Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast, the podcast from WQA, the leading voice of the water treatment industry. Find us at https://wqa.org. In this episode of the WQA Podcast, we rewind the tape and look back at some of the highlights from 2025. We’ll hear thoughts and reflections from the Mid-Year Leadership Conference, the Consumer Insights report, the Manufacturers Survey, WQA CEO Pauli Undesser’s TedX Folsom speech, we’ll hear about the science of salt and water treatment, innovation involving a high school student, and water treatment for agriculture. Happy Holidays from WQA! Interested in becoming a member? Learn more at https://wqa.org/membership.

WQA Podcast - Rewind 2025

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Find us at https://wqa.org. Education and professional certification take center stage in this episode, as host Wes Bleed welcomes Dr. Tanya Lubner, WQA’s Director of Professional Certification and Training, and Membership Director Danny Lysouvakon. They discuss why education is one of the most valuable benefits of WQA membership, how instructor-led classes are giving even seasoned professionals new insights, and why certification is so closely tied to credibility and confidence in front of customers. The conversation also previews a major new member benefit coming in Q1 of 2026: complimentary access for all WQA members to a menu of online courses, available on demand and eligible for CPD credit. You’ll hear examples of specific course topics, how they help both new and experienced professionals, and how education fits into WQA’s broader mission of connections, credibility, and continuous growth. Learn more at wqa.org/education and wqa.org/membership.

#414 - Education, Confidence and Credibility

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. https://wqa.org. What did 2025 mean for water-quality policy, and what’s next in Washington during an election year? Our guest is Ted Mondloch, Vice President at Current Strategies, WQA’s lobbying and public-affairs partner in D.C. Ted recaps a year marked by shifting regulatory priorities, the bipartisan progress of the Healthy H2O Act, and renewed optimism for advancing water-infrastructure initiatives. 👉 Topics include: PFAS and lead-service-line rules under the new EPA Why the Healthy H2O Act is gaining traction in Congress How election-year dynamics shape what still gets done Practical ways WQA members can make their voices heard 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and learn how advocacy today shapes the future of quality water for all.

#413 - Inside Washington: 2025 Water Policy Recap

In this episode of the WQA Podcast, host Wes Bleed talks with Mike Heatwole, MWS, Regional Sales Manager for the Mid-Atlantic with Water-Right/A. O. Smith Corporation and a past recipient of WQA’s Regents Award. Mike shares how water treatment systems serve the agriculture industry and the unique challenges farmers face in maintaining water quality. Plus, don’t miss our WQA Tip of the Week.

#412 - Water Treatment for Agriculture

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Find us at https://wqa.org. In this episode of the WQA Podcast, host Wes Bleed sits down with Greg Reyneke, Vice President of WQA and Managing Director at Red Fox Advisors, to discuss the newly released 2025 Consumer Insights Report. Discover how consumer attitudes about tap water, contaminants, and water treatment systems are evolving — and what it means for the water treatment industry moving forward. 🔹 58% of households worry about tap water safety 🔹 91% of current users plan to keep using water treatment systems 🔹 Water treatment ownership up 35% since 2021 📊 Download the full report: https://insights.wqa.org Become a member to get the member version of the report by going to https://wqa.org/membership.

#411 - What Consumers Really Think About Their Water

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. https://wqa.org. In this episode of the WQA Podcast, we’ll hear from WQA and WQRF CEO Pauli Undesser as she describes her experience as a TEDx Folsom speaker. We'll dive into her topic of “smart water” vs. “dumb water,” and why she believes collaboration across the entire water industry is more important than ever. We also talk about what’s next for WQA following the WQA Mid-Year Leadership Conference. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to get the world thinking differently about the water we drink, this episode is for you. Pauli's full TedX Folsom presentation can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNNgP8pET0Q Learn more about joining WQA at https://wqa.org/membership.

#410 - Reimagining Water: Insights from WQA CEO Pauli Undesser

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. https://wqa.org. In this episode, we’ll hear from WQA President Mike Mitchell at the recent WQA Mid-Year Leadership Conference. WQA’s Associate Director of Marketing & Communications handles the interview. Mike shares insights from the Mid-Year Leadership Conference and reflects on the first half of his presidency. A key theme of his term is influence—building trust, listening first, and creating meaningful connections to shape conversations across the water treatment industry. From connecting with regional associations like the Texas and Eastern WQAs, to meeting directly with lawmakers in Washington, Mike highlights the importance of grassroots engagement and national advocacy. This episode is sponsored by Corro-Protec powered anode rods for water heaters. With a 20-year warranty, Corro-Protec eliminates sulfur smell in hot water within 24 hours and prevents tank corrosion without any maintenance. A must-have for homes with softened water. Enjoy hassle-free hot water with Corro-Protec! Visit https://corroprotec.com/wqa/ to learn more. Learn more about becoming a WQA member at https://wqa.org/membership.

#409 - Why Influence Matters: A Conversation with WQA President Mike Mitchell

💡 Where does the water treatment industry stand today? In this episode, we break down the WQA Manufacturer Confidence Report — revealing key trends, surprising insights, and the biggest challenge every manufacturer must prepare for. The latest survey reflects cautious optimism among water treatment manufacturers. We discuss what it really means, how capital expenditure trends reveal a strong push toward innovation and efficiency, and what may be the single greatest challenge facing manufacturers today. 👉 Be sure to follow along for more insights at the upcoming Mid-Year Leadership Conference, where fresh data and perspectives will be shared. Learn more at https://wqa.org/mylc.

#408 - Cautious Optimism: Inside the WQA Manufacturer Confidence Report

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Learn more about WQA at https://wqa.org. In this episode of the WQA Podcast, we’re talking contract law made simple with Mike Sennett, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at WQA. You’ll learn why it’s critical to understand pricing and payment terms, how contract length and renewal clauses can impact your bottom line, and why a clear return policy can prevent the biggest headaches. Practical advice every dealer can use.” Plus, we’ll have our WQA Tip. Learn more about becoming a WQA Member at https://wqa.org/membership.

#407 - Contract Law 101: What Every Dealer Needs to Know

Welcome to the Water Quality Association Podcast. Learn more at https://wqa.org. WQA is the leading voice of the residential, commercial and industrial water treatment industry. In this episode, we’ll explore key takeaways from ACE25, the annual conference and expo of the American Water Works Association. Joining us are WQA CEO Pauli Undesser and Technical Affairs Director Eric Yeggy. We’ll discuss the latest on PFAS regulations, lead line replacements, and the powerful momentum behind the Water 2050 initiative. In addition, we'll discuss how WQA continues to build deeper collaboration with AWWA and why point-of-use and point-of-entry solutions are more relevant than ever to municipal treatment operators.. Plus, we’ll have our WQA Tip. Join WQA today. Reach out to membership@wqa.org.

#406 - Partnering with Public Water Systems

The Water Quality Association is the leading voice of the water treatment industry. wqa.org. WQA Radio features experts and members of WQA who can comment on issues affecting water quality.

Wes Bleed

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