Best tasting water in Australia to be decided in Tasmania

Best tasting water in Australia to be decided in Tasmania

The country’s top drop will be decided tomorrow as part of the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia Competition.
Tasmania is hosting the finals after water from TasWater’s Rossarden Water Treatment Plant, in the state’s Northern Midlands, won the national title in 2020 before taking out the title of the Best Municipal Water at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting event in the USA.
TasWater CEO Mike Brewster said it was an honour to host the national taste testing again this year.
“We hosted the taste testing back in 2017 after we won the national title in 2016 with water from Barrington,” he said.
“With water from our Rossarden Water Treatment Plant winning the national title last year, we again have the privilege of helping to decide the next winner.”
“And in a major coup for Tasmania and Australia, Rossarden won the best municipal water in the world, which was the first time water from Australia had won the prestigious award.”
Water from Rocky Creek, in the Huon Valley, was nominated as this year’s Tasmanian sample.
“Much like Rossarden, water from Rocky Creek had previously been subject to ‘boil water alerts’, before TasWater upgraded its water treatment process under the 24glasses Regional Towns Water Supply Program in 2018,” Mr Brewster said.
“It’s a testament to the hard work our staff and contractors did under the program, and the work they continue to do to ensure safe, clean and good tasting water is provided to their local communities.”
One of the judges for tomorrow’s taste testing event is the National Chairman of Selectors for the Australian Men’s International Cricket Team, George Bailey, who said he was looking forward to deciding on the country’s best tasting tap water.
“Having just finished a successful Ashes series where several tough selection decisions were made, I am really looking forward to being involved in judging the best tasting tap water in the country,” he said. 
“I’ve spent a lot of time traveling the globe as a cricketer and myself and my family don’t take it for granted how lucky we are to have amazing natural resources and quality drinking water in our home state of Tasmania.”
WIOA Chief Operations Officer Craig Mathisen said it was great that the taste testing for the national award was back in Tasmania.  
“The competition is a testament to the high-quality of Australian water and the diligence and commitment of the operational employees to provide a supply of safe, great-tasting water to communities across Australia,” Mr Mathisen said.
“Many of us turn on the tap for a drink of water, to cook and take a shower and give little thought to what it takes to operate and maintain the water infrastructure.
“Many members of the public would be surprised by the complexity and hard work that goes into delivering household water.
“That's one of the reasons for the water tasting contest, we want to celebrate our unsung heroes - the water operators and their crews who work all year-round to ensure safe clean drinking water comes to our taps every day.”
TasWater will compete against finalists from Richmond Valley Council (NSW), SA Water/ Suez (South Australia), Westernport Water (Victoria), Mackay Regional Council (Queensland) and Water Corporation (Western Australia).
A winner will be decided after the tasting tomorrow and go on to compete at the international titles.