Scaling UP! H2O

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

  1. 9h ago

    Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 2

    A strong convention outcome starts before the first session and continues long after the exhibit hall closes. Association of Water Technologies Executive Director Matt Coffindaffer explains how deliberate preparation, wider professional relationships, and volunteer service can turn AWT 2026 into practical value for an industrial water treatment career or business.   Find the Right Place to Volunteer AWT offers yearlong committee service, shorter task-force assignments, and opportunities across technical research, marketing, membership, regulatory affairs, business resources, young professionals, Women of Water, legislative work, and charity. Matt emphasizes that there is no single ideal volunteer: owners, technical directors, sales and service professionals, field technicians, suppliers, and newcomers can contribute according to their time, experience, and interests.   For business owners, committee work can strengthen peer relationships and provide access to practical operating resources. Newer professionals can also use the Young Professionals Committee to understand the organization, explore career paths, and learn about different specialties within industrial water treatment.   Turn Convention Attendance into Business Value AWT 2026 in Oklahoma City brings together more than 1,000 industry peers and about 130 exhibitors. The program prioritizes technical content, while the September 15 Business Owners Meeting gives owners and management-team members a focused setting for business education, networking, and market insights from AWT's benchmarking survey. Matt frames the convention's value in operational terms: practitioners share lessons shaped by field experience, suppliers can support the full water treatment service chain, and one useful insight or connection may help a company solve problems more efficiently. The strongest return comes from engaging beyond familiar contacts.   Prepare, Connect, and Divide the Learning Before arriving, review the schedule, select sessions, read available papers, and prepare questions. Because several technical tracks run simultaneously, coordinate with peers, attend different presentations, and compare notes afterward. First-time attendees can use the first-timer ribbon—and the Scaling UP! H2O "magic button"—to begin conversations more naturally. Trace adds a practical exhibit-hall strategy: review the exhibitor list and map, note vendors connected to specific questions, walk the full floor once for orientation, then return for focused conversations. If attending alone, approach the event as a "faithful translator" responsible for bringing useful information back to the team. Strong professional communities grow when people contribute, remain curious, and share what they learn. AWT 2026 offers a concentrated opportunity to strengthen all three habits. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!   Timestamps 05:00 — Trace introduces the Scaling UP! H2O "magic button" as a simple icebreaker for starting conversations and expanding a professional network. 09:50 — Matt outlines AWT's committee and task-force opportunities, showing how members can contribute through technical, business, membership, regulatory, and community-focused work. 11:40 — Matt explains why AWT does not have one ideal volunteer and why bringing your complete experience and perspective strengthens the organization. 13:20 — Business owners, sales and service professionals, suppliers, field technicians, and industry newcomers learn how volunteering can expand their knowledge and professional relationships. 19:00 — Matt provides clear next steps for getting involved by contacting a committee chair, the AWT president, Matt, or an AWT staff member. 19:30 — The AWT Annual Convention preview covers Oklahoma City, technical education, networking opportunities, suppliers, and activities planned for attendees. 23:10 — Matt explains what business owners can expect from the September 15 meeting, including benchmarking insights and structured peer collaboration. 26:40 — Matt describes why the convention attracts highly invested practitioners and gives attendees access to experienced peers and about 130 exhibitors. 28:50 — Convention costs are considered against the potential value of one useful lesson, relationship, or solution that improves business performance. 30:10 — First-time attendees receive practical guidance on reviewing the schedule, planning sessions, and using identification ribbons to connect with the AWT community. 32:20 — Matt identifies staying within an existing social circle as a major convention mistake and encourages attendees to approach unfamiliar professionals. 34:00 — Thematic tracks and peer recommendations can help attendees choose between technical presentations scheduled at the same time. 35:40 — Prospective presenters learn how AWT's annual call for papers and abstracts creates opportunities to contribute technical content. 42:50 — Trace explains how badges, ribbons, and Scaling UP! H2O buttons can help attendees identify board members and start productive conversations. 46:50 — Trace shares a structured exhibit-hall strategy based on reviewing the map, preparing questions, surveying the floor, and returning for focused discussions. 50:50 — Trace previews his Working Genius presentation with Tom Hutchison and directs listeners to Episodes 127 and 426 for related conversations. 52:40 — Industrial Water Week 2026 is scheduled for October 5–9, with daily themes and new podcast episodes covering major industrial water applications. 55:00 — Trace recognizes Angela Pike's years of service to AWT and reflects on the association's transition to Momentum Association Management.   Quotes "AWT is what it is today because a group of people showed up for this industry, for this community, for this beautiful profession, and they gave of their time and talents." "This organization works best; volunteerism works best when you're bringing your full self to that role." "There is no wrong answer in how to get involved." "Just be true to yourself. Bring your full and authentic self to the experience and every day will feel like a joy, even the days where you're deep in the trenches." "If you're attending by yourself, I want you to have the mindset that you're now going to be the faithful translator to bring that information back to your company so your company can truly benefit from you being at the convention this week."   Connect with Matt Coffindaffer Email: mcoffindaffer@awt.org   Website: AWT – The Association of Water Technologies   LinkedIn: Matt Coffindaffer, MBA, CAE | LinkedIn   Association of Water Technologies (AWT): About | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   AWT 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition   2026 AWT Agenda  2026 AWT Exhibitors List 2026 AWT Business Owners Meeting   The Value of CWT Certification  ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation  Momentum Association Management    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  493 Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 1  127 The One With Tom Hutchison   426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change    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

    Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 2

  2. 3d ago

    Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 1

    Strong professional associations do more than provide programs and credentials. They create an environment where members can exchange knowledge, build trusted relationships, and prepare their businesses for what comes next. As the Association of Water Technologies enters a new operational chapter, Executive Director Matt Coffindaffer explains how AWT is strengthening that environment without losing the culture that makes it distinctive.     From the Arts to Association Leadership  Before entering association management, Matt built a career behind the scenes in theater. His experience designing scenery, lighting, and technical environments taught him how people with different skills can work together in service of a larger concept.  That same principle now shapes his leadership at AWT. Matt describes his role as a partnership with the board of directors: helping volunteer leaders make timely, consequential decisions based on reliable information while directing the staff and daily operations that turn strategy into member value.    Evolving AWT's Operational Structure  After 20 years with Management Solutions Plus, AWT transitioned its association management support to Momentum Association Management. Matt explains that the change was driven by the organization's long-term strategic goals and the need to align staff resources with the expectations of a growing membership.  Members can expect evolutionary improvements before larger changes take shape. Specialized support is being assigned to membership, CWT certification, committees, meetings, and exhibits. A new ticketing system will also help AWT track inquiries and connect members with the appropriate staff. With the annual convention approaching, customer service and a successful Oklahoma City experience remain the immediate priorities.    Expanding the Reach of the CWT Program  The Certified Water Technologist designation remains one of AWT's most important professional programs. However, the number of certificate holders has remained around 300 to 350 for more than a decade, despite more than 4,500 professionals being within AWT's member orbit.  Matt outlines a broader strategy for growth: examine potential barriers to eligibility, provide specialized administrative support, pursue ANSI accreditation, and work toward greater recognition of the CWT designation in bid specifications and regulatory requirements. The objective is to expand participation while preserving the credential's rigor and professional value.    Making the Convention Work for You  Trace closes with a practical reminder: plan your agenda, make time for the exhibit hall, and use the Scaling UP! H2O button as a simple conversation starter. Attendees can continue those connections during the next Hang on October 1 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.  The strength of AWT comes from professionals who contribute their knowledge, volunteer their time, and help one another succeed. Preparing intentionally for the convention allows you to take full advantage of that community.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps 02:10 — Trace introduces the AWT Convention and Expo and explains why the gathering matters to industrial water treatment professionals.  03:00 — The episode's convention-focused agenda covers preparation, networking, learning opportunities, and changes taking place within AWT.  05:00 — Industrial Water Week 2026 offers five days of themed education, from pretreatment and boilers to cooling, wastewater, and careers.  08:10 — Matt Coffindaffer joins the podcast and introduces his role as executive director of the Association of Water Technologies.  