The annual Ixom Water of Origin competition is set to be held at the Water Industry Operators Association’s (WIOA) Queensland Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition on 19 July, with winners of the Queensland and New South Wales best tasting tap water competitions competing for the title.
Shoalhaven City Council’s sample from the Bamarang Plant will represent New South Wales and Mackay Regional Council’s sample from the Nebo Road Plant will represent Queensland.
The Water of Origin award will be judged and presented at the WIOA Conference, which will feature 104 exhibiting companies and attract an estimated 700 attendees.
The Water of Origin winner will have bragging rights over the other state for the next twelve months. The competition has been running for nine years and the current score is six to three in favour of Queensland. Will New South Wales close the gap with a win in 2023?
The Ixom Water of Origin competition is a fun way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in both Queensland and New South Wales, and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
Water samples are judged 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.
WIOA invites all water suppliers to participate in the competition in its search for the best tap water in each state and nationally.
WIOA Managing Director, George Wall, said, “The competition recognises and acknowledges the individuals and organisations that are stepping up, some in very trying circumstances, to make sure their communities are supplied with safe drinking water every day. We want to use the competition to let people know the great work that is going on in local communities around Australia, and help to shape and secure Australia’s water future.”
Mr Wall also acknowledged Ixom’s support of the Water of Origin competition.
“Thanks to Ixom’s unwavering commitment and support of the industry, we have been able to continue running the competition,” Mr Wall said.
Ixom Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, David Head, said, “Ixom is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious 2023 Water of Origin competition. Ixom has been involved in water treatment for almost a century. We supply chemicals to water treatment plants all over Australia to help ensure that Australia continues to have world-class, high-quality water.”
