By Jacob Mathias

Wisconsin Rapids’ drinking water was declared the best tasting in Wisconsin this year, taking the title at the Wisconsin State Fair last week.

In the annual competition sponsored by the Wisconsin Water Assocation, Rapids’ water was chosen over 20 other drinking water utilities including 2nd place winner Arcadia and nearby Stevens Point that won 3rd place. Point had previously taken the title in 2009 and Arcadia was last year’s winner.

“I did bring a bottle of Wisconsin’s best tasting water this evening,” said Mayor Zachary Vruwink during his monthly report on Tuesday night at a meeting of the Wisconsin Rapids Common Council. “I can rub that in my peers faces as they’ve gone around and jabbed each other the last number of years for having the best tasting water. I can obviously turn the table on them.”

Judges included representatives from MillerCoors, Ocean Spray, the Water Council, the Public Service Commission and Wisconsin brew masters. The non-scientific judgement was made based on taste, odor and appearance of the water samples.

“It shows that the city is in a location that number one has water and number two has good quality water,” said Adam Tegen, director of planning and economic development.

He said the award will be a a great addition to the marketing of the city to prospective new residents and future.

“It’s another piece to the puzzle,” said Tegen.

Rapid’s drinking water will be judged again for the national title at the American Water Works Association’s annual conference in June 2016.