Our Story

In the heart of a small rural town nestled among the Kentucky Highland, the Nichols family had carved out a niche that was as unique as it was vital. For 35 years, Nich-Chem had been the unsung hero of rural water treatment, providing custom coagulants to water companies scattered across the countryside.

The story began with Wayne "Doc" Nichols, a driven engineer with a passion for solving practical problems. After earning his degree in civil engineering, Doc returned to his hometown of Glasgow, KY, a place that had always held his heart. There, he managed the Glasgow Water Company for nearly 30 years, improving his community and overseeing a district of over 400 square miles that serves the City of Glasgow, Barren County, and portions of Allen County and Edmonson County.

He recognized a significant need: local water companies needed more specialized solutions to treat their water efficiently. In the 1980s, rural water treatment was often a trial-and-error process. The chemicals were either too generic or poorly suited for rural areas' diverse and sometimes unpredictable water conditions, and deliveries frequently needed to be available to accommodate smaller tanks.

Wayne decided to address this gap by founding Nich-Chem, aiming to offer custom coagulants tailored to each water plant's specific needs.

His breakthrough came when he and his team successfully developed a custom coagulant blend that significantly improved water clarity for a local water company plagued by high turbidity. Word spread quickly, and Nich-Chem soon gained a reputation for delivering reliable and effective solutions. This commitment to quality and personalized service set them apart for over 35 years.

Throughout the decades, Nich-Chem continued to thrive, driven by their unwavering dedication to their clients and their craft. The company's values—integrity, innovation, and personal touch—remained at the core of everything they did. They prided themselves on treating each client as a partner, understanding their unique challenges, and crafting solutions that truly met their needs, and delivery deadlines.

Now, the torch has passed to his wife, Susan, and their son, Mark. Both continue to embrace Doc's legacy with the same passion and commitment, leading Nich-Chem into the modern era and embracing the latest trends and technology.

In the small rural town where it all began, the Nichols family's story was woven into the fabric of the community. Nich-Chem has become more than just a business; it symbolizes perseverance, innovation, and the power of family.

For 35 years, they had been a beacon of hope for rural water companies, transforming the lives of countless people with their custom solutions. And as they looked to the future, the Nichols knew that their legacy of excellence and dedication would continue to flow through the clear, clean waters of the countryside for many years to come.