In what has become a fierce statewide competition, the city of Tea emerged victorious this year, winning the title of Best Tasting Water in South Dakota. The award was bequeathed by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems at its Annual Technical Conference in Pierre on Jan. 11.

The conference happens to coincide with the opening week of the Legislature, which helps fill bars and restaurants in Pierre. The presence of the rural water workers adds to the general revelry in the state capital. On Thursday night, the bar of the Ramkota Hotel rang with karaoke, some of it not bad.