Montpelier’s drinking water is headed to Washington, D.C. next month to compete for the title of best water in the USA.
The City of Montpelier won the contest for best tasting water in Vermont last year, and will now represent Vermont in the Great American Water Taste Test on February 5.
Geoff Wilson, Drinking Water Facility Chief Operator for the City of Montpelier, said that he is proud to have won the statewide competition. “We’ve worked hard, and to see the pride in my team’s face [when] we won a water quality award, is special for our group and our community,” Geoff said, referring to the four-person crew at Montpelier’s water treatment facility.
Geoff Wilson (left) and apprentice Colby Cubit at the award ceremony for the Vermont Drinking Water Taste Test at Lake Morey Resort in May 2024.
Montpelier’s water system provides drinking water to approximately 8,700 residents plus other buildings like restaurants, businesses, schools, and the Central Vermont Medical Center. It has the capacity to treat up to 4 million gallons of water per day.
The water system has a long history, according to Geoff. It was originally founded in the 1860s by Joel Foster. Back then, water pipes were made of hollow logs. Geoff has two of these wooden pipes that were found in front of the Kellogg-Hubbard Library during an upgrade project. He hopes to build a display case at the water treatment facility for these historical treasures.
Berlin Pond is the source of Montpelier’s drinking water. Today, water is piped directly from Berlin Pond to the water treatment facility. The original water intake was a small reservoir at the head of Benjamin Falls, which flows out of Berlin Pond.
The only water treatment the city performed was disinfection and the addition of fluoride until the current water treatment facility opened in 2000. The new facility allows for water filtration, which can remove additional contaminants and improves the water’s taste and odor.
Sign in front of the Montpelier Water Treatment Facility located in Berlin, VT.
Many water systems across the country are struggling to recruit new workers as the current generation of water operators is entering retirement age. Montpelier is preparing for this by training two apprentices to become water operators. The apprentices, Colby Cubit and Logan Powers, had each worked for the City of Montpelier for a number of years before transitioning to the water treatment facility.
During their two-year apprenticeships, they receive on-the-job training from Geoff and Montpelier’s other experienced operators, and also attend training classes to prepare for the certification exam. These apprenticeships are offered through a program with the Vermont Rural Water Association to train new hires and drinking water and wastewater systems across the state.
Once Colby and Logan complete their apprenticeships and become fully certified operators, Geoff says he will start thinking about his own retirement.
“It takes a team to do what we do,” said Geoff. “No one person can do this job alone. When you work together and understand how to run your plant, the results are special things like winning a water quality award.”
Vermont’s Drinking Water Taste Test was organized by the Vermont Drinking Water Week Committee in May 2024. “Vermont has some of the most delicious water, and I am thrilled that our Capitol City will be competing for the best tasting water in the upcoming Great American Water Taste Test,” said Laura Woodard of the Vermont Drinking Water Week Committee.
The National Rural Water Association holds the Great American Water Taste Test each year in Washington, D.C. There has never been a winner from Vermont.