The Marian Water Treatment Plant in Mackay, Queensland, has taken out the silver medal in the 30th Annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition in the US.
Mackay Regional Council and its tap water from the Marian Water Treatment Plant placed second after a hard fought battle at the competition which was held in West Virginia from 20-23 February 2020.
The Australians were closely beaten by Mission Springs Water District, Desert Hot Springs, California.
In 2019, Mackay Regional Council won the chance to represent Australia at the international competition following its win at the 5th Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition.
Mackay water was one of more than 100 water samples from around the globe competing to take out the top spot and claim the title of best tasting tap water in the world.
Mackay Regional Council’s Director Engineering and Commercial Infrastructure, Jason Devitt, and Water Treatment Manager, Stuart Boyd, travelled to the United States for the competition.
Australia has never won the international competition but has now had three second place finishers.
Wannon Water and its tap water from the Hamilton Water Treatment Plant in Victoria, who won the Australian competition in 2018, was a runner up in the international competition in 2019, and Marysville Water, also from Victoria, who won the Australian competition in 2015, was the runner up in the international competition in 2016.
Competitors are judged by using a blind taste test which considers colour, clarity, odour, mouthfeel and taste.
While the competition itself is all in the spirit of good fun, there is a meaningful undertone to it, recognising the hard work of those who ensure safe, clean drinking water is available to people every day.