12:10 — Matt connects his background in the arts with association leadership, emphasizing service to a mission larger than any one contributor.  14:10 — Matt explains how his previous association management experience introduced him to AWT and its highly engaged volunteer community.  17:20 — AWT's established programs, committed volunteers, and healthy organizational model distinguish it from associations requiring a complete turnaround.  23:30 — Matt describes AWT's unusually collaborative culture and explains why its meetings and programs feel like a professional homecoming.  24:30 — The executive director's primary responsibility is helping the board make informed decisions while strengthening organizational capacity.  28:50 — Matt explains how an association management company provides flexible access to specialized staff and additional event resources.  31:30 — Becoming AWT's first direct employee allowed Matt to evaluate the organization beyond the limits of a consulting scope.  34:00 — AWT's transition from Management Solutions Plus to Momentum Association Management reflects its strategic goals and future operational needs.  39:10 — AWT begins developing a broader plan to expand the CWT program while preserving the credential's professional rigor.  41:30 — ANSI accreditation could strengthen the CWT program's credibility and support broader recognition in legislation, regulation, and bid specifications.  45:20 — During the transition period, AWT prioritizes customer service, tracked member inquiries, and a successful convention experience.  49:10 — New committee liaisons and recurring leadership roundtables will give AWT volunteers more consistent operational support.  52:10 — Matt introduces Janessa Camps, AWT's new director of membership and operations and a primary contact for member assistance.  54:50 — Trace explains how the Scaling UP! H2O "magic button" can help attendees start conversations and build new professional relationships.  57:30 — The next Hang, scheduled for October 1 at 1:00 p.m. Eastern, gives attendees an opportunity to continue connections made at the convention.    Quotes "I think the real common thread between the arts and associations is it's about a group of people from all different backgrounds, but they're, at their core, very passionate about the work that they're doing."  "I really do view the AWT as home."  "It's my job to make sure that they are making timely, consequential decisions based on the best data available."  "I think over the next three to six months, you'll see some evolutionary changes, but we'll really start to see some significant changes in 2027 and beyond."  "But we want to make sure that we're maintaining the character and the rigor of the CWT while making sure that we're not creating unnecessary barriers to adoption."    Connect with Matt Coffindaffer Email: mcoffindaffer@awt.org   Website: AWT – The Association of Water Technologies   LinkedIn: Matt Coffindaffer, MBA, CAE | LinkedIn   Association of Water Technologies (AWT): About | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   AWT 2026 Annual Convention & Exposition   2026 AWT Business Owners Meeting   The Value of CWT Certification  ANAB Personnel Certification Accreditation  Momentum Association Management    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  468 Born into Water Treatment: Tom Brandvold on AWT's Origin Story and a Life in the Industry   127 The One With Tom Hutchison   426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change    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

    Preparing for AWT 2026: Leadership, Change, and CWT Growth with Matt Coffindaffer, Part 1

  3. Sep 7

    492 AI for Water Treaters: A Thought Partner, Not a Replacement

    Scaling UP! H2O

  4. Aug 28

    Environmental Microbiology and Legionella: Managing Building Water Risks with Dr. Rajiv Sahay

