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

"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 safety, compliance standards, and real-world implementation challenges facing facilities in 2025.

Beyond the Binder: Water Management Plans That Actually Work

In an era of heightened awareness and shifting regulations, simply checking the compliance box is no longer enough. Matt walks us through the CDC data and ASHRAE findings that make a strong case for active, ongoing water management — not just documentation. Drawing from recent outbreak investigations, he explains why implementation, not content, is often the root failure.

Trace and Matt discuss the widespread misconception that water management plans guarantee zero Legionella. They also address the real barriers preventing facilities from taking action — from budget limitations to internal roadblocks — and what water professionals can do to influence smarter, risk-based decisions.

Regulatory Pressure, AI Integration, and What’s Coming Next

With ASHRAE 514, AAMI ST108, and ASSE 12080 gaining ground, the water industry is seeing increased scrutiny, especially in healthcare and hospitality facilities. Matt outlines how these evolving standards are transforming expectations and forcing a shift in accountability.

The conversation takes a forward-looking turn as they explore the power of AI and aggregated analytics to optimize pathogen control. With 10,000 buildings in the LAMPS system, HC Info is preparing to offer data that could shape public health outcomes nationwide — a move that could redefine how we benchmark performance and interpret Legionella test data at scale.

Culture, Purpose, and Long-Term Vision

As a mechanical engineer with an epidemiology background, Matt also reflects on the human side of leadership — from building a values-driven team to embracing his faith as a cornerstone of decision-making. His message for water treaters is clear: “Either do it well or don’t do it.”

For facilities leaders, his advice is to stop fearing complexity and start leveraging the tools available — because water management done right can improve not just compliance, but health outcomes, asset longevity, and operational resilience.

Conclusion

This episode is a masterclass in how to future-proof your water safety strategy. With actionable insights, emerging technologies, and a clear call to accountability, Matt Freije reminds us that smart water management is both a technical responsibility and a moral imperative.

Listen to the full conversation to understand how new standards, digital tools, and intentional leadership are shaping the future of water safety.

Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!

Timestamps

04:50 – Trace reflects on feedback from listeners who learned the origins of Legionella and how re-telling important stories is essential in water treatment education

06:49 - Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals

12:44 – Water You Know with James McDonald

14:14 – Introduction with Matt Freije returning guest

15:46 – Biggest Challenges in Water Management Plans Today

19:47 – Regulatory Evolution: ASHRAE 514, ASC 12080, and Joint Commission Inspections

44:14 – The Document is Not the Plan: Why Systems Must Be Implemented

48:08 – Impact and Adoption: Why Water Management Plans Truly Matter

Quotes

“Either do it well, or don’t do it. A half-hearted water management plan can do more harm than good.”

“Most facilities still don’t have a water management plan — and many don’t even know what one is.”

“Just because you had the conversation once doesn’t mean it stuck. With Legionella, repeating the important things is critical.”

“Analytics should make the problem obvious — you shouldn’t need a PhD to interpret what your water data is telling you.”