ATHENS, Tenn. — Local residents have the best-tasting water among utilities that competed in a recent contest sponsored by the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts Region 10.
“This is not just a source of pride for AUB. We believe it is a point of community pride,” said Wayne Scarbrough, spokesman for the Athens Utilities Board.
Six utilities from Region 10 submitted drinking water samples. The region includes Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, Polk, Rhea, Sequatchie and Van Buren counties.
Jill Davis, water superintendent of the Athens Utilities Board, said the AUB employees who run the water treatment plant “are top-notch professionals who take a personal interest in the quality of the water they produce.”
“We are all proud of them and hope the community knows what an asset they are to Athens,” Mrs. Davis said.
The drinking water samples were judged in a blind test in Dayton, Tenn., by David Collett with USDA Rural Development, Barry Burgess with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and Beth Jones with the Southeast Development District.
Judges rated the samples on their clarity, bouquet and taste.
“The bouquet of drinking water should be nothing,” Mr. Scarbrough said. “No chlorine, no taste.”
He said most of AUB’s water comes from the Oostanaula aquifer near Athens. The city plant treats about 55 million gallons of water a month, he said.
“Fortunately we have a good water source and a well-functioning filter treatment plant,” Mr. Scarbrough said.
Athens will be represented in June when winners from all the regions compete for “Best Tasting Water in Tennessee.” The state winner will compete in Washington, D.C., for “Best Tasting Water in America.”
Mr. Scarbrough said the Tennessee Association of Utility Districts is the oldest rural water association in the nation.
It offers training and technical assistance, and acts as a legislative liaison for more than 420 water, wastewater and natural gas utility members within the state, according to its Web site , www.taud.org.
WATER TASTE TESTS
Competitors in Region 10:
Athens Utilities Board
Spring City
Ocoee Utility District
Hixson Utility District
Dayton
Watts Bar Utility District
Source: AUB spokesman Wayne Scarbrough
