About
Our mission is to develop and apply innovative, cost-effective solutions to determine the root cause of water quality and system issues. We provide the consumer with not only data, but an interpretation of the data and recommendations on how to manage their site-specific issues.
Our work brings a visionary perspective on how the industry thinks about water quality by connecting biofilms with common water quality issues.
Dr. Andrew Jacque, P.E.
Chief Scientist and Founder
Dr. Jacque has 25+ years of experience in the field of water supply and treatment, including university teaching, engineering consulting and public service. Andrew received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1990. He returned to UW–Madison in 2005 to pursue MS and PhD degrees. Andrew earned his PhD in 2009 in environmental engineering with a minor in hydrogeology. Dr. Jacque has pioneered an analytical approach to characterize water quality issues caused by microbial occurrence in groundwater wells, drinking water distribution systems and water related infrastructure. His approach uses scientific techniques in the areas of environmental chemistry, electrochemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, hydrogeology and engineering to determine whether a water quality problem is the result of an impaired source, a defect in construction, an inadequate treatment process or insufficient facility/system maintenance. He has used this approach to reduce microbial induced corrosion in groundwater wells and drinking water distribution systems; reduce radium activity, arsenic/metals concentration, and microbial activity in groundwater wells; and reduce disinfection by-products in drinking water distribution systems without the need to construct expensive water treatment facilities.
Eric Wenzel
Eric is a Wisconsin native who was born in Appleton and grew up in Mount Horeb. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology and a Masters degree in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Stevens Point and University of LaCrosse respectively. He is an outdoorsman who likes spending his weekends during the fall deer hunting at his family’s hunting cabin in Richland Center. Eric also enjoys golfing during the summer months. His hobbies include hiking, snowshoeing, cooking, gardening, reading, board games, and the occasional videogame.
Emily Hefty-Dieckhoff
Emily grew up on a dairy farm outside of Mount Horeb, WI. She graduated from Mount Horeb High School and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil and Crop Science as well as a minor in Biotechnology from UW-Platteville. Emily came to Water Quality Investigations because of her background in science and enjoys helping both rural and municipal clients improve and maintain their water quality. Outside of work, she is a musician (violin and flute) who plays for various church services, weddings, and concerts. Emily plays an active role in her family’s dairy farm alongside her parents and husband, Joel.
Katie Maegli
Katie grew up in southern Wisconsin and graduated in 2018 from UW-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and a Certificate in Global Health. With her background in the fields of microbiology and environmental health, Katie aims to ensure communities have access to healthy water systems. A few of her roles at Water Quality Investigations include analyzing water quality, research and development of laboratory tests, and premise plumbing system health and Legionella management. As a hockey player, Katie finds water most enjoyable in its solid state. Her other hobbies include traveling, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, playing the bassoon, writing, and curling up with her cat and a good book.
Abby Lee
Abby grew up near Sheboygan, WI spending time along Lake Michigan. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Hydrology and a minor in Soil Science from UW-Stevens Point. Well rehabilitation, flow monitoring, aquaculture projects, and analyzing water samples are a handful of areas Abby helps with at WQI. She enjoys playing a small role in helping others have access to clean, safe water. Kayaking a new stretch of river, exploring a local hiking trail, or when she gets the chance, backpacking in national forest lands, are her favorite pastimes.
Lindsey Sutter
Lindsey has three kids and has lived in the Blue Mounds & Mount Horeb area for over 20 years. While she doesn’t have a background in water, she does enjoy drinking most forms of it. Lindsey is learning quite a bit about water hanging out at WQI and has acquired her Small Water Operators License. Lindsey helps us with the day-to-day grind that helps a business operate, including invoicing, furniture building, web page building, shipping & receiving – she does a bit of everything.
Joel Dieckhoff
Joel grew up in rural South-Central Wisconsin on his family’s farm, and he graduated from UW-Platteville with a Bachelor of Science degree in Soil and Crop Science with a minor in Ag Business. Though he does not have any formal microbiology training, Joel is passionate about solving problems which is the foundation for what WQI does. Joel does a wide variety of tasks at WQI from lab work to building stuff for around the office, as well as anything else his wife Emily has him do. In his spare time Joel is active on his parents’ and in-laws’ farms.
*Our employees are proud members of at least one of the above associations. We love to stay updated on the latest information.
**Click on the logo to be taken to each association’s website.
Job Opportunities
Could this be you?
We always have an eye out for the perfect person with a passion for water and biofilm to fit into our organization. Please let us know if this could be you.