If you’re looking for a cool, clear glass of water, the central Iowa town of Ames might be your best bet. The Ames tap water was recently named Iowa’s best-tasting water at a contest sponsored by the Iowa section of the American Water Works Association. John Dunn, director of the city’s Water and Pollution Control Department, says the water has to pass several tests.
Dunn says the judging looks like they’re tasting fine wine, as the water is set up in clear wine goblets. The water is judged in three categories: appearance and clarity, aroma, and taste. The Ames water scored 43 out of 45 possible points. Dunn says there are several factors that make the Ames H-2-O the best in the state.
Dunn says they’re blessed with a good quality of source water without a lot of things that would alter its taste, and he says they have a good treatment facility. Dunn says the water in the contest came straight from the plant and he didn’t do anything to doctor it up.
In fact, he says once the water bottles are brought in, the judges keep tight control over them to be sure no one messes with them. The Ames water now gets to test its taste against the rest of the country. He says the Ames water now moves on to the national competition that will be held next year in June. The national competition will be held in Atlanta, Georgia.