Water and Climate Experts

Operating in more than 170 countries across a wide range of industries, Ecolab has unique insights into the ways businesses use water. As our world grapples with a changing climate, increased weather irregularities and inconsistent access to quality water, we’re driven to help businesses advance smart water management practices that support resilient operations, foster innovation and protect this valuable resource for all.


Water Stress, Water Management and Climate Expertise

Our world will experience a 56% freshwater shortfall by 2030 if nothing changes (Source: WRI). And while water is critical to business operations, corporate action to reduce water use is currently insufficient to prevent this projected gap. Our experts are helping businesses rethink the way industry uses water, both at the corporate level and within individual facilities, to help protect this valuable resource.

Ecolab Senior vice president and water and climate expert Emilo Tenuta

Emilio Tenuta is senior vice president of Corporate Sustainability and chief sustainability officer for Ecolab. Tenuta has led Ecolab’s sustainability and ESG journey focused on corporate responsibility, environmental stewardship and helping customers operate more sustainably. He is actively involved in advancing global sustainability practices, with a focus on water stewardship and climate action. As an expert in water issues and corporate sustainability, Tenuta has spoken at a wide range of industry events.

During his time at Ecolab, Tenuta has played a key role in Ecolab’s corporate sustainability goals and accomplishments, including launching Ecolab’s 2030 Impact Goals, the introduction of the enhanced Ecolab Smart Water Navigator, the certification of four Ecolab facilities to the Alliance for Water Stewardship standard and Ecolab’s placement on prestigious sustainability and ESG rankings, including the global Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the CDP A lists for water and climate.

Tenuta holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and business from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and an MBA from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.

Ecolab Water expert and industry fellow Dr. Geoff Townsend

Dr. Geoff Townsend is an industry fellow for Ecolab. He helps direct Ecolab’s water- and energy-related innovation with a particular emphasis on enabling our customers to meet the challenges associated with water scarcity and water quality constraints while minimizing the financial and environmental impact.

Dr. Townsend has gained extensive experience in the design, optimization and troubleshooting of processes across a variety of industries including power production and petrochemical processing. He is also actively engaged in Ecolab’s sustainability initiatives particularly in water stewardship and decarbonization, engaging with a variety of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Since 2017, Dr. Townsend has been the leader of Water Europe’s Cluster Theme ‘Water Smart Industry’ and is currently engaged in several wastewater recycle projects in Europe and the Middle East.

Dr. Townsend received a bachelor’s in ecology (UEA) and a Ph.D. in environmental chemistry from the University of Cambridge.

Senior Vice President and water expert Dr. Jim Rekoske

Dr. Jim Rekoske is senior vice president, Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) for Ecolab Inc.

In his role, Dr. Rekoske directs the strategy and execution of the RD&E function to ensure alignment of new product portfolio across Ecolab’s Industrial business group and drive growth in revenue, margins and capabilities within the organization.

Dr. Rekoske has overseen an increase in new technology and focused efforts on building a portfolio of new technology developments which helps Ecolab’s customers sustainably meet their most demanding challenges while simultaneously creating outsized value.

Dr. Rekoske holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, where he was the Amy and Richard F. Wallman Scholar.


Expert Perspectives

SIWI Smart Water Navigator Training Session

Illustration of hands on a tablet with Ecolab Smart Water Navigator displayed

Building a Water Resilient Future

Woman drinking from fountain

Improving Water Access Helps Build Business and Community Resilience

Water Risk Management

Water can harbor bacteria, which can cause severe illness and even death. No industry or geographic area is immune from water safety issues. Ecolab’s expertise helps advance proper water treatment and management to help businesses protect their staff, guests and operations from the risks associated with outbreaks.

Senior industry technical consultant and water expert Eric Myers

Eric Myers is a senior industry technical consultant with Institutional Water Safety Services, an independent business group of Nalco Water, an Ecolab company. Myers is an expert in the field of water safety, bringing more than 25 years of industry experience to water safety services in Ecolab’s Institutional business, plays a key role in the business’ mission to prevent harm from waterborne pathogens such as Legionella and Pseudomonas associated with building water systems.

Myers received a bachelor’s degree in food science and nutrition with emphasis in food microbiology from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in food science and microbiology from the University of Illinois. Myers is also a voting member of the ASHRAE standards committee SSPC 1881 and SPC 514P2


1 American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  Standard 188-2021, Prevention of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems; and ASHRAE Guideline 12-2020, Managing the Risk of Legionellosis Associated with Building Water Systems.

2 American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).  Standard 514P, Minimizing Risk of Disease and Injury Associated with Building Water Systems. 

Vice President of Research, Development & Engineering and GMP Food Safety Expert Dr. John Hanlin

Dr. John Hanlin is vice president, Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) for food safety, supporting Ecolab’s Global Food & Beverage division. He supports the Division’s food safety platforms and works extensively with Ecolab’s customers and account teams. His subject matter expertise in food safety and public health provides the foundation for both a divisional and enterprise-wide view of the world’s greatest challenges from infectious disease.

A major focus of his efforts center on food and waterborne pathogens including Salmonella, Listeria and the bacteria that cause Legionnaires’ disease. Dr. Hanlin is highly engaged with leaders in GMP food safety outside the company. He has built strong relationships with government agencies, academic partners and industry trade association groups.

During his tenure with Ecolab, Dr. Hanlin, 

  • Established Ecolab’s global public health platform.
  • Enabled Nalco Water to be recognized by the U.S. CDC as a public/private partner.
  • Delivered more than 200 customer and industry presentations in food safety and public health.
  • Published articles on food safety, sanitation practices, Legionella and other waterborne pathogens.

Dr. Hanlin is a member of the International Association for Food Protection.

Dr. Hanlin received a bachelor’s degree in biology and microbiology from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, an MBA from Temple University and a Ph.D. in biology and microbiology from Syracuse University.

Senior Vice President and water expert Dr. Jim Rekoske

Dr. Jim Rekoske is senior vice president, Research, Development and Engineering (RD&E) for Ecolab Inc.

In his role, Dr. Rekoske directs the strategy and execution of the RD&E function to ensure alignment of new product portfolio across Ecolab’s Industrial business group and drive growth in revenue, margins and capabilities within the organization.

Dr. Rekoske has overseen an increase in new technology and focused efforts on building a portfolio of new technology developments which helps Ecolab’s customers sustainably meet their most demanding challenges while simultaneously creating outsized value.

Dr. Rekoske holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Delaware, and an MBA from the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago, where he was the Amy and Richard F. Wallman Scholar.


Expert Perspectives

Managing the Risk of Legionella in Commercial Buildings

View from ground up of skyscrapers.

How to Reduce Re-Opening Risk in Your Water Systems Following COVID-19 Shutdowns and Low Occupancy

Clean water swirling

Calculate How Much Bacteria Enters Your Facility Every Day