, shaped by school shootings and constant online news 27:03 — Contrasting COVID experiences: Trace led a team through uncertainty, while Tiffany's son saw the lockdown as "awesome" because he stayed home playing games. 28:41 — Discussion of how Gen Z socializes through apps like Snapchat, Discord and Steam; texting is archaic and phone calls are "prehistoric" 32:09 — Panel reflections: Baby Boomers and Gen X define hard work by hours worked, Millennials by pride in results, and Gen Z by alignment with skills and passions 33:37 — Tiffany emphasizes that "different doesn't mean wrong," urging listeners to see younger workers' needs as strengths 40:26 — Introduction of social contracts: teams co‑create values, behaviors and communication norms to bridge generational expectations 42:42 — The role of cross‑generational mentorship; match people by skill and career stage, not age, and leverage Gen Z's expertise with tech and communication platforms 01:13:26 — Trace's closing reflections: in male‑dominated, hustle‑driven industries, ignoring emotions isn't sustainable; sharing knowledge now ensures a legacy and a thriving future   Quotes "We need to stop prizing strength first and foremost. We need to understand that emotions are very difficult to face. To feel your feelings, to name them, to process them—that's hard" "When I asked, 'What's your definition of hard work?' the baby boomer said, 'I put in a lot of hours.' Gen X said, 'I put in a lot of hours.' Millennials said, 'I get the job done and I'm proud of it.' Gen Z said, 'It's when the work that I've done aligns with my skills and my passions, and I feel good about what I did'" "Judgment kills curiosity … When I see someone of a different generation with a different way of communicating, I automatically go, 'That's bad, that's weird.' Instead, I want you to step into curiosity and say, 'Why would they do that? What happened in their life that shaped them to be this person?'"   Connect with Tiffany Wentz-Root Phone: (425) 359-5088 Email: tiffany@resilientroots.com Website: resilientroots.com  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanywentz-root/    Guest Resources Mentioned  Generational Diversity Outline  Bridging the Gap: Navigating Generational Diversity at Work 17776: What football will look like in the future by Jon Bois Pity the Reader: On Writing with Style (Paperback) by Kurt Vonnegut (Author), Suzanne McConnell (Author) Washington's Farewell: The Founding Father's Warning to Future Generations by John Avlon   Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind    Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is an ion with a net negative charge, formed when an atom or molecule gains one or more electrons. Examples include bicarbonate, chloride, and sulfate. Can you guess the word or phrase?   2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

How did HG Ventures quietly become one of the most active water tech investors on the planet, without even calling itself a water VC?HG Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of The Heritage Group, a 100-year-old, family-owned Indianapolis conglomerate active in asphalt, quarries, environmental services and specialty chemicals. With $350M in assets, the fund deploys around $50M a year across 41 portfolio companies and 7 sectors, and ranks 5th globally in water tech by deal count despite water being only 18% of its thesis.Ginger Rothrock holds a PhD in chemistry from UNC Chapel Hill, co-founded the NASDAQ-listed pharmaceutical company Liquidia, was promoted to Managing Director of HG Ventures in December 2025, and is a Global Corporate Venturing Rising Star and Kauffman Fellow with deep expertise in industrial water, industrial wastewater treatment, and corporate venture capital in cleantech.

The First Water Sector Unicorn Wants to IPO. But Wall Street kinda forgot how to buy water... Early-stage water tech funding quadrupled in seven years. Private equity's share of water M&A doubled in a decade, with a record 165 PE-led acquisitions in a single year. The bench of PE-owned water platforms grew from 42 companies in 2015 to nearly 600 in 2025. And the sector just minted its first twice-unicorn - Gradiant - with a Series E at a $2 billion valuation on Day 1 of the Global Water Summit 2026! So, will Gradiant IPO?Four all-time highs at once... but the fifth dimension - the public market - went the other way. IPOs in the 2020s are a pale echo of the 2010. So I flew to Madrid to ask the people building the machine (the VCs, the PE platforms, the strategics, the bankers, the entrepreneurs) a single question: is this closed-loop water-capital machine a feature of a mature sector, or a $300 billion pressure cooker about to crack?

