BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Le Sage Natural Water, of Lesage, has been awarded a silver medal for its purified water at the 36th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition in the eastern panhandle of the Mountain State.
The world’s most prestigious and longest-running water competition, more than 100 entries from five continents competed this year across municipal, bottled, sparkling, purified, and package design categories.
Longtime watermaster of the tasting, Arthur von Wiesenberger, reminded participants at the proceedings of the gravity of the event, which is hosted in a historic spa town an hour-and-a-half drive from Washington, D.C.
“The consistency in winners from year to year with different panels of judges validates the choices,” Wiesenberger said. “It also speaks to the impressively high caliber of the waters entered.”
Located near Huntington on the Ohio River, LeSage Natural Water is known for its artesian spring water, drawn from deep underground sandstone aquifers, filtered through regional rock formations, and bottled. The water is recognized for its clean taste, balanced mineral content, and consistent quality.
Also honored at the event, George McGraw, founder and CEO of non-profit DigDeep, was also recognized with a lifetime achievement award for his leadership in expanding water and sanitation access to more than 500 homes in underserved U.S. communities, including those in southern West Virginia.
Jill Kline Rone, producer for the annual event, said McGraw was chosen for his efforts to bridge America’s hidden water access gap by bringing clean, reliable running water to underserved communities, including those in rural Appalachia.
Through community-driven infrastructure projects and national research, McGraw has helped spotlight and address the millions of Americans who still lack safe water and sanitation at home.
Municipal Water
U.S. entries led the field in the municipal water competition, with two-time gold medalist Eldorado Springs, Colo., earning bronze, and the multiple award-winning Metropolitan Water District of Southern California earning the silver.
- Gold: Fort Wayne, Ind.
- Silver: Metropolitan Water District of Southern Calif.
- Bronze: Eldorado Springs, Colo.
Bottled Non-Carbonated
- Gold: Babinda Springs, Babinda, Queensland, Australia
- Silver: Jano Spring Water, New Brunswick, Canada
- Bronze: Puritas Spring Water, Barkly East, South Africa
Sparkling Water
- Gold: San Graziano Water, Mariano Comense, Italy
- Silver: Adobe Mountain, Sacramento, Calif.
- Bronze: Theoni Carbonated Natural Mineral Water, Karditsa, Greece
Purified Water
- Gold: Aquae A.M.O.R.E., Costa Mesa, Calif.
- Silver: Le Sage Natural Water, Lesage, W.Va.
- Bronze: Norland Pure Premium Enhanced Water of Lincoln, Neb.
People’s Choice Package Design
- Gold: Peridot Naturally Alkaline Super-Premium Low-Deuterium Ice Age Mineral Water, Pusztazámor, Hungary
- Silver: Cedar Springs, Tioga County, Pa., Frosted Packaging
- Bronze: Cedar Springs, Tioga County, Pa., Clear Packaging
About Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Berkeley Springs, officially known as the Town of Bath, is a historic spa town famous for its natural warm mineral springs that have attracted visitors for centuries seeking relaxation and healing.
The springs were used by Indigenous peoples long before becoming America’s first wellness destination, later drawing George Washington and generations of travelers to bathe in the mineral waters at what is now Berkeley Springs State Park.
Berkeley Springs State Park is a historic public park in the heart of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, centered around the town’s famous warm mineral springs and featuring Roman-style bathhouses that have offered therapeutic bathing experiences for more than two centuries.
Today, the town blends heritage tourism, arts, and wellness culture and hosts the internationally recognized Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting, often called the “Academy Awards of Water,” which celebrates outstanding drinking waters from around the world.
Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting 2027
The 37th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting event is scheduled for Saturday, February 27, 2027, at The Country Inn and presented by the Town of Bath and Berkeley Springs Water Works in partnership with Travel Berkeley Springs.
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