Rocky Creek in the Huon Valley Council area has taken out Tasmania’s premier drinking water tasting competition for the second year running, earning the title of IXOM’s Best Tasting Tap Water for 2026.
Water industry professionals blind tasted samples from treatment plants, assessing each entry for clarity, colour, aroma and flavour using the industry-recognised Water Tasting Wheel before crowning a winner for 2026.
TasWater General Manager Operations, Brendan Windmeyer said the award recognised both Tasmania’s exceptional water sources and the people responsible for delivering high-quality drinking water every day.
“Our reputation for producing some of the best tasting drinking water in Australia is something all Tasmanians can be really proud of,” Mr Windmeyer said.
“While our pristine catchments and natural environment provide an incredible starting point, it takes a tremendous amount of expertise, care and attention from our operators to consistently deliver water of this quality to customers.
“We’d love to see Tasmania bring home another national title in 2026 and, if history is anything to go by, there’s every chance we could once again be competing for international honours.”
The annual IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water Competition brings together water industry professionals from across Australia to celebrate operational excellence and showcase the quality of drinking water produced by utilities nationwide.
State winners progress to the national final, with the ultimate champion earning the opportunity to represent Australia at the prestigious Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition in the United States.
Across Tasmania, drinking water is tested more than 250,000 times each year to ensure it remains safe, clean and compliant with all health-based standards.
