WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three smiling representatives from the Arcadia Water Utility in Arcadia, Wisc. walked onto the stage to accept the Gold Medal Award for the best tasting water at the Great American Water Taste Test, held on Feb. 7 in Washington, D.C. as part of the Rural Water Rally.

City of Salisbury Paleo Water Plant in Maryland won the Silver Medal and the Southeast Water Users District in North Dakota won Bronze. The Poweshiek Water Association in Iowa and the St. Martin Parish Waterworks, District #3 in Louisiana were also finalists.

The five finalists were selected from a field of water samples submitted from across the nation. Each state rural water association holds their own taste test and winners are eligible to compete in the national competition. Finalists are selected in a preliminary round, with the finals judged by a panel of expert guest judges.

This year’s judges were Kevin Baily, Professional Staff, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Claudette Fernandez, Assistant Administrator Water and Environment Programs, Rural Utilities Service; and Sarah Tyree, VP Government Affairs, CoBank.

Judges rated each water sample based on its clarity, bouquet and taste.