Nelson loses out to Chilliwack at 'Best of the Best' Tap Water Taste Test Challenge
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson qualified for the finals, but ended up losing out to Chillwack in “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Test Challenge at the B.C.Water and Waste Association conference Thursday at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
The competition format was based on a taste test held annually at the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exhibition (AWWA ACE), and is similar in many ways to a wine tasting.
Nelson was one of 11 finalists, which included defending champion Kelowna, Kamloops, Rutland, Penticton, Regional District of North Okanagan, Village of Harrison Hot Springs, Village of Radium Hot Springs, Squamish and Clearbrook.
A total of 16 waters districts from across the province of BC entered the competition.
This is the second annual event where, during the BC Water and Waste Associations’ Conference, a panel of selected “aqualiers” sampled and judged water on stage in front of all delegates to evaluate water based on appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel, aftertaste, and overall impression.
The judges included Paul Bowen, Director of Sustainable Operations of Coca Cola & Incoming President of the Water Environment Federation; Gene Koontz, Senior Vice President with Gannett Fleming & Incoming President of the American Water Works Association; Mark Filatow, Executive Chef, Sommelier and Partner of Waterfront Wines and Details Catering and Robert Haller, Executive Director of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association.
The judges all who took their task seriously during the blind taste test, where they treated the unlabeled samples like the finest of wines.
The primary water source for Nelson is Five Mile Creek, located in the West Arm Wilderness Park above the Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus in Upper Fairview.
