EYATH at the 1st European Tap Water Tasting

Eleven glasses in front of each taster, without the country of origin of the tap water being visible

EYATH participated in the 1st European Tap Water Tasting, in Brussels, with a special water sommelier, along with 10 other member countries of EurEau, the European Federation of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies.

This pioneering event was organized on May 22 by the EurEau Communication Team, on the occasion of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the federation, and emerged as a unique experience of exploring the diversity of tap water from various regions of Europe, a true celebration of water!

Under the guidance of renowned Swedish water taster Gunilla Hultgren Karell, the participating journalists and industry experts had the opportunity to taste 11 tap water samples from various regions of Europe (Denmark, Slovenia, Sweden, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Greece, Malta, Belgium-Wallonia, Spain and Slovakia), corresponding to member countries of the federation.

To the surprise of the participants, each sample highlighted the unique characteristics of its origin – surface or groundwater -, telling a distinct story about the region and its processing. As Riina Liikanen, Chair of the EurEau Drinking Water Commission, pointed out in her introduction to the event, “it is the responsibility of all of us to preserve the quality of water from its source, as the natural characteristics (soil, vegetation or geomorphology) and, above all, human activity (industries, agriculture, urban development) of the abstraction area affect the quality of the water that reaches our treatment facilities.” “Providers across Europe ensure that the water we drink is ultimately both safe and pleasant to the taste, carrying out thousands of quality checks every day – from the source, to the treatment plant and distribution network, to our tap,” she added.

The water taster recommended that participants first smell and then taste the water from the glass, a process that, as she said, “is much more subtle and sensitive than wine tasting.” The descriptions were impressive and there was a consensus among the tasters: water with a strong character and aromas of Spain, water with a nice structure and a strong aftertaste of Switzerland, water “full” with a velvety aftertaste of Finland. The EYATH water, which came from Aliakmonas and the Thessaloniki Water Treatment Plant, was characterized by the sommelier as a “charming water, with a soft texture and freshness”. The message was clear: there is no winner, the only winner is tap water and those who consume it, as wherever one travels in Europe, this water always meets high quality standards.

As Oliver Loebel, Secretary General of EurEau, pointed out, “this event highlights the great diversity and high quality of tap water in Europe”, thanks to the daily work of EurEau’s 38 members, who ensure that drinking water meets the strictest quality standards of the European Union and their national legislation.

The EurEau Communication Team, which organised the event, is committed to communicating and promoting value, sustainability and excellence in the water sector.

The Swedish water sommelier at the tasting event

The participation certificate of EYATH. “ Tap water is always the best”, was the message

This groundbreaking event took place in the context of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the European Federation of Water Supply and Sewerage Companies