421 The Benefits of Tagged Polymers in Water Treatment with Gary Garcia

“Keep it simple because the more complex things get, the less people will do it” - Gary Garcia For years, water treatment professionals have relied on PTSA tracers to estimate system performance, but emerging technologies are offering clearer, more direct answers. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcome once again returning guest Garret "Gary" S. Garcia of Masters Company, now a business unit of MFG Chemical to explore how fluorescent tagged polymers are revolutionizing the way water treaters monitor system health and chemical performance. With decades of expertise, Gary offers practical insights into this game-changing technology. Why Tagged Polymers Matter Trace and Gary discuss the limitations of relying solely on PTSA tracers, a method that only indicates product presence rather than active ingredient performance. Gary explains how fluorescent tagged polymers, by chemically bonding the fluorophore to the polymer backbone, provide a direct and reliable measure of active polymer concentration, helping water treaters make more informed service decisions. Instrumentation and Integration Challenges Listeners will gain a practical understanding of how to implement tagged polymer technology. Gary outlines how existing probes and meters compare, what calibration and integration may look like, and whether both PTSA and tagged polymers can be used together. He also explains why tagged polymers are especially useful in systems impacted by iron, cationic biocides, or inconsistent load demands. Real-World Applications and Benefits Tagged polymers make it possible to move beyond "set-it-and-forget-it" dosing practices. Gary discusses how accurate polymer monitoring can reduce overfeeding, optimize chemical performance, and improve system health. For both QC in manufacturing and daily service checks, these tools offer better visibility into what’s really happening inside the system. The Simplicity of Switching Gary highlights the ease of adopting tagged polymers – often a direct drop-in with no reformulation needed. For water treaters, that means minimal disruption and an immediate opportunity to upgrade their programs. Conclusion Fluorescent tagged polymers are not just another tool in the toolbox; they represent a critical step forward in water treatment precision and reliability. As Gary notes, understanding and adopting these technologies allows professionals to elevate their programs, save resources, and better serve their customers. Continue advancing your technical expertise. Explore additional Scaling UP! H2O episodes, stay updated on innovations in water treatment, and connect with leaders like Gary Garcia who are shaping the future of the industry. Visit scalinguph2o.com to access more resources and educational discussions. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:55 – Trace reflects on last week’s episode of Ben Frieders’ talking about fire safety advice. 08:03 – Water You Know with James McDonald 09:33 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals 13:01 – Interview with returning guest Gary Garcia of Master’s Company 15:39 – Volunteering and Career growth through AWT 18:22 – Differences between PTSA and fluorescent tagged polymers 28:43 – Misconceptions about single-parameter testing with PTSA 34:01 – How to learn more and connect with experts like Gary Garcia Quotes “For every ounce of effort you put in, you get 10, 20 ounces back in return.” Garcia “We're the good guys. We're helping people save water, energy, helping the environment.” “When you’re measuring for the fluorescent tagged polymer, you’re actually measuring for the active ingredient.” “You gain more information; you gain more expertise. No one person has it all.” Connect with Garret S. Garcia Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail] Website: www.masterscoinc.com Click HERE to Download Episode’s Discussion Guide Guest Resources Mentioned 314 2023 Water Industry Updates 206 The One That’s All About Customer Solutions In A Drum Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Water You Know with James McDonald Question: What field test is used to measure how likely a water source is to foul reverse osmosis membranes due to suspended solids? 2025 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.