30 Aug 2022
Fern Tree named Tasmania’s best-tasting tap water for 2022
Water from the Fern Tree water treatment plant has come up trumps at the Tasmanian 2022 Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water competition and will now go into battle against other states at the national competition held in New South Wales in October.
TasWater Laboratory Technician Taryn Ground was one of the water taste testers and said the winner deserved the title, with some close competition.
“Each year water treatment plants from every corner of Tasmania are taste tested. This year, a field of nine tap water samples competed in the heats, with the top three – Fern Tree, National Park, and Rocky Creek – going through to the final,” she said.
“The raw water comes from the south-west side of Mount Wellington to Fern Tree water treatment plant.
“When sampling the water, it tasted really pure with a nice hint of sweetness to it.”
“Overall, a top drop!”
This year, a combined heats and finals was held as part of a Water Industry Association of Australia (WIOA) Operations Interest Day at Spreyton.
The national winner goes on to represent Australia at the international awards and be in the running to win the global award.
TasWater Operations Centre Manager Paul Sweet pointed out that the competition has led to great things for winners in the past.
“In 2020 Rossarden won the Tasmanian final and went on to win both Australia’s Best Tasting Tap Water and Best in the World in 2021,” he said.
“In 2016 Barrington won the state final and went on to also win Australia’s Best Tasting Tap Water.
“Most importantly though, these things are a team effort by everyone participating and that in itself recognises the core value of what TasWater is about, as we strive to provide quality drinking water.”
Water Systems Performance Leader at TasWater Stephen Westgate said all water treatment facilities in Tasmania were invited to compete.
“There is considerable prestige to be had by reaching the finals of the competition, let alone winning,” he said.
“The winning team of operators has earned some big bragging rights.
“The field of finalists and the nomination of water from Fern Tree also demonstrates TasWater is providing great tasting, safe and reliable drinking water to our customers.”
Previous Tasmanian Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water competitions:
2021 - Rocky Creek, Greater Hobart
2020 – Rossarden, also won 2020 Australia’s Best Tasting Water and 2021 Best in World
2019 – Mount Leslie, Launceston
2018 – Bryn Estyn, Greater Hobart
2017 – Fenton, Greater Hobart
2016 – Barrington, also won 2016 Australia’s Best Tasting Water
2015 – Warratah, north-west Tasmania
2014 – Bicheno, east coast
2013 – Chimney Saddle, northern Tasmania