A Baldwin County utility company is set to represent Alabama at the annual Rural Water Rally on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. with an aim to produce the nation's best-tasting water.The National Rural Water Association (NRWA), an organization representing the interests of more than 31,000 water and wastewater utilities nationwide, hosts the conference and advocacy meeting, this year taking place Feb. 3-5.

The Rural Water Rally allows small and rural water and wastewater operators to gather in our nation's capital and progress NRWA's grassroots agenda in the halls of Congress. Attendees schedule meetings with congressional leaders to explain the importance of federal funding for small and rural water systems. Rural Water will advocate for essential, long-standing technical assistance programs that protect public health, support economic vitality in rural communities, increase the sustainability of systems and keep water and wastewater services affordable. Additionally, attendees will emphasize Rural America Relies on Rural Development, a campaign designed to bring awareness to essential USDA Rural Development Water and Environmental Programs.

To learn more about this campaign, visit www.ruralwaterstrong.org.

The Rural Water Rally will also host the 26th-annual Great American Water Taste Test (GAWTT), the nation's most prestigious competition for the best-tasting water in the United States, according to the release. Throughout the year, utilities compete at their State Rural Water Association competitions, and the winner of the statewide contest advances to the GAWTT at the Rural Water Rally. This year, NRWA received 43 entries. The GAWTT finals are set for 11 a.m. local time on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in the Regency BCD Ballroom and will be livestreamed on the NRWA Facebook page.

Utilities representing their state in the 26th Great American Water Taste Test are:

Alabama - East Central Baldwin Water, Sewer, and Fire Protection Authority

Alaska - City of Wasilla

Arizona - Ponderosa Utility Corporation

Arkansas - Yorktown Water Association

California - Lakeside Park Association

Colorado - Genesee Water and Sanitation District

Connecticut - Windham Water Works

Delaware - Tidewater Utilities, Inc

Florida - Bay County Utilities

Hawaii - Hawaii County Department of Water Supply North Kona PWS#131

Idaho - City of Hollister

Illinois - Groveland Township Water District

Indiana - Fort Wayne - 3 Rivers Filtration Plant

Iowa - Southern Sioux County Rural Water System

Kansas - City of Chanute

Kentucky - Hardin County Water District #1

Louisiana - Bayou Liberty Water Association

Maine - Friendly Village of Gorham

Maryland - Perry Point VA Medical Center

Massachusetts - Sunderland Water District

Michigan - City of Manton

Minnesota - Rochester Public Utilities

Missouri - City of Houston

Montana - Eastgate Village Water & Sewer Assoc.

Nebraska - Loup City

New Hampshire - Hooksett Village Water Precinct

New Mexico - Greater Glorieta Regional MDC

North Carolina - Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

North Dakota - City of Valley City

Ohio - Village of Warsaw

Oklahoma - Tahlequah Public Works Authority

Rhode Island – Shannock Water District

South Carolina - Darlington County Water & Sewer Authority

South Dakota - WEB Water Development Inc.

Tennessee - City of Covington

Texas - Corbet Water Supply

Utah - Bear River Water Conservancy District

Vermont - City of Montpelier

Virginia - Western Virginia Water Authority

Washington - Mt. View-Edgewood Water Company

West Virginia - Putnam Public Service District

Wisconsin - Village of White Lake

Wyoming - Grand Targhee Resort