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. Risk, Resilience, and Water Security with Dr. Newsha Ajami

    3d ago

    Risk, Resilience, and Water Security with Dr. Newsha Ajami

    Industrial operations depend on water of a predictable quantity and quality, yet many organizations still treat that reliability as a given. Dr. Newsha Ajami joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to examine water security as a business continuity issue and resilience as the ability to withstand pressure, maintain operations, and recover quickly when systems fail.  Connecting Risk, Resilience, and Recovery  For industrial water users, water security means maintaining access to the quantity and quality required to operate without interruption. That reliability depends on more than the water source itself. Treatment systems require energy, critical processes need backup plans, and organizations must understand what happens when one part of the system becomes unavailable.  Dr. Newsha connects risk assessment directly to resilience planning. Organizations can reduce exposure by developing portfolios of water sources and solutions, building redundancy, preparing for power disruptions, and allocating resources before a crisis occurs. Recovery should also create an opportunity to reconsider infrastructure, governance, and institutional structures rather than automatically rebuilding the same system in the same way.  Investing Before the System Fails  Proactive water decisions often require leadership willing to invest before the immediate need becomes visible. Dr. Newsha highlights Arizona's decision to store Colorado River allocations underground, Yuba Water Agency's collaboration with Blue Forest to support watershed and infrastructure resilience, and San Francisco's on-site water reuse requirements for qualifying buildings.  These examples demonstrate that resilience can be strengthened through policy, financial models, external partnerships, water reuse, supply planning, and business model innovation. They also show why public agencies and private businesses may approach risk differently—and why each can learn from the other.  Data Centers as a Water Challenge and Opportunity  Data center development places new attention on water availability, cooling demand, energy use, and community infrastructure. Rather than treating these facilities only as a threat to local resources, Dr. Newsha encourages water professionals to examine where they are built, how they are cooled, and what innovations could reduce their water and energy requirements.  Potential strategies include more efficient computing models, chip-level cooling, heat-absorbing materials, recovered-heat applications, water recycling, and co-location with facilities that can use excess heat. Collaboration between data center developers and host communities could also direct new investment toward aging or inadequate water infrastructure.  Making Water a National Priority  The Aspen national water strategy initiative brought together participants from agriculture, industry, energy, transportation, engineering, technology, rural and urban communities, Native American communities, and different political backgrounds. The goal was to identify shared principles and actions that could guide water decisions across national, state, and local levels.  Dr. Newsha argues that water must be managed as a national security issue. That requires investment not only in technology, but also in institutions, policies, business models, research, natural infrastructure, and the governance structures that shape decision-making.  Industrial water professionals can contribute by helping clients identify vulnerabilities, challenge assumptions, and make reliability investments before an interruption forces the decision.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  01:19 — Trace Blackmore shares highlights from the previous week, including the Fourth of July, the daytime edition of The Hang with AWT Young Professionals, and the Scaling Up Nation's role in raising the bar across industrial water treatment.  03:05 — Trace recognizes several July 10 observances before turning the spotlight toward the water treatment industry's own annual celebration.  04:36 — Industrial Water Week 2026 returns October 5–9 with dedicated episodes covering pretreatment, boilers, cooling, wastewater, and careers in industrial water.  06:38 — Words of Water with James   09:15 — Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 11:01 — Interview with Dr. Newsha Ajami, founding director of the Risk Resilience and Recovery Program at Stanford University, about water security, resilient infrastructure, risk planning, recovery, and the policies and financial systems that shape water decisions 12:17 — Dr. Newsha explains how her engineering and hydrology background expanded into water policy, regulation, and infrastructure finance.  13:50 — Water's everyday invisibility can create a false sense that reliable access will always continue without deliberate planning or investment.  15:35 — Water security for industrial users means maintaining the quantity and quality required to operate reliably and avoid business interruptions.  16:23 — Resilience requires systems that can tolerate pressure, maintain operations through redundancy, and recover quickly after failure.  17:45 — Risk, resilience, and recovery connect through better vulnerability assessment, diversified water sources, backup plans, and improved rebuilding decisions.  21:26 — Utilities, insurers, financial institutions, nonprofits, and government agencies all influence how resilient water systems become.  22:09 — Reactive business models and inflexible funding structures often delay resilience investments until after a disaster has occurred.  25:51 — Arizona's groundwater storage, Yuba Water Agency's watershed investments, and Moulton Niguel Water District's operational changes demonstrate different approaches to long-term resilience.  29:45 — San Francisco's onsite water reuse requirements show how policy can support development while reducing pressure on centralized water supplies.  38:32 — The Aspen National Water Strategy seeks to create a nonpartisan roadmap shaped by diverse regions, sectors, communities, and political perspectives.  41:13 — Dr. Newsha explains why water should be treated as a national security issue and why innovation must extend beyond technology to policies, institutions, and business models.  43:44 — Stanford's Risk Resilience and Recovery Program examines how governance, insurance, finance, and legislation affect preparation for natural hazards and disaster recovery.  45:46 — Dr. Newsha invites listeners to connect through Stanford and LinkedIn to follow the program's research, partnerships, and future events.  47:51 — Trace summarizes the conversation, emphasizing risk awareness, system redundancy, improved recovery planning, and collaboration among all stakeholders.  51:00 — Trace encourages professionals to apply past operational data, involve every relevant stakeholder, and help more water treaters discover the Scaling UP! H2O podcast.    Quotes  "And even when they break, be able to bounce back quickly."  "Data centers, a challenge and an opportunity."  "But we use we have to use this opportunity to, we have to use this as an opportunity to change, to do better, to build our infrastructure."  "Water is an invisible connector across everything we have, we do, we depend on."  "We do talk about water, but we do not manage water as a national security issue. And water is a national security issue."    Connect with Dr. Newsha Ajami  Email: newsha@stanford.edu   Website: Stanford University   LinkedIn: Newsha Ajami, PhD | LinkedIn    Guest Resources Mentioned   ASPEN – National Water Strategy  Governance for Risk, Resilience, and Recovery (GR3)  Aspen National Water Strategy Initiative  Arizona Water Banking Authority — Water Storage  Blue Forest — Yuba I Forest Resilience Bond   Dr. Newsha Ajami — Stanford Profile  Article 12C of the San Francisco Health Code  San Francisco Public Utilities Commission — Onsite Water Reuse   Yuba Water Agency — Forest Resilience Bond    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind   Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is water lost from a cooling tower as liquid droplets entrained in the exhaust air. It is independent of water lost by evaporation.    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.    This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

