A small water scheme in the Manawatū has been named the best-tasting tap water in New Zealand, beating out some tough competition from around the country.
The Stanway-Halcombe water scheme, run by Manawatū District Council, took home the title at the annual Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand conference held in Rotorua last Thursday. It beat finalists from Napier, Rotorua, and Western Bay of Plenty to claim the top spot.
Judges tested the water on four things: colour, clarity, odour, and taste. The water needs to be completely clear, smell pleasant, and taste good. Judges said the standard across all the finalists was so high that picking a winner was genuinely difficult, but their final decision was unanimous.
After winning the New Zealand title, Manawatū went on to face Australia’s best tap water in the Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test, which has been nicknamed the “Bledisloe Cup of tap water tasting.” In a close contest, they lost to the Katherine water treatment plant from the Northern Territory.
