By Olivia Scheck
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Three Florida businesses are battling in court over the water you use to brush your teeth and clean dirty dishes.
The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. claimed to have developed a "14 step patented, water treatment process" to mimic the taste and baking properties of New York City tap water, according to court documents published on the New York Times website.
They sell the "Brooklynized" water in bottles and use it to create New York quality bagels, coffee and coffee ice cubes ("ice coffee cubstas"), according to their website. They've even enlisted CNN anchor and native New Yorker Larry King to serve as their spokesman.
But the owners say another Florida company stole trade secrets to create their own imitation New York City tap water company. The rival company, Famous New York Baking Water Corp., was started by Donald Kurtzer, a former Brooklyn Water employee and father-in-law to one of the owners, according to a the lawsuit filed against them by Brooklyn Water.
Kurtzer responded to the suit in a statement last June, calling it a "schmear campaign" and insisting that the "case has more holes than the company's bagels."
Now, a Florida Italian restaurant, has filed a lawsuit of its own, accusing the Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co. of falsely claiming a patent on their water treatment system, preventing the Italian pizzeria from using Famous New York Water to achieve thinner, crispier crusts for its New York style pizza.
The restaurant owner, Joe Lograsso of Mamma Mia's Trattoria, said he bought his water treatment system from Famous New York Baking Water Corp. for $20,000, according to the Times.