    53 min
  2. From Process Engineer to Process Architect: Alicia Butler‑Pierre on Making Work Flow

    Jul 3

    From Process Engineer to Process Architect: Alicia Butler‑Pierre on Making Work Flow

    Industrial water professionals understand flow, pressure, heat exchange, wastewater, boilers, condensers, and process control. Alicia Butler-Pierre brings that same engineering logic into business systems, showing how work, information, decisions, and people move through an organization. Alicia, CEO of Equilibria, joins Trace Blackmore, CWT, to connect process engineering, operations management, Lean Six Sigma, dashboards, professional training, and business infrastructure. Her message is clear: whether you are moving water through a pipeline or work through a company, the question remains the same—how can the process flow more seamlessly?   From Process Engineer to Process Architect Alicia shares how her chemical engineering background shaped the way she sees organizations. Early in her career, she worked around wastewater, boilers, condensers, and heat exchangers, but she also saw a gap between technical operations and business decision-making. That gap eventually led her to business school, entrepreneurship, and the founding of Equilibria. What began as a professional organizing company became an operations management consulting firm focused on processes, systems, Lean Six Sigma, and business infrastructure. For water professionals, this conversation offers a practical reminder: technical improvements often fail to gain support when they are explained only in technical language. Alicia challenges listeners to connect process improvements to business outcomes that accounting, leadership, and customers can understand.   Dashboards, Dollars, and the Cost of Poor Quality Trace and Alicia discuss a familiar challenge in water treatment: a team may know that a technical improvement will raise efficiency or reduce risk, but accounting may only see the capital expense. Alicia's advice is to show the linkage. Dashboards can help different functions see cause and effect. When technical investments are connected to revenue, profitability, customer demand, and operating efficiency, decision-makers can better understand the true value of the work. Alicia also introduces the Lean Six Sigma concept of cost of poor quality. Instead of presenting improvement work as another expense, she encourages professionals to frame it as an investment and show what inaction could cost in dollars and cents.   Lean Six Sigma, Training, and Podcast Education Alicia explains Lean and Six Sigma in clear operational terms. Lean focuses on reducing waste and improving work from a customer-centered perspective. Six Sigma uses statistics and data analysis to reduce defects and errors as close to zero as possible. The conversation also moves into professional education. Alicia describes her podcast training portal, her partnership with the Project Management Institute, and how podcast episodes can support professional development units when paired with quizzes, approval processes, and a structured learning management system. For a technical field built on continuing education, this opens an important question: how can trusted podcast content become part of a more formal learning pathway?   Scaling Knowledge Across Borders Alicia's work has expanded through teaching, online training, micro-courses, podcasting, and international business development. She describes podcasting as a door that gave her access to the world and helped her see the global need for professional education. Her path from process engineer to process architect reinforces a lesson water professionals know well: good systems do not happen by accident. They are designed, tested, improved, and translated into language others can act on. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!   Connect with Alicia Butler-Pierre  Email: apierre@eqbsystems.com   Website: Equilibria | Lean Six Sigma, Project Management Training via Podcasts   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciabutlerpierre/   Equilibria, Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn     Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  131 The One About Standard Operating Procedures    Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the pressure of a system measured relative to the surrounding atmospheric pressure.  In other words, it is the pressure of a system above atmospheric pressure.    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.    This episode made possible through our valued partners at:

    1h 2m
  3. Preserving Our Industry's Story – Paul Petersen and the Industrial Water Exhibit

