The City of Greenwood has been awarded Best Municipal Water in the World in this year’s Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition.
The competition is based out of Berkeley Springs, W. Va. and a water sample was taken across the border to Colville, Wash. and mailed to the organization.
“We sent our water sample out about a month and a half ago,” explained Greenwood Mayor Nipper Kettle. “I was monitoring the internet because I knew they were testing it on Feb. 25. On Feb. 25, I looked on the Internet and found out that we won gold for best quality tap water in the world. We were pretty stoked.”
The water sample was drawn from well number four, a 110-foot (33.53 metres) well tapped into a pretty good aquifer.
The city currently has three untreated, active wells.
“According to the rules, you have to draw it from a tap,” Kettle stated. “I know we have great quality water here but when you send in your sample with things like that, you never know what or who you’re up against.”
Kettle pointed out that the result of the contest has drawn interest from various parties looking to invest.
“It’s all very positive at this time,” he said. “We’re getting lots of offers but you know, at the end of the day we have to see what will actually work out but we’re hoping.”
This is the third time Greenwood has entered the competition, with the city placing third for best municipal water in North America in 2010.
“We’re pretty happy and it’s created a buzz and things moving and people thinking in our city,” Kettle said. “The spinoff we’re hoping will turn into something good for our city.
The Berkeley Springs competition features more than 100 water samples from around the water, from wells to carbonated water.
Water is judged based on clarity and taste.
Other Canadian cities with winning water sources include a gold in the non-carbonated bottled water category for Jackson Springs Natural Premium Spring Water out of Winnipeg, Man.
Source Saint-Elie and Saint Elie-de-Caxton in Quebec placed fourth in the carbonated bottled water and the people’s choice for package design categories.
Greenwood will be presented with an official award early next month.