Niskayuna Wins Title of Best Tasting Water in New York State

Town of Guilderland Takes Second Place in 26th Annual New York State Drinking Water Taste Test at the New York State Fair

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Aug. 30, 2012) – The Town of Niskayuna, Schenectady County, won the New York State Drinking Water Taste Test today at the New York State Fair, edging out the Town of Guilderland, Albany County, in the final voting by Fairgoers.

The 26th annual contest was sponsored by the New York State Environmental Facilities Corp. (EFC), the New York State Department of Health and Bridge Street, WSYR-TV's mid-day morning show.

Drinking water from 10 communities was tasted by more than 400 voters at the Fair.

Matthew Driscoll, President and CEO of the Environmental Facilities Corp., said,"The annual Drinking Water Taste Test underscores New York State's role in helping communities provide safe, clean drinking water. The Environmental Facilities Corp. offers low-interest financing, grants and other assistance to build or improve drinking water infrastructure."

State financing for municipal infrastructure comes from the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund, which is jointly administered by EFC and the New York State Department of Health.

State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H.,said, "Congratulations to the towns of Niskayuna and Guilderland, and all the municipalities who were selected to be part of this year's contest. They are the among the hundreds of municipal water supplies in New York State that provide clean, great-tasting drinking water to their residential and business customers."

After ­­­­­­the Town of Niskayuna won the Groundwater competition, it was pitted against ­­­­the Town of Guilderland, winner of the competition for Surface Water systems.

The Niskayuna water source is groundwater from two aquifers. The water system serves more than 21,500 people and an average demand of approximately 3.7 million gallons a day.

Last year's winner was the Town of New Rochelle's (Westchester County) drinking water, which is provided by United Water, a private company serving municipalities throughout Westchester County.

Contestants for the 2012 New York State Drinking Water Taste Test:

  • Arcade, NY 14009 (village), Wyoming County
  • Chittenango, NY 13037, Madison County
  • Guilderland, NY 12084 (town), Albany County
  • Lyndonville, NY 14098 (town), Orleans County
  • McGraw, N.Y. 13101 (village), Cortland County
  • New York City
  • Niskayuna, NY 12309, Schenectady County
  • Plainview, New York 11803, Nassau County
  • Pulaski NY 13142 (village), Oswego County
  • Tully, NY 13159 (village), Onondaga County