DELHI _ Some sipped, others guzzled, but when the drinking was done, Sidney's water splashed its way to a first-place finish.
Forty-four people volunteered to judge water Wednesday at the 23nd annual Best Tasting Water in New York State contest, held at the Delhi Farmers' Market in Courthouse Square.
When the votes were tallied, Sidney won with 18 votes, while Walton and Margaretville tied for second place with 13 votes each, said Mary Beth Silano, Delaware County Chamber of Commerce executive director.
Silano and Betty McIntosh, Chamber receptionist, handed out cold cups of water labeled 'A,' 'B' and 'C'. When the contest was over, it was revealed the following letters were assigned in this order: A, Walton; B, Sidney; and C, Masonville.
Linda Ortiz of Hamden sampled the three entries and commented that 'A' was OK, 'B' was yum and 'C' was pretty close to 'A'.
"I like 'B' the best," Ortiz said, casting her vote for Sidney.
Enid Schwartz of Kortright said, 'A' was nice and cold and tasted clean, 'B' was OK, but I like 'A' better. 'C' was very good, but I am going with 'A.'"
Sarah Scott of Franklin and Marne Champlin of Delhi took the test simultaneously.
Scott chose 'A', noting that is was wet, cold and tasted smoother. She said 'B' had a "really funky, weird taste," and that 'C' was pretty good.
Champlin agreed with Scott on the funky taste of 'B,' but found 'A' tasted a little chlorinated, so she voted for 'C.'
"I liked 'C' the best," Champlin said. "It had a fruity aftertaste, with oaky and buttery overtones."
Dave Riordan, of Halcottsville, said 'A' was a little fuzzy, but had a clean finish, 'B' was fruity but clean on the way down and 'C' was damn good. I voted for 'C.'"
Robert Burgin of Bovina and Sue Brown of Delhi tasted together and both gave 'C' the thumbs up.
Bill Willis of Walton tasted his hometown's water and said, "I'm not impressed; it tastes like water."
Willis said 'B' was better, and he labled 'C' the worst.
Jim Nordberg, water superintendent for the village of Sidney, was waiting to see how his village's water would fare. Sidney captured the county bragging rights in 2007, but lost in the regional round.
"I used the same recipe," Nordberg said. "Clear, cold water in a glass jug. I drew it this morning at my house. I have tried various things, but it seems like it's the best right out of the tap."
Nordberg promised to do his best to keep Delaware County in the running during the next two legs of the Best Water contest.
Sidney's water has a long history of finishing first. In 2004, it won the local contest.
Sidney was also the county winner in 2003 and 2001, and made it through the regional contest, but it lost at the state level.
In 1989, Sidney's water won top honors and was named the best water in the state. From 1990 to 1992, Sidney made it to the state finals, but did not come in first.
The next step is the regional contest. The top two winners at the regional contest will advance to the state finals to be held at the New York State Fair in Syracuse in August. The winner of the that competition gets bragging rights as the best-tasting water in New York state.
"I was really glad to have the three villages participate," Silano said. "But next year, I would like to have all of the villages in Delaware County take part in the contest."
Patricia Breakey can be reached at 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.
