RIVERSIDE — The Riverside Water Supply Corp., which prides itself on providing safe and clean water for Riverside residents, now has the credentials to prove it is accomplishing its mission.

The corporation received its first superior rating since its incorporation in 1963 from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on Aug. 31.

“We’ve won second and third place at taste contests in Austin out of around 130 other water supply corporations,” operation manager Ray Agostinetti said on Monday. “We take great pride in making sure the water is safe. It’s also something for the residents to take pride in. Not many people think about the safety of water.”

To receive the superior rating, the Riverside corporation underwent more than two years of testing.

“They checked the quality of our water,” Agostinetti said. “We haven’t had bad water samples in two years. The maintenance and care of our plants as well as our paperwork was in order and correct. We make sure that there are deficiencies in our water.”

For its efforts, the corporation received three signs, notating the superior rating. Two signs are posted on Farm Road 980 near Harmon Creek and also by the Walker-San Jacinto county line and another is at the Trinity River bridge.

“When you get high recognition, you also get put under the microscope,” Agostinetti said. “The state came in and found no violations. We kept everything clean and fixed. Our pumphouses are as clean as a kitchen.

“It takes a lot to ensure that the water is safe. It takes $83,000 a year just to test the water. There’s a lot more to drinking water than meets the eye.

“It’s a great honor for us. We have a great band that pushes one another to be the best.”