NATCHEZ — Adams County water is headed to Washington, D.C., soon to compete in an international taste test.

The Adams County Water Association won first place in the state drinking water contest last month. Adams County will represent the state in a National Rural Water Association contest.

“It’s a big deal for rural water associations to compete nationally,” Adams County Water Association Manager Ken Herring said. “Mississippi is blessed to have good water, and our wells are some of the best in the state.”

The taste contest is a little like a wine tasting, Herring has said. Judges look for clarity and taste, among other things.

Although Adams County Water has routinely placed in the annual state competition, the last time they won first place was in 2000. They represented the state nationally that year, too.

But getting water onto a plane has become significantly more difficult since then, Herring said. Transporting the water samples as carry-on can be challenging.

“I have to baby-sit it all the way,” Herring said. “Last time, when we got on the plane, we had to stop and drink some every time we went through a gate. And that was before Sept. 11.”

As far as placing at the national competition, Herring said he was optimistic.

“We’ve got probably just as good a shot as anybody else,” he said. “Probably better, because we do have good water.”

Even if the county water association doesn’t win first place, it’s still a privilege just to attend and represent the state, Herring said.

“This is our way of saying to the state, “We do a good job,’” he said.

National Drinking Water Week, May 6 through 12, is dedicated to safe, clean and affordable water, according to the National Rural Water Association’s Web site.