The Northern Territory is celebrating a national win after securing the title of Australia’s best-tasting tap water for 2025.
The award, judged by the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia, recognised the sample from Power and Water’s Katherine water treatment plant, which outperformed state and territory winners from across the country.
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How is Australia’s best-tasting tap water judged?
Around 200 attendees at the Moranbah Carols by Candlelight event took part in a blind tasting to select the winner. The competition showcased the consistently high standard of drinking water produced nationwide, while highlighting the work behind the scenes that ensures communities can rely on safe, great-tasting drinking water every day.
The NT sample edged out finalists from Casino in the Richmond Valley, Cooloola Cove in Queensland, Morgan in South Australia, Rocky Creek in Tasmania, Lorne in Victoria and Mundaring in Western Australia. With the national title secured, Power and Water will represent Australia at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition in the United States in February 2026.
WIOA Chief Executive Officer Dean Barnett congratulated the NT team and acknowledged the commitment of operational staff across Australia.
“Congratulations to Power and Water on their prestigious win. I’d also like to acknowledge all the water providers and operators that work 24/7 to serve their communities,” Barnett said.
He added that the competition is a valuable platform for recognising the essential work involved in delivering the best-tasting tap water.
“The competition highlights the dedication of individuals and organisations that work tirelessly to provide their communities with safe, high-quality drinking water every day.”
Why the Northern Territory sample stood out
The event uses the Water Tasting Wheel to guide participants through colour, clarity, odour and taste, adopting a structured approach similar to wine tasting. Barnett said this helps bring visibility to water operations.
“It’s a great way to shine a spotlight on the vital work happening behind the scenes to safeguard Australia’s water future.”
Long-term sponsor IXOM also emphasised the importance of recognising operational excellence across Australia and New Zealand. Chief Executive Officer Bryce Wolfe said the company is proud to support a competition that celebrates the operators behind the country’s drinking water systems. “
IXOM is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious 2025 IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water competition,” Wolfe said. “We strive to raise standards and innovate across the industry, and help to ensure everyone has access to safe, clean and great-tasting drinking water.”
What the win means for operators and communities
The achievement by the Katherine plant highlights both operational capability and the importance of community confidence in drinking water. The national spotlight also underscores the expertise within regional treatment plants, many of which manage variable source water quality and the challenges posed by a changing climate and demand.
Australia’s focus on continuous improvement in water quality monitoring, treatment technologies, and operator training means the best-tasting tap water competition has become a celebration of both technical outcomes and the people who deliver them. As the Katherine team prepares to represent the nation on the international stage, the win reinforces the high level of trust communities can place in their local water supplies.