BLUFFDALE, Utah — Water systems from across the state gathered at the Rural Water Association of Utah’s annual conference to compete for the title of “Utah’s Best Water” for 2026, a contest designed to highlight the quality of municipal drinking water across the state.
The tasting competition took place Feb. 26 during the Rural Water Association of Utah (RWAU) Annual Conference. Water samples submitted by systems statewide were first narrowed to three finalists through a preliminary tasting round before advancing to a final judging panel.
Judges evaluated each sample based on taste, odor, and clarity, ultimately selecting one water system to earn the title of Utah’s Best Water.
This year’s judges included Phillip Coombs of the National Rural Water Association, Nathan Lunstad, director of the Utah Division of Drinking Water, Candice Hasenyager, director of the Utah Division of Water Quality, and Stan Summers, USDA state director.
The winning water system will go on to represent Utah in Washington, D.C., in February 2027 during the National Rural Water Rally, where state winners from across the country compete for the national title of best-tasting water in the United States.
The annual contest is part of the Rural Water Association of Utah’s conference programming and is intended to recognize the work local water systems do to provide safe, high-quality drinking water to communities statewide.
The Rural Water Association of Utah provides training, technical assistance, and support to water and wastewater systems throughout the state.