    Jun 26

    Preserving Our Industry's Story – Paul Petersen and the Industrial Water Exhibit

    Industrial water treatment has always supported industry, but much of that story remains invisible to the public. Paul Petersen wants to change that by helping establish an industrial water treatment presence at the National Museum of Industrial History in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.   Paul Petersen, former president and CEO of Trident Technologies and current leader of the Industrial Water Task Group, joins Trace Blackmore to explain why preserving the industry's history matters. His vision is not simply a static display of old equipment. Instead, the goal is to create an educational thread throughout the museum that helps visitors understand how water, steam, analytics, field testing, and professional water treaters have shaped industrial progress.   Why Industrial Water Belongs in an Industrial History Museum Paul's idea began during a visit to the National Museum of Industrial History, where he saw a strong celebration of American industrialization but noticed a missing piece: the role water treaters played in making that progress possible.  The museum's location strengthens the story. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, sits in the Lehigh Valley, a region Paul describes as closely tied to industrialization, steel production, legacy water treatment companies, and heavy industrial water use. The former Bethlehem Steel site offers a fitting backdrop for explaining why water management is central to manufacturing, power, construction, and modern technology.   From Water Wheels to Boilers, Steam, and Field Analytics  The exhibit concept begins with water's physical role in early factories, then follows the shift toward boilers and steam-producing systems. Paul explains that steam boilers do not serve their purpose without water, and they do not operate safely without proper water management.  That opens the door to stories professionals know well: scale, corrosion, pitting, boiler failures, and the consequences of poor control. Paul also highlights another important industry contribution: field analytics. Industrial water treaters were early practitioners of field testing, using water analysis to confirm conditions and adjust treatment programs directly in the field.   Helping the Public Understand What Water Treaters Do  For many professionals, explaining industrial water treatment to people outside the field is a lifelong challenge. Paul sees the museum as an opportunity to make that explanation tangible.  Rather than assuming visitors understand boiler rooms, cooling systems, data centers, sterilization, or process water, the exhibit can connect water treatment to outcomes people recognize: safe facilities, sterile surgical instruments, food quality, operating data centers, and reliable industrial systems.   Preserving Artifacts, Stories, and Career Pathways  Paul is asking the industry to help preserve its history. Companies and individuals may have photographs, reports, testing equipment, boiler failure examples, corrosion artifacts, pitting samples, or stories that can support future exhibits.  The project also has a workforce purpose. By raising the visibility of professional water treaters, Paul hopes the exhibit can help people see industrial water treatment as a meaningful career path that combines chemistry, math, physics, engineering, communication, maintenance, construction, and hydrology.  The industry's history is not just a look backward. It can help explain the value of the work, attract new talent, and strengthen public understanding of why industrial water treatment matters.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps  02:30 — Trace opens the episode by framing Paul Petersen's work as important not only to industrial water treatment professionals, but also to people outside the field who need to understand what the industry makes possible  03:20 — The 2026 American Chemical Society Fall Conference is highlighted as a major chemistry gathering with relevance for water treatment professionals, chemists, chemical engineers, and technical leaders.  05:00 — Trace previews The Hang on July 9 at 1 PM Eastern, emphasizing peer connection, practical networking, and a more accessible time for participation.  06:30 — Industrial Water Week is announced for October 5–9, with each day focused on a core area of the industry: pretreatment, boilers, cooling, wastewater, and careers.  08:50 — James McDonald returns with Words of Water  10:30 — Trace introduces Paul Petersen, former president and CEO of Trident Technologies, and his current work leading the Industrial Water Task Group's museum exhibit initiative  11:15 — Paul shares how growing up in Tucson, Arizona, shaped his appreciation for water and helped set the foundation for a career in industrial water treatment.  