Calls for an audit of the region's wastewater treatment operations continue to grow. Two whistleblowers came forward this spring, alleging wrongdoing by Veolia. That's the company that runs the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District's two facilities. Now, Milwaukee County Supervisors are calling for action.

On April 30, 2026, CRH plc (NYSE: CRH) announced a $700 million agreement to acquire Axius Water from KKR and XPV Water Partners - instantly making the Irish-American building materials giant one of the largest water infrastructure players in North America. If CRH acquires Axius, what's next?Most investors missed it, so I thought I'd decode it! Here are the 10 things you need to see.So you got it, CRH acquires Axius. Here's the deal in 30 seconds: • Buyer: CRH plc - a $77B market cap building materials company most water investors don't track • Target: Axius Water - a wastewater treatment platform built by KKR and XPV Water Partners through a multi-year roll-up • Price: $700M (reported) • Sellers: KKR (Global Impact Fund) and XPV Water Partners • Strategic logic: bolts wastewater treatment onto CRH's existing water infrastructure portfolio (Hydro International, Oldcastle Infrastructure) What's actually new here - and why it matters for water investors: 00:00 - On your Bingo Card? 02:30 #1: The Cast07:35 #2: The Substance11:40 #3: The Number16:23 #4: The Timing20:54 #5: The Macro Reality24:40 #6: The Credibility28:26 #7: Inside the Platform32:28 #8: The Synergy Story35:17 #9: The Risks39:58 #10: The Sector Signal

Every analyst, every think tank, every consulting deck has an opinion on AI's water footprint (and overall on AI and Water)But nobody bothered to ask the people actually watching the videos, posting the comments, and shaping the narrative. You'd need to be mad to do that, right?So I read 2,540 of them.

Everyone says AI is drinking the planet dry, right? Well, the numbers say your morning coffee uses 29,600× more water than a ChatGPT prompt! In this episode, I sit down with Alex Passini to pressure-test the dominant narrative around AI's water footprint - and what we found completely flips the story the media is telling. Here's what most "AI water crisis" headlines miss: → A single ChatGPT prompt uses roughly 16 milliliters of water. One cup of coffee uses ~140 liters when you count the beans. That's a 29,600× gap. → Of the water a hyperscale data center consumes, ~75% isn't used by AI at all — it's used upstream for the energy that powers it. Blame the grid, not the GPU. → One banana = ~6,250 ChatGPT prompts. One almond = ~12 prompts. The water-per-prompt math is rounding-error territory next to your lunch. → Florida already reuses 800 million gallons/day of treated wastewater. Data centers aren't the threat - they're an accelerant for the water reuse capex the sector has been waiting twenty years for. If you're an investor trying to figure out whether AI's water story is a real thesis or a media artifact, this episode gives you the framework (and the numbers) to decide.

Water is something most of us take for granted. We turn on the tap, and it's just there. But behind that tap is an increasingly strained system that is quietly becoming one of the defining infrastructure challenges of our time. Just in the US, McKinsey estimates we are underinvesting in water assets by about $100 billion annually, with the cost only compounding as more investment is delayed.  The effects are already being seen with over 20% of treated water lost through leaks in pipes that are sometimes 70 years old, generating no revenue for cash-strapped utilities. The record data center and industrial development buoying our economy is now facing major opposition, often due to local water demands. In addition, there are growing concerns and regulations regarding the forever chemicals, known as PFAS, which are showing up in more of our water supply. Today, I'm joined by Guillaume Clairet of H20 Innovation, who has helped build the company into a water treatment powerhouse over the past 25 years. From massive municipal reuse projects to distributed systems serving the critical industrial facilities, H2O is leading the water infrastructure buildout and offers a hopeful outlook on how we can start addressing our water needs. Let's dive in. Links: H20 Innovation Website Guillaume Clairet's LinkedIn Email your feedback to Gil, Guy, Hilary, and Kenny at climatepositive@hasi.com.

