Following the Great American Water Taste Test's final judging rounds April 24, Callaway 2 Water District can boast serving the best tasting water in the state.
The district earned the distinction when it beat out 19 other samples from rural water districts and municipalities in a taste test that culminated with five finalists judged at the Missouri Rural Water Association's annual open house and fish fry.
The finals, which included Freeburg, Howell County Public Water Supply District 1, Puxico and Wardsville, were judged on three criteria, according to Water Taste Test Coordinator Tom Hyatt: water clarity, smell, and "probably most importantly, the taste of the water - that it's pleasing to the palate and has nothing that would cause a person to object to the taste of it."
Ashland Mayor Michael Jackson, Terry Timmons of the state Department of Natural Resources' Public Drinking Water Branch and Nathan Chitwood of the USDA Rural Development were judges of this year's event. Timmons categorized the taste as "good ol' Missouri groundwater with a mineralized taste."
Tony Cox, Callaway 2 manager, said it "felt good" to earn the designation, and that the water district had done nothing recently to enhance the taste of their water.
"This is just the same water we've been producing for years out of this particular well," said Cox. "My staff does a good job keeping things in order and everything up mechanically."
Following being declared the winner, officials with the district met with state Rep. Jeanie Riddle and state Sen. Jolie Justus for recognition. Callaway 2 will also have a plaque commemorating the victory installed, and will represent Missouri next year in a nationwide taste test in Washington, D.C.
The Callaway 2 Water District has about 5,300 meters and serves more than 10,000 people in central Missouri out of eight wells.