By Rich Anderson
May 30, 2011

Five cities were selected today as finalists in The U.S. Conference of Mayors 2011 Best Tasting City Water in America contest following the May 20 preliminary round of competition held at the Conference of Mayors headquarters in Washington (DC). The five cities are:

• Albany (NY)

• Denton (TX)

• Racine (WI)

• Rochester (NY)

• Pembroke Pines (FL)

The finalist cities will advance to the final round of competition at The U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting in Baltimore June 17-20. Mayors attending the annual meeting will serve as judges participating in a blind taste test over three days of the meeting, and the winning city will be announced on the morning of June 20.

In addition to receiving the bragging rights of “Best Tasting City Water in America” as determined by their mayoral peers from around the nation, the winning city will receive a cash award of $15,000, which can be used to publicize the outstanding quality of their water to the public and the successful efforts of that city’s water department to produce it.

Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran stated that the competition provides an opportunity for cities to showcase their achievement in providing clean water to America’s citizens. “American cities are world leaders in providing high-quality water to protect public health, plentiful water supplies for public safety and fire protection, and the water necessary to run the nation’s economy. There is nowhere else on this globe where can you get safer tap water than in this country,” he said.

American Water, headquartered in Voorhees (NJ), is the sole corporate sponsor of the 2011 Best Tasting City Water in America competition. American Water President and CEO Jeff Sterba stated, “American Water is pleased to partner with The U.S. Conference of Mayors in this event that highlights the great value and quality of our country’s tap water.”

The Conference of Mayors conducts this periodic water taste test to bring attention to the increasing amount of money that local governments spend for water and sewer services and infrastructure. While city water comes from natural sources, local governments spend more than $100 billion a year to provide the storage facilities, pipes, pumps, treatment works and services.

A select panel of judges was convened to narrow the field of 73 competing cities to five finalist cities. The select panel was chosen on the basis of their involvement with and expertise in providing safe and affordable public water supplies. The panel included: Keith Castaldo, Counsel and Economic Advisor to Representative Bill Pascrell (NJ); Justin Field, staff to Senator Robert Menendez (NJ); Nancy Stoner, Acting Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water; Ben Grumbles, President of Clean Water America Alliance and former Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water; G. Tracy Mehan, III, Principal, The Cadmus Group and former Assistant Administrator for EPA’s Office of Water; and, Michael Deane, Executive Director, National Association of Water Companies.