Water from the Bootawa Water Treatment Plant was a finalist in the state title, announced in Canberra on Wednesday evening. MidCoast Water took out the title in 2013, a year in which they went on to win the State of Origin style competition, for the overall title of best tasting water in NSW and Queensland.

While local water didn’t quite take out the win this time – with the ACT’s Icon Water ultimately taking the title – the competition was very close, with officials indicating the Canberra entry only just got over the line. The other finalist was Port Macquarie Hastings.

“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,” MidCoast Water’s general manager Ken Gouldthorp said.

“The competition is a celebration of the fact that some of the best tasting and safest water in the world is produced right here in NSW and the ACT by people who have a great passion for their jobs.”

Hosted by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia, the best tap water title saw water providers from all regional and metropolitan areas participating in the state based competition where water samples were judged on qualities like colour, clarity, odour and taste during blind taste tests.  

“MidCoast Water’s consistency in again being select in the top three demonstrates the earlier win was no fluke,” MidCoast Council administrator John Turner said.