Who Buys the First Data Center Water Company? And When Does the Repricing Start? Data center water treatment is a $1.1 billion market growing nearly 15% per year, with 60% of spending recurring - generating an "infinite money glitch" for the righty designed water tech companies. So, strategic buyers, private equity sponsors, and VC-backed platforms are racing to consolidate water tech expertise. Meanwhile, hyperscalers spending $50 billion a year on infrastructure have made zero water acquisitions... for how long?

What Is the Real Water Problem Behind AI Data Centers - and Where Is the $1.3 Billion Opportunity? AI Water seems to concern everybody, while data center water treatment is the fastest-growing industrial water vertical in the world - $1.35 billion in 2025, growing at 13.3% per year. But the media is chasing the wrong story. The real problem isn't consumption volume — it's the concentrated industrial wastewater that cooling towers produce. This episode maps the opportunity most investors are missing. A

Why Did a Broke Football Club Owned by Gucci's Family Invest Millions in Water Reuse? Stade Rennais, the French football club owned by the Pinault family behind Kering (Gucci, Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta...), buried a €1.5 million closed-loop water system under its renovated La Piverdière training complex in February 2025. This investment, during French football's worst financial crisis, reveals a widening gap between what water costs and what water is truly worth - using water reuse as its vehicle.

How Much Does The USA Really Need to Fix Its Water Infrastructure? And Why Is Nobody Talking About the Real Number? (Hint: the US EPA has it wrong!)I built a bottom-up predictive model spanning 32 federal datasets, 433,000 water systems, and 15.1 million regulatory violations to determine the true cost of bringing US water infrastructure back to shape. The answer: $3.9 trillion over twenty years (that's three times the EPA's official estimate of $1.25 trillion)

Liquid Lunch with The RWA: Water Treatment by WNHH Community Radio

Can Europe's Sewage Plants Replace Russian Gas? (aka: the €1.9 Billion Biomethane Opportunity) Europe's wastewater treatment plants are sitting on a massive untapped energy reserve. With the right upgrades, roughly 1,900 facilities across Europe could produce 13.4 billion cubic meters of biomethane per year — matching Russia's remaining pipeline gas deliveries in 2024. Let me break down the economics, the technology, and the investment landscape driving this shift.

How Did Pierre Côté Build Two Unicorn Water Technologies - and Why Is He Now Betting on Algae? Pierre Côté is arguably the most successful water technology inventor alive. With over 100 patents across four decades, he created ZeeWeed (the membrane that launched the $3.63 billion MBR market) and co-invented ZeeLung (anchoring the ~$500 million MABR market). Now in his seventies, he's co-founded AlgaFilm Technologies to tackle nutrient removal with algae biofilm.

