Goulburn Valley Water Victoria's best tasting tap water for a second year

Attendees at the 80th Victorian Water Industry Operations Conference and Exhibition were eager to learn which tap water would be deemed the state’s best tasting.

Finalists included Coliban Water, with a sample from its Water Treatment Plant east of Trentham. 

However, the judges decided Victoria’s best tasting tap water in Victoria came from the Great Dividing Range.

Goulburn Valley Water set a record, becoming the first Victorian water provider to win the Ixom Victorian Water Taste Test for a second time.

While tap water from Marysville was dubbed the best tasting in Victoria and Australia in 2015, a sample from Merrijig took out this year’s state title.

Falls Creek, Melbourne Water and Yarra Valley Water were also contenders.

GVW operations manager Steven Nash said the title would mean a lot to the Merrijig community and to those working at the plant. 

“Our operators spend a lot of time and take a lot of professionalism to make sure these plants produce good quality water,” he said. 

GVW will represent Victoria in the Best Tap Water in Australia competition in Tasmania on October 18.

The national contest coincides with National Water Week, and aims to promote awareness of the water industry.

Water Industry Operators Association of Australia chief operations officer Craig Mathisen said the industry was often invisible. 

“Members of the general public would probably be surprised to learn the complexities involved in delivering high-quality water to our taps each day,” Mr Mathisen said.

“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.”