Wapello Rural Water Association took home the Best Tasting Water in Iowa award at the 2021 Iowa Rural Water Association’s 30^th Annual Conference held in Okoboji Aug. 31^st and Sept. 1^st.

There were samples that were submitted by water utilities from around the state all with a goal to be identified as providing the tastiest water in the state. A panel of distinguished taste-testers judged all samples submitted at the conference.

Dan Westegard, who has worked at WRWA for the past 17 years and has been the Water Treatment Plant Superintendent since he started says the recognition is important to WRWA. “We feel it is a very prestigious award and we’re honored to have received it. It is a testament that shows our commitment and dedication to continue to provide safe potable water to our customers. All of the staff at WRWA have played a part in WRWA receiving this award.”

The water treatment plant was completed April 18, 2005 and provided water to most of Keokuk County and the Northwestern quarter of Washington County. As of May 2021, the treatment plant now serves all users in WRWA’s service area, North of the Des Moines River. The production at the Water Treatment Plant has increased around 450,000 gallons a day since the switch was completed in May and is now producing an average of 1.4 million gallons a day. There is a total of three employees that work at the Water Treatment Plant; Dan Westegard – Water Plant Superintendent, Greg Bremer – Water Plant Operator, and Brian Cobler – Service Technician and Water Plant Operator.

WRWA continues to strive to provide the best water possible to its customers. The staff at the Water Treatment Plant are constantly working on improvements to increase plant optimization, which in turn pays off with a high quality of water. Many samples are taken daily to ensure the water that is being distributed to the users, meets all DNR regulations and WRWA’s standards.

WRWA will go on to represent Iowa as they compete with other state winners from around the country in the national “Great American Water Taste Test” contest next year. The Rural Water Rally is held annually in Washington, D.C. each February and is an annual legislative event for the state affiliates of the National Rural Water Association.