Solving Water: A Xylem Podcast

On the latest episode of Solving Water, host Amanda Holloway is joined by Jess Moyer, Senior Scientist with Xylem’s Advanced Technology & Innovation team, and Professor John Cronin, founding director of Blue CoLab in the Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems at Pace University and Adjunct Professor. The crew discusses how actions such as policy making and advocacy can help drive technological innovations in the water industry, the need for communicating these updates to the public, and more. Learn more and check out the 

On this episode of Solving Water, we're kicking off October's Fire Prevention Month 2020 with a conversation between Todd Weir, Americas Product Manager for A-C Fire Pump, and Pete Snow, Training Coordinator for Xylem Rental Solutions, as they discuss the ways fire protection systems protect structures, processes and people. From knowing when to use permanent and/or temporary systems, to dissecting the requirements of NFPA 20 and current challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Weir and Snow share how to choose the right system for your application and look forward to emerging technologies in the midst of worsening natural disasters.  

Since 2018, Legionella findings have been on the rise. This natural bacteria can be found in still water and airborne droplets, and can lead to cases of Legionnaires' disease. Kyle DelPiano, Business Development Manager for Xylem, and Kenny Khoo, Global Manager for Strategy Partnerships at Xylem, discuss some of the causes behind the recent rise in Legionella bacteria, and why focusing on issues such as improving aging infrastructure could be keys to combating the bacteria's spread.

For water utilities, addressing problems as they arise is becoming a thing of the past. On this episode of Solving Water, Travis Smith, Senior Director of Product Marketing for Sensus in North America with Xylem, shares how Xylem is helping utilities overcome the vicious cycle of being reactive by prioritizing integration, data collection, monitoring, analytics and controls in their infrastructure management. Smith outlines social and economic drivers impacting today's water utilities and how even the disruption that COVID-19 presents creates opportunities for utilities to use intelligence as a tool for building resilience and maximizing public health and safety.  

Note: Get access to free, on-demand and live digital sessions that explore the impact on and opportunities presented to utilities by the shift toward smart infrastructure -- Register for Xylem's Reach Conference 2020, coming Oct. 13-14, at https://xylemreach20.com/.

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) are harmful to the environment and a challenge for municipalities all across the country. On this episode of Through the Water Cycle, Xylem experts Asad Choudry, Business Development Manager, and Dax Blake, Client Solutions Manager, join the show to discuss the latest in stormwater management and how they came up with a unique, innovative solution to help mitigate CSOs in Columbus, Ohio. 

Nate Warren, Senior Sales Engineer, and Stan Rockovich, Distribution and Product Manager for Xylem, join the show to discuss some of the biggest challenges they have faced when working on custom sewer bypass systems throughout their respective careers. They also cover the latest technology in sewer bypass systems, what utilities should keep in mind when considering a sewer bypass project, and how geography drastically changes the implementation process of sewer bypass solutions. 

Resiliency, robustness and efficiency are important to water utilities, but during a pandemic, these needs are heightened. Xylem Business Development Manager and vertical turbine expert Sarah Boynton discusses how utilities can enhance their clean water pumping operations and plan for a future impacted by the pandemic. Boynton discusses the benefits of clean water technology, the magnified economic challenges facing water utilities in the wake of COVID-19, and how creative thinking with existing infrastructure can help tackle tight budgets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, water utilities have risen to the top as one of the most highly-impacted industries. On this episode of Through the Water Cycle, Xylem experts Jackie Helfrich, Brian Geegan, Chris Thomson and Travis Smith discuss the inception of Xylem Assist, the company’s new COVID-19 response program. Developed in response to the host of challenges facing water utilities today — such as reduced workforce and increased system clogging and downtime — the program has helped customers maintain business continuity and build resilience amidst uncertain times.

Mark Handzel, Vice President of Product Regulatory & Government Affairs for Xylem, discusses the creation and implementation of an eight-year labor of love in the pump manufacturing industry: the Department of Energy’s 2020 Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps.

Handzel covers how Bell & Gossett prepared for the 2020 changes years ahead of time, the relationship between an overall pump system and level of efficiency, and actions pump specifiers and building owners can take to go above and beyond the DOE requirements.

Episode recorded live at the AHR Expo 2020 in Orlando.

Kevin McGee, North America Director of OEM Sales for Xylem, discusses the current OEM market landscape for commercial buildings and the effects of the DOE 2020 Energy Conservation Standards for Pumps on the industry as a whole. He also touches on the demand for boiler decarbonization to reduce fossil fuel emissions, as well as important considerations for implementing alternative energy resources.

Episode recorded live at the AHR Expo 2020 in Orlando.

Alan Jones, Global Product Manager, Bell & Gossett Centrifugal Pumps, discusses the challenge to do more with less in the commercial building industry, the ability of the ESP-Systemwize online selection tool to help consulting engineers create a schedule for an entire commercial building system, and the unique capacity of Bell & Gossett’s national representative network to understand local markets.

