The winner of 2019 Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Victoria has been announced at the 82nd Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition in Bendigo.
Barwon Water’s Geelong West Water Treatment Plant took home the title, going up against Wannon Water’s Caramut Water Treatment Plant and Westernport Water’s Bass Water Treatment Plant.
With the competition now in its eighth year, water from treatment plants from around the state was judged by those in the industry on odour, appearance and taste using the Water Tasting Wheel.
Previous Victorian winners are:
- 2018 – Wannon Water
- 2017 – Goulburn Valley Water
- 2016 – North East Water
- 2015 – Goulburn Valley Water
- 2014 – South Gippsland Water
- 2013 – East Gippsland Water
- 2012 – Coliban Water
Barwon Water will represent Victoria at the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia finals at the 3 Peaks Festival in Dunkeld during National Water Week in October. Wannon Water in South West Victoria, last year’s national champion, will host the 2019 national championships.
The winner of the Ixom 2019 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,” Mr Rasdell said.
“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.”
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’ day in, day out.
“Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook or 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.”
