Wisconsin Water with Deep Roots

Wisconsin Water with Deep Roots

In a recent industry profile from WCP Online, Wisconsin's Maher Water Corporation proves that some family businesses really do have staying power. The company is celebrating seven decades of keeping Wisconsin's water clean, with four generations of Mahers now manning the ship. Current owners Danielle and Sam (who bought the business from dad in 2011) have grown the operation to 30 employees across two locations, while Sam moonlights as president of the Water Quality Association of Wisconsin and has even testified before Congress on water treatment issues. The team says their secret is heavy investment in certifications (both hold master water specialist credentials), deep community roots, and a commitment to education. With fourth-generation daughter Chrissy now joining the team, it looks like this family tradition is going to continue strong into the future.

SpringWell UV Review

A detailed review from Brian Campbell at Water Filter Guru reveals that SpringWell's $1,650 UV purification system is earning top marks, scoring 9.45/10 overall and completely eliminating bacteria in 3.5 months of testing. Campbell writes that while the point-of-entry system is a beast to install (requiring main water line cuts and pre-filtration setup), it's practically maintenance-free once running and costs just $285 annually to operate. In a surprising twist, Campbell discovered that the SpringWell unit is actually a private-labeled Luminor BLACKCOMB 6.1 A with NSF 55 Class A certification. The review highlights that UV systems don't affect water flow rates and offer chemical-free disinfection, but Campbell notes the steep upfront cost and installation complexity make this more of a serious investment than a DIY weekend project.

Addressing Microplastics

WCP Online reports on what we all know by now: microplastics are having a major moment, and not the good kind. Author Mike Sheffield writes that with 84% of consumers now worried about microplastics (which have increased by 50% in human brain samples since 2016, according to recent research), the water treatment industry has an opportunity to filter out some serious profits. The good news is that NSF/ANSI 401 certification now covers microplastic reduction claims, and Sheffield notes that manufacturers can double-dip by getting NSF/ANSI 42 certification at the same time for maximum efficiency. NSF studies show 92% of filter buyers prefer independently certified products, making third-party certification necessary for standing out in a crowded marketplace. With consumers increasingly health-conscious and research showing 40% return online purchases due to poor product descriptions, Sheffield argues that having verified claims is table stakes for staying competitive.

Plastic Water Bottles

SpringWell's chief water specialist Tommy Stricklin wrote an article this week on why you should think twice about using plastic water bottles, and the stats back it up. Stricklin writes that Americans use 50 billion plastic bottles annually, with each liter containing an average of 240,000 microscopic plastic pieces. Plus, only 33% actually get recycled despite consumers’ best intentions. The manufacturing process is equally brutal: each bottle requires a quarter of its volume in petroleum oil to produce, adding up to 17 million barrels annually in the U.S. alone. Stricklin notes that plastic bottles can leach 150 different chemicals into water (especially when heated or reused), and the ocean impact is rough as well—researchers predict plastic will outweigh fish by 2050. The pitch from Stricklin is somewhat obvious: switch to reusable bottles and invest in home filtration systems like SpringWell's whole-house units, which Water Filter Guru just voted best in 2025 (see above).

What else is happening:

• New York State has awarded another $5 million grant to build a granular activated carbon treatment system designed to remove PFOA and PFOS contamination

• Michigan-based Water Purification Specialists says their new purification system is a "cutting-edge advancement" that ditches salt and frequent filter changes

• Contractor Mag writes the five things plumbers should know before starting a water treatment company

• Texas-based Alamo Water Softeners lists the five ways to remove iron from well water