Best Learningmindset Podcasts (2025)

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454 Water Recycling, Innovation, and Industry Wisdom with Dr. Kelle Zeiher 1:11:42

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3h ago1:11:42

1:11:42

Industrial cooling is one of the biggest levers industrial facilities can pull on water use—and it's getting harder to ignore as data centers and other high-heat operations grow. Returning guest Dr. Kelle Zeiher (Project Manager at Garratt Callahan) breaks down what water reuse looks like when you move past slogans and into the realities of pretrea…

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453 Water Risk, Governance, and Community Engagement with Dr. Annette Davison 56:42

7d ago56:42

56:42

Industrial water professionals sit at the intersection of risk, regulation, and community trust. In this episode, Dr. Annette Davison ("the water risk doctor") joins Trace Blackmore to show how disciplined governance, clear supply chain thinking, and community engagement can turn fragmented water systems into coherent, defensible risk management fr…

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452 UV Innovation and Whole-Building Water Safety with Ron Blutrich 1:03:40

7d ago1:03:40

1:03:40

Entamoeba histolytica nearly ended Ron Blutrich's scientific career. Instead, it pushed him to rethink how we protect people in multi-family buildings, senior facilities, and dense urban centers from invisible microbiological risks in their drinking water. In this episode, he joins host Trace Blackmore to unpack what whole-building UV can (and can'…

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451 Building a Culture of Innovation and Customer Service with Frank Lecrone 1:39:12

14d ago1:39:12

1:39:12

What happens when you build a company around one niche, listen obsessively to customers, and never stop improving? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore finally sits down for a full-length conversation with Frank Lecrone, Founder, President, and CEO of AquaPhoenix Scientific. What started in a small 60' x 60' space in Hanover, Pennsylvania, with th…

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450 Wastewater Advocacy and Innovation with Robin Deal 1:11:57

21d ago1:11:57

1:11:57

"The More You Know" - Robin Deal A million-gallon-a-day perspective, distilled into actionable steps. Robin Deal, AquaPure Product Manager at Hubbard-Hall unpacks how seasoned pros can squeeze more performance—and less sludge—out of industrial wastewater systems without compromising compliance or plant uptime. From "clear water in a jar" to stable …

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449 Michael Bourgeois on AWT Partnerships and Professional Growth 1:16:49

1M ago1:16:49

1:16:49

Get stuck in – Michael Bourgeois, CWT How do standards get written in ways that working water treaters can actually meet? In this conversation, AWT Past President, current Related Trade Organization (RTO) Committee Chair, and Chemco Products Company Operations Manager, Michael Bourgeois CWT, explains how AWT's liaisons collaborate with peer organiz…

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448 2025 Halloween Special 58:22

1M ago58:22

58:22

Holidays don't usually line up with release day—but this year they did. In this Halloween special, Trace uses the horror-movie trope of the "scary boiler room" to deliver practical, field-tested reminders for safer sampling, clearer thinking, and better decisions in high-heat, low-light spaces. Boiler Rooms, Myths, and Real Risks From Nightmare on …

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447 Unlocking Team Potential with Culture Index with Randi Fargen 1:16:00

2M ago1:16:00

1:16:00

Hiring in industrial water is slow, specialized, and expensive to get wrong. In this conversation, executive advisor Randi Fargen explains how a two-question, 5–7 minute Culture Index survey becomes an ongoing management and coaching system—not just a hiring screen—so owners cut turnover risk, speed onboarding, and improve day-to-day communication.…

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446 Leveraging the Culture Index for Business Success with Danielle Scimeca and Conor Parrish 1:12:43

2M ago1:12:43

1:12:43

How do you make "right person, right seat" a repeatable system—not a hope? Fact Water Co's Danielle Scimeca (President) and returning guest Conor Parrish (Chief Growth Officer) share how the Culture Index became a decisive tool for coaching, hiring, and a company-wide restructure. If you lead field service, customer service, or operations in indust…

