BOSTON, MA, June 18, 2014 -- The American Water Works Association (AWWA) recently announced that Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) of Boston, Mass. has won the 10th annual "Best of the Best" Tap Water Taste Test. The event, composed of regional winners from water-tasting competitions across North America, was held at AWWA's Annual Conference and Exposition (ACE14) at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, Mass., June 8-12.
Second place in the competition was given to another Boston, Mass., water utility -- Massachusetts Water Resources Authority. Likewise, third place in the competition was given to the City of Kalama, Wash. The People's Choice award winner, as determined by the conference attendees, also went to the City of Kalama, Wash.
Boston is home to New England's oldest and largest water and sewer systems, which are owned, maintained and operated by Boston Water and Sewer Commission. Established in 1977, BWSC continues to provide water and sewer services to more than one million people every day.
Other "Best of the Best" participants in the competition included: Ave Maria Utility Company, Ave Maria, Fla.; Big Sky Water and Sewer District No. 363, Big Sky, Mont.; Capital Region Water, Harrisburg, Pa.; City and Borough of Juneau Water Utility, Juneau, Alaska; City of Alcoa, Tenn.; City of Chelsea, Mich.; City of Hamilton, Ohio; City of Meridian, Miss.; City of Olathe, Kan.; City of Raleigh, N.C.; City of Sioux Falls, S.D.; City of Toronto, Ontario.; City of Tulsa, Okla.; and Clear Water Service Corp., Mattoon, Ill.
More included DC Water, Washington, D.C.; Fremont Dept. of Utilities, Fremont, Neb.; Greenville Water, Greenville, S.C.; Halifax Water, Halifax, N.S.; I&D Water, Savannah, Ga.; Madison Water, Madison, Wis.; Marin Municipal Water District, Corte Madera, Calif.; Oklahoma City Utilities Department, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, San Juan, P.R.; Town of Erie, Colo.; Township of Livingston, N.J.; Trinity River Authority of Texas, Euliss, Texas; Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Layton, Utah; and Western Virginia Water Authority, Roanoke, W.Va.
An esteemed judging panel rated each water system on its flavor characteristics. Judges included Roy Desrochers, sensory practice leader for GEI Consultants, Inc.; James Naylor, project manager at Alan Plummer Associates; Matt Tolcher senior project manager with Jacobs; and Peter Howe, business editor for the New England Cable News.
Previous winners are Oklahoma City Water and Wastewater Utility (2007 and 2013), Fremont, Neb. (2012), Greenville, S.C. (2011), Stevens Point, Wis. (2010), Macon, Ga., Water Authority (2009), Louisville Ky., Water Company (2008) and Illinois American Water, Champaign District (2006 and 2005).
ACE14, which brought an estimated 11,000 water experts to Boston, is the longest running water conference in the world, having first convened in 1881. The event featured several hundred expert presentations and an exposition of more than 500 companies showcasing the latest innovations in water technology.
See also:
"ACE13: OK City wins "Best of the Best" Tap Water Taste Test"
"ACE14 held in Boston; Giuliani opens show with call to courageous leadership"
About AWWA
Established in 1881, the American Water Works Association is the largest nonprofit, scientific and educational association dedicated to managing and treating water, the world’s most important resource. With approximately 50,000 members, AWWA provides solutions to improve public health, protect the environment, strengthen the economy and enhance our quality of life. For more information, visit www.awwa.org.
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