Thanks to Jennifer Palmiotto, we now know we have more to brag about than we did a month ago! A big thank you goes to Mark Houghton and all the folks at E.E. Houghton for all they do to assure that our water supply remains top notch. – Lil

Newbury, NH – Walpole, NH is known for many things including L.A. Burdick’s Chocolate and for being the home of documentary filmmaker and producer Ken Burns. Now Walpole has a new claim to fame:  “Best Tasting Water in New Hampshire.”

The contest held on September 9, 2014, was hosted by Granite State Rural Water Association, an association of water and wastewater utilities, during the organization’s annual conference at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, NH.  Judges for the contest were Jane Downing, Drinking Water Chief, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1; Sarah Pillsbury, Administrator of the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau, NH Department of Environmental Services; and Mark Kowproski, Community Programs Specialist, United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development Program. Water samples were judged for clarity, bouquet and taste.  Thirteen water systems from across the state participated in the first annual contest.  According to GSRWA Board member, Bob Naylor of Newport Water Works, “The competition was tough. New Hampshire has great tasting water.”  According to GSRWA Executive Director, Jennifer Palmiotto, “The contest gives winners the bragging rights of having NH’s best tasting tap water.  In addition, the Walpole Water Department automatically qualifies to enter the Great American Taste Test contest held annually by National Rural Water Association in Washington, DC.”

Granite State Rural Water Association, a state affiliate of National Rural Water Association, is a non-profit trade association dedicated to aiding New Hampshire water and wastewater systems through legislative activities, training and on-site technical assistance.