Nine Time Medal Winner
The Best Tasting Municipal Water in the World!
Each February, samples are carefully drawn and sent to the International Water Tasting
Competition in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. There the water stands up to international
competitors on attributes of appearance, odor, flavor, mouthfeel, aftertaste, and
overall impression.
MSWD is the only water agency in the world to have won all three medals - gold,
silver and bronze. MSWD won the Gold Medal in 2020, 2004, and 1999, the Silver Medal in
2011, 2008, 2001 and 1997, and the Bronze Medal in 2018 and 2003.
Further, MSWD was honored by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) in 2010
for having won more medals than any other municipal water purveyor in the world.
Out of the 14 years MSWD has competed, it has medaled an unprecedented eight times.
Get more information about the
Berkeley Springs Water Tasting Competition.
So how do we get our water to Berkeley Springs anyway?
- First, we buy two gallons of bottled water at the grocery store and pull off the
labels. Contest rules specify a particular type of bottle.
Since many plastic bottles can leave an undesired taste residue in the water, just
before we draw the sample, the bottle is emptied and then vigorously rinsed with
our own water three times. We then carefully fill the bottles from our “lucky” well
(we’ve used the same well every time we've won), being careful not to touch
the rim of the water bottle to anything.
- The water must undergo various tests, including testing for the PH and chlorine
balance levels.
- Lastly, we clearly label our entry, pack it snugly and ship the water to Berkeley Springs. We draw the water sample as close to the date of the competition
as possible in order to preserve its natural, delicious taste.
We are proud of our award-winning water and are guided by our mission to provide,
protect and preserve our most valuable resource - water!
Two-gallon containers from grocery store
Rinse container vigorously three times
Filling up from our "lucky" well
Testing for Chlorine and PH Balance
Entries clearly labeled and shipped off to Berkeley Springs Water Competition
Additional Awards
Award
|
Year
|
Big Hearts Award for Large Business |
2017 |
CORBS Plant of the Year |
2017 |
United Way Silver Award “for outstanding service to the people of our community” |
2016 |
Collection System of the year <249 miles |
2015 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2014 |
County of Riverside – Large Business of the Year Star Award |
2013 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2013 |
California Legislature Assembly Large Business of the Year Award |
2013 |
Certificate of Recognition from Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Large Business of the Year |
2013 |
United Way Silver Award “for outstanding service to the people of our community” |
2013 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2011 |
Collection System of the year <249 miles |
2011 |
United Way Gold Award “for outstanding service to the people of our community” |
2010 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2010 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2009 |
California Water Environment Association – Colorado River Basin Section - Outstanding Agency Support Award |
2008 |
Plant of the year award <5.0 MGD |
2008 |
Collection System of the year <249 miles |
2008 |
Palm Springs Unified School District – Presented Shiny Apple Award to Groundwater Guardians – “For helping Palm Springs Unified School District Shine!” |
2008 |
Palm Springs Unified School District – Presented Shiny Apple Award to MSWD – “For helping Palm Springs Unified School District Shine!” |
2007 |
Plant Operator of the Year - Chris Jacobson, Grade II Operator |
2007 |
Collection Person of the year – Lee Boyer |
2006 |
Operator of the year - Lee Boyer |
2004 |
Operator of the year - Lee Boyer |
2001 |