Jones also offers advice on minimizing total cost of ownership and future maintenance costs, as well as transitioning the industry to the next generation of engineers.

Episode recorded live at the AHR Expo 2020 in Orlando.

Rich Blong, Vice President of Product Management and Engineering for Xylem, shares ongoing advancements in the global commercial building and plumbing markets. He also discusses the industry’s ongoing shift towards interconnectivity, prioritizing DOE regulatory compliance, as well as the importance of lifelong learning for professionals to remain at the forefront of an ever-changing industry.

Episode recorded live at the AHR Expo 2020 in Orlando.

Jeff Williams of Vermont-based Spafford & Sons Water Wells, and former president of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), shares the challenges of identifying an exit strategy. From identifying the right buyer to cultivating an environment conducive to professional growth, he encourages contractors to equip the next generation with proper management and decision-making skills for a seamless transition. Finally, he touches on succession planning, balancing emotions amidst financial decisions and the importance of involving a planner to mitigate family crises.

Part 5 of the Small Business Toolbox, a 5-part series from In The Field with Goulds Water Technology, focusing on helping small business professionals tackle the financial side of their business in the water industry and beyond. Episode recorded live at Groundwater Week 2019 in Las Vegas.

Ed Smiley, U.S. Director of Sales for HVAC Wholesale at Xylem, provides an overview of the wholesaler manufacturer’s role in supplying products to contractors and end customers in the residential and commercial building markets. He also covers the importance of understanding the unique needs among different regions, the proliferation of internet sales in the industry and why wholesalers should prioritize a strong digital presence.

Episode recorded live at the AHR Expo 2020 in Orlando.

Jeff Williams of Vermont-based Spafford & Sons Water Wells, and former president of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), discusses how contractors can improve their asset management skills, evaluate the value of their assets and determine an appropriate replacement schedule. He also reveals investment strategy options to keep your assets and equity growing, such as knowing the right time for a replacement.

Part 4 of the Small Business Toolbox, a 5-part series from In The Field with Goulds Water Technology, focusing on helping small business professionals tackle the financial side of their business in the water industry and beyond. Episode recorded live at Groundwater Week 2019 in Las Vegas.

Rob Grady, Executive Vice President of Mulcahy Co., discusses the changing landscape for hydronics companies in Minnesota and the rest of the upper midwest. Grady also explains the increased market focus on retrofitting for energy efficiency, his commitment to corporate social responsibility programs, and how a lack of skilled labor in the region has driven Bell & Gossett representative Mulcahy Company to find new ways to serve customers. Episode recorded live at AHR 2020 in Orlando.

Joe Vesey, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer for Xylem, joined the podcast in February from the road (literally) in Suffolk, Virginia, where he took part in the first Hometown H2O project, working with The Chris Long Foundation’s Waterboys initiative to drill a well to provide clean water access for a family in need.

Vesey shares how this project and partnership with Waterboys is the latest example of Xylem Watermark – the company’s social investment program focused on providing education and access to safe water to ensure healthy lives, gender equality and resilient communities – in action.

Jeff Williams of Vermont-based Spafford & Sons Water Wells, and former president of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), imparts his wisdom on how contractors can navigate the ins and outs of variable and fixed costs and run their businesses as efficiently as possible. He also shares how to handle price increases from distributors, as well as the importance of balancing onsite work with financial structure development.

Part 3 of the Small Business Toolbox, a 5-part series from In The Field with Goulds Water Technology, focusing on helping small business professionals tackle the financial side of their business in the water industry and beyond. Episode recorded live at Groundwater Week 2019 in Las Vegas.

Xylem experts Hunter Powell, Kristel Zaman and Stan Rockovich continue their virtual discussion with host Amanda Holloway to examine temporary anti-clog pumping solutions that water utilities have available, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also highlight the importance of contingency planning for sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and how, with help from Godwin pumps and Flygt N-technology, the ability to run maintenance-and clog-free isn’t limited to permanent pumping solutions.

Part Two of this two-part series spotlights temporary non-clog pumping solutions and how water utilities can determine when to use them, whether in response to emergency system issues or as a failsafe for planned projects.

Bob Polizzi and Sunday Perez of Bell & Gossett representative CHC Hydronics discuss the trend of more and more customers pushing for reduced or negative carbon footprints, the current realities of decarbonization, and how they work with individual companies who plan to expand into electrification and reduced fossil fuel usage. Episode recorded live at AHR 2020 in Orlando.

Xylem experts Kristel Zaman, Bob Domkowski, Hunter Powell, and Stan Rockovich join host Amanda Holloway for a virtual roundtable to discuss some of the challenges facing water utilities in light of COVID-19 directives and quarantining, including the ongoing issue of “flushable” products and their negative impact on wastewater collection systems. Also discussed: Remote monitoring and automation solutions that are helping utilities build systems that are more efficient and reliable while keeping employees safe at home thanks to intelligent pumps including the Flygt Concertor and N-pumps.

