Sean Cleary
Why Collaboration, Mentorship, and Open Dialogue Matter More Than Ever
Over the years, the cross-connection control industry has been shaped not just by codes, standards, and test procedures but by people.
In 2026, as water systems become more complex and public scrutiny continues to grow, one truth remains unchanged:
our greatest strength as an industry is our willingness to learn from one another.
Industry Meetings Are Where Progress Begins
Professional meetings, conferences, and committee sessions often bring together people with:
These gatherings can be challenging. They can also be incredibly productive.
The goal of any technical meeting should not be to “win” an argument, but to:
That balance is not always easy. Human nature, pride, and long-held beliefs can get in the way, but collaboration remains the right path forward.
Experience Is a Teacher if We’re Willing to Listen
As professionals mature, many come to realize that experience carries value that cannot be taught from a manual alone.
Earlier in life, it’s easy to believe we already have the answers. Over time, we learn that listening often teaches us more than speaking ever could.
The plumbing, mechanical, and cross-connection control industries are filled with individuals who have lived through:
Their perspectives matter. When we fail to listen, we lose access to decades of hard-earned wisdom.
Honoring Those Who Shaped the Industry
Many leaders who helped define modern cross-connection control are no longer with us, but their influence remains.
Some were known for:
Others were passionate, persistent, and unafraid to stand alone on issues they believed mattered — even when unpopular.
From both types, there is much to learn.
Healthy disagreement, when grounded in respect, strengthens outcomes.
Personal conflict does not.
Conferences Still Matter in a Digital World
Even in an era of virtual meetings and online training, in-person conferences remain invaluable.
Events like national backflow prevention conferences bring together hundreds of professionals who:
These conversations help identify gaps between theory and reality — and often spark improvements that eventually find their way into codes, standards, and best practices.
Learning Is a Two-Way Street
Teaching and presenting do not mean having all the answers.
Some of the most valuable insights come from:
Approaching these interactions with a closed mind limits growth. Approaching them with curiosity expands it.
In 2026, rapid changes in water quality management, chemical use, building design, and regulation demand that professionals remain open to new information — even when it challenges long-held assumptions.
Mentorship Is the Industry’s Future
One of the most important responsibilities of experienced professionals is mentoring the next generation.
Younger people entering the cross-connection control field bring:
Sharing knowledge is not about ego. It’s about continuity. As the Dalai Lama famously said, “Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.” That sentiment applies perfectly to this industry.
A Commitment Worth Making
In 2026, the challenges facing drinking water protection are real:
Meeting those challenges requires more than regulations. It requires people willing to listen, teach, challenge respectfully, and learn continuously.
If we commit to:
Open dialogue
Then the industry and the communities it serves will be stronger for it.
Let’s learn from each other.
The future of safe drinking water depends on it.
Backflow Prevention Installation Mistakes That Still Persist in 2026. After traveling across the United States conducting cross-connection control training, performing surveys, and answering questions about problematic backflow prevention installations, one issue remains surprisingly common: failure to follow the adopted plumbing code.
More than a decade after lead contamination in drinking water became a national headline, one uncomfortable truth remains clear in 2026: Lead in drinking water is still a serious public health problem.
A clear answer every property owner deserves. One of the most common and most important questions asked by business owners and property managers is: “Why do I need to have backflow prevention installed, tested, and maintained in my facility?”