Annual Taste Contest - Illinois

In 2007, the WSWPA began hosting an Annual Taste Contest for Illinois utilities only.   The Contest is typically held at the Winter meeting each year and the winner is given a chance to compete at the Illinois Section AWWA Conference the following spring.

To participate in the Annual WSWPA Water Taste Contest all water samples are to be submitted in a one quart glass container. The container is to have a label listing the name of the utility furnishing the water sample and the name of the utility representative.   Samples can be chilled until arrival, but once turned in at registration, all samples will be kept at room temperature to help the judges better assess the sample. The panel of local celebrity judges will be then judging the water based on color (clarity), odor, and taste in a blind taste test.  Section winners who have incurred any state or federal drinking water violations (MCL, monitoring, recordkeeping, etc.) during the previous 12 months are not eligible to compete.

The winner of our contest will be invited to compete in the Annual Water Taste Contest held at the Illinois Section of the American Water Works Association (ISAWWA) WATERCON, for the chance to gain statewide recognition; as well as a plaque and plenty of publicity recognizing your dedication to excellence in water production.  The winner of the ISAWWA Water Taste Contest will be invited to compete the next year at the ACE Water Taste Contest.