20 Nov 2023
Winning water from Fern Tree on the way to the USA
Raise your glasses… Tasmania has won the award for Australia’s best tasting tap water for the third time in eight years, and TasWater will now battle it out in the USA against the best in the world.
Water from the Fern Tree has won “Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia” at the annual competition held this weekend by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia.
“Fern Tree has incredibly pure and good quality water and has been named Tasmania’s top drop for two years in a row,” said Craig Roberts, TasWater Operator, Bulk Operations South.
“This weekend in Victoria it went up against the nation’s best at a blind taste-testing contest with a panel of industry experts.
“The rainfall and snowmelt water we treat at Fern Tree runs down the slopes of kunanyi / Mt Wellington giving it a great taste that the judges liked.
“The local community has always known how good the water tastes and how clear it is, and it was great to have that recognised on the national stage.”
Steve Westgate, TasWater Manager Water Quality said he was thrilled that TasWater had been named Australia’s best for a third time.
“There is considerable prestige just to reach the national final of the competition and as winners we earn some big bragging rights,” he said.
“Let’s hope Fern Tree can repeat the success of water from Rossarden in 2021 which won world’s best at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting event.
“Tasmania is known across the world for its quality produce, and seeing water added to that list two years ago was a proud moment for all of us.
“Maintaining this quality takes work, and last year we invested nearly $120M in water treatment across the state to make sure great tasting, safe and reliable drinking water is delivered to all TasWater customers.
“This is a team effort by dedicated TasWater operators striving to achieve great things together as well as delivering on our commitment to Tasmanians,” Steve said.
TasWater is investing $1.5 billion in its network over the next five years to ensure it can continue to deliver exceptional water and sewerage services for a thriving Tasmania.
The 34th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting event will be held in February 2024.
Past winners - “Tasmania’s Best Tasting Tap Water”
2023 – Fern Tree, Greater Hobart
2022 – Fern Tree, Greater Hobart
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 – Waratah, north-west Tasmania
2014 – Bicheno, east coast
2013 – Chimney Saddle, northern Tasmania