Rice Lake Wisconsin -- Rice Lake is awash in the news it was just chosen as having "The Best Drinking Water in Wisconsin," in a competition conducted by the Wisconsin Water Association (WWA).

At the WWA annual meeting in Madison, the Rice Lake water scored 100 out of a possible 100 points, where water samples are judged on flavor (nine categories including aromatic, chemical, chlorine, grassy, iron, musty, phenolic, sulfide, and swampy); turbidity (having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended); and color.

The test panel included food and beverage taste-testing experts, Dr. Robert Lindsay and Dr. Robert Bradley of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Food Science Department; and Jack Albrechtson, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Water Association.

"We're lucky to have such quality drinking water in Wisconsin," says Wally Thom, Water and Wastewater Manager of the Rice Lake Utilities, who provided the samples and accepted the award on behalf of Rice Lake. "We work hard to maintain good quality water -- ours comes from deep groundwater wells -- and it's a team effort," he notes.

"Talk about a liquid asset? We're pleased as punch, er, steeped in pride, with this award," says Al Arnold, former Rice Lake Mayor, who coordinated the Rice Lake Tourism and Retail Development Commission. "We know what a precious commodity water is in the world, and what this means for Rice Lake's economic and tourism development stature.

A modern city of 8,000, founded in 1864 on the site of a Native American village and wild rice bed, just 100 miles east of the Twin Cities (and 321 miles nw of Milwaukee), Rice Lake has coupled her natural assets with wise community development to become a regional hub providing outstanding theater, music, arts, education, shopping, year-round recreation -- and now, drinking water!

The year 2003 marked the 18th contest held in conjunction with the WWA Annual Meeting and Water Utility Expo, but is the first time that Rice Lake has entered the competition.

The Wisconsin Water Association (WWA) is a section of the American Water Works Association (AWWA). Albrechtson says in 2001 the WWA began a new strategic planning process, with the goal to ensure a safe, reliable, water supply by providing education, information, and networking opportunities for the Wisconsin water supply community.

For more information about the Rice Lake Area, contact the Rice Lake Tourism Commission, 37 South Main St., Rice Lake, Wis. 54868; phone: 800-523-6318; FAX: 715-234-2085; e-mail: info@ricelaketourism.com;