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MARQUETTE -- Marquette Township has the best-tasting water in the state of Michigan, at least according to one agency.
The Michigan Section of the American Water Works Association recently gave the township the title of Best Tasting Water in Michigan.
"It was a close match at the 2023 U.P. Spring Water Conference for the title of Best Tasting Water in Michigan," MI-AWWA said on its website. "Five jars of water lined the Best Tasting Water table, ready to be judged on appearance, taste and aroma.
"Marquette Township came out victorious, winning by just one point over the competition."
Marquette Township, MI-AWWA said, joined the city of Ann Arbor, the city of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services – Central Station, Mancelona Area Water and Sewer Authority, and East Lansing – Meridian Water and Sewer Authority to compete for the title of the Best Tasting Water in Michigan at MI-ACE (Annual Conference and Exhibits) 2023, which took place earlier this month.
Leonard Bodenus, superintendent of public works for Marquette Township, said Marquette Township won that competition as well.
Taste, obviously, was a big factor.
"They're almost wine connoisseurs when wine people are looking," Bodenus said. "They swirl it around. They taste it, they smell it and they look at it, so it's based on a couple factors."
The recognition, he said, reflects well on the township.
"We do believe a lot in producing a good product for our customers, so we do take great pride in it," Bodenus said. "Basically, it's proof that we do take care of our system. We upkeep it. We make sure that we're doing what we're supposed to be doing."
That includes following Environmental Protection Agency and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy regulations, he said.
Bodenus said the township now is eligible to take part in national American Water Works Association competition.
"I'm really proud of our workers," Bodenus said. "They do a very good job and they do take great pride in what they do."
The result, he stressed, is good water for the customers.