12:10 — Paul describes his early work as an analytical technician, where testing cooling tower, boiler, and process water built his practical foundation in water chemistry  14:00 — Paul explains the growth of Trident Technologies, including work in Southern California, Mexico, Latin America, and the company's eventual sale in 2009.  15:20 — Paul reflects on how technology changed the industry, from cell phones and email to automation, AI, and the broader availability of technical information.  17:00 — Trace and Paul discuss AI's potential value in reporting, trend identification, interpretation, and communication, while reinforcing the need to validate outputs.  18:00 — Paul explains how a 2019 visit to historic sites and the National Museum of Industrial History led to the idea for an industrial water treatment exhibit.  20:00 — Paul identifies the missing piece in the museum's industrial story: the role water treaters played in supporting the success of industrialization.  21:40 — Paul explains why the museum concept may become a thread throughout the museum rather than one standalone exhibit, helping visitors see water's role across industries.  22:50 — Paul explains why Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the Lehigh Valley, and the former Bethlehem Steel site provide a natural setting for telling the story of industrial water.  26:40 — Paul describes how modern museum visitors expect interactive learning and why the exhibit must help the public think critically about water beyond everyday household use.  28:10 — Paul outlines the first exhibit themes around steam, boilers, boiler failures, the Sultana disaster, field analytics, and historical testing methods.  31:55 — Paul discusses the lifelong challenge of explaining industrial water treatment to the public and connecting the work to boiler rooms, hospitals, food quality, data centers, and daily life.  34:10 — Paul shares the current exhibit status, including the first phase and a model boiler that will help visitors see what happens inside a boiler.  35:20 — Paul invites water professionals and companies to contribute artifacts, photographs, explanations, stories, and supporting materials that can help tell the industry's story.  36:50 — Paul addresses a key misconception: water should not be taken for granted, and "good water" depends entirely on the application.  39:05 — Paul connects the exhibit to workforce visibility, explaining how it can help present industrial water treatment as a meaningful career path.  40:40 — Paul describes his long-term vision for visitors to see how water supports industries from steel and papermaking to microprocessors and modern technology.  42:40 — Paul explains that the project needs financial support, sponsorship, and leadership from companies and individuals who want to preserve the industry's story.  44:20 — Paul closes the main conversation by emphasizing the importance of preserving industrial water history while the future continues to move quickly.  50:00 — Paul shares what he wishes more people understood about the industry: water is part of nearly every major story, and professional water treaters help keep society functioning.  51:30 — Trace recaps why Paul's museum work matters, how the industry can contribute, and how the exhibit can help the public understand the role of industrial water treaters  55:20 — Trace closes with Paul's advice to seek mentors, learn the business side as well as the chemistry, and never take water for granted    Quotes  "They're really celebrating industrial history in America. But what's missing is the role that we played as water treaters in support of the success of industrialization."  "Here's an opportunity for us to share the knowledge that we have as water treatment professionals with the public to engage their thinking, their critical thinking about water."  "What is good water? And my answer to that is, what do you want to do with it?"  "What we do as professional water treaters is truly an important thing. And, you know, I never forget that."  "I'm part of the past, but I think our rich history should be presented in an exhibit for all to enjoy at the museum."  "I would like to build better bridges, more bridges."  "Just not taking the resource of water for granted."    Connect with Paul Petersen Email:  pwpetersen@mac.com   Website: https://www.nmih.org/     Guest Resources Mentioned   History In the Making - National Museum of Industrial History Water and Steam Boiler Initiative - Industrial Water Task Group - National Museum of Industrial History Hagley Museum and Library  Hagley Powder Yard Trail The Newcomen Society Bethlehem Steel Corporation Duval Sierrita Corporation ChemTreat Danaher ChemTreat Acquisition Announcement Sultana Disaster Museum Pea Ridge National Military Park Presents Program about The Sultana Disaster  National Museum of Industrial History and Historic Bethlehem Museu

