Sigura Taste Test 2020

Sigura Taste Test 2020

Sigura Taste Test 2020
Date: 10-Sep-2020

Queensland is blessed with a wide variety of water sources, each containing a different suite of minerals and inorganic compounds that can ultimately affect the taste of that water. 

This afternoon from 2.00 to 4.00 pm, the best tap water from across Queensland will go head to head in a blind taste-off as part of the 2020 Sigura Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test.

Usually hosted in conjunction with the qldwater Annual Forum, the 2020 COVID19-version of the taste test will include a fun and interactive online trivia session with members dialling in from all across the state as a panel of judges make their way through the samples, interrogating the ten entries received from around Queensland by colour, odour and taste. The winner will be announced at 4.00pm.

This is the 9th time a qldwater state-wide taste test has been conducted with the first major competition held back in 2012.  It has since grown to become a coveted international competition with the Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA) introducing it in NSW, ACT, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania and New Zealand. It also includes the annual Water of Origin, where the winning samples from Queensland and NSW battle it out at the WIOA QLD Conference each year.

The current reigning champions, Mackay Regional Council, won the Queensland Water Taste Test in 2018 and 2019 before taking out the 5th national Ixom Best Tasting Tap Water and then winning silver at the 2020 International Water Tasting Competition in Berkeley Springs, USA. 

Stuart Boyd from Mackay Regional Council said the silver medal showed Mackay locals just how high quality the tap water was, thanking the "unsung heroes" at the Marian treatment plant for their tireless efforts in providing safe, reliable water all year-round.

Toowoomba Regional Council also made it to Berkeley Springs in 2018, first taking out the 2016 Queensland title, then the 2017 Water of Origin against NSW before finally claiming the Ixom Best Tap Water in Australia competition in 2017 and representing Australia at the world event. 

Despite Australia having yet to win the grand prize, an Aussie water has now won second place for the third time - with Wannon Water and their tap water from Hamilton Water Treatment Plant in Victoria finishing second in 2019 and Marysville Water from Victoria placing second in 2016.

The 2017 QLD champions, Livingstone Shire Council, immortalised their winning water in a very tasty limited-edition craft beer – Livingstone Lager with a tropical twist of Pineapple.

The taste test is about more than just how good the water tastes: it is a way to help inform the community about how much effort goes into providing quality drinking water – an essential, sustainable service provided 24/7 by the staff of our local water utilities.

Entries to date include a number of past champions with samples from a range of water sources including a pristine dunal system, dams and rivers as well as ancient water from the Great Artesian Basin.

2020 Taste Test Entries

  1. Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcaldine Water Treatment Plant (WTP)
  2. Bundaberg Regional Council, Lovers Walk WTP
  3. Goondiwindi Regional Council, Goondiwindi WTP
  4. Livingstone Shire Council, Woodbury WTP
  5. Mackay Regional Council, Marian WTP
  6. Seqwater/Unitywater, Landers Shute WTP  
  7. Southern Downs Regional Council, Stanthorpe WTP
  8. Toowoomba Regional Council, Mt Kynoch WTP
  9. Winton Shire Council, Winton WTP
  10. Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council, Wujal Wujal WTP


Back to list

More Reading

Back to list