When the nation’s mayors last year anointed St. Louis tap water the best in the land, the title came with more than just refreshing prestige: There was also a $15,000 purse.

After some time soaking up the honor, Mayor Francis Slay will announce this afternoon a fitting project to pour the cash into: 5,000 water bottles for city employees.

The bottles, of course, are empty, but reusable. The hope is that city workers will line-up at City Hall water fountains, and leave the bottled water at home –a notion that fits nicely into Slay’s push for “greener” government.

At the 4 p.m. conference, Slay will be joined be a representative of a group leading a national campaign to “take back the tap.” 

In June 2007, St. Louis bested tap water from more than 90 others cities at a contest sponsored by the U.S. Conference of Mayors  to be named “Best Tasting City Water in America.”

The specimens were evaluated on taste, clarity and aroma.