If it’s not football, beer or cricket in their sights, Australians are quick to claim their state has the best tasting tap water in Australia.

The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) will host the Ixom 2021 Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition in November, putting interstate rivalry to the ultimate test.

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.

The top drop from each state will be announced on Tuesday 16 November, 2021 before the state winners battle it out for the top prize in Tasmania where last year’s national champion and the winner of the 2021 Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition comes from.

The winner of the Ixom 2021 Best Tasting Tap Water in Australia competition will have bragging rights for the next 12 months and go on to represent Australia at the annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition held in West Virginia, USA.

“The competition will recognise and acknowledge the individuals and organisations that are stepping up, some in very trying circumstances, to make sure their communities are supplied with safe drinking water every day.”

“We want to use the competition to let people know the great work that is going on in local communities around Australia and help shape and secure Australia’s water future,” said Craig Mathisen, WIOA Chief Operations Officer.

“WIOA would also like to acknowledge Ixom’s support of the Best Tasting Tap Water competition in these uncertain times.  We have been able to run the competition because of their unwavering commitment and support to the industry,” said Mr Mathisen.

Water industry organisations are promoting the benefits of making better use of the water we have, along with looking at all the alternative water sources to supplement supplies.

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“Ixom is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious 2021 WIOA Best Tasting Tap Water competition,” said David Head, Ixom Managing Director & CEO.

“WIOA invites all water boards and authorities to participate in the competition in its search for the best tap water in each state and nationally. Water will be judged based on its colour, clarity, odour and taste,” said Mr Head.

“Ixom has been involved in water treatment for almost a century. We supply water treatment chemicals to water treatment plants all over Australia to help ensure that Australia continues to have world renowned, high quality water,” said Mr Head.

Dates for the state competitions are:

Queensland                                                        Winner Mackay, Marian Water Treatment Plant            

NSW / ACT                                                          Online                                                            Tue 16 Nov

South Australia                                                  Online                                                            Tue 16 Nov

West Australia                                                   Online                                                            Tue 16 Nov

Tasmania                                                            Online                                                            Tue 16 Nov          

Victoria                                                                Online                                                            Tue 16 Nov

National Championship                                   Tasmania                                                     Early 2022

Water samples are judged according to the Water Tasting Wheel which outlines some of the attributes that water professionals use when judging water.

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

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