Tom Brandvold, CWT, has lived industrial water treatment from the inside out. In this conversation, he traces that path from sweeping floors and running sample bottles as a kid to leading Premier Water and Energy Technology and serving as a former president of Association of Water Technologies (AWT). The result is not just a career story. It is a useful look at how credibility, collaboration, and standards are built over time in this industry. How Association of Water Technologies (AWT) was formed One of the most valuable parts of this discussion is Tom's explanation of how Association of Water Technologies (AWT) began. The association did not start primarily as a training platform or networking group. It grew out of a business crisis in the 1980s, when independent water treaters were struggling to secure product liability and pollution coverage at prices that would not put them out of business. Tom explains how that pressure led a small group to create an insurance-focused structure that eventually required an association. From there, the collaborative side of AWT expanded into education, technical papers, meetings, and broader support for the independent water treater. Why Association of Water Technologies (AWT)'s culture feels different Tom also gives language to something many professionals have experienced but may not have fully defined: AWT members often compete in the same field while still sharing technical knowledge freely. He points to relationships as the reason. Trust, geography, and the practical reality of how accounts are won reduce the sense of technical knowledge as a threat. That helps explain why AWT has become a place where mistakes, lessons learned, and operating insight can be shared in ways that genuinely help other professionals improve. Why the CWT is changing A major focus of the episode is the next chapter of the Certified Water Technologist designation. Tom explains that AWT is pursuing ISO-aligned process work and ANSI recognition so the CWT carries stronger independent, third-party credibility. He walks through why that matters, what the CWT commission is doing, how the current process may change, and why he believes ANSI recognition will help the credential gain broader acceptance with customers, spec writers, government authorities, and technical institutions. What this means for professionals now This conversation lands on a practical point: the CWT is meant to distinguish serious professionals without making the credential feel inaccessible. Tom is clear that those already preparing should not wait. He also underscores that AWT technical training supports the body of knowledge, but it does not teach to the exam. For leaders, owners, and technical professionals, this episode is a strong reminder that industry standards matter most when they improve confidence, sharpen judgment, and strengthen trust in the field. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 00:46 — Trace explains why AWT matters so much to industrial water treatment professionals. 03:37 — Trace shares the story behind the "magic button" and how it helps people connect at industry events. 07:20 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals   11:05 - Words of Water with James McDonald 13:20 - Interview with Tom Brandvold, CWT, President at Premier Water and Energy Technologies and former president of the Association of the Water Technologies 18:18 - Tom explains the origin story of AWT 24:05 - Tom talks about volunteering within AWT over the years 34:14 - The conversation shifts to the CWT designation 37:01 - Tom explains why AWT is pursuing ANSI recognition for the CWT 48:11 - Tom and Trace discuss how ANSI-recognized CWTs could matter in legislation and water safety language 49:00 - Tom talks about the biggest challenge in the accreditation process: ISO 17024 conformance 53:35 - Tom makes an important distinction: AWT training does not teach to the exam 55:03 - Tom explains why professionals should pursue the CWT   Quotes "The association ah was founded so that those who joined could have access to this captive insurance market where we were self-insuring so that all of us could stay in business." "The veil of threat is removed, and you share very freely." "We are committed as a trade association to add prominence to the CWT certification." "If you want to distinguish yourself from everyone else out there, this is the way to do it." "My magic wand would ensure that everybody has safe drinking water" Connect with Tom Brandvold, CWT Email: carmac@premierwater.com Website: CRB Water | Safe, Sustainable & Data-Driven Water Treatment Solutions LinkedIn: CRB Water: Overview | LinkedIn   Guest Resources Mentioned  ANSI / ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation  ISO/IEC 17024:2012 AWT Technical Reference & Training Manual AWT CWT Exam Candidate Handbook Kelly: More Than My Share of It All by Clarence L. Johnson Titanic Thompson: The Man Who Bet on Everything by Kevin Cook A.J. Foyt - Volume 1: Survivor, Champion, Legend Hardcover by Art Garner   Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT – Become Certified Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind Fearless Pricing by Casey Brown 410 Unleash Your Pricing Power: Casey Brown's 'Fearless Pricing' Revolutionizes Business Value 154 The One With AWT President, Tom Brandvold, CWT 426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change 127 The One With Tom Hutchison   Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a thin barrier that only permits passage of certain particulates or compounds to pass through but inhibits others. It is a semi-permeable skin of which the pass-through is determined by the size or special nature of the particles or compounds. Can you guess the word?      2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Can 4 Volts of Electricity Replace 60 Bars of Pressure in Seawater Desalination? ilion Water Technologies is a 2025 spinout from the Physics Laboratory of the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. Their VIRO (Voltage-Induced Reverse Osmosis) technology claims to replace the high-pressure pump train in seawater desalination with an alternating electric field applied to engineered composite membranes, operating at atmospheric pressure.