    57 min
  4. From Waterfalls to SOPs: Building Better Utilities with Kalpna Solanki

    Jun 19

    From Waterfalls to SOPs: Building Better Utilities with Kalpna Solanki

    Water utility work depends on more than technical knowledge. It depends on clear procedures, current documents, practical training, and performance conversations that reflect what operators actually do in the field.  In Episode 481, Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes back Kalpna Solanki, President and CEO at GAMECHANGERS Inc., for a practical conversation on building stronger utilities through standard operating procedures, competencies, and performance evaluations. Kalpna shares how outdated SOPs, disconnected training tools, and top-down documentation can create risk, confusion, and missed learning opportunities.    SOPs That Match the Work  Kalpna defines an SOP as a documented process that provides clear instructions for specific tasks or activities. Her current work with water utilities includes procedures for water main installation, flushing, customer complaints, meter installation, meter readings, and other distribution team responsibilities.  The key issue is not whether an organization has SOPs. Many do. The bigger question is whether those documents still match the field reality. Kalpna describes reviewing SOPs that reference retired staff, outdated contact information, and procedures written by people who may no longer be close to the work.  Her approach starts with the operators. The people doing the work help revise the documents, confirm what is accurate, and identify what needs to change. Revision dates, organized SOP libraries, and clear naming structures help teams avoid using the wrong version.    From Procedures to Competencies  Kalpna explains that SOPs should not sit alone in a file system. They should inform competency frameworks that define the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors needed for the job.  For example, an SOP may explain how to perform a fire hydrant teardown. A related competency tool can help confirm whether an operator knows how to do that work safely and correctly. The results can then guide mentoring, training, and performance evaluation.  This turns performance evaluation into a two-way process. Rather than simply telling employees what they did or did not do, supervisors can use competency checklists to identify gaps, determine needed resources, and support development.    Field Access, Video, and Ownership  Kalpna also shares how the Capital Regional District project extends SOPs beyond written documents. Once an SOP is revised and approved, her team creates a field video using operators as the subjects. The video is tied back to the written SOP, giving employees the option to read, watch, or use both formats depending on how they learn best.  QR codes make the system even more useful. Operators can scan a code in the field and access the relevant SOP or video without leaving the work location, searching a large document library, or relying on memory.  That access matters. As Kalpna puts it, when processes are too complicated, people are more likely to wing it. In water utility work, that can affect safety, consistency, compliance, and service quality.    Water Stories and Water Reuse  Kalpna also shares her personal water story, from growing up near the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls to living near the Thames River in London and later near protected watersheds in Vancouver. Her experiences shape how she thinks about water availability, source protection, and the responsibility of the industry.  The conversation closes with a look at the Vancouver Convention Centre West, where a full-scale wastewater treatment facility operates beneath the building. Treated effluent is reused for toilet flushing and rooftop garden irrigation, reducing freshwater demand and municipal sewer load.  For Kalpna, this points to a larger shift in language and mindset. Wastewater is not simply waste. It is a resource with future value for reuse, reclamation, and water-stressed industries.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!  Timestamps  01:10 — Trace welcomes Kalpna Solanki back and notes her previous Scaling UP! H2O appearance in Episode 435 on backflow prevention.  01:50 — Kalpna shares what has changed since her last visit, including the launch of GAMECHANGERS Inc. and her work with nonprofits, government agencies, and water utilities.  02:40 — Kalpna explains the two criteria she uses when choosing where to contribute: the opportunity to contribute and the opportunity to learn.  03:40 — Kalpna introduces the Water Environment Federation and its broad role in the water sector, with a strong focus on wastewater.  04:10 — The conversation turns to WEFTEC, AI, data centers, and the Water AI Nexus Center for Excellence.  08:20 — Kalpna defines an SOP as a documented process that provides clear instructions for specific tasks or activities.  08:40 — Kalpna describes her work with the Capital Regional District and water distribution teams serving more than 400,000 people with drinking water.  09:40 — Kalpna explains why SOPs should be developed with field staff, not only by managers who may be removed from day-to-day operations.  10:40 — SOPs connect to competencies by defining the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors employees need to perform work effectively.  11:40 — Kalpna frames performance evaluation as a two-way process for identifying training needs, resources, and competency gaps.  13:00 — Trace asks how organizations can align SOPs with what operators actually do in the field.  13:20 — Kalpna describes the risk of dated SOPs, including documents that reference retired staff or obsolete contact information.  14:00 — Kalpna explains how SOP nomenclature and organized folders help operators find the current procedure quickly.  15:30 — The discussion shifts to video-based SOPs that support different learning styles and increase field usability.  19:50 — Kalpna adds that QR codes can take operators directly to the relevant SOP and linked video in the field.  20:25 — Kalpna explains why simplicity matters: if the process is too complicated, people are more likely to wing it.  21:10 — Safety enters the competency discussion, with Kalpna explaining why SOP-based competencies can better reflect actual field work.  22:20 — Kalpna outlines her starting process with a utility: review the SOPs, determine what is dated or missing, divide them by operational area, and prioritize revisions.  24:10 — Kalpna describes how SOPs for water main upgrades can be translated into a competency framework.  25:00 — Technical and leadership competencies are discussed, including behavioral indicators that supervisors can use with operators.  26:30 — Kalpna introduces application exams, remote proctoring, and future AI-assisted marking as part of the hiring process.  28:05 — The conversation turns to culture, ownership, and how staff involvement can create empowerment rather than top-down compliance.  29:55 — Kalpna urges listeners to look at the intersection between SOPs, competencies, and performance evaluations.  32:40 — Kalpna shares her personal water story, beginning with childhood walks near the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls.  34:15 — Kalpna connects her experiences in London and Vancouver to water availability, source protection, and the value of safe drinking water.  37:00 — In the lightning round, Kalpna describes her superpower as seeing organizations from a high-level perspective and imagining what they could become.  38:35 — Kalpna shares a major accomplishment: leading a CRM project that succeeded because the people doing the work were involved.  40:25 — Kalpna discusses a water operator training and certification project in Kenya with Water Professionals International and GAMECHANGERS Inc.  41:55 — Kalpna answers the magic wand question with the Water Environment Federation vision statement: "life free of water challenges."  43:10 — Kalpna recommends five books spanning personal values, scaling systems, resilience, memoir, and nonprofit governance.    Quotes "When it comes to how that leads to competencies, competencies refer to the knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors that employees need to perform their job effectively."  "Because I think if things are too complicated, people are going to be more tempted to wing it."  "I need their feedback to get the reality of their job on a day-to-day basis."  "I think that one of the key things is really look at the intersection between SOPs, competencies and performance evaluations."  "Life free of water challenges."  "We talk about wastewater, but it's not waste really, it's a resource."    Connect with Kalpna Solanki  Email: ksolanki@gamechangerssolutions.com  Website: GAMECHANGERS Inc. | Strategy Development And Implementation  LinkedIn: Kalpna Solanki MBA | LinkedIn  GAMECHANGERS Inc.: Overview | LinkedIn     Guest Resources Mentioned   Bridging Continents Through Clean Water: Mike Firlotte and Paul Bishop Lead Operator Training and Pinning in Kenya     Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  355 Backflow Prevention: Safeguarding Water Quality   2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.

