Culture, Mentors, and a Life in Water Treatment: A Conversation with John Durand

Scaling UP! H2O — Episode 473 (listen here, aired April 24, 2026)

By Trace Blackmore, CWT

John Durand has spent more than four decades in water treatment, rising from entry‑level sales to executive leadership while staying deeply involved with the Association of Water Technologies (AWT). In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, he reflects on the mentors who shaped him, the cultures that built strong companies, and what the next generation of water treaters needs to thrive.

Finding a Home in Water Treatment

John did not set out to become a water treater, but once he entered the industry he never left. Early in his career, he joined an independent firm where the culture emphasized technical excellence, integrity, and long‑term relationships over quick wins. Those values resonated so strongly that they became the template for every leadership role he took afterward.

He describes the industry as a place where curious, hands‑on people can build meaningful careers without necessarily following a traditional corporate track. From day one, he learned that success hinged on understanding customers’ systems, solving real problems in the field, and doing what you said you would do.

Mentors, AWT, and Paying It Forward

Throughout the episode, John highlights the mentors who invested in him and how AWT amplified those relationships. Senior professionals took him under their wing, walked him through tricky boiler and cooling issues, and modeled how to balance sales with genuine technical service.

AWT provided a broader platform for learning and giving back:

• Technical training events where he both learned and eventually taught.
• Committees and task forces that let him help shape best practices and programs.
• A community of peers he could call when facing unfamiliar problems.

John believes mentorship is one of the greatest strengths of the independent water treatment community. He urges experienced treaters to be intentional about finding younger colleagues to coach and encourages newer professionals to actively seek out mentors instead of waiting for formal programs.

Culture as a Competitive Advantage

Having led teams and companies across his career, John is convinced that culture is a real competitive edge in water treatment. The firms that retain customers and staff, he says, are the ones that:

• Reward curiosity and continuous learning.
• Back their people when they make good‑faith decisions, even if they don’t all pan out.
• Align incentives with long‑term customer health, not just quarterly numbers.

He contrasts cultures that view service as a cost center with those that see it as their primary value proposition. In his experience, the latter consistently outperform, because they attract professionals who want to solve problems and stay for the long haul.

John also stresses that leaders must model the behavior they expect: showing up at customer sites, listening more than they talk, and treating staff with the same respect they demand for clients.

Advice to the Next Generation of Water Treaters

Speaking directly to newer members of the Scaling UP! Nation, John offers several pieces of practical advice:

• Master the basics. Know your tests, your chemistry, and your systems cold before chasing advanced topics.
• Be present in the field. You can’t troubleshoot towers and boilers from behind a desk; you need to see, touch, and measure.
• Invest in communication skills. Being able to explain technical issues in plain language to operators, engineers, and executives is just as important as knowing the chemistry.
• Use AWT fully. Attend trainings, volunteer on committees, read publications, and treat conferences as learning missions—not just social events.

He reminds listeners that water treatment careers can span decades, and the habits formed in the first few years often determine how far someone goes.

Legacy, Gratitude, and What Comes Next

Looking back, John is most proud of the people he has helped develop—sales reps who became managers, technicians who became trusted advisors, and peers who grew into industry leaders. He sees his own legacy less in titles or deals and more in the professionals and companies that are stronger because of conversations, coaching sessions, and decisions made together.

He remains optimistic about the future of the industry, despite workforce and consolidation challenges, because the core need—skilled people who can protect systems and conserve water—continues to grow. He calls on today’s leaders to stay engaged with AWT, invest in training, and create environments where the next generation can see a future for themselves in water.

About Scaling UP! H2O

Scaling UP! H2O is a weekly podcast and learning platform for industrial and commercial water professionals who want to grow their knowledge, careers, and businesses. Hosted by Trace Blackmore, CWT, the show features interviews with industry leaders, deep dives into technical topics, and practical discussions on sales, leadership, safety, and innovation in the water sector.

Each episode is designed to make complex water and treatment concepts approachable while giving listeners tools they can use in the field the same week. New episodes, show notes, links, and additional resources are available at scalinguph2o.com, and the podcast can be found on all major platforms so members of the Scaling UP! Nation can listen and learn wherever they are.