Curbside Water Taste Test Held in White Plains [UPDATE]

[Update, 4:47 p.m.]

The results are in, and Mount Vernon has snagged the gold.

Mount Vernon received 47 votes. The runner-up was Briarcliff Manor Village, with 29 votes. Elmsford came in third, with 21 votes.

Past winners:

2012 – Cortlandt Consolidated

2011 – United Water New Rochelle

2010 - Ossining

2009 – Yonkers

2008 – Croton on Hudson

2007 – Yonkers

2006 – Croton on Hudson

2005 – United Water New Rochelle

2004 – Yonkers

2003 – Yonkers

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Is White Plains' tap water the best in the county? Or does it fall short when compared to neighbors like Briarcliff Manor and Elmsford?

Staffers with the Westchester County Department of Health held a curbside taste test Friday afternoon, urging passers-by to sample a slate of unlabeled tap waters from around the area.

Nok Siriphonlai, an associate engineer with the health department, told Patch the once-a-year taste test coincides with Drinking Water Week, and is used to gauge opinion.

"It's purely public input," she explained.

"We want to promote public awareness of safe drinking water," she added.

The event—held at the corner of Court Street and Martine Avenue—ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with health officials pouring pedestrians plastic cupfuls. The testers then filled out a quick form, selecting which cup tasted the best. About 180 people sampled the water, officials said.

A total of nine municipalities had water present: White Plains, Briarcliff Manor, Elmsford, Mount Vernon, Scarsdale, New Rochelle, Yonkers, Cortlandt and Peekskill.