Massachusetts town tapped for nation's best water

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Tap water from Southampton, Massachusetts, was named the best-tasting Tuesday among samples from the nation's small-town water departments.

The National Rural Water Association organized the Great American Water Taste Test in Washington.

The other finalists included North Kingstown, Rhode Island; Lewes, Delaware; Lorain, Ohio; and Avilla, Indiana.

The water was judged on three attributes: clarity, bouquet and taste. Earlier, public works departments took part in statewide competitions. Watch some of the judging and the presentation of the award »

For Lorain, just being a finalist was a victory for a water system that draws from Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River, which caught fire about 40 years ago because of high levels of petroleum-based pollution.

The contamination helped inspire the federal Clean Water Act.

Lorain Mayor Tony Krasienko said he was pleased to learn Tuesday that his town had been ranked so highly.

"I think it's our love and tenderness that we put into the water system," he said.

The Lorain native said the water quality is a result of some of the latest technology under use in the area's water system. And the town takes advantage of how clean Lake Erie has become, he said.

"Lake Erie has been very kind and has provided us with a great water source," Krasienko said. "It makes me proud of the city. We spend a significant amount of money on our water system." E-mail to a friend

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