Seadown’s tap water, supplied by the Timaru District Council, has been named the best tasting in New Zealand at this year’s IXOM National Water Taste Test. The final competition was held during the Water Industry Operations Group conference in Nelson.
Water suppliers from across the country entered samples for judging, with Seadown beating out strong contenders from Waimakariri, Rotorua, Waipa, and Taupō. The Seadown supply will now represent New Zealand in an international contest against Australia’s best in July.
The IXOM Taste Test is designed to highlight the high quality of New Zealand’s drinking water and the hard work of the people who keep it clean and safe. Judges rated the water samples using the “Water Tasting Wheel,” looking at colour, clarity, smell, and taste—much like a wine tasting, but with water.
WIOG Chair Joshua McIndoe praised the teams behind the water systems. “We often don’t realise the effort it takes to deliver good water every day,” he said.
The Timaru District Council has won this title before, including in 2021 and 2019. Their consistent quality impressed judges again this year. One judge noted the challenge of choosing a winner due to the high standard of all finalists, but the decision for Seadown was unanimous.
The next big test will take place in Newcastle, Australia, where Seadown will compete against the Australian champion from Queensland.