How does the water treatment industry move with the broader economy—and what does that mean for planning ahead? In this episode, Wes Bleed is joined by Bryanna Poczatek of the Water Quality Association and Keith Johnson of Ecowater Systems to discuss the WQA Cross-Correlation Report. They explain how industry data is correlated with external economic indicators, what the post-pandemic data reveals, and how members can use these insights to anticipate future trends. The discussion also covers 2026–2027 growth projections and how WQA members can access and apply the report. The WQA Convention & Expo is coming up April 28-30, 2026 in Miami Beach. Learn more and register at https://wqa.org/convention.

Water is something we use without a second thought. We turn on the tap to fill a glass, start the dishwasher, or get in the shower, assuming what flows out is “good enough.” But in cities like Phoenix and across the country, water quality can vary significantly. And that's where the right water treatment system can make a real difference. Paul Kaplan of Water Treatment Technologies explains how those technologies work for better water. Broadcast archive page with expanded content https://rosieonthehouse.com/podcast/on-the-house-hour-from-hard-to-perfect-upgrading-your-homes-water-with-water-treatment-technologies/

Chemicals used to treat water is a US$10 billion market hiding in plain sight—fragmented, consolidating, and far more strategically interesting than the name suggests. Bluefield's latest water treatment chemicals analysis mapped nearly 500 companies across the space. In this episode, Bluefield analyst Caroline Vauclain joins host Reese Tisdale to unpack what she found—including why the top 10 players control just 30% of facilities and 80% of companies run only one to two locations. The conversation covers five key questions shaping this market: With nearly 500 companies mapped, how fragmented is the water treatment chemicals market—and what's most surprising about the landscape? Chemical prices are up 36% since 2019—is it inflation, supply disruptions, or something else driving the increase? Hawkins made 16 acquisitions in five years, USALCO is similarly aggressive — what's fueling all this M&A activity? What's fueling the wave of M&A activity, with Hawkins logging 16 acquisitions in five years and private equity-backed firms driving 20 of 78 deals since 2020? Why are chemical companies like Kemira and Ecolab suddenly acquiring software and digital monitoring firms? How did Cargill, Morton Salt, and bioethanol producer POET end up in the water treatment business? Related Research & Analysis: U.S. Water Treatment Chemical Manufacturers and Distributors: Competitive Analysis & Strategies USALCO Deal Points to Private Equity's Role in Consolidation of Water Treatment Chemicals