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445 Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday 48:23

2M ago48:23

48:23

Industrial Water Week 2025: Careers Friday brings the celebration back to first principles—mentors, disciplined training, and field diagnostics that go beyond the screen. Trace reflects on the people who invested in his craft, recognizes guest contributors across the week, and issues a practical challenge to invest in one new professional before th…

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444 Industrial Water Week 2025: Wastewater Thursday 26:00

2M ago26:00

26:00

Wastewater isn't an endpoint—it's a decision point. On Wastewater Thursday, host Trace Blackmore, CWT sharpens the operator's toolkit with field-tested lessons: dose by mechanism, verify by sampling discipline, and use wastewater's fast feedback to protect quality, cost, and permits. Sampling discipline protects credibility Trace recounts an early-…

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443 Industrial Water Week 2025: Cooling Wednesday 30:31

2M ago30:31

30:31

Cooling Wednesday is about performance, protection, and proof. Trace Blackmore invites the Nation to get hands-on with cooling equipment and share field photos while offering a practical reminder: learn to navigate the chiller's user interface—because it's your fastest route to actionable diagnostics, documentation, and energy impact. Reading the C…

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442 Industrial Water Week 2025: Boiler Tuesday 26:38

2M ago26:38

26:38

Boiler rooms reward clarity: how many BTUs from the flame actually arrive in steam—and stay there to do useful work? For Boiler Tuesday, Trace Blackmore, CWT, treats boiler care as heat-transfer management across the full train, from feedwater and deaeration to distribution and condensate return, with dry steam as the operational benchmark. Heat Tr…

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441 Industrial Water Week 2025: Pretreatment Monday 34:36

2M ago34:36

34:36

Industrial Water Week is here—and Day 1 is Pretreatment Monday. This special episode sets the tone for the week with specific ways to celebrate as a team, sharpen field practices, and share what you do with the people who matter most. Celebrate with purpose Host Trace Blackmore outlines simple, high-signal actions: take a field photo with your pret…

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440 Mental Health in the Workplace with Dr. Andy Melton 1:07:17

2M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

The best leaders are the ones that can hold space for both—care personally and challenge directly. Work never happens in a vacuum. Field calls, customer pressure, travel, and deadlines compound the very real mental load carried by water professionals. In this conversation, Dr. Andy Melton, a professional counselor and executive coach at www.andymel…

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439 Innovating Water for Smart Cities: Christine McHugh's Vision 53:07

2M ago53:07

53:07

What happens when cities become "networked"—and water systems start telling us what they need in real time? In this episode, Trace Blackmore speaks with Christine McHugh (CEO, White Strand Development) about practical smart-city strategies for water: real-time monitoring, digital twins, and IoT/AI approaches that turn Legionella control from period…

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438 Innovative Water Treatment Chemistry with Matheus Paschoalino 57:17

3M ago57:17

57:17

Can a carbon-negative, bio-based molecule replace legacy phosphonates and help you use less azole—without sacrificing corrosion performance? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore, CWT, welcomes Matheus Paschoalino, PhD Senior Business Development Manager and Microbial Control SME of Solugen, to unpack polyhydroxycarboxylic acids (PHCs) and how they…

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437 Redefining HR: The Key to Talent & Culture in Water Treatment 1:06:48

3M ago1:06:48

1:06:48

What if HR wasn't the department you dreaded — but the partner that helped your team thrive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Tia Amundson, HR Director at HOH Water Technology, to explore how human resources can be a strategic driver of talent, culture, and profitability in the water treatment industry. Redefining H…

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436 Raising the Bar: Legionella Management & Industry Standards 51:12

3M ago51:12

51:12

With those words, Jemma Tennant highlights one of the most profound differences between Legionella management in Europe and the United States. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Jemma Tennant, Chair of the Water Management Society (WMSoc), to explore how legislation, enforcement, and professional training shape the fi…

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435 Optimizing Legionella Control Strategies with Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica 1:12:32

