The attention of the public nonetheless shifted in that direction when in 2002, the World Health Organization described the situation of Bangladesh as  “the world’s largest mass poisoning of a population in history” (Source: http://www.miller-mccune.com/science/charles-harvey-water-detective-20153/). The local population suffered from skin problems and elevated risk of contracting skin, liver or kidney cancer in the next decade. The situation in Bangladesh combined with the American controversies instigated scientists and scholars to investigate further into the question of arsenic and potable water. Charles f. Harvey, an MIT professor, of environmental engineering decided to investigate further into the matter by trying to understand the causes of such a high concentration of arsenic.  After receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation, Harvey, also nicknamed the water detective, decided to focus on the area of Mushiganj in Bangladesh. After various analysis done on location, Harvey discovered that arsenic concentration reached their highest point at a depth of around 30 meters under the ground; “unfortunately, the same level at which many tube well drew their drinking water” (Source: http://www.miller-mccune.com/science/charles-harvey-water-detective-20153/). He decided to ask for the collaboration of his students from MIT in order to solve the mystery.

After numerous observations, Harvey and his staff realized that rice fields where most of the population worked, where filtering arsenic out of the water. After having tested the rice field water, Harvey came to the realization that the water was actually clean. After a chemical analysis of the underground reservoirs, the MIT professor came to the realization that “ water from the manmade ponds was seeping into the ground, carrying organic carbon. Once the organic material was deep underground, bacteria broke it down, usin iron oxide and releasing arsenic. Due to a lack of funding, technical problems and the complexity of the study, it took seven years for the team of experts to come to these useful conclusions.  Harvey’s discovery marks an important step for Bangladesh but could also serve to the sustainable development done in other countries suffering from similar problems. By raising awareness, the water detective also forced the government in Bangladesh to take responsibility and respond to this issue of contaminated water. The country’s financial minister, Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, publicly promised “that his government would the nation arsenic free by 2013” (Source: http://www.miller-mccune.com/science/charles-harvey-water-detective-20153/). While for now this remains a simple promise, for the future there is hope of an actual concrete sustainable strategy.

Charles Harvey, the water detective, proved that with the necessary drive and motivation, a single individual can make a real difference. His contribution is forcing the world of international aid and development to face the water problems in Bangladesh. Harvey is still committed to making a difference in Bangladesh and wants to continues research in order to ameliorate the conditions of the people in Bangladesh.

Water Tasting.

About the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting
February 25-28, 2010

Every year, the award-winning Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting welcomes more than one hundred waters from across the country and around the globe on Saturday, February 27. Held in the historic spa town of Berkeley Springs, West Virginia,  it is the largest and most important water tasting competition and event in the world.

Municipal waters compete for the title of best tasting tap water. Bottled waters, both still and sparkling, are judged in a separate category along with a new category for purified drinking waters. The public and guests have the opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice award for best packaging.

Hamilton, Ohio, 2009, defending champion Best US Tap Water, topped a pair of Canadian waters to win undisputed Best Tap Water in the World at the 20th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
Beaver Falls and Greenwood, British Columbia won silver and bronze medals respectively. Although both are first time entrants, British Columbia has an almost permanent place in the Tasting’s municipal winners’ circle.

The Canadian – U.S. rivalry was reversed in the purified category when Kittiwake Pure from Newfoundland topped Crystal Mountain Water of Huntsville, Alabama. Hometown water Berkeley Springs took the bronze medal.

Although bottled water came literally from all over the globe to compete, the top five medalists were all U.S. waters, including two bottling Berkeley Springs water. Judged Best Bottled Water in the World was Ecoviva, Roscommon, Michigan, which also boasted a 100% biodegradable bottle. The silver medal was won by Eldorado Natural Spring Water, Eldorado Springs, Colorado. Fr the first time,  International entrants included water from Brazil and China , as well as those from New Zealand, Macedonia, Italy, Japan, Bosnia and Ecuador. A total of 49 bottled waters were tasted.

“More than 200 people watched at the Country Inn in Berkeley Springs on Saturday night as a dozen media judges spent hours tasting more than 125 waters from 24 states and ten foreign countries. There were 44 municipal waters from 12 states and Canada. We have doubled the number of cities and towns competing in the tap water division from last year, “said Klein Rone.

“Bottled water came literally from all over the globe to compete, including water from Brazil and China for the first time. The Brazilians and Chinese competed against other international waters including those from New Zealand, Macedonia, Italy, Japan and Ecuador, as well as long time festival favorite, Bosnia. A total of 49 bottled waters were tasted” (Source: http://www.berkeleysprings.com/water/awards.htm).

The crowd was thrilled about the Peoples’ Choice packaging competition where they felt privileged to pick the crowd’s all time favorite. “This is another record number,” said Klein Rone. The favorite was the silvered column of Bling from Los Angeles. “We’re especially pleased with their win since they have our gold medal on the bottle,” said Jeanne Mozier, one of the event founders. Within the winning Bling bottle is previous gold medal water from English Mountain in Tennessee.

“The dozen media judges selected by Klein Rone from print, radio and the Web were instructed by von Wiesenberger to look, sniff and taste each water under guidelines like those in a wine tasting. The waters were rated for each attribute including appearance (it should be clear – or slightly opaque for glacial waters), aroma (there should be none), taste (it should taste clean), mouth feel (it should feel light), aftertaste (it should leave you thirsty for more). Waters were tasted in four separate flights over two days”. Source:http://www.berkeleysprings.com/water/winners10.htm).

This event deserves to get all the news and press coverage it needs in order to increase its visibility. Who said that all tasting events have to be about wine or luxury cuisine? Water is not only equally trendy but also much more beneficial to your mind, body and soul. Book your tickets for next year’s tasting event; you will have a wonderful time, meet new people and discover the world of water and its many hidden facets.