Water corporations across Victoria will compete in a taste test battle at the Victorian Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA) Conference on 30 August and 1 September to see who has the best tasting water in the state.
Now in its sixth year, the Ixom Victorian Water Taste Test, held at the Bendigo Exhibition Centre, will judge the aroma, clarity and colour of drinking water supplied by each water utility.
The winner then moves on to complete in the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition to be held in Marysville, Victoria, on 19 October 2016.
In the Marysville competition, the winner will compete against Queensland’s Barcaldine Regional Council, New South Wales’ Nambucca Shire Council, South Australia’s Morgan Water Treatment Plant and Tasmania’s Barrington Water Treatment Plant.
Past winners of the Victorian taste test include Goulburn Valley Water (2015), South Gippsland Water (2014), East Gippsland Water (2013) and Coliban Water (2012).
The 2015 winner, Goulburn Valley Water, was judged as having the best tasting water for a sample taken from its Marysville water treatment plant.
WIOA Chief Operations Officer Craig Mathisen said while the competition shines a spotlight on the friendly rivalry among water providers, the real highlight is the passion that the operators put into continually producing high quality, safe, drinking water for their communities.
“Forget about Yarra Valley versus Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, this year it’s all about Goulburn Valley Water taking on the rest of Victoria in their title defence as last year’s winner.
“Although competition will be tough, this event is really a celebration of the fact that some of the best tasting and safest water in the world is produced right here in Victoria by people who have a great passion for their jobs,” Mr Mathisen said.
During the competition, judges look for:
Colour: Water that is completely translucent without any white or brown tones
Clarity: Crystal clear water with minimal turbidity
Aroma: Samples that have little to no evidence of treatment to the palate.
Entry to the Victorian WIOA exhibition is free and it’s not too late to register as a delegate for the conference.
For more information or to register, visit www.wioaconferences.org.au/vic.htm.
