ISPE Good Practice Guide: Sampling of Pharmaceutical Water, Steam, and Process Gas Systems, 2nd Edition
Guide co-leader, co-wrote new chapter on Risk, authored Appendix on qualifying instrumentation for real time release for chemical attributes
About Brian Hagopian
A career spent understanding water systems from every angle
Clear Water Consulting draws on Brian Hagopian’s chemistry and Systems Thinking background along with his extensive experience with equipment, design, operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and training.
- Independent and unbiased technical guidance
- Industry volunteer and mentor
- A commitment to giving back
Experience since 1981
Over 45 years of hands-on experience with high purity water and wastewater treatment systems
After brief stints in biotechnology research and plastics, Brian entered the industrial water purification industry in 1981. He learned the value of merging theory with hands on “how it really works” experience early in his career.
Brian saw an opportunity in the service sector of the industry and founded Fluid Solutions in 1989 where he leveraged his equipment expertise to work with cutting edge clients at universities, hospitals, semiconductors, and biotechnology. Brian’s chemistry background made him a “go to” resource for challenging one of a kind applications that led to numerous custom built systems including a triple pass reverse osmosis system for a water recovery application.
After putting his children through college (and medical school), Brian retired from the equipment business and founded Clear Water Consulting to bring his extensive industry experience to the client’s side of the table.
Contact BrianHow Brian approaches a problem
A different way of looking at technical problems
Brian has always been a “big picture” thinker but never knew there was a name for it until he learned about Systems Thinking through his work as a founder of a charter school. Systems Thinking involves seeing and understanding both the details and the bigger picture and how they are related and impact each other.
When Clear Water Consulting evaluates a problem or project, the immediate issue may only be part of the story. Brian looks for the relationships behind it, the underlying cause, and the effects one decision may have elsewhere.
That approach helps clients make better technical decisions and reduces the risk of solving one problem only to create another.
Utilize Systems Thinking to trace the evidence to the root cause Identify causal loops and interactions between and across system components
Professional experience
A career in equipment, consulting, operations, and instruction
Brian’s work covers how water systems are designed, delivered, operated, reviewed, improved, and taught.
- 1977
Earned a chemistry degree from Colgate University
Began a career in research and development in biotechnology followed by plastics
- 1981
Entered the water-purification industry
Focused first on filtration, then learned water purification and was hooked on the industry
- 1986
Founded Arben Enterprises
Developed and manufactured a custom-designed water-purification system used in the Patriot Missile Defense System
- 1989
Founded Fluid Solutions
Built a New England-based equipment and service business for high-purity water and wastewater treatment systems
- 2011
Founded Clear Water Consulting
Leveraged 30 years of design and hands-on operating experience to provide unbiased guidance, troubleshooting support, and professional training
- TODAY
Consultant, instructor, and technical contributor
Actively contributes to technical industry publications in high-purity water and wastewater while continuing to provide support and guidance to clients
Independent technical advice
Independent technical judgment for your project and facility
Brian understands how vendors develop proposals, how owners evaluate them, how systems behave after startup, and what operators need to keep their systems running.
That experience helps him independently and objectively assess client needs and recommend appropriate equipment and activities.
Technical and industry credentials
Recognized industry credentials
Professional qualifications
Certified Pharmaceutical Industry Professional (CPIP) (one of 150 worldwide)
Licensed Massachusetts Grade 4I Industrial Wastewater Operator
Certified in Plumbing Design (CPD)
Education & instruction
B.A. Chemistry, Colgate University
Former Instructor, WPI Biomanufacturing Education and Training Center (2013–2020)
Massachusetts approved industrial wastewater instructor
Industry leadership
USP Pharmaceutical Waters Expert Panel member
ISPE Critical Utilities Community of Practice - Steering Committee
Past President, ISPE Boston Area Chapter
Selected publications
Selected ISPE and ASPE technical publications
Brian serves on the USP Pharmaceutical Waters Expert Panel and regularly contributes to technical industry publications.
ASPE Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, Volume 2: Plumbing Systems
Provided technical updates to Chapter on Water Treatment, Conditioning, and Purification
ISPE Good Practice Guide: Ozone Use in Pharmaceutical Water Systems
Guide co-leader, lead author on Chapter covering the chemistry of ozone
ASPE Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, Volume 4: Plumbing Components and Systems
Provided major technical revision to Chapter on Water Treatment
ASPE Plumbing Engineering Design Handbook, Volume 3: Special Plumbing Systems
Provided technical updates to Chapter on Treatment of Industrial Wastes
ISPE Good Practice Guide: Membrane Based Water for Injection Systems
Contributed to several chapters, Lead author for Chapter on the operation and maintenance
Being more than what you do for a living
The importance of volunteering and giving back
Giving back has been a constant throughout Brian’s career, from mentoring students to serving professional organizations.
His leadership helped establish the Boston ISPE Product Show as the premier one-day life sciences event in North America.
Professional affiliations and service
Giving time and experience back to the industries he serves
Brian belongs to, contributes to, teaches for, and volunteers with professional and community organizations.
Mentoring
Paying it forward
Brian helped build a pipeline for students entering the life-sciences industry by mentoring hundreds of students at dozens of local community colleges and universities. He shares technical knowledge, career perspective, and the value of service with students and young professionals.
Focus on education
Helped start a charter school
Brian’s strong belief in education led him to become a founder of what is now the Innovation Academy Charter School. What he learned about Systems Thinking permeates how he looks at everything.
Outside of work and volunteering, Brian is an avid gardener and photographer. He combines these two interests and shares his passion for gardening on his “Wicked Smart Gardening” YouTube channel.
Watch on YouTubeWorking and learning with Brian
What clients and students say
An industry perspective
“Brian, you were always my “go to guy” when I needed an answer to a question or a product to solve an immediate need. You are respected in the industry because of your honesty and vast knowledge.”
From the classroom
“The best course I’ve taken. I passed the licensing exam with ease.”
From the classroom
“I felt like you were in the room with me.”
Contact Brian
Have a question for Brian?
Contact him about water systems, wastewater, courses, or training.