Kelowna Dethroned as Best Tap Water in B.C.

They tried to make it two years in a row, but Kelowna failed to take top spot in the annual “Best of the Best” tap water challenge.

The different waters to be sampled by the judges (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

The second annual competition took place on Thursday, May 28^th at Prospera Place during the BC Water and Waste Association’s annual conference. More than 10 communities took part in the competition for the title for the best tap water in B.C. This year the winner was the City of Chilliwack, as they were named best water in the province by the four judges.

This year’s judges included: Paul Bowen, Director of Sustainable Operations of Coca Cola and incoming president of the Water Environment Federation; Gene Koontz, incoming president of the American Water Works Association; Mark Filatow, executive chef and partner of Waterfront Wines; and Robert Haller, Executive Director of the Canadian Water and Wastewater Association.

Judges scored the water on a scale of one to five (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

“In the nose, there are three that stand out more than the others,” said Filatow, as he tasted the different waters. “It’s much like tasting wine, smelling and tasting and using the olfactory senses is the same as tasting water.”

Many communities entered the competition this year including the City of Kamloops, Nelson, Kelowna, Rutland Waterworks District, Penticton, Vernon, Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs, Radium Hot Springs, Squamish, and Clearbrook.

Water to be sampled from the judging (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)

The results of the taste test do not become public, but officials said that it was almost unanimous with three of the four judges choosing Chilliwack as the best water. The judges rated the water based on appearance, aroma, taste, mouth feel, aftertaste, and overall impression.

The City of Chilliwack was the winner of the second annual event (Photo Credit: KelownaNow.com)