Hamilton water named "Best of the Best" for 2nd time

HAMILTON, OH (FOX19) - The City of Hamilton's Water won the "Best of the Best" Water Taste Test as the best tasting municipal water in Ohio at the Annual Conference of the Ohio Section of the American Water Works Association.

By winning, the Hamilton will represent Ohio at the annual "Best of the Best" Water Taste Test at the AWWA's 2016 Annual Conference and Exposition.

Earlier this year as well as in 2010, the City captured the Gold Medal for producing the Best Tap Water in the World at the Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.

In 2009 and 2014, respectively, the City won the Gold and Silver Medals for producing the Best Tap Water in the U.S. at the Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, in Berkeley Springs, WV.

The Berkeley Springs competition, the oldest and largest water tasting competition in the world, with entrants from across the globe, is aptly known as the Olympics of Water.

"This year's award by the Ohio Section of the AWWA, as well as our outstanding performance in this competition over the last six years, is a testament to the consistent quality of water that the City produces, and the excellence and diligence of all of the employees of the City's Water System," stated Water Production Superintendent for the City John Bui. "The citizens of Hamilton and the City Administration are proud of these employees as well as the invaluable water resource they provide."

According to a representative, Hamilton obtains its water from the Great Miami Aquifer, one of the finest sources of water in North America.

The city employs 21 deep wells to draw the water from the aquifer and treats the water, utilizing chlorine dioxide disinfectant, at two water treatment facilities, to produce its excellent tasting tap water.

Most other water utilities use chlorine rather than chlorine dioxide in their disinfectant process, making Hamilton fairly unique in its treatment method.

In response to the receipt of earlier awards, the Hamilton began a limited water bottling production of its water in 2010, by investing in a small-scale bottling operation.

Residents can purchase limited quantities of bottled water by contacting the Department of Underground Utilities offices, at 513-785-7206.

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