Madison wins Best-Tasting Water in Wisconsin!

(Contact Amy Barrilleaux for competition photos)

Madison has topped another list, this time because of our water. Madison Water Utility won a Blue Ribbon for Best-Tasting Water Monday at the Wisconsin State Fair. Madison won the title in competition held for the first time at the fair, sponsored by the Wisconsin Water Association, a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). The 27th annual contest showcased the dedicated work of drinking water professionals to provide safe, high quality drinking water 24-hours-a-day. Madison can now enter the North American competition at the AWWA Annual Conference and Expo (ACE) 2014 next spring in Boston. Wisconsin is known nationally for its drinking water quality. Last year's winner, the City of Arcadia Water Utility, placed third in the AWWA competition and, in 2009, Stevens Point won the Best of the Best North American title. At the fair, 17 municipal drinking water utilities provided samples in the non-scientific contest which considered taste, odor, and appearance. Entries were judged in the first round by location in each of five Department of Natural Resources regulatory districts (no entries from Northern District Monday). Final Round Winners: second place, Two Rivers (Northeast-NE); third place, Oak Creek (Southeast-SE); fourth place, Arcadia (West Central-WC); and fifth place, Kenosha (Southeast-SE). Madison is in the South Central District. The competition also included (NE) Appleton, Green Bay; (SE) Milwaukee, Cudahy; (SC) Waunakee, Fort Atkinson, Janesville; (WC) Arcadia, Weston, LaCrosse, Wausau, and Rib Mountain. Judges were Water Council President and CEO Dean Amhaus; Jennifer Mojica, Quality Manager for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.; Mannie Manuelle, Director of Technical Insights and Product Development, MillerCoors; AWWA President Jim Chaffee; and WWA Vice-Chair Ann-Perry Witmer, P.E., LEED AP BD+C, Project Manager, Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. WWA represents drinking water utilities, water system operators, environmental engineers, equipment suppliers, regulatory agency officials and other professionals who are dedicated to protecting public health and providing safe and sufficient water for all. By working together, WWA members advance technology, education, science, management, sustainability and government policies related to safe drinking water and protecting public health.

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