Who Gots The Water?

A mundane and frequently overlooked aspect of everyday life is the water we drink, shower in, etc. In other words, tap water. In some areas, this water is a tasty and refreshing treat, and I have come to all-the-more appreciate that treat when I come across places where that treat is unavailable. My recent adventure into the Southwestern United States provided me that opportunity to appreciate.

Water here in Reno, Nevada is, quite simply, delicious. It has a cool, refreshing 

taste that satisfies thirst. The vast majority of our water comes from the Truckee River, which is fed by Lake Tahoe. No wonder it is refreshing and delicious. But, not only does Reno water satisfy thirst, it also makes for excellent bath/shower water. It is "hard" enough to effectively rinse soap off the skin and leave you feeling fresh and clean instead of still-slightly-sudsy-squeaky-not-quite-rinsed-off.

Water in Arizona is, in a word, nasty. It does not taste good. The main source of water in Arizona is ground water. I also felt like Arizona water was determined to NOT let me get the soap off my skin when I showered. Arizona/Las Vegas, NV water are basically synonymous.

New Mexico water is also not very good. Like Arizona, most of New Mexico's water is ground water. However, New Mexico water still ranks above Arizona water because taste-wise it is drinkable (although it actually makes you even MORE thirsty) and bath-wise it rinses decently.

Perhaps pictures will tell the story best:

Reno/Sparks, Nevada Water Source:

Lake Tahoe

New Mexico/Arizona/Las Vegas Water Source:

Ground Water: