Sarasota wins water-tasting contest

Based upon taste, clarity, color and odor, a panel of judges concluded that Sarasota County has the best drinking water in the region.

The judges — business owners, public employees and community members — participated in a blind test at the Region 10 Water Works Association meeting Feb. 23, in Lakewood Ranch. They sampled unmarked bottles of water from eight utilities in southwest Florida, which included Manatee and Charlotte counties, Punta Gorda and the cities of Sarasota, Venice, Englewood and Peace River.

“Our annual Best Taste Drinking Water Contest is a fun way to bring greater awareness to one of our most precious resources,” said Dan Cash, chair of the American Water Works Association, Region 10, in a prepared statement. “It’s also an opportunity to recognize professionals in the industry who are dedicated to providing our communities with safe, high quality drinking water.”

The contest has been held annually since 2003.

Contact Loren Mayo at [email protected].