Skagit Takes Top Two Spots in Best Tasting Water Contest

Posted Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Skagit PUD’s Marblemount and Judy Reservoir water systems captured first and second place in the Best Tasting Water contest held Tuesday night by the American Water Works Association Northwest Subsection. 

Judging criteria includes odor, taste, and after-taste. The water is sampled at room temperature because dissolved gases, odors, and tastes are more discernable with water at room temperature or temperatures higher than chilled water. 

The Marblemount system is a 163-foot deep groundwater well located on the North Cascades Highway, serving a customer population of around 30. The Judy Reservoir system supplies water to Burlington, Mount Vernon, and Sedro-Woolley. The next stop is Kennewick for the Section competition on May 3-5. Skagit PUD will go head to head with 12 water systems from Washington, Oregon, and Idaho for Best Tasting Water honors.

Win there, and it’s on to Toronto, Canada, for the national showdown at AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition in June, where a panel of judges will rate each water sample on its flavor characteristics.