Folks flocked to the corner of Martine and Court streets at midday for the annual municipal water taste test — part of National Drinking Water Week.
The title of tastiest water in Westchester goes to the Cortlandt Consolidated Water District.
"It's nice that they're giving us a comparison," said Robert Leboyer of White Plains. "I've always heard Westchester water is very good. And these are all different."
The nine participating water suppliers in this year’s competition were: Cortlandt Consolidated Water District; Village of Elmsford; Greenburgh Consolidated Water District #1; Ossining Village; City of Peekskill; United Water New Rochelle, last year's winner; Westchester County Water District #3; City of White Plains and City of Yonkers.
“The annual drinking water contest is a great way to showcase the fine quality of our public water supply,” said Sherlita Amler, MD, commissioner of health. “The local, county and state professionals who monitor our public water systems to ensure safe drinking water for county residents deserve our thanks.”
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Bottled water isn't a status symbol to some. "I drink water from the pipe," said Sharon Johnson of Yonkers, checking out what she called the "distinctive" flavors of the nine contestants.
"There's so much waste from bottled water," Leboyer said. He'd like to see a comparison between Westchester's tap waters and bottled water—and he'd also like to have an explanation that non-scientists could follow that explains what the minerals and ions and other chemicals are in the water—and what they mean.
Cortlandt, labeled D in the blind taste test, received 45 votes, or 22 percent. The runner-up was Greenburgh Consolidated Water District #1, labeled A, with 40 votes, or 20 percent. Elmsford, labeled I, came in third, with 27 votes.
One of the tasters was County Executive Robert P. Astorino, who said: “They’re all good. Westchester’s very lucky to have terrific water supplies throughout the county.’’
The experts say a good glass of water should be clean, crisp, clear and cool. The county’s health department samples the waters routinely, and they meet all quality standards.
The other participants were labeled as follows in the blind taste test today:
- B – City of White Plains
- C – City of Yonkers
- E - United Water New Rochelle
- F – City of Peekskill
- G – Ossining Village
- H - Westchester County District # 3
In past years, the winners were: 2011 – United Water New Rochelle; 2010 - Ossining; 2009 – Yonkers; 2008 – Croton on Hudson; 2007 – Yonkers; 2006 – Croton on Hudson; 2005 – United Water New Rochelle; 2004 – Yonkers; 2003 – Yonkers.
