The Town of Rotterdam Wins the Title of Best Tasting Drinking Water in New York State

The Village of Remsen Takes Second Place in 28th Annual Competition at the New York State Fair

ALBANY, N.Y. (August 26, 2014) – Acting Health Department Commissioner Howard A. Zucker, M.D., J.D. today announced that the Town of Rotterdam, Schenectady County, has claimed the top spot in the New York Tap Water Taste Contest, held at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. The Village of Remsen in Oneida County was the runner-up.

The New York State Tap Water Taste Contest is a non-scientific, friendly competition intended to highlight the importance of taste and quality in drinking water, a vital public health resource.

"The New York State Department of Health congratulates Rotterdam on capturing the 2014 bragging rights to the best-tasting tap water in New York State," said Commissioner Zucker. "Having great tasting tap water encourages the healthy habit of consuming water. That is good for the person drinking it, for their wallet, for their health and for the environment."

The results were announced today at the final round of the competition at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. More than 200 fairgoers put their taste buds to the test to select the winner from five water systems that won regional contests. The finalists competing in the championship round were:

  • Western Region - City of Canandaigua
  • Central Region - Village of Remsen (Statewide Runner Up)
  • Northern Region - Village of Malone
  • Capital Region - Town of Rotterdam (Statewide Winner)
  • Metropolitan Region - City of White Plains

"We congratulate all of the regional winners," said Acting Commissioner Zucker. "They and more than 9,500 other public water systems in the state provide 95% of New Yorkers with this most important beverage. We must never underestimate the value of healthy drinking water to our families and communities."

DOH has regulatory oversight of all public drinking water systems in New York State. The 28th annual contest was sponsored by DOH under a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement with the DOH Environmental Health Specialist Water Program.

The Tap Water Taste Contest is sponsored by the Water and Wastewater Education and Outreach Committee (WWEOC), which is comprised of state and local government agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency, professional associations, engineering firms, water operators, wastewater organizations, community leaders, and training providers. Its mission is to elevate, promote, and attract talented individuals into the water profession and to raise awareness of the value of water and wastewater services with the public and elected officials in New York State and nationwide.