4M ago1:12:32

1:12:32

Legionella remains one of the most complex challenges for water professionals worldwide. How do we balance effective monitoring with realistic costs—and which strategies deliver true public health impact? In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes Dr. Vincenzo Romano Spica, Head Public Health University of Rome "Foro Italico to explore new insights …

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434 Encore Interview with Patsy Root 56:00

4M ago56:00

56:00

"Rules written in a panic rarely stand the test of time." In this encore episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Patsy Root, Senior Manager of Government Affairs at IDEXX Water and active member of the AWT Legislative and Regulatory Committee. Patsy brings global data, case studies, and clear recommendations for smarter Legionella regulation — and w…

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433 Legionella Investigations and LIDO Technology 1:05:06

4M ago1:05:06

1:05:06

What if preventing Legionella outbreaks wasn't about adding more chemicals, but removing what the bacteria needs to survive? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore talks with Dr. David Krause, Certified Industrial Hygienist, toxicologist, and founder of HC3, about his groundbreaking approach — LIDO (Legionella Inhibition by Deoxyg…

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432 Water Management Plans: Evolving Standards and Best Practices with Matt Freije 58:46

4M ago58:46

58:46

"Just because you have a water management plan doesn't mean it's working." That's the hard truth Matt Freije, founder and CEO of HC Info, delivers in this episode of Scaling UP! H2O. As the architect behind LAMPS — a leading cloud-based platform for water management programs — Matt joins Trace Blackmore to explore the critical evolution of water sa…

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431 Legionella Awareness Month Kickoff! 39:05

4M ago39:05

39:05

Are You Ready to Talk About Legionella? Every August, we dedicate an entire month to a topic that touches public health, liability, and the core of what water treaters do — yet it's still misunderstood by many: Legionella. In this episode, Trace Blackmore kicks off Legionella Awareness Month by returning to the basics. Where did Legionella get its …

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430 PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta 1:00:49

4M ago1:00:49

1:00:49

"The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS." - Brian Liotta PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling U…

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429 The Life and Career of Jim Lukanich 1:07:00

5M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

"You can't learn it all in one year. You can't even learn it all in ten." That single statement from Jim Lukanich captures the spirit of this unforgettable episode. Returning to the Scaling UP! H2O Podcast for the first time since Episode 10, Jim Lukanich joins host Trace Blackmore to reflect on a remarkable 44-year career in the water treatment in…

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428 Innovations in Water Treatment with Dr. Jasbir Gill 1:04:32

5M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

What happens when a nuclear chemist pivots into industrial water treatment? In this episode, host Trace Blackmore is joined by Dr. Jasbir Gill, President at Water Energy Solutions Inc, whose career spans five decades of breakthrough innovations in water chemistry and sustainability. From developing predictive modeling systems to creating new polyme…

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427 July 4th! Entrepreneurship, Water Wells, and the Spirit of Liberty 51:25

5M ago51:25

51:25

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" - Patrick Henry Honoring Innovation, Freedom, and Small Business on the 4th of July In this special Independence Day episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore brings you a rich blend of patriotism, professional insight, and entrepreneurial spirit. Opening with reflections on July 4th traditions—from firewo…

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426 Sustaining Success: Tom Hutchison on Leading Through Generational Change 59:32

5M ago59:32

59:32

In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tom Hutchison, Chairman of the Board, HOH Water Technology, to reflect on what it really takes to step out of day-to-day leadership—and do it well. As a multi-decade leader in water treatment, Tom shares the personal, professional, and organizational insights that shaped his transition from CEO to chai…

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425 Smart Technology in Water Treatment with Kevin Kuhne 44:14

6M ago44:14

44:14

"You don't have to transition your entire business. You just need to start. Small beginnings are okay." Revolutionizing Water Treatment Through Smart Tech In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes Kevin Kuhne, Founder and President of Energy Resource Products, LLC, for a deep-dive conversation on the emerging role of smart t…

