Plymouth's Water Triumph: A Tasty Victory Over Concord
In a surprising turn of events, the annual New Hampshire Water Drinking Festival witnessed a new champion emerge: Plymouth. This year's blind taste test, a ritual where fourth and fifth-graders, teachers, and professionals sample tap water from various municipalities, saw Plymouth dethrone long-time favorite Concord.
The festival, held at the Manchester Water Treatment Facility, is an educational affair, offering workshops on water treatment and contamination. But the real excitement lies in the blind taste test, where participants vote for the best-tasting water. This year, Plymouth's efforts to upgrade its water system seem to have paid off.
The Upgrade Factor
Plymouth's recent investment in water system upgrades, including a new well near Holderness, has been transformative. The town's water now tastes so good that it bested Concord, a city known for its well-protected surface water source in Penacook Lake. This is a significant achievement, as Concord has dominated the taste test for most of the last decade.
A Rivalry Unveiled
The taste test isn't just a competition; it's a reflection of the state's water quality and the efforts of local water departments. The rivalry between Plymouth and Concord was evident, with a water works employee from a non-competing city admitting to voting for Concord, only to realize he had chosen Concord's water unknowingly. This highlights the challenge of maintaining impartiality in such a test.
Implications and Insights
Plymouth's victory raises questions about the impact of water treatment and infrastructure on taste. It also underscores the importance of federal funding in improving water systems, as Plymouth's upgrades were made possible by an influx of federal money. This success story could inspire other towns to invest in their water infrastructure, potentially leading to a broader improvement in water quality across the state.
In my opinion, this taste test is more than just a fun event; it's a barometer of a community's commitment to water quality. Plymouth's triumph is a testament to the power of infrastructure investment and a reminder that even small changes can have a significant impact on the taste of our daily water supply.
