Peta Thiel is the Managing Director and Principal Chemist at Research Laboratory Services (RLS), a specialist water treatment laboratory supporting utilities and operators across Australia and New Zealand. Peta has extensive hands-on experience with filtration systems and treatment processes, including pilot plant operation, PAC procurement, and independent filter media testing. Her work focuses on translating laboratory results into practical operational insight, particularly during commissioning, troubleshooting, and assessment of filter behaviour and water quality outcomes. Peta is passionate about capturing and sharing lessons learned so they are not lost between long filter media replacement cycles.