United Southern and Eastern Tribes Announce Winners of 3rd Annual Drinking Water Contest
May 6, 2013
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Garners Award
The United Southern and Eastern Tribes, Incorporated (USET) recently announced the winners of this year’s 3rd Annual Drinking Water Contest. USET made the announcement during its Annual Tribal Utility Summit (TUS) held in Nashville, Tennessee. Tribes attending the TUS submitted samples of drinking water from their respective reservation water systems and sources. First, second and third place awards were given to the participants and they placed as follows: first place: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians; second place: (Tie) Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah); and, third place: the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.
The water samples were tested and inspected by a panel of seven judges for clarity, odor and taste. USET Technical Assistance Specialist Scott Williams assisted with the coordination of the contest, which is sponsored by the USET Certification Board. The USET Certification Board is a seven-member board comprised of Tribal leaders, water system operators and environmental experts. Williams says this contest does more than exhibit good drinking water submitted from Tribes. “All of the water samples appeared to be good drinking water. I believe the bigger message to the Tribes is that water quality from our USET Tribes is really improving and competition in this contest is increasing as Tribal water systems improve and operators are gaining more training. As for the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the first place recipient, this was the first year they competed,” Williams stated. Eleven tribes submitted water samples to be judged.
L-R: Water Operators Moochie Bero, Tracy Billhardt, Barry Herne, Jordan Lauzon and Stan Buckshot
For more information contact the Public Information Office at 518-358-2272.