In a surprising twist, Plymouth has dethroned Concord as the winner of the annual New Hampshire Water Drinking Festival taste test. This event, which educates young students about water systems, saw a shift in the usual dominance of Concord's water supply.
The festival, organized by the Department of Environmental Services, offers a unique insight into the world of water treatment and its impact on taste. Students, teachers, and professionals participated in workshops, learning about sewage treatment and PFAS contamination, before blind-tasting water samples from various municipalities.
The Taste Test
The taste test is a blind competition, with water samples from different towns and cities presented in Dixie Cups, each labeled with a letter. The challenge is to identify and vote for the best-tasting water, without knowing its origin. This year, the competition was relatively small, with only four entries: Manchester, Concord, Hooksett, and Plymouth.
One participant, an employee from a non-competing city, unknowingly selected Concord's water as the tastiest, a testament to its reputation. Concord, with its well-protected water source in Penacook Lake, has consistently delivered fresh and tasty water with minimal treatment. However, this year, Plymouth's water stole the show.
Plymouth's Rise
Plymouth's victory is a result of significant investments and upgrades to its water system. With federal funding, the town has been working on improvements for several years, including the addition of a new well near Holderness. The Department of Environmental Services staff revealed that this was the first year water from the new well had been entered into the competition.
The upgrades seem to have paid off handsomely, with Plymouth's water taking the top spot for best-tasting tap water in the state. This victory is a testament to the town's dedication to water quality and the effectiveness of its recent improvements.
A Deeper Look
What makes this festival particularly fascinating is the insight it provides into the often-overlooked world of water treatment and its impact on our daily lives. The taste test highlights how small changes in water treatment can have a significant impact on the final product. It also raises questions about the role of investment and infrastructure in delivering high-quality water.
In my opinion, this annual event is a brilliant way to engage students and the community in understanding the importance of water systems and the work that goes into ensuring we have access to clean, tasty water. It's a unique and fun approach to education, and I'd love to see more initiatives like this across the country.
The victory of Plymouth's water is a reminder that even in a small-scale competition, innovation and improvement can lead to unexpected triumphs. It's a great example of how investing in infrastructure can pay dividends, not just in terms of quality but also in the pride and recognition that come with such an achievement.
