GRU Wins Award for Best-Tasting Water 

July 22, 2025
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GRU has announced that the Murphree Water Treatment Plant has earned three industry awards, recognizing its excellence in water quality, operations and professionalism.  

On May 15, the plant earned first place in the Best Tasting Drinking Water Competition hosted by the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association (FSAWWA) Region XI. The event, held in Ocala, is open to water utilities from the 12 counties within the region. Entries were judged on taste, odor, color and clarity. 

Murphree also received the “People’s Choice Award,” voted on by attendees, for the best-tasting water. The audience tasted the same water samples from different water plants within Region XI. 

On March 25, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection recognized Murphree staff with the 2024 Plant Operations Excellence Award for outstanding performance and compliance. The award was given during the 2025 Focus on Change seminar in Lake City. 

“The Murphree Water Treatment Plant employees work tirelessly day in and day out to provide GRU’s water customers with the most vital resource — clean and safe drinking water, 24/7/365,” said Jody Gilbert, water/wastewater treatment plant manager at the Murphree Water Treatment Plant. 

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