    Reliable Legionella results begin long before a sample reaches the laboratory. Dr. Rajiv Sahay of Sahay Scientific Services explains how building conditions, field collection practices, and laboratory methods influence the quality—and usefulness—of the data water professionals receive. Building Water Conditions Shape the Risk Modern buildings rely heavily on controlled mechanical systems, yet water can remain an overlooked part of the indoor environment. Stagnation, low flow, dead legs, temperature, pH, disinfectant residuals, corrosion, and accumulated organic material can all influence biofilm development and microbial activity. Dr. Sahay cautions against solving one problem while creating another. Raising a disinfectant concentration without considering system materials, water chemistry, and occupant health can introduce secondary risks. Instead, water professionals need enough data to balance microbial control with the operational realities of the system. Better Samples Begin in the Field Sample quality depends on what happens at the collection point. Dr. Sahay recommends recording temperature and pH when the sample is taken, selecting a collection technique suited to the water body, and avoiding unnecessary sediment or debris. He also explains how gloves, hands, bottles, and sampling equipment can introduce cross-contamination. Aseptic handling, clean barriers, appropriate disinfection, and complete chain-of-custody documentation help the laboratory connect its findings with actual field conditions. What Happens Inside the Laboratory Dr. Sahay walks listeners through three testing pathways: non-culture methods, traditional culture, and molecular diagnostics such as PCR. Culture remains the reference method discussed for isolating and confirming Legionella, while molecular testing can provide faster screening information. The conversation also follows a sample through filtration, preparation, inoculation on BCYE media, incubation, preliminary identification, and confirmation. This context helps water professionals understand why laboratory turnaround times and reported results vary by method. Reading Results With the Right Context A nondetect does not necessarily establish that an entire water system—or even the full sample bottle—contains no Legionella. It means the laboratory did not detect the organism in the analyzed portion under the method's detection capability. That distinction reinforces the central lesson: usable field data, representative sampling, appropriate laboratory methods, and informed interpretation must work together. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Connect with Dr. Rajiv Sahay  Phone: (727) 488-4001  Email: rajiv_sahay9@hotmail.com  Website: Environmental Services Consulting   LinkedIn: Dr. Rajiv Sahay, FIAS, CIAQP | LinkedIn   Sahay's Scientific Services: Overview | LinkedIn    Guest Resources Mentioned   Presentation – Legionella Unveiled: Safeguarding Water Systems in a Changing World by Dr. Rajiv Sahay  Environmental Microbiology 3rd Edition by Ian Pepper (Editor), Charles P. Gerba (Editor), Terry Gentry (Editor)  Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology: Volume One : The Archaea and the Deeply Branching and Phototrophic Bacteria 2nd Edition by David R. Boone (Editor), George M. Garrity (Editor), Richard W. Castenholz (Editor)  Bergey's Manual of Determinative Bacteriology. Eighth Edition by R. E. Buchanan (Editor), N. E. Gibbons (Editor)  CDC Legionella water management program overview  CDC Legionella prevention resources: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/index.html CDC ELITE Program (Environmental Legionella Isolation Techniques Evaluation)  EPA (Legionella-related publications and resources)  ASHRAE Standard 188 (Legionellosis risk management)     Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  Rising Tide Mastermind  Scaling UP! H2O Legionella Resources Library    Water You Know with James McDonald Today's definition is an organophosphorus compound containing a direct carbon-phosphorus bond that is commonly used in water treatment for corrosion control and threshold scale inhibition. 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:

    Environmental Microbiology and Legionella: Managing Building Water Risks with Dr. Rajiv Sahay

