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Scaling UP! H2O

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.© 2018 All Rights Reserved, Blackmore Enterprises, Inc. Economía
Episodios
  • 472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab

    472 Finding and Fixing the Invisible: Chris MacDonald on Pressure Pipe Inspection and Rehab
    Apr 17 2026
    "Document everything." Spring startup season exposes more than operational stress. It also reveals what happened months earlier when systems were laid up poorly, maintenance steps were skipped, or warning signs were documented but not acted on. In this episode, Trace Blackmore connects that reality to a broader infrastructure problem: hidden damage inside pressure piping systems that operators often cannot see until a leak, rupture, or budget crisis forces action. Why hidden pressure pipe problems are so expensive Chris McDonald, CEO and President of CPM Pipelines, explains why pressure pipe inspection and rehabilitation deserve more attention from utilities and industrial facilities. His core point is practical: many owners are still making repair or replacement decisions without first getting a high-resolution look at the pipe's actual condition. That creates two risks. First, teams may spend too late, after a failure creates public, operational, or safety consequences. Second, they may spend too much, replacing long stretches of pipe when only a targeted section actually needs rehabilitation. Chris argues that better inspection narrows uncertainty and helps owners avoid both extremes. Inspection first, then the right rehabilitation scope A major theme in the conversation is that CPM Pipelines works across both inspection and rehab, which changes how projects are evaluated. Chris notes that many inspection firms inspect, and many rehab firms rehabilitate, but few do both. That difference matters because the best answer is not always the biggest project. He shares an example of a recent force main inspection that showed half the line was in bad condition and half was in very bad condition, yet the data still allowed the agency to target the rehab scope precisely. According to Chris, that approach saved a small utility of almost $10 million. He also explains why trenchless rehab can often reduce project schedules from months to weeks and save roughly 50% compared with traditional dig-and-replace work. Leadership, documentation, and building the right team The conversation also moves beyond pipelines into business leadership. Chris reflects on entrepreneurship, the value of solution-driven work over commodity selling, and the importance of documenting systems early if a company intends to scale. He also emphasizes team alignment, core values, and recognizing quickly when someone is in the wrong seat. For owners and managers, that part of the episode is as useful as the technical discussion. The takeaway is clear: strong execution depends on both sound field data and disciplined internal systems. Pressure pipe problems are often invisible until they become urgent. This conversation shows why better inspection, better decision timing, and better documentation can improve both infrastructure outcomes and business results. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Timestamps 01:18 — A call to action for the Global 6K for Water on May 16, 2026 02:20 — Trace introduces the podcast, notes that spring startup season is underway and warns that cooling and irrigation systems laid up poorly can produce rusty water and decayed piping, often leading clients to blame the water treater. 05:23 — "Words of Water" game show, James McDonald 06:48 — Trace highlights upcoming events, encouraging listeners to use the Scaling UP! events page to plan their professional development 09:59 — Guest Chris McDonald shares his 25‑year journey through US Pipe, distribution and finally entrepreneurship; he credits his wife's support and explains how she joined the company without reporting directly to him 14:30 — Chris recalls that working in manufacturing and distribution taught him that value comes from solving problems rather than selling the same products as competitors, which prompted him to launch CPM Pipelines 16:16 — CPM Pipelines now focuses exclusively on pressure‑pipe inspection and rehabilitation. Chris describes how combining contracting and representation allows his team to inspect, assess and rehabilitate pipelines using high‑resolution inspection technologies and exclusive trenchless lining systems 18:44 — He argues that trenchless rehabilitation can cut costs by roughly 50 percent and reduce a six‑month dig‑and‑replace project to six weeks, noting that pressure‑pipe adoption has lagged due to access and bypass challenges but is beginning to change 21:14 — A recent force‑main inspection exemplifies their approach: high‑resolution data pinpointed a failing section, enabling targeted rehabilitation that saved a small utility nearly $10 million compared with wholesale replacement 22:40 — Chris and Trace discuss infrastructure sprawl and water billing; Chris observes that development patterns ...
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    56 m
  • 471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer

