Central New York Water Taste Test Winner Announced

Albany, August 5, 1998 – The Village of St. Johnsville (Montgomery County) was announced the winner, and the Village of Pulaski (Oswego) the runner up, of the 1998 regional taste test to determine the best tasting water in Central New York. The regional taste test was held today at Hinerwadel's Grove in North Syracuse. Both contenders will go on to compete for the statewide designation of Best Tasting Water in New York on September 1, 1998 at the New York State Fair.

Water experts participated in a blind taste test featuring liquid refreshment from the public water supplies of the City of Auburn (Cayuga County), Town of Wells (Hamilton County), Village of Pulaski (Oswego County), Village of St. Johnsville (Montgomery County), the City of Syracuse (Onondaga County) and the Town of Potsdam (St. Lawrence County). Each of the six competitors has won a county competition to advance to this stage.

This popular, nonscientific competition, is in its 12th year and stresses the importance of clean, safe, healthy, drinking water. It is sponsored by the State Departments of Health and Environmental Conservation.

The "Best Tasting Water in New York State"champion will be announced at a special presentation at the Fair and will receive a plaque and the tribute of two official highway signs proclaiming the honor.

More than 150 community water systems were represented this year in competitions that began in May at local county contests during National Drinking Water Week.

Safe, clean, high quality water has been a priority for New York State. Governor Pataki has allocated more than $355 million in low–interest loans and grants to public water suppliers in New York as part of the State's unprecedented Drinking Water Revolving Fund. The Fund, supported by the Governor's 1996 Clean Water/Clean Air Bond Act, will provide more than $1.87 billion during the next decade to protect and improve drinking water for millions of New Yorkers. The Village of St. Johnsville (Montgomery County), is one of 80 New York communities that have received funding under Governor Pataki's Safe Drinking Water Revolving Fund Program.

"This program provided the impetus for New York to lead the nation in providing safe drinking water for more than 16 million New Yorkers that rely on nearly 4,000 water suppliers for their daily drinking water," Governor Pataki said.