2026 Best Tasting Water in Indiana Named!

Hammond Water Works Wins Best Tasting Water in Indiana for Second Year in a Row

Hammond Water Works won the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water’s Best Tasting Water in Indiana Competition Presented by Wessler Engineering for the second consecutive year during the Annual Fall Conference luncheon on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, in Fort Wayne.

Presented by Wessler Engineering, the competition uses blind judging to evaluate drinking water samples on taste, odor, and clarity. This year’s championship included four regional winners:

• Hammond Water Works — March 19 at the Alliance Spring Conference in French Lick.

• Reo Water, Inc. — May 14 at the Southern Operator Expo in Huntingburg.

• Connersville Utilities — May 21 at the Northern Operator Expo in Akron.

• Fort Wayne City Utilities — July 28 at the Hands-on Distribution Maintenance & Smart Water Solutions training in Edinburgh.

Hammond will represent Indiana at the National Rural Water Association’s Great American Water Taste Test during the Rural Water Rally, February 1–3, 2027, in Washington, D.C. State winners will compete for the national title. The championship prize covers round-trip airfare, hotel accommodations, event registration, and a Rally shirt for one Hammond representative. 

The Alliance congratulates Hammond Water Works and thanks all competing utilities, judges, and Wessler Engineering for their participation and support.