Industrial water training only works when the knowledge transfers. That means the material lands with the audience, survives the drive home, and shows up later in the field when decisions get made.  Dan Merritt, CWT, Sales Manager at CH2O, brings a rare perspective to that problem. He started as a teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics), entered industrial water treatment on February 5, 2002, and later became part of the AWT training team. This conversation follows the path from classroom instruction to boiler rooms and cooling towers, then uses that journey to examine what makes technical training "stick" for working professionals.  From educator to water treater, then back to educator  Dan shares how leaving graduate study, teaching high school and community college, and stepping into service work shaped his approach to explaining technical concepts. The throughline is simple: the instructor owns the clarity. When someone in the room does not understand, the response is not frustration. The response is translation.  Bridging the knowledge gap without dumbing it down  Trace and Dan describe a common failure mode in technical instruction: experts answering correctly, but not helpfully. They frame the goal as closing the gap between what the instructor knows and what the audience can realistically absorb in the moment, especially for attendees building competence over time.  Stories and demonstrations as tools for retention  The episode highlights why AWT trainers lean on stories and physical demonstrations, from an Archimedes fountain to static electricity experiments. Dan explains how the "light bulb moment" is the reward of teaching, and why trainers adapt when a method fails (including what humidity can do to a demo in a room full of people).  Keeping the CWT exam in proper context  The conversation also draws a firm boundary: training supports growth, but it does not replace the CWT experience requirement and recommendations. Dan and Trace emphasize accurate language around the credential and reinforce what the training can and cannot do.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  01:38 — Setup for a two-part series to help listeners prepare for AWT Technical Training 02:24 — AWT Technical Training logistics: March 10–13 in Frisco, Texas (near Dallas) 03:10 — Trace shares why AWT Technical Training matters personally (mentorship, community, support) 05:51 — "Desert Pete" story: why instructors "fill the bottle" by giving back through training 11:53 — Words of Water with James McDonald: definition + answer ("flow rate") 14:13 — Events mentioned for water professionals  18:42 — Trace introduces the guest: Dan Merritt (CH2O) and their history through AWT 19:39 — Dan's background: 24 years in water treatment; former teacher (chemistry, calculus, physics). 22:44 — Dan's entry into water treatment: Industrial Water Engineering ride-alongs + first field impressions 26:49 — Move to Pacific Northwest + start at CH2O (service tech) and why that timing mattered 31:40 — How Dan and Trace connected through AWT training; Dan begins teaching (service tech reporting). 34:17 — Dan's AWT involvement expands: education committee + Intro to Water Treatment online course task force 35:31 — Dan asked to teach the chemistry class; Trace frames "know your audience" and confidence gap 36:50 — Teaching tools and learning from misses: demos (Archimedes fountain, static electricity + humidity issue) 37:49 — The key teaching principle: "you're the instructor; it's your job to explain it clearly" (adult learners) 41:31 — Bridging the knowledge gap: why brilliance can miss the audience, and why training must translate 44:48 — Why a math/calculations class helps: making the "bang, there's your answer" steps teachable 50:19 — Troubleshooting reality: many forces in boilers/cooling towers; deeper understanding improves diagnosis 52:00 — Field story lesson: softener cleaning foam incident (why stories stick and prevent repeat mistakes) 56:19 — CWT clarification: training helps, but it cannot replace required experience and recommendations 58:31 — CWT wording matters: it's an "exam," not a "test" (Trace mentions Angela Pike's correction)   Quotes  "It's your job to explain the material in a way that we can understand it."  "It's our responsibility to take this information, to package it in a way so you, not me, you can understand it." "Math is the only known axiom that we have. And it kind of quiets the chaos." "And again, it's not a test. Do not say that it's a test. It is an exam."    Connect with Dan Merritt, CWT  Email: dmerritt@ch2o.com   Website: .https://www.ch2o.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-merritt-cwt-18413819/ CH2O, inc.: Overview | LinkedIn    Guest Resources Mentioned   Education Offerings – AWT  Become Certified – AWT   I Said This, You Heard That 2nd Edition by Kathleen Edelman    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  AWT Technical Training - Registration  2026 AWT Technical Training Schedule Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind    Words of Water with James McDonald  Today's definition is a measure of the volume or mass of a fluid (liquid or gas) that passes through a certain point or cross-section over a unit of time.  Can you guess the word or phrase?    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.   

Wellington Water's chief executive said an inspection of the the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant today has revealed the damage is as bad as they feared. An equipment breakdown at the plant has flooded the site with untreated sewage which is also pouring into the ocean at a an average rate of about 70 million litres per day. Lauren Crimp has more. 

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Parents!Listen to this podcast, audiobooks and more on Storybutton, without your kids needing to use a screened device or your phone. Listen with no fees or subscriptions.—> Order Storybutton Today The Spy Starter Pack

Kevin Gast, Chairman and CEO of VVater, discusses VVater's water treatment solution, the go-to-market verticals the technology serves, and much more in this phenomenal interview. Plus, Reese Tisdale gives us a Top Ten water issues list to look out for in 2026. In this session, you'll learn about: Resources and links mentioned in or relevant to this session include: Thank You! Thanks to each of you for listening and spreading the word about The Water Values Podcast! Keep the emails coming and please rate, review and subscribe to The Water Values Podcast on Apple Podcasts if you haven't done so…