BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. (WVDN) — The 36th Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, recognized as the world’s most prestigious and longest-running water competition, awarded top honors to waters representing four continents. More than 100 entries from five continents competed across municipal, bottled, sparkling, purified, and package design categories.
In Municipal Water, U.S. entries led the field. Fort Wayne, Indiana, earned its first Gold Medal. Silver went to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, adding to its multiple previous medals, while two-time gold medalist Eldorado Springs, Colorado, received Bronze.
The Bottled Non-Carbonated category showcased global excellence. Gold was awarded to Babinda Springs of Babinda, Queensland, Australia. Silver went to Jano Spring Water of New Brunswick, Canada, and Bronze to Puritas Spring Water of Barkly East, South Africa.
Sparkling Water Gold was captured by San Graziano Water of Mariano Comense, Italy; Silver was awarded to Adobe Mountain, Sacramento, CA; and Bronze was captured by Theoni Carbonated Natural Mineral Water, Karditsa, Greece. In the Purified Water category, Aquae A.M.O.R.E. of Costa Mesa, California earned Gold, followed by Silver for Le Sage Natural Water of Lesage, West Virginia, and Norland Pure Premium Enhanced Water in Lincoln, NE.
“The consistency in winners from year to year with different panels of judges validates the choices,” remarked esteemed watermaster, Arthur von Wiesenberger. “It also speaks to the impressively high caliber of the waters entered.”
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to George McGraw, founder and CEO of DigDeep, for his leadership in expanding water and sanitation access to over 500 homes in underserved U.S. communities, especially those in southern West Virginia.
The popular People’s Choice Package Design award went to PERIDOT Naturally Alkaline Super-Premium Low-Deuterium Ice Age Mineral Water of Pusztazámor, Hungary. Silver and Bronze were both awarded to Cedar Springs in Tioga County, PA for their Frosted and Clear packaging respectively.
The event is held at The Country Inn and presented by the Town of Bath and Berkeley Springs Water Works in partnership with Travel Berkeley Springs.
The 37th annual event was scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2026.
