Public health license on record for water treatment company's Madison address
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Overview
Updated 2 hours agoA Madison water treatment company has cleared the county's licensing step for an address on World Dairy Drive. Public Health Madison & Dane County has a license on record for Total Water at 5002 World Dairy Drive as of September 1, 2026.
Total Water Treatment Systems, founded in 1943, sells Culligan softeners and industrial high-purity water systems. The license clears the company to operate there; it does not confirm the doors are open.
Why it matters
If the location opens, Madison-area homes and businesses gain another nearby option for water treatment and softener service.
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Timeline
1943 September 2026
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Total Water license appears on Madison health list
Latest LicensingLicense clears the company to operate; opening not confirmed.
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Total Water becomes employee-owned
OwnershipAll company stock is sold to an employee stock ownership plan.
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Total Water founded
FoundingCompany starts as an authorized Culligan water treatment dealer.
Historical Context
2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.
Culligan builds its dealer network (1936-1960)
Culligan, founded in 1936, sold automatic water softeners through independently owned local dealerships. Total Water became one of those dealers in 1943.
Culligan grew a network of dealers across North America.
The local-dealer model remains common in water treatment sales and service.
This Madison license is another step in that same dealer network, not a company-owned chain store.
Total Water's employee ownership transition (2003)
On September 1, 2003, 100% of Total Water's stock was sold to an employee stock ownership plan. The company's workers became its owners.
The company kept its name, management, and Madison headquarters.
Total Water has continued operating as an employee-owned local firm.
It identifies who is behind the new license: the company's employee-owners, not an outside chain.
