Latest news with #IXOM
Scoop
6 days ago
- Scoop
Australia Beats New Zealand To Win The Trans-Tasman Best Tasting Tap Water Title
23 July 2025 – Australia has won the coveted trans-Tasman title of Best Tasting Tap Water. Earlier tonight, Timaru District Council's Seadown water treatment plant – the current New Zealand champion – went head-to-head with Australia's reigning titleholder, Isaac Regional Council's Glenden Scheme from Queensland. The showdown, affectionately known as the 'Bledisloe Cup of tap water tasting', took place in Newcastle, New South Wales. Timaru earned its place in the trans-Tasman final after taking out New Zealand's National Water Taste Test. Then event, sponsored by IXOM, was held on 29 May at the Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand (WIOG) annual conference and awards in Nelson. Municipal water suppliers from across the country were invited to submit samples of their finest drop, with the Seadown plant ultimately crowned this year's national winner. Australia's competition followed a similar process. Water authorities from both regional and metropolitan areas competed in state-based heats, with the winners advancing to the national final. Isaac Regional Council's Glenden Scheme emerged as the overall Australian champion. The IXOM-sponsored Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test is a fun way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in New Zealand and Australia, and to recognise the efforts of local water operators and their teams to deliver valuable water services to their communities. During judging, water samples are subjected to a blind taste test and rated according to the 'Water Tasting Wheel'. The Wheel outlines some of the attributes water professionals use when assessing water such as colour, clarity, odour and taste. Think 'wine tasting' without needing to spit out the samples and you won't be far wrong. 'Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook and to shower, with little thought about the complexities involved in operating and maintaining the water infrastructure,' said Joshua McIndoe, Chair, WIOG. 'The competition highlights the dedication of individuals and organisations that work tirelessly to provide their communities with safe, high-quality drinking water every day.' Mr McIndoe also acknowledged IXOM's support of the Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test. 'IXOM's steadfast commitment to the industry enables us to run this competition and celebrate the critical work of water service providers in both New Zealand and Australia,' he said. 'IXOM is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious 2025 Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test competition,' said Sean Eccles, General Manager New Zealand, IXOM. 'IXOM is a leading supplier of water treatment chemicals to the water sector. With over 100 years of expertise, IXOM locally manufactures and supplies chemicals to water treatment plants all over New Zealand and Australia. 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.'
Scoop
14-07-2025
- Scoop
New Zealand And Australia To Compete For Best-Tasting Tap Water Title
Next week, New Zealand and Australia will go head-to-head for the coveted trans-Tasman title of Best Tasting Tap Water. On 23 July, Timaru District Council's Seadown water treatment plant – the current New Zealand champion – will face off against Australia's reigning titleholder, Isaac Regional Council's Glenden Scheme from Queensland. The showdown, affectionately known as the 'Bledisloe Cup of tap water tasting', will take place in Newcastle, New South Wales. Timaru earned its place in the trans-Tasman final after taking out New Zealand's National Water Taste Test. Then event, sponsored by IXOM, was held on 29 May at the Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand (WIOG) annual conference and awards in Nelson. Municipal water suppliers from across the country were invited to submit samples of their finest drop, with the Seadown plant ultimately crowned this year's national winner. Australia's competition followed a similar process. Water authorities from both regional and metropolitan areas competed in state-based heats, with the winners advancing to the national final. Isaac Regional Council's Glenden Scheme emerged as the overall Australian champion. The IXOM-sponsored Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test is a fun way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in New Zealand and Australia, and to recognise the efforts of local water operators and their teams to deliver valuable water services to their communities. During judging, water samples are subjected to a blind taste test and rated according to the 'Water Tasting Wheel'. The Wheel outlines some of the attributes water professionals use when assessing water such as colour, clarity, odour and taste. Think 'wine tasting' without needing to spit out the samples and you won't be far wrong. 'Many of us turn on taps for a drink, to cook and to shower, with little thought about the complexities involved in operating and maintaining the water infrastructure,' said Joshua McIndoe, Chair, WIOG. 'The competition highlights the dedication of individuals and organisations that work tirelessly to provide their communities with safe, high-quality drinking water every day.' Mr McIndoe also acknowledged IXOM's support of the Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test. 'IXOM's steadfast commitment to the industry enables us to run this competition and celebrate the critical work of water service providers in both New Zealand and Australia,' he said. 'IXOM is proud to be the sponsor of the prestigious 2025 Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test competition,' said Sean Eccles, General Manager New Zealand, IXOM. 'IXOM is a leading supplier of water treatment chemicals to the water sector. With over 100 years of expertise, IXOM locally manufactures and supplies chemicals to water treatment plants all over New Zealand and Australia. 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.'
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Timaru blows rivals out of the water again
Timaru mayor Nigel Bowen Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon Fly to Timaru and taste the country's top water - that's the invitation from the city's mayor Nigel Bowen after its latest success. Timaru District Council's Seadown water supply has been crowned the best tasting tap water in New Zealand in the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition . It's the third time the city has won the contest in the last six years. The samples were drawn from a scheme that is one of 13 the city runs and its location next to the Timaru airport prompted Bowen to invite people from around the country to come and sample it. Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand chairperson Joshua McIndoe said the four finalists were judged on four criteria: colour, clarity, odour and taste. He said the water from Rotorua and Taupō were both from surface water catchments, while Timaru and Waimakariri were both bore water supplies. Bowen said he was very proud as it was an exciting success for the city. "I think it puts a lot of focus on what a cool thing it is for local government as far as what we need to provide and invest in for the country." Judges said the water didn't taste too much of chlorine and had some earthy tones. Bowen said the samples were taken from the small Seadown Water Scheme which covers about 500 hectares covering 450 households and close to the airport. "So if you fly into Timaru you can taste the best water in the country on arrival. But it is really good water." The source was a shallow well next to the Opihi River. "So really good source water and there's not a lot of treatment. It's a little bit of chlorine and ultra-violet so it does speak to the quality of the source water and also the great job that our team in water do." The city had won the competition three times and each time had used a different scheme for its entry so it was testimony to the work of the city's water engineers, Bowen said. Timaru will represent New Zealand at the trans-Tasman water taste-off in Australia in July. Asked if the city could win "the Bledisloe Cup" for water supremacy, Bowen assured Morning Report host Paddy Gower the city would be "putting its best foot forward. I'm sure we'll do pretty well".
