Ms. Amber Pollock, Co Owner of Backwards Distilling Company in Mills, WY joined Mr. Kent Watson, President of the Board of Directors of the National Rural Water Association and K2TV Chief Meteorologist Erik Dean as finals judges today for the Best Tasting Drinking Water in Wyoming contest at the 28th annual Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems (WARWS) Technical Conference and Industry Trade Show. The conference was attended by a crowd of over 600 Licensed Water and Wastewater Operations Specialists, elected officials and industry professionals who attended 4 days of continuing education classes at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center this week.

In addition to over 42 sessions on technical issues and industry updates geared towards continuing education to maintain State Licensure, attendees heard from Mr. Watson on NRWA programs, Wyoming State Homeland Security Director Lynn Budd updated the group on “All Hazards Planning”. Several federal and state agency representatives provided program updates including Wyoming DEQ, USEPA, USDA RD, SLIB and Wyoming Water Development.

Each year ,across the country, water systems compete at the state level judged on clarity, odor and taste. Winners of the state contests are invited to attend the National Great American Taste contest held each year during the National Rural Water Rally in Washington, DC. Last year, the Town of Saratoga won the state event and represented Wyoming in Washington, DC where they finished in the top 10.  

This year’s winner will again represent Wyoming at the national contest in February, 2020. In addition to the invitation to compete, the winners will meet with Wyoming’s congressional delegation to discuss issues and challenges they face in providing quality drinking water for their community or water system.

This year’s finalists, chosen from 18 registered entries, were the Town of Saratoga, Town of Star Valley Ranch, Town of Manville and the Town of Opal.

This year’s winner is the Town of Manville.

The Wyoming Association of Rural Water Systems is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to assisting its membership with training and technical assistance to enable Wyoming’s rural water and wastewater systems to provide Quality on Tap safe, affordable drinking water.