There’s no better way to start an argument than raising a glass of water and claiming it to be the best in Australia.  

Every state is quick to claim they have the best tasting tap water in Australia.

And with such good quality tap water available in Australia, there’s no need to be spending money on bottled water which contributes so much waste to landfill every year.

The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) will host the Ixom 2019 Best Tasting Tap Water competition, putting interstate rivalry to the ultimate test.

Over the coming months, water authorities from various regional and metropolitan areas will participate in state heats where water samples will be judged on qualities like colour, clarity, odour and mouthfeel during blind taste tests.

Think wine tasting without needing to spit out the samples and you won’t be far wrong.  

A water tasting wheel is available to see the attributes that water professionals use when judging water.

The top drop from each state will be announced throughout the year, before the state winners battle it out for the national title during National Water Week in October.

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, USA.

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.

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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 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,” he continues.

Photos from the 2018 state competitions are available from here.

About WIOA

The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) is a national non-for-profit association with a primary role of facilitating the collection, development and exchange of quality information between people undertaking operational roles in the water industry.

About IXOM

Ixom is the market leader in water treatment and chemical distribution in Australia and New Zealand, with a growing presence in Asia and the Americas.  Ixom supplies general chemicals across a diverse range of markets including agriculture, building and construction, food and beverage, pharmaceutical and personal care, plastics, pulp and paper and water treatment industries.

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