Fredericton’s tap water named best in North America in taste test
The New Brunswick capital was voted the best of 32 regional winners by a team of "professionally trained flavour profilers," according to the city.
A panel of expert judges has declared Fredericton's tap water the best in North America, based on taste, aroma, and consistency. According to Trent Brewer, manager of H2O Fredericton, the city's water and sewer division, this recognition confirms their belief in the quality of their water source. The award was given by the American Water Works Association during its annual conference in June.
Fredericton's water comes from 11 production wells that tap an aquifer beneath downtown, making it a groundwater source as opposed to other competitors who may use surface water. Kerry MacQuarrie, a civil engineering professor and Canada Research Chair in Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions at UNB, attributes the city's advantage to the mineral content in the groundwater, which dissolves and contributes to the taste of the water.
The water is treated at one of two plants, with chlorine added to remove manganese and disinfect it, and lime used to adjust the pH and remove other solids. The treated water then travels through 440 km of water mains to about 18,500 customers. The city conducts weekly water sampling at around 50 locations to ensure it meets Canadian drinking water guidelines.
MacQuarrie believes the award demonstrates the city's effective water treatment and reliable, safe water source. The city spends approximately $30 million annually on operating and capital work and plans to construct two additional production wells as Fredericton expands.
Written by urgent.news from Global News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