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424 Chlorine Dioxide Insights with Greg Simpson 49:33

6M ago49:33

49:33

A Lifelong Exploration into Chlorine Dioxide In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, Trace Blackmore welcomes Greg D. Simpson, a recognized authority on chlorine dioxide and a long-time researcher, writer, and technologist in the industrial water treatment space. With decades of hands-on experience and a personal archive of thousands of technical paper…

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423 Pushing the Boundaries: Jacob Deak on Innovating Water Treatment Systems 44:33

6M ago44:33

44:33

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore interviews Jake Deak, Marketing & Inside Sales Director at Pyxis Lab, for a deep dive into how innovation is born—not in labs, but in the field. Jake shares the story of Pyxis Lab's rapid evolution from a lean, hands-on team to an industry leader in developing smart, user-informed water treat…

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422 Inside the Association of Water Technologies with John Caloritis 57:29

7M ago57:29

57:29

In this milestone episode, host Trace Blackmore welcomes John Caloritis of the Metro Group and current President of the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). Together, they explore the strategic evolution of AWT and announce an exciting new partnership that officially makes Scaling UP! H2O the association's podcast partner. This conversation is …

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421 The Benefits of Tagged Polymers in Water Treatment with Gary Garcia 42:00

7M ago42:00

42:00

"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…

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420 Tapping Into Tech: How Ben Frieders Uses AI to Elevate Water Treatment Marketing 56:46

7M ago56:46

56:46

"Continue to learn something new every day." What happens when a Navy-trained water chemistry expert dives into AI-powered marketing? You get Ben Frieders—Marketing and Business Development Manager at ChemREADY—who's turning the tide on how water treatment professionals use tech. Whether you're still skeptical of AI or already exploring tools like …

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419 Leading with Purpose: Culture, Customers, and Chemical Supply with Dave Fitzgerald 1:02:07

7M ago1:02:07

1:02:07

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore reconnects with returning guest Dave Fitzgerald, President of North Metal & Chemical Company. Known for his forward-thinking predictions, Dave returns to share valuable insights into supply chain forecasting, emotional intelligence in leadership, and how a strong culture can shape business lo…

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418 Maleic Acid-Based Corrosion Inhibitors: Expanding the Water Treatment Toolbox with Mike Standish 57:45

7M ago57:45

57:45

Corrosion control is fundamental to the success of any water treatment program, but how often do we question the limitations of the tools we rely on? In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore welcomes back returning guest Mike Standish, Vice President of Water Additives at MFG Chemical, to explore the evolving role of maleic acid-bas…

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417 How To Live a Life of Significance: Insights from Aaron Walker 1:02:25

8M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

" Don't Just Be Successful – Be Significant" How do you define success? Is it about financial achievement, accolades, or influence? What if true fulfillment lies in significance rather than just success? In this episode of the Scaling Up H2O podcast, we welcome back a distinguished guest, Aaron Walker. With over four decades of entrepreneurial expe…

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416 The SteriPen Revisited: Scaling UP! Your UV Digestion Knowledge 50:05

8M ago50:05

50:05

"Always test your tools before field use. Side-by-side comparisons ensure repeatability and accuracy." In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore delivers an in-depth update on the SteriPen, a widely used tool for water treatment professionals. After overwhelming demand from listeners, we revisit the SteriPen, its capabilities, and it…

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415 Green Building Updates: What You Need to Know 51:36

8M ago51:36

51:36

"When there's a will, there's a way." - Charlie Cichetti Sustainability is more than just a trend—it's a commitment to a better future. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore sits down with Charlie Cichetti, LEED Fellow + WELL AP, CEO + Co-Founder of Skema.AI, a leading expert in green building to discuss the latest updates in sus…

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414 Pinks and Blues: Trace's Phosphate Redux 57:06

