The District of Sparwood won “Best of the Best” for medium-sized water systems at the B.C. and Yukon Tap Water Taste Test during the B.C. Water and Waste Association conference.
The win marks the first time the community has received the honour. Sparwood utilities operator Ethan Pauli and utilities supervisor William Mortimer accepted the award on behalf of the district.
The competition featured 11 water providers from across B.C. and Yukon. Judges compared the water based on taste, smell, appearance and overall quality. Entries were evaluated across three system-size categories to recognize the diverse water treatment approaches used by communities of varying sizes.
Other winners included the City of Burnaby for large water systems and Phantom Creek Estates for small water systems.
Sarah Pratt, communications manager for the B.C. Water and Waste Association, said the event highlights the hard work of water operators and raises awareness about the importance of safe, clean drinking water.
“It’s a pleasure to host this event and celebrate the exceptional quality of water showcased by both new and returning communities year after year. This consistency speaks volumes about the expertise and dedication of water operators, whose skill ensures the delivery of clean, safe and great-tasting water every day — an achievement that truly deserves recognition,” said Pratt.
Water Environment Federation president-elect Paul Schuler said B.C. is known for high-quality drinking water, and competitions such as this celebrate the people who help keep water systems running safely every day.
“These events are fun and really highlight the very high quality of water we have in BC and the level of professional expertise needed to produce this water by our professional operators. I enjoy partaking in the taste test and bringing attention to our industry that protects public health and the environment,” said Schuler.
The B.C. Water and Waste Association’s “Best of the Best” Tap Water Taste Test has brought B.C. and Yukon water operators together for more than 10 years to determine who has the best-tasting water.
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