    471 Biofilms, Biocides, and TTPC: A Deep Dive with Dr. Jeff Kramer
    Apr 10 2026
    Biofilm is not a fringe issue in cooling systems. As Dr. Jeff Kramer explains, it is a given. That matters because biofilm affects heat transfer, contributes to corrosion, and can serve as a reservoir for Legionella in treated systems. In this conversation, Trace Blackmore and Dr. Kramer examine what experienced water treaters should be looking for when choosing and evaluating a microbiological control program. Biofilm as an operating problem Dr. Jeff defines biofilm as a community of microorganisms attached to a surface and held together by an external polymeric matrix. From there, the discussion moves quickly into why this matters in the field. He points to research showing that biofilms can be more insulating than mineral scale, then explains how microbial activity and patchy film formation can intensify corrosion risk. He also notes that Legionella can be harbored within biofilm, making clean-looking bulk water an incomplete picture of system condition. Choosing the right biocide program A strong oxidizing biocide foundation remains central, whether based on chlorine or bromine. However, Dr. Jeff makes a practical distinction that matters to service professionals: some non-oxidizing biocides kill biofilm organisms without removing the film, while others both kill and remove. He also explains why shock dosing often outperforms smaller, more frequent additions, and why biocide timing should be evaluated in the context of oxidizer compatibility, halogen demand, and actual system feedback rather than habit or opinion. Surfactants, TTPC, and field realities The conversation also covers how surfactants and quaternary compounds can disrupt microbial membranes and improve biocide penetration. Dr. Jeff shares lab and field insight on TTPC, including its strong performance in kill-and-removal testing and its known interference with PTSA fluorescence programs. The discussion closes with practical monitoring advice: inspect the basin, feel below the waterline, trend dip slides, watch approach temperatures, and pay attention to residence time when selecting products for different system volumes and turnover rates. Better microbiological control is not about one product or one rule of thumb. It is about understanding the system, interpreting feedback, and matching chemistry to operating reality so performance can be maintained over time. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Quotes "You need to understand, listen to the feedback you're getting from the system and then adjust your program appropriately. " "Don't be afraid to ask for help because you don't know you don't know everything" Connect with Dr Jeff Kramer Phone: (404)-386-0518 Email: jkramer@mfgchemical.com Website: https://www.radicalpolymers.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traceblackmore/ ?skipRedirect=truuee Guest Resources Mentioned CTI's New Biocide Options For Biofouling Control by Jeffrey Kramer Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind 253 The One About Biofilms Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition refers to the exact chemical amount required for a reaction to proceed to completion with no excess of any reactant. It describes the quantitative relationships between reactants and products. 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.
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    57 m
  • 470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online

    470 Wastewater Enthusiast: Training the Next Generation Online
    Apr 3 2026
    Shawn Powell has built a following by doing something wastewater operators have needed for a long time: making practical technical education easier to access. In Episode 470, he explains why that matters, how he built The Wastewater Enthusiast, and what the industry still gets wrong about training, certification, and knowledge transfer. From test prep to true understanding A major thread in this conversation is the gap between passing an exam and actually understanding plant operations. Shawn reflects on his own early experience with certification prep, where classes helped him recognize test questions but did not always help him understand what was happening inside a real activated sludge system. That gap became the foundation for his channel. He makes the case that operators need more than memorization. They need visuals, process context, and practical explanations that help concepts stick. For professionals responsible for training staff, succession planning, or improving plant performance, that distinction matters. What real operations look like on the ground Shawn also brings credibility from the plant floor. He describes his work as chief plant operator in Avila Beach, California, where a small facility still demands close attention because of its biological complexity, membrane bioreactor operation, and chemical dosing requirements. A story about foam erupting from an aeration basin becomes more than a war story. It shows how biology resists quick fixes and why operators have to think in time horizons measured in MCRT cycles, not minutes. The conversation also touches on shock loads, public misuse of sewer systems, and the daily balance between observation, testing, automation, and operator instinct. That practical perspective keeps the discussion grounded for listeners who live with process variability every day. Why free knowledge matters One of the strongest sections centers on Shawn's idea of the "democratization of knowledge." He argues that critical wastewater education should not be locked behind paywalls or trapped in the heads of reluctant gatekeepers. That point expands into a broader discussion about generational turnover, operator shortages, and the risk of losing hard-earned plant knowledge as experienced professionals retire. Shawn also explains how monetization entered the picture without changing the mission. Training workshops, webinars, YouTube revenue, and memberships have started to support the project, while his core educational content remains open to everyone. Exam strategy, content strategy, and long-term value The episode closes with practical advice for certification candidates. Shawn stresses long preparation windows, disciplined use of official study materials, and a simple but critical reminder: read the question completely. He also shares how he chooses content, responds to viewer needs, and uses real plant events to teach beyond the textbook. For leaders, trainers, and operators alike, this is a useful conversation about how technical knowledge gets shared, preserved, and improved. Listen to the full conversation above. Explore related episodes below. Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge! Connect with Shawn Powell Phone: (530) 859-2787 Email: powell.shawnm@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-powell-792020197/ Scaling UP! H2O Resources Mentioned AWT (Association of Water Technologies) Scaling UP! H2O Academy video courses Submit a Show Idea The Rising Tide Mastermind Words of Water with James McDonald Today's definition is a flexible, one‑way item installed on the feed end of a spiral‑wound reverse osmosis membrane element. Its job is to force all incoming feedwater to flow through the membrane feed channel rather than bypassing around the outside of the element. 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.
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    1 h y 11 m
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