According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), Appleton, Wisconsin, has the best-tasting tap water in the state.
Public water utility systems from across Wisconsin competed recently in AWWA’s section taste test competition that was held at Monona Terrace on Sept. 11 at the association’s 103rd annual meeting. The win qualified Appleton to compete nationally at AWWA’s Annual Conference and Exposition in Denver that will take place June 2025.
Madison Water Utility also competed in the state competition that it has hosted for the fourth consecutive year and at least six times total. Madison was among 12 other entrants (in total, there were six groundwater source entrants and seven surface water source entrants). Appleton and La Crosse went into the section taste test final round, and Appleton was chosen to advance. In previous state competitions, Madison has won in 2013 and 2018.
AWWA organizers say they don’t keep records of national wins beyond the current year for the three “Best of the Best” winners and the three “People’s Choice” winners, but Wisconsin has showed up at least twice on the national podium: Janesville Water Utility won first place for People’s Choice in 2024, and Stevens Point Water Department won first place for Best of the Best in 2010.