Boothbay Region Water District (BRWD) was declared Maine’s Best Tasting Water duriing Maine Rural Water Association’s 45th Annual Conference & Trade Show Dec. 11. 

The competition pitted water districts from across the state against one another other in two categories: water treated with a disinfectant (such as chlorine) and water without a disinfectant. BRWD cinched this year's disinfectant title by a half-point. The district also won the category in 2021.

The winners then go against each other for a final round, and an overall champion is declared. BRWD will go on to represent the state in the National Taste Test in Washington, D.C. in February. 

General Manager Weston Alley said the crew is ecstatic about the achievement, especially as it is uncommon for disinfected water to win the head-to-head. "Our treatment guys take a lot of pride in what they do," he said.

Chairman of the BRWD board of trustees Gerry Gamage added, "We've got a good operation and a good crew, and they deliver."

This year’s judges were Amy Lachance, Maine Drinking Water Program director; Nick Rico, Wells Sanitary District superintendent and Maine Rural Water Association board member; and Rebecca Labranche, A&L Laboratory director.