Water Quality Investigations

06/10/2026

We are celebrating June Dairy Month by thanking all dairy farmers for their hard work during challenging times. Although we serve clients across the nation, WQI is based in the heart of America's Dairyland. There is nothing more rewarding than solving each client's unique water problems, and that is especially true for all of the dairy farms we have helped.

We've helped dairy farms address their water quality issues and achieve the following:
🐄 Increased milk production, significantly increasing profits.
💧 Increased pumping capacity from their well(s), resulting in a more reliable water source and confidence during farm expansions.
🔧 Decreased instances of corrosion, valve plugging, and equipment failure, saving money for what really matters.
🧫 Lower somatic cell counts and healthier animals, resulting in less frequent milk rejection.

To learn more about how our services can help your dairy, visit us at https://wqinvestigations.com/services/

06/04/2026

While you're away, biofilm will play...

Summer is finally here and your hard-earned vacation is right around the corner. You might be focused on packing your suitcase or booking hotels, but have you thought of what you are leaving behind? It is common to have someone watch your home while you are away, collecting your mail, caring for your pets, and watering the garden, but here’s a task you might not have thought to ask of them: flushing the water taps. Simply ask the person watching your home to flush distant taps and showers for five minutes once a day. This will mimic normal usage and help reduce water stagnancy.

Stagnancy is the bane of water quality. Although the occasional prolonged period of stagnancy may seem harmless, it actually promotes biofilm and the issues it can cause, ranging from mild taste and odor issues to corrosion of plumbing and unexpected pinhole leaks, water damage, etc.

You might ask “Why should I care about stagnancy? Can’t I just flush my system when I return home?” The short answer is yes, you can (and should!) flush the water system when you return home, but preventing stagnancy with regular usage is a more proactive, effective approach to mitigating biofilm.

So, the next time you ask someone to watch your home, consider asking them to run a few taps for five minutes each time they visit. Your plumbing system will thank you.

Are you a traveler and concerned your plumbing system might be impacted by biofilm? We offer assessments that look into water quality from source-to-tap to determine your water system’s risk for biofilm-related water issues, including corrosion. This service comes with recommendations for preventing water quality issues as well as addressing any that might be occurring in your plumbing system. Visit our website to learn more:
https://wqinvestigations.com/services/

05/25/2026

Reminder:

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

Although we could not attend this year, we wanted to thank the Private Well Class for organizing and hosting the 2026 Private Well Conference. This impactful conference helps bring professionals from throughout the industry, and it is impossible not to learn something new during each presentation.

Enjoying the Private Well Conference and want to learn even more about water quality? Check out Emily Hefty-Dieckhoff's presentation from the 2025 Private Well Conference and learn more about biofilm and its influence on water quality and corrosion in drinking water systems.

This presentation was recorded during the 2025 Private Well Confere...

05/12/2026

Signs of corrosion within your plumbing system? Flow patterns from source to tap provide a snapshot of water quality issues that could be plaguing your system.

05/07/2026

'Tis the season for spring flushing of water mains!

The discolored water in this picture is filled with debris released during the semiannual flushing of water mains. WQI has been involved in numerous water main flushing programs, and testing of debris released during al of these flushing events has revealed the presence of metals that had long been sequestered within biofilm. Without this flushing, that debris could reach your building's service line and plumbing system, resulting in a higher potential for biofilm development and water quality issues.

If you see a hydrant being flushed in your area, thank your local water utility operators!

https://wqinvestigations.com/

04/29/2026

Ever wondered what well water looks like during a well rehabilitation? Look no further.

One of our trusted contractors (All-Around Water & Waste, LLC) sent us these pictures from a well rehabilitation they were performing based on a rehabilitation plan we provided. Water pumped during an earlier portion of the rehab came out a bright red color (first picture), indicating treatment was removing manganese sequestered by biofilm. After a supplemental round of treatment, the water came out looking like Mountain Dew (second picture), which indicated the treatment chemicals were successfully cleaning the well.

A sample from this private residential well came to our lab at WQI last week. It tested positive for total coliform bacteria and E. coli and our biofilm testing indicated the well contained biofilm that would support the persistence of coliforms and E. coli. We provided the client with a well rehabilitation plan designed to address the underlying cause of these water quality issues. Even before we test the well as a follow up to the work, the images reveal that the well rehabilitation is working to remove biofilm from the well, as intended.

Your well's health is important. Check out our services page to learn more about how we can help you assess your well and solve your water quality issues:
https://wqinvestigations.com/services/

04/23/2026

Listen up!

Our very own Legionella and water management specialist, Katie Maegli, had the privilege of joining the most recent installments of the Tap Talk podcast hosted by Steve Wilson and Jennifer Wilson. This discussion revolved around Legionella and water hygiene, focusing on how adequate water hygiene can help protect the public from waterborne pathogens and other risks within plumbing systems.

Thanks for the great conversation, Tap Talk!
https://www.drinkingwaterpodcast.org/tt074-mitigating-legionella-risks-in-water-systems-lessons-from-a-microbiologist/

If you find yourself wanting to learn even more, check out our building water systems website: https://wqinvestigations.com/services/building-water-systems-legionella/

Posted on April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by [email protected] – Mitigating Legionella Risks in Water Systems: Lessons from a Microbiologist Today, we welcome Katie Maegli of Water Quality Investigations to Tap Talk! WQI is a private water testing lab in southern Wisconsin, where Katie serve...

04/17/2026

Staying safe after a flood is about more than just drying out the basement—it’s about what’s happening in your well. If your well head was submerged or surrounded by floodwaters, your water supply could be compromised.

Here is what you need to know to keep your household safe.

Why Testing is Non-Negotiable
Floodwaters are often a "stew" of things you don’t want near your tap, including:

-Bacteria and Viruses: (like E. coli or Giardia) from overflowing sewers or septic systems.

-Chemicals: Pesticides, fertilizers, and fuel leaked from nearby farms or garages.

-Nitrates: Which can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly.

Remember: Even if your water looks, smells, and tastes perfectly fine, it can still carry invisible contaminants.

The "Safety First" Game Plan
Don’t Drink the Water: Until you get a clean bill of health from a lab, use bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and washing dishes.

Inspect the Well: Check for any debris or damage around the casing. If you see cracks or mud, call a well professional.

Contact your local health department or a state-certified lab, like WQI, for a testing kit.

📍 Official Guidance & Resources
For a step-by-step guide on how to handle your private well after a flood, check out the Wisconsin DNR’s official recommendations here:
👉 dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Wells/flood.html

Recommendations for private wells inundated by flooding Private Wells: If you live in an area that was recently or is currently flooded, your private well may be in danger of contamination from pollutants carried in floodwaters. Bacteria, chemicals and other contaminants contained in floodwaters can...