    1h 8m
  5. From Engineering Numbers to People, Power, and Policy with Sherine El‑Wattar

    Jun 13

    From Engineering Numbers to People, Power, and Policy with Sherine El‑Wattar

    Industrial water professionals work with chemistry, equipment, permits, and performance targets every day. Yet every gallon also moves through a framework of policy decisions: who can withdraw water, how it may be used, what quality must be returned, and whose needs are considered when systems are designed.  Sherine El-Wattar, a science network officer supporting the IPCC Working Group II Technical Support Unit, brings an engineering foundation and a human-centered perspective to those questions. Her work focuses on climate impacts, adaptation, vulnerability, and risk while helping connect scientific assessments with communities and professional groups beyond the traditional research environment.    Water Systems Are Never Neutral  Pipelines, treatment plants, reuse programs, and flood-control infrastructure solve technical problems. However, Sherine encourages engineers and decision-makers to ask additional questions: Who benefits from the system? Who might be harmed? Whose assumptions are built into the equations? What local realities might the numbers overlook?  Her master's research illustrates the importance of that lens. Sherine compared remote-sensing indicators of agricultural productivity with the day-to-day practices of farmers near Cairo. A digital map could classify land as productive or unproductive, but the view from the ground revealed practices shaped by long-term care for the soil and water. The lesson is not to dismiss data. It is to understand what the data may not capture.    Water Risk Depends on Context  Water scarcity, flooding, infrastructure resilience, and climate adaptation do not look the same in every region. Culture, institutions, belief systems, and lived experience shape how communities define risk and how they respond to water policy.  Sherine describes climate-related water risk through a straightforward frame: too much water or too little water. The solutions, however, require deeper attention to local conditions. A technically sound recommendation may still fall short if it overlooks the people affected by the decision.    Practical Steps for Water Professionals  For utilities, facilities, and water-sector businesses, Sherine recommends exploring water footprint concepts and water stewardship. She also emphasizes authentic connection: listen before trying to fix a problem, communicate without judgment, and build awareness through relationships.  Industrial water treaters already hold valuable knowledge. Sharing that expertise with operators, communities, policymakers, and professionals from other disciplines can improve the quality of future water decisions.  Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!    Timestamps 02:10 — Trace explains why water and policy are inseparable, even when daily work appears focused on equipment, chemistry, permits, and profitability. 05:10 — Upcoming industry events highlight opportunities to stay current on utility operations, infrastructure, compliance, data integration, and water-quality challenges. 08:50 — Sherine El-Wattar joins the conversation and clarifies the IPCC acronym before introducing her work in water governance and climate adaptation. 11:30 — Sherine reflects on the value of combining engineering problem-solving with water systems that serve society. 12:00 — Sherine describes her role supporting IPCC Working Group II and the two responsibilities she balances: science and networking. 14:10 — The discussion explores how expert reviewers can contribute perspectives from law, finance, health, youth organizations, Indigenous communities, and other fields. 15:30 — Sherine explains why communication must shift depending on whether the audience includes public communities or government representatives. 17:10 — Water is compared to language: local culture, institutions, and belief systems influence how risk and equity are understood. 19:50 — Sherine unpacks water as a story of people, power, and justice rather than only a network of pipes and treatment systems. 22:00 — A human-centric approach asks who benefits, who may be harmed, whose knowledge informs the system, and what the assumptions may cost. 24:40 — Sherine describes the Netherlands' Delta Works as an example of infrastructure shaped by risk, institutional capacity, and long-term water management. 27:10 — Sherine shares how her master's studies shifted her understanding of water from a technical discipline toward the science-policy interface. 29:40 — Her research compares remote-sensing indicators with farmers' lived practices near Cairo, revealing the limits of relying on aggregated data alone. 33:30 — Trace and Sherine explore how professionals can respect culture and tradition while still supporting education and improvement. 35:50 — Sherine recommends water footprint concepts and water stewardship as practical starting points for organizations planning for climate adaptation. 38:20 — The conversation examines the mismatch between climate risk and the depth of current responses to too much or too little water. 41:50 — Sherine encourages professionals to connect water awareness with personal reflection, professional networks, and conversations that influence behavior   Connect with Sherine El-Wattar  Phone: +31646914589  Email: selwattar@gmail.com  Website: IPCC — Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change  https://www.linkedin.com/company/ipcc/  LinkedIn: Sherine El-Wattar | LinkedIn    Quotes "And I really liked how, you know, engineering is all about the numbers, solving problems, and finding a way to create a system that serves society." "I have been humbled enough to know you cannot force policymakers to think anything." "For us to balance these things, it's about, it starts with understanding." "I really hope I would live to see the day where taking care of water or being water conscious is the new trend."   Guest Resources Mentioned  Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Working Group II IPCC Working Group II: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability  IPCC: What Is an Expert Reviewer of IPCC Reports? Engage with the IPCC The Water Footprint Assessment Manual: Setting the Global Standard Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) Standard  IHE Delft: Water Governance  IHE Delft: Governance and Management Profile The History of the Delta Works FAO WaPOR: Remote Sensing for Water Productivity A Million Little Pieces by James Frey (Author) Paperback   Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  What Is Water Footprint Assessment? UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health: Global Water Bankruptcy   2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.

    55 min
  6. Water Treatment: The Next Generation - Hustle Culture Meets Emotional Literacy with Tiffany Wentz‑Root

    Jun 5

    Water Treatment: The Next Generation - Hustle Culture Meets Emotional Literacy with Tiffany Wentz‑Root

    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.

    1h 19m
  7. Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 2)

    May 29

    Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 2)

