By Rich Anderson
June 4, 2007

Many cities are submitting water samples to compete in the 2007 City Water Taste Test preliminary Rounds on June 6 at the U.S. Conference of Mayors offices in Washington (DC). An exact count of competing cities is not available since cities are eligible to submit samples through June 4. The competition is sponsored by the Conference of Mayors, the Mayors Water Council and Veolia Water of North America.

Round I of the competition will begin in mid-morning June 6. The first Round is intended to narrow down the field of competing cities. A blind taste test will be conducted where judges will rank city water on taste, aroma and clarity on a point scale basis. A dozen or more cities will advance to Round II in mid-afternoon June 6.

A celebrity panel will conduct a blind taste test in Round II. The panel consists of Tommy Jacomo, Proprietor of The Palm restaurant in Washington (DC); Ben Grumbles, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and Juliet Eilperin, Environmental Reporter for The Washington Post newspaper. Round II winners will be announced June 7 on the Conference of Mayors website: usmayors.org.

Round II winners will compete for the title of “Best Tasting City Water in America” in the Final Round to be held in Los Angeles at the 75th Annual Meeting of The U.S. Conference of Mayors. Mayors attending the Annual Meeting are requested to take the blind taste test to choose the winning city.

The 2007 City Water Taste Test provides an opportunity for cities to showcase their achievement in providing clean water to America’s cities. In Fiscal Year 2004 local government spent over $82 billion for water and sewer services. The challenges that lie ahead for cities may be greater than those we have mastered in the past. Spending will likely increase each year to provide adequate and safe water. Local government has proven it is up to the challenge.