The winner of the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA)’s Ixom Best Tap Water competition for New South Wales and ACT has been announced, and will go on to represent those states in the ‘Water of Origin’ competition against the Queensland winner.
Canberra’s Icon Water has won the first stage of the competition for New South Wales and ACT and will face Queensland winner Toowoomba in the next round.
WIOA’s Ixom Best Tap Water competition judges water samples on qualities like colour, clarity, odour and taste during blind taste tests.
The competition is designed to shine a light on the people and hard work that goes into providing clean, clear tap water to all Australian every day.
“Members of the general public would probably be surprised to learn the complexities involved in delivering high-quality water to our taps each day,” said Craig Mathisen, WIOA Chief Operations Officer.
“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.”
Stephen Rasdell, Ixom’s General Manager of Water, said that Ixom is delighted to be a part of the taste test.
“We have been involved in Australian water treatment for some 80 years and are incredibly proud of the work being done in this space. We’re thrilled to be a sponsor of this event and celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and communities in supplying and maintaining exceptional water quality,” Mr Rasdell said.
Toowoomba Regional Council (Mt Kynoch Scheme) will be putting forward their water against Canberra’s Icon Water where they will be judged by industry experts at the WIOA Queensland Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition.
Canberra and Toowoomba’s tap water will also go up against all the other state winners to find the best tasting tap water in Australia.