    Power plant water and steam chemistry does not fail in isolation. A mistaken unit, an unused analyzer, an overdesigned pretreatment system, or a misunderstood condensate return problem can ripple across equipment, permits, production, and safety. In this Part 2 conversation with Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies and Buecker Associates, Trace Blackmore continues a practical discussion on the details that shape industrial water decisions. Brad shares field stories from combined cycle plants, package boilers, wastewater permitting, membrane systems, and decades of technical writing.   When Small Errors Become Expensive Problems Brad opens with a story about a wastewater permitting issue where parts per million and parts per billion were confused in a discharge permit. The result was not just a paperwork problem. Once the stricter limits were accepted by regulators, meeting those limits would have required more complex and expensive wastewater treatment equipment. That story is a reminder for water professionals reviewing RFPs, permits, and engineering specifications. Precision matters before a project is built, not after the limits have already been approved. Brad also discusses PFAS with appropriate caution. He does not present himself as a PFAS expert, but he connects the conversation to zero liquid discharge, brine concentrators, crystallizers, and the unresolved question of what happens to solids when contaminants are concentrated rather than discharged.   Membranes, Discharge, and the Changing Water Balance Looking across more than four decades in the industry, Brad points to membranes as one of the major changes in power plant water treatment. He discusses how reverse osmosis extended ion exchange demineralizer run times, and how microfiltration and ultrafiltration improved water quality going to RO systems. However, Brad also makes clear that better pretreatment does not remove every operational question. RO reject remains a substantial discharge stream. Meanwhile, the movement away from once-through cooling toward cooling towers has changed how plants think about water consumption, evaporation, discharge, and resource availability. For professionals managing water in power and industrial systems, the episode reinforces a practical lesson: every improvement has a system-level consequence that must be understood.   The Real Cost of "Lean and Mean" Brad uses the phrase "lean and mean" to describe how some combined cycle plants are staffed. In one example, a plant had a comprehensive online chemistry monitoring system installed, but it had never been turned on because the staff did not have the experience to maintain or interpret it. In another case, a groundwater-based makeup system included seven-layer multimedia filters even though groundwater typically has very few particulates. Brad could not make a categorical conclusion without a full analysis, but the story raises an important question: are we solving the actual water problem, or simply buying equipment? He also shares a case from an organic chemicals plant with four 550 PSI package boilers. The plant returned 80 to 90 percent of its condensate, but total organic carbon levels were far above the ASME recommended limit for that pressure boiler. Foam in the saturated steam samples helped point to carryover into the superheaters, where scale was building up inside the tubes.   Learning, Mentorship, and Leaving the Industry Better Beyond the technical stories, Brad's message is clear: professionals who keep learning are better prepared to make sound decisions. He encourages newer water treaters to study strong water treatment handbooks, talk to experienced people, and physically connect chemistry data to the equipment and processes in the plant. For those nearing retirement, Brad offers a different kind of challenge: pass along what you know while there is still time. He and Trace discuss how sharing experience strengthens the next generation instead of threatening the people who already hold knowledge. The episode closes with a reminder that water is central to manufacturing, power generation, and daily life. Keeping the lights on and protecting water resources both require people who understand the systems behind the scenes. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!   Timestamps  02:16 — Trace introduces Part 2 of his conversation with Bradley Buecker and sets up the continuation of a technical discussion on power plant water and steam chemistry. 04:10 — Trace asks Brad about a case where an engineering firm confused parts per million and parts per billion in wastewater permitting. 05:38 — Brad explains how NPDES discharge permits shape what a new plant must control before construction and operation. 06:35 — Brad describes how some constituents with typical PPM limits were submitted as PPB, creating a much stricter compliance problem. 07:18 — Brad explains why trying to meet unnecessarily low PPB limits can require exotic wastewater treatment equipment. 07:51 — Trace pivots the conversation to PFAS, and Brad responds carefully by acknowledging the importance of the issue while noting that he is not a PFAS expert. 08:34 — Brad connects PFAS concerns to zero liquid discharge, brine concentrators, crystallizers, and the question of what happens to concentrated solids. 11:27 — Brad identifies membranes as one of the major industry changes he has seen across more than four decades. 11:44 — Brad explains how RO systems placed ahead of ion exchange demineralizers extended operating run times in power plant makeup water treatment. 12:35 — Brad notes that membrane systems still create discharge challenges, including substantial RO reject streams. 13:23 — Brad discusses the shift away from once-through cooling and how cooling towers changed the water consumption picture for power plants. 16:14 — Trace asks Brad about the phrase "lean and mean," opening a discussion about staffing, expertise, and hidden operational risk. 17:25 — Brad shares a case where a comprehensive online chemistry monitoring system had never been turned on because the plant lacked the right technical support. 18:31 — Brad describes a groundwater-based makeup system with a seven-layer multimedia filtration setup and raises the question of whether the equipment fit the actual water source. 20:39 — Brad introduces a case involving four 550 PSI package boilers at an organic chemicals plant producing superheated steam for process use. 21:30 — Brad explains that 80 to 90 percent condensate return, high TOC readings, and foaming in saturated steam samples pointed toward carryover into the superheaters. 23:29 — Brad summarizes the risk of cutting too deeply: being lean and mean can cost more in the long run. 23:55 — Brad reflects on the importance of continuous learning and shares his regret about not pursuing a master's program in environmental science. 25:19 — Trace shares his father's advice to leave the industry better than he found it, and Brad connects that idea to sharing safety-critical knowledge. 29:25 — Brad advises newer professionals to learn the basics, study reliable water treatment handbooks, and connect lab work to real plant systems. 35:32 — Brad thanks retiring professionals and encourages them to pass along practical knowledge to younger people while they still have time. 37:23 — Brad explains what people outside the industry should understand about water's role in manufacturing, power generation, and daily life.   Quotes  "Those are very important because if something goes south chemistry-wise at a power plant, you need to know very quickly." "You can be lean and mean, but it can cost you a lot more in the long run." "If you have any ambition or interest at all, continue learning." "If you pass along your information and give younger people a chance to do something, give them some responsibility, it just pays off much more."   Connect with Bradley Buecker  Email: bueckerb@samcotech.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-buecker-705b9021/  Website: Water & Wastewater Treatment Solutions | SAMCO Technologies   Guest Resources Mentioned   US EPA - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)  Buecker & Associates, LLC - Consulting and Technical Writing  Beware of Flow-Accelerated Corrosion – Brad Buecker, Kiewit Engineering Group  Muck Rack – Brad Buecker Articles    Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind  477 Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)    Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the standard SI unit for the amount of substance, defined exactly as 6.02214076 x 10^23 elementary entities, such as atoms or molecules.  Can you guess the word or phrase?    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.

    52 min
  8. Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)

    May 22

    Rethinking Power Plant Water and Steam Chemistry with Brad Buecker (Part 1)