8M ago57:06

57:06

"Scaling is like debt—it's always better to prevent it than to clean it up later." Phosphate plays a crucial role in Industrial Water Treatment, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood chemicals. In this Pinks and Blues episode, Trace Blackmore revisits phosphate chemistry and its application in cooling systems, corrosion prevention, and scale…

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413 Charting the Future: Mastering the Art of Strategic Planning 1:07:18

9M ago1:07:18

1:07:18

"Strategic planning is creating certainty in an uncertain world." – Tim Fulton Strategic planning is essential for success in any business, yet many companies either overlook or struggle with the process. In this episode, Trace Blackmore welcomes back Tim Fulton, President of Small Business Matters, to explore the fundamentals of strategic planning…

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412 Pinks & Blues: The Iron-clad Saga 39:46

9M ago39:46

39:46

"Be the iron fist that keeps your water flowing clean and clear." - Trace Blackmore Welcome back to another insightful Pinks & Blues episode of Scaling UP! H2O! In this episode, host Trace Blackmore dives into the fascinating world of iron in water treatment systems. While iron is essential for life, it can be a major problem in industrial water sy…

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411 Adiabatic Humidification: Harnessing Nature's Cooling Power for Efficient Climate Control 1:02:49

9M ago1:02:49

1:02:49

"Be curious because the more you learn, the more exciting it is. Hit those challenges head on." - Ryan Reimer Adiabatic humidification is revolutionizing climate control, offering an energy-efficient way to maintain humidity and cooling in industrial and commercial spaces. But what exactly is adiabatic humidification, and how does it compare to tra…

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410 Unleash Your Pricing Power: Casey Brown's 'Fearless Pricing' Revolutionizes Business Value 54:06

9M ago54:06

54:06

"If you're excellent at what you do, you've got to be paid like you're excellent." – Casey Brown Ever wondered if you're truly getting paid what you're worth? In this unmissable episode of Scaling UP! H2O, we bring back Casey Brown, speaker, founder of Boost Pricing and author of the newly released Fearless Pricing. Known for her electrifying talks…

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409 A Western Refinery's Journey to Improved Water Efficiency 41:52

10M ago41:52

41:52

"Water is a limited resource, and in this refinery, every gallon saved is a win for sustainability." – Juan Meneses Water is a critical resource in industrial operations, and improving efficiency is a top priority for many companies. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, returning guest Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, an Ecolab Company…

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408 Pinks and Blues: The Power of Processes 51:17

10M ago51:17

51:17

What gets measured gets improved. But without a process, how do we know what to improve? In this brand-new episode, Trace Blackmore, the host of Scaling UP! H2O Podcast and the CEO and Founder of Blackmore Enterprises, dives deep into the power of processes in industrial water treatment. Learn why creating and documenting processes is essential for…

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407 Designing Success: A Deep Dive into 'Luck by Design' with Author Adam Tank 58:13

10M ago58:13

58:13

What if the moments we consider mundane or accidental hold the power to reshape our lives? In this week's Scaling UP! H2O Podcast, we welcome back Adam Tank, water industry leader and author of Luck by Design. Known for his thought-provoking insights and transformational ideas, Adam takes us on a journey to uncover how intentionality and awareness …

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406 Eight Tips for Business Management: Part 2 – Essential Strategies 46:24

10M ago46:24

46:24

"The only way you really know what you want to do is by learning more about it." - Mark Lewis Welcome back to Scaling UP! H2O as we dive into the second part of our conversation with Mark T. Lewis, Certified Water Technologist of Southeastern Laboratories, Inc. and business leader who shares invaluable insights for thriving in your career and busin…

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405 Cooling Water Innovation: Harnessing Wastewater for Sustainability 45:41

10M ago45:41

45:41

In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O podcast, host Trace Blackmore dives into a conversation with Juan Meneses, District Manager at Nalco Water, An Ecolab Company to explore a groundbreaking innovation in industrial water treatment. Discover how Juan and his team harnessed treated wastewater to transform cooling tower systems, achieving a remarkable …