The Capital Regional, Hope and Qualicum Beach can each lay claim to the best drinking water in the province, according to a handful of judges.
The CRD has competed in the taste test several times, but a breakdown of divisions this year into large (populations over 100,000), medium (populations 2,500 - 24,999) and small (populations 2,500 or less) systems provided a more level playing field.
A dozen communities competed in the Best of the Best BC and Yukon Tap Water Taste Test, put on by the B.C. Water & Waste Association, a non-profit that represents more than 4,500 people in the water sector.
The friendly competition invites water providers from across B.C. and the Yukon to compete, helping raise awareness of the importance of water systems in protecting public health and the environment.
This year’s judges were Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto; Christine Spitzley, vice president at American Water Works Association and principal at OHM Advisors; Paul Schuler, WEF representative and senior strategic advisor /senior vice president at Carollo Engineers; and Robert Haller, executive director at Canadian Water & Wastewater Association.
The judges taste and evaluate water samples on a numeric scale that scores for appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel, aftertaste and overall impression.
Of the 12 competitors, Capital Regional District won Large Water System, District of Hope topped the Medium Water System and Town of Qualicum Beach got the nod for Small Water System.
