It's Your Water

This summer we're revisiting some of the most popular and educational episodes from the It's Your Water Podcast archive. In this episode, Mike and Denise discuss the "Troublesome Trio"—iron, manganese, and hydrogen sulfide—and the treatment technologies commonly used to address these challenging water quality issues. Show Notes Troublesome Trio 2026

What is freeboard? How much media should really go into a tank? Mike Urbans explains freeboard, minimum bed depth, backwash expansion, upper screens, and common dealer mistakes that can damage control valves and reduce treatment performance. Trust the Frog™ 

Most water treatment professionals use chlorine, ozone, or hydrogen peroxide—but how do you know how effective those oxidizers will actually be in the water you're treating? In this Quick Tips episode, Mike and Denise Urbans explain ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential) and why it can be one of the most valuable diagnostic tools for iron, manganese, sulfur, and disinfection applications. Learn how c...

Not all catalytic carbon is the same—and choosing the wrong one can lead to early failure, poor performance, and unhappy customers. In this Quick Tips episode of It’s Your Water, Mike and Denise Urbans break down the real differences between catalytic carbons and how to apply them correctly in the field. Learn when to use coconut vs. coal-based catalytic carbon, why oxygen is the key to performanc...

Distribution systems inside softeners and filters may be hidden—but they’re critical to performance. In this Quick Tip, Mike and Denise Urbans explain distributor baskets, hub & laterals, diffusers, and how design impacts flow, efficiency, and media retention. Show Notes Distribution Systems Explained   water treatment, water filtration, water softener, distribution systems, hub and lateral, d...

In this episode of It’s Your Water, Mike Urbans and Derek French (Wateropolis) explain why Cerapure AC is a smart alternative to traditional GAC and KDF—especially for RO pretreatment, whole-house RO, and systems where biofouling and backwash limits matter. A practical, dealer-focused discussion on cleaner carbon, tighter filtration, and smarter pretreatment design. Trust the Frog! Link to Specifi...

Can you mix filtration media or resins in the same tank? In this Quick Tips episode of It’s Your Water, Mike and Denise explain when mixing media can work — and when it leads to serious problems. While it may look like a space-saving shortcut, mixing media often creates backwashing issues, calcification, drain clogging, and contaminant leakage when system design limits are pushed. Learn why cation...

Mike and Denise explain zeolite filter media — what it is, how it works, and when to use it. Learn why zeolite delivers true 5-micron deep-bed filtration and longer filter runs — plus its limits. A fast field-smart guide for dealers. Trust the Frog. Show Notes Quick Tips Zeolite zeolite media, clinoptilolite, Filter-Ag Plus, Turbidex, Next-Sand, RO pretreatment, water filtration, dealer education

Is it time to repair the water softener—or replace it entirely? Not sure whether to repair or replace the customer's water softener? This Quick Tip breaks down the key signs of aging resin, chlorine damage, iron fouling, and when a simple rebuild makes sense. We also cover why high-efficiency softeners outperform older units and why “no-salt softeners” don’t actually soften water. water softener r...

A fast field guide for dealers and service techs.  In this Quick Tip from It’s Your Water, we cover the top reasons a softener stops softening — resin fouling, salt bridging, injector and brine-draw problems, and programming mistakes — plus quick ways to diagnose hardness leakage before the callbacks start. Show Notes - Why Isn't the Softener Softening One short page with the tips listed.  

In Part 2 Mike and Greg discuss today’s sales challenges, shifting demographics, CRM habits, rising contaminant concerns, and how younger homeowners are reshaping water treatment. Keeping it Young Part 2  

Mike and Greg Shannon of Westfair Water, Bedford, NY discuss "intrapreneurship" - someone who joins a business and grows it like he owns it! They discuss their mutual passion for the water treatment industry and how important it is to encourage young people to join. Keeping It Young Part 1

Mike and a dealer troubleshoot an unsuccessful install of a newly introduced RO. 

Microplastics & Nanoplastics -Listen to this short update for the latest industry news. Show Notes - Microplastics Update

Host, Mike Urbans & Justin Mest of AO Smith discuss HomeShield™, the latest point of entry PFAS reduction system, All in One Tank! HomeShield  

This is a replay of one of our most popular podcasts. Give a listen in preparation for the brand new microplastics podcast.   Michael Urbans and Justin Mest of AO Smith, discuss the basics of ultrafiltration - what it is, how it works, and when and where to apply it.     Ultrafilter Show Notes Updated 2025-07  

In this episode of It’s Your Water, Michael Urbans and Justin Mest of Master Water Conditioning, share their expertise on pH and treatment methods for correction of low pH water. Together they discuss the topics of pH, corrosion and alkalinity, and the importance of proper testing; the pros and cons of treatment using calcite (calcium carbonate) and soda ash (sodium carbonate) in well water applic...

Mike and Denise discuss oxidation with manganese dioxide treated media - Pyrolox Advantage. The "rules of engagement" for its use, the properties, advantages, benefits and specifications. It is used for the removal of Iron, Manganese & Sulfur.   Link to Urbans Aqua Pyrolox Advantage Webpage Show Notes: It's Not Your Dad's Manganese Dioxide Anymore!

Learn why Calgon Carbon's Filtrasorb brand carbon is a leader in PFAS reduction.    Transcription - Calgon Carbon PFAS

Mike talks with Scott Trafas who left his Dad's business to start up his own - Water Doctor . They get along better than ever.   Transcript - Next Generation Scott Trafas

Mike talks with Stephen Evangelista of HQ Water Solutions in Manheim, Pennsylvania about his experience starting up and growing a new residential water treatment company - from scratch! Transcript Next Gen Businesses Webpage HQ Water Solutions  

Mike and Dave Smith of AqMatic discuss the new AquaMatic Ultrasonic Meter. Show Notes Meter Magic Transcript Meter Magic  

Mike and Denise discuss the latest contaminant - Chloronitramides, along with PFAS & Microplastics.. Best treatment options & practices and a look back at 2024 marketing. Show Notes Emerging Urgency   

Listen to Mike Urbans & Mike Heatwole of AO Smith discuss the challenges of treating iron, manganese & hydrogen sulfide.  Show Notes - The Troublesome Trio

Take a look in the toilet and learn the power of visually showing customers tangible evidence of contaminants.   Show Notes Toilet Talk Transcript Toilet Talk