  5. Aug 25

    From Plans to Prevention: Water Management Insights with Dr. Abe Cullom

    A water management plan protects people only when the facility uses it to guide decisions. Dr. Abe Cullom, Director of Water Safety & Management at Pace Analytical, joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to examine why Legionella programs break down—and how testing, communication, and consistent implementation can strengthen them.  Implementation Is the Bottleneck  Five decades after Legionella was identified, researchers understand much more about the organism, its ecology, the conditions that support its growth, and the interventions available to control it. However, Dr. Cullom identifies implementation—not a lack of science—as the primary bottleneck.  Many plans remain in filing cabinets or operate on autopilot. Teams collect measurements and samples, yet no one connects the results into a complete picture of the building water system. Process failures, limited follow-up, budget constraints, and unclear communication can allow a developing problem to remain hidden behind repeated low-level corrective actions.  Testing Must Inform Risk  Culture remains a dominant testing method, although the typical wait for results can complicate decisions during an investigation or operational change. qPCR provides faster results but may detect genetic material from both living and dead cells. Dr. Cullom also explains viable but non-culturable cells and why recent heat treatment, supplemental disinfection, oxidative stress, or prolonged stagnation can affect culture results.  The goal is not automatically to drive every Legionella result to zero. Instead, teams should interpret findings using the species detected, distal site positivity, the facility's population, and the limitations of the testing method. Dr. Cullom explains why testing only for Legionella pneumophila may make sense in some systems, while healthcare facilities may require a broader view because highly immunocompromised patients can develop infections from other Legionella species.  Ownership, Communication, and Continuous Review  Water management plans often fail when responsibility for corrective action has not been assigned. Dr. Cullom calls one version of this breakdown the "milkman approach": a consultant or water treater delivers results, but the facility expects that outside party to organize a response that was never included in the scope.  Effective programs clearly define authority, assign actions, and give engineers, infection prevention professionals, facility leaders, consultants, and water treaters a shared vocabulary. When reviewing a program, examine its records, verification and validation activities, corrective-action documentation, and long-term data trends.  Dr. Cullom recommends giving someone at least 30 minutes each month to consider what the results reveal and whether the plan needs to change. He closes with a direct priority: validate every plan through testing—at least once and, ideally, routinely.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  08:40 — Trace introduces Dr. Abe Cullom and begins a practical examination of water safety, risk assessment, and Legionella outbreak prevention. 11:30 — Dr. Cullom defines opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens and explains why vulnerable building occupants face greater infection risks. 13:10 — Building water systems emerge as complex microbial environments shaped by chemistry, hydraulics, construction materials, pathogens, and antibiotic resistance. 14:40 — Fifty years of Legionella research have produced strong scientific guidance, but inconsistent implementation remains the central bottleneck. 16:40 — Process failures, poor communication, limited follow-up, and plans running on autopilot can undermine otherwise sound water management programs. 18:50 — Dr. Cullom compares culture and qPCR testing, including turnaround time, sensitivity, and the challenge of detecting DNA from dead cells. 20:50 — Testing only for Legionella pneumophila may reduce unnecessary responses in some systems, but healthcare facilities may need broader species testing. 22:30 — Viable but non-culturable cells can complicate sampling after heat, disinfection, oxidative stress, starvation, or prolonged stagnation. 24:10 — "Zero Legionella" and "zero cases" represent different goals, requiring teams to manage health risk instead of reacting identically to every positive result. 26:10 — Distal site positivity measures the percentage of sampled outlets testing positive and helps teams interpret building-level risk. 27:50 — Corrective actions can stall when authority, responsibilities, and expectations between facilities, consultants, and water treaters remain unclear. 30:00 — Plans, diagrams, and training should give multidisciplinary program teams a shared vocabulary for productive water-management decisions. 33:10 — Pseudomonas aeruginosa and nontuberculous mycobacteria deserve greater attention as additional building water pathogens. 34:20 — Public health, regulatory responsibilities, and the cost of outbreak mitigation can help professionals make the case for proactive water management. 36:50 — A program review should examine documentation, verification, validation, corrective actions, data trends, and how facility leaders interpret the results. 38:00 — Dr. Cullom previews "Clinical Crossroads: The Risk Burden of ST-108," addressing water quality, sterile processing, and new areas of liability. 39:40 — Program teams should dedicate time each month to reviewing data, challenging assumptions, and updating their understanding of the system. 41:30 — The Legionella Awareness Month lightning round covers essential resources, common communication failures, and routine testing as a driver of improvement.   Connect with Dr. Abe Cullom Phone: 913-948-3948  Email: abe.cullom@pacelabs.com  Website: People Advancing Science®: Transforming Environment & Health   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-cullom-46b04385/   https://www.linkedin.com/company/paceanalyticalservices/     Words of Water with James McDonald  Today's definition is a horizontal pressure vessel located at the bottom of a water tube boiler. Its primary functions are to facilitate water circulation and to provide a collection point for sludge, sediment, and other suspended solids that settle out of the boiler 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:

    From Plans to Prevention: Water Management Insights with Dr. Abe Cullom

  6. Aug 14

    Copper-Silver Ionization Technology and Legionella Control with Tory Schira

    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:

    Copper-Silver Ionization Technology and Legionella Control with Tory Schira

  7. Aug 7

    Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root

    "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

    Managing Legionella with confidence: A Conversation with Patsy Root

  8. Jul 31

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

    "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:

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

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.

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  • Creator
    scalinguph2o.com
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    509
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2018 All Rights Reserved, Blackmore Enterprises, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Scaling UP! H2O

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