    Power plant water and steam chemistry is not a background task. It affects safety, reliability, metallurgy, production, and the decisions plant teams make under pressure. In Part 1 of this conversation, Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies and Buecker Associates to examine what happens when familiar assumptions go unchallenged. Safety Comes First in High-Energy Systems Bradley begins with the lesson that has shaped decades of his work: safety. Power and industrial systems involve heat, flow, moving equipment, chemicals, confined spaces, lockout/tagout requirements, and PPE decisions that cannot be treated casually. That safety lens carries directly into the discussion of flow accelerated corrosion, or FAC. Bradley explains how older thinking around removing all oxygen from high-pressure steam generation systems helped shape all-volatile treatment reducing programs. However, research following a catastrophic 1986 feedwater line failure showed that chemistry, flow conditions, pH, temperature, and piping geometry can combine to thin protective oxide layers on carbon steel. "Water is Water" Is a Risky Mindset Trace and Bradley then challenge one of the most expensive assumptions in industrial plants: "water is water." Bradley explains why boiler makeup treatment, softener performance, hardness control, and operating discipline deserve attention before failures appear. Low-pressure and intermediate-pressure boilers may tolerate a range of dissolved solids, but hardness remains a serious threat. Calcium and magnesium can form calcium carbonate scale in hot boiler environments, especially when softeners are poorly maintained, overrun, or bypassed to keep production moving. Bradley shares examples where short-term operating decisions led to tube failures, re-tubing, hydrogen damage, and costly downtime. Layup, Stainless Steel, and Data Before Assumptions The conversation also covers proper layup, oxygen and moisture corrosion, nitrogen capping, dehumidified air, vapor phase corrosion inhibitors, and why idle systems need a plan. Bradley reminds listeners that protecting the boiler is not enough; condensers, low-pressure turbines, and other surfaces also matter. Finally, Bradley discusses stainless steel selection and why 304L or 316L should never be treated as a universal cure for corrosion. Chlorides, deposits, cycling in cooling towers, and pitting risk all need to be evaluated before materials decisions become expensive lessons. His closed cooling water case history reinforces the same principle: do not clean, treat, or specify based on assumption. Get the data first. Good water treatment decisions protect people, equipment, and production. This conversation is a reminder that experience matters, but so does the willingness to ask questions, challenge old habits, and reach out before a problem becomes a failure. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 02:30 — Trace opens the episode by thanking listeners for encouraging him to share more personal reflections, showing how audience feedback shapes the podcast. 04:50 — Trace highlights upcoming industry events, including ACE26 and The Water Expo, and reminds water professionals to use the Scaling UP! H2O events section for career and networking opportunities. 07:10 — James McDonald presents Words of Water, defining the mole and keeping technical learning approachable for industrial water professionals. 09:10 — Trace welcomes Bradley Buecker of SAMCO Technologies and Buecker Associates as his lab partner for the episode. 10:00 — Bradley summarizes his career across coal-fired utilities, water treatment, steam generation chemistry, air emissions control, engineering firms, and water treatment companies. 11:30 — Bradley identifies safety as the most important lesson from his career, emphasizing PPE, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, chemicals, and high-energy systems. 12:50 — Bradley challenges the phrase "that's the way we've always done it," pointing to changes in membrane technologies, high-pressure steam chemistry, and cooling water treatment. 13:50 — Bradley introduces two major concerns: flow accelerated corrosion and the dangerous assumption that "water is water." 15:10 — Bradley explains the historical focus on removing oxygen from high-pressure steam systems using mechanical deaerators and reducing agents. 16:10 — Bradley describes the 1986 nuclear plant feedwater line failure that killed four personnel and intensified research into FAC. 18:50 — Bradley explains how AVTR chemistry, flow conditions, fittings, pH, and temperature can thin protective oxide layers and lead to catastrophic failure. 20:20 — Bradley discusses how high-purity feedwater with a small amount of dissolved oxygen can form a denser oxide layer that protects carbon steel from FAC. 23:50 — Bradley compares oxygen scavengers, including sulfite, hydrazine, carbohydrazide, DHA, and methyl ethyl ketoxime, and explains where their use differs. 26:50 — Trace and Bradley unpack why "water is water" often means water is treated as the last priority instead of the first. 28:10 — Bradley explains why sodium softening, hardness control, and boiler makeup treatment are essential for low- and intermediate-pressure boilers. 31:00 — Bradley shares examples of softener bypass decisions that can lead to boiler damage, tube failures, re-tubing, and costly downtime. 36:50 — Bradley explains why layup matters, especially when water cools, air enters, and localized corrosion develops inside idle equipment. 42:00 — Bradley warns that stainless steel is not a cure-all and explains how chloride concentration and pitting risk affect 304L and 316L applications. 45:50 — Bradley shares a closed cooling water case history where black material was assumed to be iron but turned out to be bitumen from an unsuitable pipe liner. 51:00 — Bradley stresses the need for data before action, explaining how an incorrect cleaning assumption could have compounded a seven-figure materials mistake. 52:50 — Trace and Bradley discuss the value of experience and why younger professionals should seek training, conferences, vendors, and technical networks. 54:20 — Bradley speaks to the importance of mentorship as experienced professionals retire and critical industry knowledge risks being lost. 59:40 — Trace closes Part 1 and previews Part 2, which will continue the conversation on oxygen scavengers, pretreatment stories, and Bradley's career. Connect with Bradley Buecker Email: bueckerb@samcotech.com   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-buecker-705b9021/     Guest Resources Mentioned   ASME CRTD 34 / ASME Consensus document Barry Dooley – "Flow-Accelerated Corrosion in Fossil and Combined Cycle/HRSG Plants" IAPWS Technical Guidance Document – Volatile Treatments   Brad Buecker's HRSG issues: Reemphasizing the importance of flow-accelerated corrosion control – Part 1  Industrial water and steam treatment will be important for a long time Part 1    The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 2  The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 3 The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 4  The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 4.5 The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 5  The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 6  The importance of industrial water and steam treatment, Part 7 Surry Unit 2 feedwater line rupture documentation   Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned  AWT (Association of Water Technologies)  Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses  Submit a Show Idea  The Rising Tide Mastermind   Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is the standard SI unit for the amount of substance, defined exactly as 6.02214076 x 10^23 elementary entities, such as atoms or molecules.  Can you guess the word or phrase?    2026 Events for Water Professionals  Check out our Scaling UP! H2O Events Calendar where we've listed every event Water Treaters should be aware of by clicking HERE.

    1h 2m
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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
    499
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2018 All Rights Reserved, Blackmore Enterprises, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Scaling UP! H2O

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