Steve Levy
Executive Director
207 841-9396 (cell)
levy@mainerwa.org

2009 Drinking Water Taste Test is Awarded to Solon Water District
Release: February 19, 2010

Maine's Best Tasting Waters!

Freeport - The Alfred Water District and the Solon Water District were judged to have Maine's best-tasting water at Maine Rural Water Association's 23rd Annual Drinking Water Taste Test, held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Freeport. Solon was awarded top honors in the "non-disinfected division" (water without chlorine) while Alfred captured the "disinfected division" (water with chlorine). In a taste-off between the two winners, Solon received the prestigious award of Maine's Best-Tasting Water. Their water will represent Maine in the Great American Water Taste Test on February 9, 2010 at National Rural Water Association's Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C.

Water from 20 community supplies was judged on taste, clarity, and aroma. The judges this year were Carlton Gardner, Compliance and Enforcement Team Leader at the Maine Drinking Water Program, Darrel Fournier, Fire Chief in Freeport, and Ron Lambert, Community Programs Director of USDA Rural Development.

The Alfred Water District has approximately 300 service connections and pulls its water from two wells. Alfred recently made infrastructure improvements to their system, replacing a mile of pipe in 2009 and building a new storage tank in 2007. According to Operator, Kerry Smart, "We are excited to have won this award, it goes to show that our infrastructure  improvements have been worthwhile. With the replacement of pipe and a new storage tank, we have taken out system from the 19th century to the 21st century."

The Solon Water District serves its 250 customers thought one gravel-packed well. Board Chairman Mike Foster stated, "This is two years in a row for Solon! We look forward to competing in Washington, D.C. in February."

The Maine Rural Water Association is a private, non-profit organization that represents water and wastewater systems through technical, financial, and managerial support. The Association's goal is to provide safe drinking water and protect the environment at an affordable cost to users. 

###