Alabama's Annual Great American Water Taste Test Competition
Do you have the best tasting drinking water in Alabama? Put it to the test! Each year, we select three judges to conduct a blind taste test of water samples from systems across Alabama to determine who can raise their glass as the best! The winner will not only receive signage and bragging rights, but also the opportunity to join us in Washington D.C. to compete in the national drinking water taste test to determine the best tasting drinking water in the country!
2025 Winners
State Winner: Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board
After much deliberation, Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board emerged as the 2025 champion! The Board provides water services to more than 20,000 individual customers and supplies water to seven additional systems/entities through two water treatment facilities and two wastewater treatment plants.
Anniston also oversees the protection and stewardship of three key water sources: Coldwater Spring, Hillabee Reservoir, and Hamner Reservoir.
The Anniston Water Works & Sewer Board is governed by:
- Brett Rothwell
- Brooklyn Freeman
- Dionne Johnson
- Emily Robinson
Congratulations to Anniston Water Works and Sewer Board for their achievement! Their victory earns them the honor of representing Alabama at the National Rural Water Taste Test competition in Washington, DC, in February 2026.
Runner-Up: Town of Wilton Water Works
If the winning utility cannot attend the national competition, the runner-up, Town of Wilton Water Works, will have the opportunity to represent Alabama. This acknowledgment reflects the exceptional quality of their water and dedication to serving their community.
Congratulations to Town of Wilton Water Works on their outstanding achievement!
2025 Judges
Our 2025 Water Taste Test was judged by an esteemed panel who evaluated each sample on clarity, taste, and odor:
Geological Survey of Alabama
Consolidated Pipe & Supply, Inc.
The Judging Process
Our judges take their role seriously, carefully evaluating each sample for taste, clarity, and odor. Watch as they put Alabama's finest water to the test!
How to Enter
A Note About Samples
Submit your interest in entering a sample as early as possible. Your system must be verified as compliant with all ADEM regulations concerning water quality prior to entry.
Entry Requirements
- Pre-register for the Water Taste Test on the Conference Registration Form and mail or FAX to the Alabama Rural Water Association.
- Upon arriving in Montgomery, register your one gallon sample with the Registration Desk. Samples will be refrigerated until the Taste Test on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. during the Rural Water Country Luncheon in the Exhibit Hall.
- Label the one gallon glass container with your Utility Name on the BOTTOM.
- Chill your sample in a small labeled cooler (no large coolers—space is limited). All coolers must be picked up by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday from the Water Taste Test Stage area.
- Your system must meet ADEM approval with no violations of bacteriological or chemical monitoring.
Judging Criteria
Our panel of judges evaluates each sample on three criteria:
| Criteria | What Judges Look For |
|---|---|
| Taste | Clean, refreshing flavor without off-notes |
| Clarity | Crystal clear appearance, no cloudiness |
| Odor | No detectable smell or chemical odors |
Preliminary Judging begins at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 17th. Six finalists advance to final judging during the Rural Water Country Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. First and second place winners will be selected.
Prizes
First Place
- Trip to Washington, D.C. — One round trip airline ticket to compete in the National Drinking Water Taste Test in February 2027. (All other expenses are the responsibility of the Utility.)
- News release article in the ARWA quarterly magazine, The Waterline
- Taste Test Winner Sign
The Utility must provide ARWA by December 1, 2026 the name of the representative traveling to D.C.
Runner Up
- Taste Test 2nd Place Sign
- If 1st Place forfeits, 2nd Place may participate in the National Taste Test