AUSTRALIA’S best tasting tap water will be decided on Saturday 12 November when the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) and Richmond Valley Council host the Ixom 2022 Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition.
Water authorities from various regional and metropolitan areas across Australia have competed in state competitions. The state winners will go head to head for the national title during the Primex Field Days in Casino, putting interstate rivalry to the ultimate test.
The state representatives are:
NSW/ACT – Bamarang water treatment plant – Shoalhaven Water
Queensland – Nebo Road water treatment plant – Mackay Regional Council
South Australia – Murray Bridge water treatment plant – TRILITY
Tasmania – Fern Tree water treatment plant – TasWater
Western Australia – Wyndham water treatment plant – Water Corporation
Victoria – Cresswell water treatment plant – Melbourne Water
The winner will have bragging rights for the next 12 months as the provider of Australia’s best drop and will go on to represent Australia at the annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition in West Virginia, USA, in February.
Attendees at Primex will be asked to taste all the water samples and vote for the one they prefer most. Judging will run from 9am to 11.50am and the winner will be announced around 12 noon.
Water from Richmond Valley Council’s Casino Water Treatment Plant was last year’s national winner, which is why the 2022 event is being held in our local area.
The annual Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water competition is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in Australia, and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
Water samples are subjected to a blind taste test and rated according to the Water Tasting Wheel, which outlines some of the attributes that water professionals use when judging water such as colour, clarity, odour and taste. Think ‘wine tasting’ without needing to spit out the samples and you won’t be far wrong.
According to George Wall, WIOA Managing Director, in its search for the best tap water in each state and nationally the organisation invited all water suppliers to participate in the competition.
“The competition recognises and acknowledges the individuals and organisations who are stepping up, some in very trying circumstances, to make sure their communities are supplied with safe drinking water every day,” he said.
“We want to use the competition to let people know of the great work which is going on in local communities around Australia, helping to shape and secure Australia’s water future.
“WIOA would also like to acknowledge Ixom’s support of the Best Tasting Tap Water competition. We have been able to run the competition through these uncertain times because of its unwavering commitment and support to the industry.”
Council’s Director Community Service Delivery Angela Jones said she was proud of the entire team at the Casino Water Treatment Plant, who all worked hard to provide a quality service to Casino and surrounds.
Ms Jones said the town water supply was pumped through more than three kilometres of rising main to reach the treatment plant, just on the outskirts of Casino.
She said servicing a community of more than 11,000 people, the plant was monitored 24 hours a day.
“Winning this award last year was a huge honour for both our Water Treatment Plant crew and the organisation as a whole,” Ms Jones said.
“I wish all states well on Saturday – may the best team win.”