Russell Baskin

Russell Baskin is an expert in water treatment, waterborne diseases and Legionella compliance in New York State and the Greater New York City area. For over 30 years he has been involved with designing, servicing and testing automatic chemical water treatment injection and filtration systems used to protect commercial, industrial and institutional water systems against scale, corrosion, biofilm, Legionella and other waterborne diseases.

Russell earned his mechanical engineering degree from the College of New Jersey and went on to work for one of the country’s top water treatment firms for six years. In 1994, Russell launched his own full service water treatment company, Tower Water, which has grown into one of the top water treatment companies in the Northeast and the New York Metro Area.

With his engineering background and experience as president, Russell understands the complex systems that are tested and treated as well as where problems within those systems might occur. In 1989, he obtained the first of many certifications, including a NY and NJ pesticide applicator license and a Certified Water Technologies (CWT) Accreditation from the Association of Water Technologies (AWT), the most prominent water organization in North America. Since those early days, Russell has continued his involvement with AWT as a member of the education committee and went on to become chairman of the committee in 2018. He also serves as a trainer and event speaker, speaking on a national stage at the AWT’s annual convention on “How ASHRAE 188 Changed His Business” in Orlando, Florida, in the fall of 2018.

In 2015, Russell started writing water management plans for the control of Legionella after ASHRAE 188 was released. Working with a number of prominent industry experts including Matt Freije (HCINFO), Janet Stout (Special Pathogens Laboratory), Bill Pearson (Arthur Freedman Associates ) and Jay Farmerie (Cyrus Rice), these water management plans were developed using ASHRAE 12-2000 procedures and modified to meet NY State and NY City regulations, including Local Law 77.

Over the course of his career Russell has written numerous articles, editorials, water management plans, received hundreds of certifications and performed thousands of inspections, disinfections and Legionella tests.

Experience

1988 — Present (In NY & NJ)

Education

B.S.M.E — College of New Jersey

Certifications

• Certified Water Technologist-Association of Water Technologies
• Certified Pesticide Applicator NY and NJ
• OSHA 30 Certified