WaterOne received top honors for its drinking water at the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Taste Test Competition, winning first place in both the Best Of The Best Water Taste Test and the People’s Choice Water Taste competitions. The competition took place on June 14th at the AWWA ACE water industry national conference, and the awards are among the most prestigious recognition that a water provider can receive for the flavor and aesthetic qualities of its water. Although a national finalist numerous times, this marks the first time that WaterOne has won either award and only the second time in the history of the contest that both awards were won by the same utility.
WaterOne was entered into the national contest to represent the State of Kansas following its victory at the regional semi-finals. In the contest, unlabeled water samples from WaterOne were judged against 23 other finalists from all over the country. The Best of the Best Water Taste Test is determined by an esteemed panel of judges, and the People's Choice Taste Test is selected by conference attendees.
“The secret to great tasting water is our dual water sources on the Kansas and Missouri River, state-of-the-art water treatment plants, and perhaps most importantly, the skill and expertise of our treatment plant operators,” said Director of Production Michelle Wirth. “Making delicious drinking water requires both technology and technique, and our dedicated treatment plant team dials it in every day to deliver the best quality possible for our customers.”
WaterOne has received consistent regional and national recognition for the aesthetic qualities of its water. In 2021, WaterOne was declared “America’s Best Tasting Drinking Water” in a nation-wide contest sponsored by the National Rural Water Association (NRWA). WaterOne is also a five-time winner of the “Best Tasting Water In Kansas” award presented by the Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association.
The accolades follow WaterOne’s continued investment in its facilities and treatment methods, including facilities for Ozone Water Treatment which were completed in 2021. Ozone is a significantly effective process for removing taste and odor compounds present in water during water treatment.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized with both the Best of the Best and People’s Choice awards,” said General Manager Mike Armstrong. “WaterOne customers can be confident that every time they turn on the tap, they are receiving some of the best water you can get, anywhere.”