Mass Rural Water Association
Mass Rural Water Association News
Southampton Wins Great American Water Taste Test
Southampton, Massachusetts Wins Great American Water Taste Test in Washington, DC Competition (Washington, D.C.)

– If you’re looking for the best tasting water in the nation, move to Massachusetts. In this rural community, all

you have to do is turn the faucet for pure “Quality On Tap!” Southampton, MA, one of the top five finalists at

the 9th Annual Great American Water Taste Test, walked away with top honors and the Gold Medal. This is the second

consecutive year a water system from Massachusetts has won the National Title. The taste test is held each year on Capitol

Hill in conjunction with the National Rural Water Association’s Annual Rally in Washington, D.C. The nation's

largest community based environmental organization, the National Rural Water Association (NRWA), held its annual

meeting in Washington, D.C. along with the Great American Water Taste Test. The goal: to prove that great-tasting water

comes straight from the tap. Safe, clean, affordable water is a major issue anywhere in the world. In fact, nothing is more

precious or raises bigger debate than quality water, whether it is bottled or straight from the tap. On Tuesday, April 22nd,

the top water from small community drinking water suppliers from across the nation were in the hot seat, as judges tasted,

slurped, sniffed, and gurgled their way to determine the best of the best. NRWA represents over 26,242 rural and small

utilities, so it’s a big deal to make it to the final competition where Southampton competed against top water systems

from around the nation. The other finalists included North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Lewes, Delaware; Lorain County, Ohio;

and Avilla, Indiana. Joe Slattery, Water Superintendent, for Southampton heads the Department. The 1261 water

connections get their water from ground water wells. Southampton entered the water taste test after winning the state

competition at the Mass rural Water Association’s Annual Conference. Judges for the event were, EPA's Ben

Grumbles, USDA's Teresa Lasseter, and Melanie Rhinehart-VanTassell with U.S. Rep. Pomeroy (ND). Water is judged

based on three attributes: clarity, bouquet, and taste. State contests conduct preliminary competitions selecting the best

water to represent their state at the national finals. Each judge evaluated glasses of water from the five finalists measuring

them on clarity, bouquet and taste.


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