Understanding Water Treatment
Knowing What You Need Before You Treat
When it comes to managing water quality, one size never fits all. Every farm, operation, or facility has its own unique water profile — and understanding what’s in your water is the key first step before treating it.
Start with the Science
Water is more than just Hâ‚‚O. It often contains minerals, metals, bacteria, and other elements that can affect livestock performance, equipment, and overall health outcomes. Testing and analyzing your water allows you to identify specific issues before selecting a treatment approach.
That’s why our team collaborates with Dr. Andrew Jacque, P.E., a Wisconsin-based environmental engineer and scientist. His research focuses on practical, science-driven water treatment solutions for agricultural and industrial use. By combining data with real-world experience, Dr. Jacque helps producers make informed decisions rather than relying on guesswork.
“You can’t fix what you don’t understand,†says Dr. Jacque. “Water chemistry is complex — but once you know the makeup of your water, you can treat it efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.â€
From Field Studies to Real-World Results
We continue to build our knowledge base through ongoing research, including the Clearacor Field Study, which demonstrates how targeted treatment can improve both water quality and system longevity. The full summary of this study is available as a downloadable PDF on this page.
Each study, field trial, and collaboration adds to a growing library of science-backed insights — resources that help producers and businesses understand the why behind the treatment process.
Resources and Continued Learning
Explore the links and stories below to learn more about:
- Real-world water quality investigations and case studies
- Research contributions from Dr. Andrew Jacque
- Guides on identifying and addressing common water quality challenges
- Best practices for sustainable treatment approaches
A Better Way to Treat Water
Our goal isn’t just to sell solutions — it’s to share knowledge. The more you understand about your water, the better equipped you are to protect your animals, equipment, and operations.
Know what you need before treating your water — and let science guide the way.
WQI is an environmental engineering consulting firm and specialized water analysis laboratory focused on diagnosing and resolving complex water-quality issues — from wells and treatment plants to distribution systems and plumbing. WQ Investigations+2WQ Investigations+2
Dr. Jacque serves as Chief Scientist (and founder) of WQI. He holds a PhD in environmental engineering (with a minor in hydrogeology) and has over 30 years of experience across teaching, consulting, and applied research. Jasco+2WQ Investigations+2
One of his areas of special interest: biofilm-related water quality problems. He and WQI developed methods like the Biofilm Indication Testâ„¢, Biofilm Activity Testâ„¢, and Legionella Indication Testâ„¢ to identify if biofilm is the root cause (versus a symptom) of water quality, corrosion and health issues. Jasco+1
Their multidisciplinary approach uses environmental chemistry, electrochemistry, microbiology and hydrogeology in tandem — enabling more accurate rootâ€cause analyses and avoiding solutions that just treat symptoms. WQ Investigations+1