Tap Water Taste Test

Taste-Test-Winner-2025
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ACE22-Taste-Test-Awards
ACE22-Taste-Test-bottles
ACE22-Taste-Test-Judges
2026

Competition Information

Winners of AWWA Section taste tests compete for the titles of “People’s Choice” and “Best of the Best” tap water during ACE26.

The utility for the ACE host city and the most recent Best of the Best winner are scheduled to participate in this year’s competition.

Entry is open to AWWA utility members from within the United States and Canada. Entrants must not have incurrent any U.S. or Canadian state, provincial or federal drinking water violations (MCL, MAC, monitoring, recordkeeping, etc.) during the previous calendar year.

To enter
If you meet the above the criteria, please contact Dave Gaylinn, AWWA senior public affairs specialist, at dgaylinn@awwa.org.

Join the Action

AWWA holds two water tests at ACE.

People’s Choice Award
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 │ 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall

The “People’s Choice” award winner is determined by the conference attendees. Everyone is welcome to participate and cast your vote!

Best of the Best
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 │ 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Exhibit Hall

Then, the “Best of the Best” Water Taste Test comprises regional AWWA section winners of water taste competitions. A panel of esteemed judges rates each water sample on its flavor characteristics. Join us to see the winner revealed!

Thank You to Our 2026 Best of the Best Sponsor

ACE25 Competition Winners:

People’s Choice

1. Denver Water, Rocky Mountain Section
2. City of Appleton, Department of Utilities, Wisconsin Section
3. City of Bloomington, Minnesota, Minnesota Section

 

Best of the Best

1. Henrico Water, Virginia Section
2. Taylorsville Bennion Valley, Intermountain Section
3. City of Ames, Iowa Section

 

Past Recipients

Best of the Best

Henrico Water, Virginia Section

City of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Atlantic Canada Section

City of Miramichi, NB

WaterOne, Kansas City, KS

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, Boston, MA

Town of the Blue Mountains, Thornbury, ON

Alderwood Water and Wastewater District, Lynnwood, WA

City of Greeley, Greeley, CO

The City of Bloomington, Bloomington, MN

Big Sky County Water & Sewer District, Big Sky, MT

Boston Water & Sewer Commission, Boston, MA

Oklahoma City Water & Wastewater, Oklahoma City, OK

City of Fremont, Fremont, NE

The Greenville Water System, Greenville, SC

Stevens Point Water Department, Stevens Point, WI

Macon Water, Macon, GA

Louisville Water Company, Louisville, KY

Oklahoma City Water & Wastewater, Oklahoma City, OK

Illinois American Water, Champaign, IL

Illinois American Water, Champaign, IL

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Past Recipients

People’s Choice

City of Janesville Water Utility, Wisconsin Section

City of Emporia, Emporia, KS

WaterOne, Kansas City, KS

The contest was not held due to the coronavirus.

The contest was not held due to the coronavirus.

EPCOR, Edmonton, AB

City of Hamilton, OH, Hamilton, OH

City of Greeley, Greeley, CO

City Corporation, Russellville, Ark.

Champlain Water District, South Burlington, VT

City of Kalama, WA, Kalama, WA

Louisville Water Company, Louisville, KY