The Iowa Rural Water Association has given a Jasper County community their 2025 Best Tasting Water in Iowa Award. The award was presented Tuesday afternoon to Prairie City and the community’s Public Works crew of Dylan Cornelison, Harry Brannen, and Tyler Curry. The recognition came during the annual Iowa Rural Water Association conference in Des Moines. 

The Association says Prairie City’s water is naturally clean, and is tested daily for quality by the Public Works employees. The Best Tasting Water Award was based on a one-quart sample the City provided at the conference registration desk Monday morning. The contest was open to communities and regional water systems in Iowa, and the judging was based on taste, bouquet and clarity. As the winner, Prairie City is eligible to compete against other states at the National Rural Water Association’s Rural Water Rally in Washington, D.C. in February 2026. Iowa Rural Water Association will provide one representative of Prairie City’s Public Works crew airfare and two nights lodging for a trip to the Water Rally.