The National Rural Water Association recently held its annual Great American Water Taste Test and chose Perdido Bay Water, Sewer and Fire Protection District in Elberta, Ala., as its winner.

Perdido Bay was one of five finalists chosen from nearly 50 water submissions from across the United States. It  initially tied with Allen County Water District from Scottsville, Ky., during judging, and the winner was decided with a separate tasting – a Drink Off. Perdido Bay won the honors with Allen County taking second. The City of Manton, Mich., won third. The South Central Regional Water District in Bismark, N.D., and the entry from Colorado rounded out the top five.

Photo courtesy of NRWA

The entries were tasted by three judges during the Rural Water Luncheon April 21 in Washington, D.C. Judges included Melanie Rhinehart-Van Tassel from North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy’s office, Jim Maras from the USDA, and Rocky Owens, vice-president of water tank manufacturer Engineered Storage Products. The judges evaluated the water samples based on clarity, bouquet and taste.

Entries were selected at the taste tests of state rural water associations, narrowing the 26,696 systems affiliated with the NRWA to around 50. The five finalists were selected by the judges from those entries during the first round of tasting.

The NRWA holds the Great American Taste Test annually and part of the Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C.

Source: NRWA