Part One of a two-part non-clog series focusing on the benefits of permanent installations, including intelligent pumping to help prevent system clogging and remote monitoring options to help employees stay safe at home. Part Two (coming soon) will discuss temporary non-clog pumping solutions, whether in response to emergency system issues or as a failsafe for planned projects.

Terry Morse, CEO of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), joins hosts Amanda Holloway and Susan O’Grady to share details on the programming, information and materials the NGWA is providing for groundwater professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Morse breaks down what the CARES Act means for the well drilling industry, the value of embracing technology as a community-building tool, and how professionals can continue to deliver essential work while protecting their customers, employees and families.

Jamie Saxe, Senior Director of Watermark & Corporate Social Investment, joins host Amanda Holloway to share how Xylem’s social investment program, Watermark, continues to make a difference around the world by expanding its COVID-19 response efforts, including its latest special program for customer involvement, called the Watermark Partner Contributions Program, along with amped-up fundraising and nonprofit partnership efforts to help communities and people in need during the global pandemic.

David Everhart, President, and Dan Watkins, Sales Engineer, from Chicago-area Bell & Gossett representative Bornquist Inc. discuss being one of the first B&G reps, how the ESP-Systemwize online selection tool is increasing efficiency in planning, operation and system statistics, and what’s coming next for integrated systems in the industry. Episode recorded live at AHR 2020 in Orlando.

Mark Handzel, Xylem Vice President of Product Regulatory & Government Affairs, joins the show to discuss the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, which was passed at the end of March.

Handzel, who has been working with legislators in Washington throughout the process, breaks down the CARES Act in simpler terms, explaining specifically what it means for small business owners and employees, the benefits available within the CARES Act and how small businesses can take advantage of them in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Russell Rauch, General Manager of Hughes Supply, shares his approach to hiring and retaining great employees as a distributor in the residential water industry. Rauch discusses their approach to hiring based on chemistry, the importance of a robust hiring process, and their focus on corporate social responsibility and giving back.

Finally, Rauch details the company’s unique profit-sharing model and how Hughes Supply and its parent company, Hajoca Corporation, “share success” with employees through community involvement, profit sharing and an emphasis on corporate culture.

Part 2 of the Small Business Toolbox, a 5-part series from In The Field with Goulds Water Technology, focusing on helping small business professionals tackle the financial side of their business in the water industry and beyond. Episode recorded live at Groundwater Week 2019 in Las Vegas.

Mike Barnett, Chris Wander, and Kevin Schaal from Oslin Nation join the podcast to share updates on the current state of the Texas HVAC market, the impact of DOE 2020 efficiency standards, how Bell & Gossett solutions gave them an advantage in outfitting Globe Life Park in Arlington (the new Texas Rangers stadium) and more. For over 75 years, Oslin Nation Co. has been a leader in HVAC and plumbing solutions as a Bell & Gossett representative. Recorded live at AHR 2020 in Orlando

Jeff Williams of Vermont-based Spafford & Sons Water Wells, and former president of the National Groundwater Association (NGWA), joins the show to kick off our Small Business Toolbox series. Williams discusses his experience both in and as a leader of the groundwater industry. He shares his focus on learning and teaching the important financial fundamentals of running a small business, including his current role as a lecturer for the NGWA Foundation’s 2020 McEllhiney Lecture Series in Water Well Technology, as Williams is traveling the country presenting to groundwater industry professionals on the value of combining professional expertise with business savvy.

Part 1 of the Small Business Toolbox, a 5-part series from In The Field with Goulds Water Technology, focusing on helping small business professionals tackle the financial side of their business in the water industry and beyond. Episode recorded live at Groundwater Week 2019 in Las Vegas.

For over 90 years, Wallace Eannace has been serving the five boroughs of New York City as a Bell & Gossett representative, and over the decades, they have faced some of the toughest commercial building challenges. Darryl Clark, Corporate Vice President of Wallace Eannace Associates, stops by the show to discuss some of those challenges and how the company is utilizing Bell & Gossett solutions to expand efficiently in the city that never sleeps. Recorded live at AHR 2020 in Orlando.

Jill Boudreau, product line manager, residential water at Xylem joins the show to discuss the multitude of ways that water pressure problems can impact daily life in America, how those pressure issues develop over time and depending on location and water source, and the solutions and new technologies available for residential homeowners to help boost water pressure at home.

Tom Stephan, Training Manager for Goulds Water Technology, and Dave Kill, longtime industry professional and advocate of education in the residential water industry, discuss the growing demand for education throughout the industry, including the ongoing importance of the basics of pump training and sizing, as well as the need for advanced technology training with the rise of variable frequency drives (VFDs) and controllers in the marketplace. Stephan and Kill also describe the evolution and variety of educational opportunities provided today, including “training the trainer” with in the field training, leading in-person classes at the Goulds Water Technology Factory School, and offering on-demand online e-Learning courses and instructional YouTube videos.