Advancing Aquatic Life Support Through Education: MDM Pumps at the 2025 AALSO BAWL Workshop

This past Spring, MDM Pumps proudly continued its tradition of hands-on education and industry support at the 2025 AALSO BAWL (Big Automated Water Loop) Workshop, held at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. This annual event, organized by the Aquatic Animal Life Support Operators (AALSO), is a cornerstone for professionals working in aquatic systems to share knowledge, hone practical skills, and ensure the highest standards of life support system operation in zoos and aquariums across the globe.

A Passion for Education and Operator Empowerment

At MDM Pumps, our commitment to aquatic life support is more than just designing robust and efficient pumps—it’s about empowering the professionals who operate and maintain these systems every day. That’s why we are a proud sponsor of the AALSO Symposium and BAWL Workshop year after year.

Our Lead BAWL Educator, Louis Williams, brought his deep expertise and passion to this year’s workshop, conducting a series of highly-engaged training sessions. His workshops covered:

  • Mechanical seal replacement on thermoplastic pumps, using MDM’s Advance series.
  • Bearing replacement on NEMA 56J motors, a critical skill for maintenance and reliable system operation.

Operators from across the United States—and even internationally—gained hands-on experience that translates directly to improved system uptime and healthier environments for the animals in their care. For us, education is not a one-time event, but a continuous effort in advancing the standards of aquatic animal life support (LSS).

MDM Seal Replacement Workshop

Real-World Learning Through Collaboration

Supporting Louis were Steve Massar and Daniel Wrobleski, who played a pivotal role in bringing the Big Automated Water Loop (BAWL) MDM Workshop to life.

Together, the team:

  • Integrated pumps rebuilt by operators into the loop for real-time testing, troubleshooting, and repair.
  • Provided operators with a simulation of real-world challenges, enabling them to apply knowledge under guidance and walk away with new, confidence-boosting skills.

This setup was more than a demonstration—it was a fully interactive experience. Operators had the opportunity to “plumb in and pump water,” diagnose performance issues, and replace components—all under the watchful eye of expert educators. The result? Immediate skill development and long-term benefits for the facilities these operators serve.

MDM Bearing Replacement Workshop

Elevating Standards for Animal Welfare

When life support systems perform at their best, so does animal welfare. By minimizing downtime and ensuring optimal water quality, operators are directly contributing to the health and longevity of aquatic animals—aligning with the goals of AZA-accredited institutions and industry best practices.

The enthusiasm from the workshop was infectious. The eagerness of attendees to learn, engage, and apply their training to improve care outcomes was a clear reminder of why we do what we do.

Looking Ahead

We extend our sincere thanks to AALSO and the Oregon Zoo for hosting this impactful event, and to every operator who participated with such energy and curiosity. At MDM Pumps, we remain steadfast in our mission to equip life support professionals with both the tools and the knowledge needed to maintain excellence in aquatic animal care.

Learn more about AALSO and their workshops at:
🔗 aalso.org/aalso-events/workshop-highlights
 🔗 aalso.org

—

For further inquiries about MDM Pumps training programs or our products for aquatic LSS, contact us anytime. We’re here to support you.