30th Anniversary Event -- Aug. 10, 2015
Wisconsin Water Taste Test Competition
Contact: Gary Skroch, Arcadia Water & Wastewater Utilities Superintendent; Office (608) 323-3452; after 5 p.m. (608) 863-0727 email:
Rosalind Rouse, WWA Taste Test Co-Chair; phone (414) 870-0525
Arcadia Water Sparkles Again in Wisconsin’s Best-Tasting Water Competition
Once again, the Arcadia Water Utility has earned the pride of Wisconsin during the 30th annual Water Taste Test Competition at the Wisconsin State Fair. Capturing second place, Arcadia is now the winningest drinking water utility in Wisconsin, thanks to the purity and freshness of its natural water. Only Arcadia has placed first in state three times and placed second once. Arcadia carried its state title to national competition in 2012 and was named #3 Best of Show in the United States.
Utility Manager Gary Skroch attributes the high scores to a mineral-rich source of groundwater, tapped at four wells in the city. Arcadia Water employs eight water professionals. Skroch said the titles are a source of great pride for Arcadia, with a population of 3,000. “This is something for the whole community to be proud of. It’s not just us at the water utility. This is a combination of efforts, visionary thinking and commitment, of the Arcadia Utility Commission along with the City of Arcadia, and its dedicated employees to our water facilities and water infrastructure,” he said.
Arcadia’s water source is groundwater from the Mt. Simon Aquifer which supplies volumes of quality water to its four wells and water filtration facilities. The utility, founded in 1902, provides an average 1.5 million gallons a day, and uses horizontal pressure filtration and iron and manganese removal. Arcadia’s largest water customers are Ashley Furniture and Gold'n Plump Poultry.
Twenty one drinking water utilities competed in the friendly match Monday sponsored by the Wisconsin Water Association. The contest showcases the dedicatedwork of over 900 water professionals in Wisconsin who provide safe, high quality drinking water 24-hours-a-day. The Wisconsin Rapids Water Utility won the blue ribbon.
Celebrity judges included representatives of MillerCoors, Ocean Spray, The Water Council, the Public Service Commission, and Wisconsin brew masters. They considered taste, odor, and appearance of the water samples in non-scientific judging.
Here is the full list of competitors from Monday: Appleton, Arcadia, Clintonville, Cudahy, Green Bay, Jackson, Kenosha, Madison, Manitowoc, Marshfield, North Shore Water Utility, Portage, Reedsburg, Sheboygan, South Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Watertown, Waunakee, Weston, Wisconsin Rapids.
AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. WWA represents water utilities, system operators, engineers, equipment suppliers, regulatory agencies and others who are dedicated to protecting public health and providing safe and sufficient water for all. WWA members advance technology, education, science, management, sustainability, and government policies related to safe drinking water.