The winner of the Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Tasmania competition was announced at the Water Industry Operators Association operations interest day held in Launceston after a hard fought battle between the state’s top water treatment plants.
Now in its seventh year of competition, water from treatment plants from around the state were judged by their peers on odour, appearance and taste.
Grand finalists included Mole Creek, Reatta Road and Rocky Creek, but the coveted trophy was ultimately awarded to the Mount Leslie Water Treatment Plant near Launceston.
The Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water in Tasmania competition is a fun and exciting way to raise awareness of the quality of Tasmania’s drinking water and to recognise the efforts of local water service providers in delivering valuable water services to their communities.
The sample from the Mount Leslie WTP will go on to represent Tasmania in the national competition to be held during National Water Week on 19 October, where WIOA will announce the Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia.
Wannon Water in South West Victoria, where last year’s national champion hails from will host the national title.
The winner of the Ixom 2019 Best Tasting Tap Water competition will have bragging rights for the next 12 months and will go on to represent Australia at the annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition held in West Virginia, US.
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 us, every day.
Stephen Rasdell, Ixom’s General Manager of Water, said that there’s an important reason for Ixom’s involvement in the taste test competition.
“We have been involved in Australian water treatment for some 80 years and are incredibly proud of the work being done in this space. IXOM has the expertise and experience to ensure high-quality drinking water is supplied to homes around Australia.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of this event and to celebrate the outstanding achievements of individuals and communities in supplying and maintaining exceptional water quality,” said Mr Rasdell.
Craig Mathisen, WIOA Chief Operations Officer, states “Members of the general public would probably be surprised to learn the complexities involved in delivering high-quality water to our taps each day.
“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’ day in, day out.
“Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook or 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.”
