A small central Queensland town has beaten the rest of the country to claim one of the more unusual national titles on offer: Australia's best-tasting tap water. Water sourced from the Clermont Water Treatment Plant, operated by Isaac Regional Council, took out the top prize at the 2026 Best Tasting Tap Water competition, held in Adelaide on 24 September.
How the competition works
The annual contest, backed by water treatment company IXOM, brings together water suppliers from across Australia to compete in a blind tasting format. Judges assess each sample against criteria including clarity, odour and taste. Entrants first progress through state and territory competitions before the top performers face off at the national level.
This year's national finalists represented communities from Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia. Tasmania finished as runner-up, with New South Wales rounding out the top three.
Recognition for behind-the-scenes work
Water Industry Operations Association chief executive Dean Barnett said the competition shines a light on the often-overlooked effort that goes into delivering safe, high-quality drinking water every day.
"Congratulations to Isaac Regional Council on their prestigious win," Barnett said. "I'd also like to acknowledge all the water providers and operators that work 24/7 to serve their communities."
Organisers note the event is as much about celebrating the people behind the taps — treatment plant operators, engineers and maintenance staff — as it is about friendly interstate rivalry.
Clermont heads to the world stage
The win comes with more than just bragging rights. Clermont's winning water sample will now represent Australia at the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition in West Virginia, United States, scheduled for February next year. The Berkeley Springs event is considered one of the most prestigious water tasting contests in the world.
For the next 12 months, Clermont holds the title of home to Australia's best-tasting tap water — a notable achievement for a regional community in central Queensland that might otherwise fly under the national radar.
A reminder of what comes out of the tap
While many Australians reach for bottled alternatives, competitions like this one make the case that what flows from the tap can be just as impressive — provided the treatment process is done right. Isaac Regional Council's success at this year's national event is a testament to the standards that regional water utilities can achieve, and to the skilled teams who maintain them around the clock.
