Greenwood CPW

Greenwood CPW has long been known for measures it takes too ensure water it provides customers is clean and safe for consumption. As it turns out, it tastes pretty good, too. The South Carolina section of the American Water Works Association recently recognized Greenwood CPW as having the best tasting water in the state. Shannon Lizewski, chairwoman of the South Carolina section of the AWWA, appeared at Thursday's CPW board meeting and presented board members with a trophy acknowledging the honor. Lizewski said there are 66 utility providers in the South Carolina section of AWWA. She said the section's mission is to protect public health and welfare by providing drinking water of superior quality and sufficient quantity. In March, during a conference in Myrtle Beach, the S.C. section of AWWA and the Water Environment Association came together to provide education on water issues. The organizations also hosted a best tasting water contest during the conference. Fourteen water providers participated in the contest, with each providing two liters of chilled water. "We had an individual group of panelists," Lizewski said Thursday. "They were very neutral minded, as far as who was judging it. Greenwood CPW, I'm very proud and pleased to tell you, came in first place. I'm very excited to present this (trophy) to you all for the hard work and dedication by your staff, as well, and bragging rights that go along with that for best tasting water." CPW water treatment plant superintendent David Tuck said he was proud of the water department's accomplishment in winning the competition. "It's certainly an honor that we were selected as best tasting water," Tuck said. "We always strive to make the best product we can at the water plant. We are very honored to get this." Tuck said there are several factors that could contribute to water tasting different from one system to another. Some providers pull water from rivers, while others - like Greenwood CPW - pull water from lakes. He said many systems use different chemicals to treat the water, as well.