City of Rochester 
News Release
(Monday, June 20, 2011) – Members of the City Water Bureau will dispense free drinking water at Downtown’s Four Corners area Tuesday, June 21, to celebrate the news that Rochester’s water supply placed among the top five in the Best Tasting City Water in America contest by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
“This is a tremendous honor because it gives us a chance to remember how fortunate we are in Rochester to have an abundant supply of fresh, clean, delicious water available to us,” Paul Holahan, Commissioner of Environmental Services, which oversees the Water Bureau. “It also gives us a chance to recognize the men and women of the Water Bureau, who work so diligently to make sure our customers get such excellent water every time they open the tap.”
The U.S. Conference of Mayor’s conducted a blind taste test of 73 municipal waters supplies in conjunction with its 79th Annual Meeting, which concluded Monday in Baltimore, Md. Rochester was one of just five cities to advance to the final round. Racine, Wisc. took the top honor.
The majority of Rochester’s water supply originates in Hemlock and Canadice Lakes in the Finger Lakes chain. These lakes are maintained in a pristine, “forever wild” condition with undeveloped shorelines. The water is treated and delivered by gravity through a series of conduits and reservoirs to customers in Rochester.
Water Bureau staff will dispense cups of iced water from coolers Tuesday from a stand on the northwest corner of State and Main streets near the Powers Building from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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News Media: For more information, contact Paul Holahan at 428-6855.