If it’s not football, beer or cricket in their sights, Australians are quick to claim their state has the best tasting tap water in Australia.
In 2018, the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) will host the Ixom 2018 Best Tasting Tap Water competition, putting the interstate rivalry to the ultimate test.
Over the coming months, water authorities from various regional and metropolitan areas will participate in state heats where water samples will be judged on qualities like colour, clarity, odour and mouthfeel during blind taste tests.
The top drop from each state will be announced throughout 2018, before the state winners battle it out for the top prize during National Water Week in Toowoomba, Queensland where 207’s national champion comes from.
The winner of the Ixom 2018 Best Tasting Tap Water competition will have bragging rights for the next 12 months and will go on to represent Australia at the annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition held in West Virginia, US.
While the competition itself is all in the spirit of good fun there is a meaningful undertone to it, recognising the hard work of those who ensure safe, clean drinking water is available to us, every day.
Stephen Rasdell, Ixom’s General Manager of Water, said that there’s an important reason for Ixom’s involvement in the taste test competition.
“We have been involved in Australian water treatment for some 80 years and are incredibly proud of the work being done in this space. IXOM has the expertise and experience to ensure high-quality drinking water is supplied to homes around Australia.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this event and to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and communities in supplying and maintaining exceptional water quality,” Mr Rasdell said.
Craig Mathisen, WIOA Chief Operations Officer, said, “Members of the general public would probably be surprised to learn the complexities involved in delivering high-quality water to our taps each day.
“The competition is a testament to the excellent quality of Australian water, and to the diligence and commitment of the operational employees who deliver it to our communities.
“Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook and shower, with little consideration of what it takes to operate and maintain the water infrastructure.
“We want to celebrate our unsung heroes – the water operators and the maintenance crews who work all year-round to ensure we have high-quality water, which is essential to keep us alive.”
The first state competition off the bat for 2018 is the NSW/ACT competition which will be held at the NSW Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition in Tamworth on 10-11 April. Entry is free to the exhibition.
For more information about the conference, visit https://wioaconferences.org.au/nsw/.
