The city of Raleigh has developed its own sparkling water. Here’s why
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Oak City Sparkle is carbonated Raleigh tap water meant to showcase its flavor.
- The city distributed nearly 18,000 cans at meetings and events and may sell it later.
- Any money raised from the drink would be used for Raleigh's water sharing program.
Those watching Raleigh’s July Fourth fireworks at Dix Park might have noticed a novel option to quench their thirst — sparkling water developed by the city.
Raleigh has distributed nearly 18,000 cans of it this year across city meetings and events like Earth Day and the Fourth of July.
And eventually, the city could sell “Oak City Sparkle” at city-owned buildings and elsewhere, city spokesperson Holly Sharp told The News & Observer last week.
What does this cost?
It cost the city nearly $18,000 to manufacture the drink at local brewery Trophy Brewing Company.
The graphics on the cans — two-tone blue with clouds and a city skyline — were designed by city employees, so there wasn’t any additional cost associated with that part of the project.
Oak City Sparkle is just carbonated Raleigh tap water, Sharp said in an email, and there are no flavors added, “so the fresh, crisp taste of Raleigh’s tap water could shine.”
Why is the city doing it?
For now the water is being distributed at various events for free, though it could be sold in the future, the city says.
The goal is to raise money for Raleigh’s water sharing program.
The program takes donations, like from Raleigh water users who pay a little extra a month, and uses the money to help cover utility costs for those who can’t afford them. Any money raised through future sales of Oak City Sparkle would be used for the program.
The cans already feature a QR code that takes people to a link to donate to the program.
The creative process
Les Stewart, the co-owner and chief brewer of Trophy Brewing, said the brewery has had a good relationship with Raleigh Water.
“Knowing the mineral makeup of the water helps us manipulate the water for our brewing process,” Stewart said, and Raleigh Water helps with that.
The city also makes sure Trophy has plenty of warning ahead of sanitation measures — like a chlorine flush — in the water system, which can affect the makeup of city water.
The relationship meant it was no surprise when Raleigh reached out to the brewing company with an idea for a city beverage.
They considered a flavored drink at one point.
But “we have award-winning, like seriously award-winning water, here in Raleigh, so we talked about doing just sparkling water,” Stewart said.
Raleigh’s water won third place in an international contest for the best tasting water held by the American Water Works Association in 2023, The N&O’s newsgathering partner ABC 11 reported.
The name “Oak City Sparkle” was chosen by a vote of Raleigh Water employees.
And Eric Bannister, senior graphic designer for the City of Raleigh, designed the can’s packaging.
“Ultimately, the label design was inspired by the sustainable process that makes the City of Raleigh’s water drinkable — rainfall, collection, purification, and responsible usage,” Bannister said in a city news release. “Visually, the can was influenced by the City of Raleigh’s brand identity. Drawing from the city’s visual language, color palette, and guiding principles, the design reflects Raleigh’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community pride.”
So far, Sharp said the response to the sparkling water has been positive.
