The winner of the Ixom 2016 Best Tap Water in Australia competition has been announced at National Water Week in Marysville, Victoria.
The winning sample was provided by TasWater’s Barrington Water Treatment Plant, on the north-west coast of Tasmania.
Judging took place at the National Water Week celebrations in Marysville, Victoria, which had the winning sample in last year’s competition.
The Marysville community as well as attendees from water businesses and suppliers to the industry took part in judging the winning sample.
Ixom Water Taste test state winners were announced throughout 2016 and the top drops from the various state competitions were submitted for the national competition.
The finalists were:
- NSW: Nambucca Shire Council– Bowraville WTP
- QLD: Barcaldine Regional Council – Barcaldine WTP
- SA: SA Water – Morgan WTP
- TAS: TasWater – Barrington WTP
- VIC: North East Water – Myrtleford WTP
The competition aims to honour the hard work of the people who ensure safe, clean drinking water is delivered to Australia’s taps every day.
Water Industry Operators Association Chief Operations Officer, Craig Mathisen, said the competition is a testament to the high-quality of Australian water and the diligence and commitment of the operational employees to provide a supply of safe, great tasting water to communities across Australia.
“Many of us turn on the tap for a drink of water, to cook and take a shower and give little thought to what it takes to operate and maintain the municipal water infrastructure,” Mr Mathisen said.
“Most members of the general public would be surprised by the complexity and hard work that goes into delivering household water.
“That’s one of the reasons for the water tasting contest, we want to celebrate our unsung heroes – the water operators and their crews who work all year-round to ensure we have water, which is essential to keeping us alive.”
Ixom’s General Manager of Water, Stephen Rasdell, said that Ixom was delighted to be a part of the taste test.
“We have been involved in Australian water treatment for around 80 years and are immensely proud of the work that is done in this space,” Mr Rasdell said.
“We’re delighted to be a sponsor of the taste tests in each state as well as the national competition and to celebrate the achievements of water providers in producing a high quality, safe and enjoyable product.”
Barrington and TasWater will now go on to represent Australia at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition which will be held in West Virginia, USA.
