Latest news with #JoshuaMcIndoe
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.'
NZ Herald
21-07-2025
- NZ Herald
On the rise: New Consumers Price data for June shows annual inflation is up
WATCH: Does Timaru have the best tasting tap water? Timaru is representing NZ in the coveted trans-Tasman competition for the best tasting tap water. Herald NOW speaks to Water Industry Operations Group of NZ's Chair Joshua McIndoe.
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.'
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Timaru brings best-tasting tap water title back south
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. Four New Zealand district councils were vying for the coveted title, including the reigning champions, Rotorua Lakes District Council. Mayor of Timaru, Nigel Bowen, was delighted with the result. 'It is really good water, it's from a shallow well next to the Ōpihi River, so a really good source water and there's not a lot of treatment, a little bit of chlorine and ultraviolet.' It's the third time Timaru's water has taken out top spot, he says, but this is the first win for the Seadown water scheme. The scheme covers 450 households, and farm stock, but also the airport, so visitors can sample for themselves when they land, he says. 'Come to Timaru and try the best water in the country,' he said. Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand chairperson Joshua McIndoe said the 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. "That just shows no matter what the source there is a great treatment process to produce really good quality water." He said the competition was a way of showcasing the work operations staff were doing to produce safe, compliant and good tasting, quality drinking water. McIndoe said it was a tough competition, as drinking water quality was high across New Zealand. One of the judges, IXOM technical specialist Rachel Oxtoby was impressed with each of the samples. "This is a tough call. They are all really clear, really crisp, not too much in the way of earth tones, chlorine, or odour. It's hard." It was also a difficult decision for judge Jean Calderon of Water Industry Operations Association of Australia. "They are all delicious, it's interesting. I thought there would be more differences in the odour. It's going to be a tough call." Water Industry Operations Group executive officer Craig Hiddleston identified at least one notable sample. "There's definitely three that are very similar and one that stands out, but not in a good way." Sprig and Fern Brewing Company owner Tracy Banner has been judging beers and ciders for several decades, but it's the first time she's judged water. "I've just literally come back from judging the World Beer Cup in Indianapolis and from there I went to Melbourne and judged the annual Australian International Beer Awards and I was so thrilled to be invited to come and judge water because it is actually a real interest of mine." Banner tasted the water in her Richmond brewery every day to check its quality and said while beer and water tasting were not dissimilar, the latter had proven more difficult. "It was so hard, there were four fantastic finalists who were deserving... it was more difficult than judging beer. "I think it's easier to score on the clarity and the colour than the aroma and the flavour, because they were so close." Previous winners of the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in New Zealand title 2024 Infracore Rotorua Lakes Council 2023 Waimate District Council 2022 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2021 Timaru District Council 2020 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2019 Timaru District Council 2018 Waikato District Council 2017 Sicon (Contractor for Selwyn DC) 2016 Palmerston North City Council
Otago Daily Times
30-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ's best-tasting tap water found
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. Four New Zealand district councils were vying for the coveted title, including the reigning champions, Rotorua Lakes District Council. Mayor of Timaru, Nigel Bowen, was delighted with the result. 'It is really good water, it's from a shallow well next to the Ōpihi River, so a really good source water and there's not a lot of treatment, a little bit of chlorine and ultraviolet.' It's the third time Timaru's water has taken out top spot, he says, but this is the first win for the Seadown water scheme. The scheme covers 450 households, and farm stock, but also the airport, so visitors can sample for themselves when they land, he says. 'Come to Timaru and try the best water in the country,' he said. Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand chairperson Joshua McIndoe said the 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. "That just shows no matter what the source there is a great treatment process to produce really good quality water." He said the competition was a way of showcasing the work operations staff were doing to produce safe, compliant and good tasting, quality drinking water. McIndoe said it was a tough competition, as drinking water quality was high across New Zealand. One of the judges, IXOM technical specialist Rachel Oxtoby was impressed with each of the samples. "This is a tough call. They are all really clear, really crisp, not too much in the way of earth tones, chlorine, or odour. It's hard." It was also a difficult decision for judge Jean Calderon of Water Industry Operations Association of Australia. "They are all delicious, it's interesting. I thought there would be more differences in the odour. It's going to be a tough call." Water Industry Operations Group executive officer Craig Hiddleston identified at least one notable sample. "There's definitely three that are very similar and one that stands out, but not in a good way." Sprig and Fern Brewing Company owner Tracy Banner has been judging beers and ciders for several decades, but it's the first time she's judged water. "I've just literally come back from judging the World Beer Cup in Indianapolis and from there I went to Melbourne and judged the annual Australian International Beer Awards and I was so thrilled to be invited to come and judge water because it is actually a real interest of mine." Banner tasted the water in her Richmond brewery every day to check its quality and said while beer and water tasting were not dissimilar, the latter had proven more difficult. "It was so hard, there were four fantastic finalists who were deserving... it was more difficult than judging beer. "I think it's easier to score on the clarity and the colour than the aroma and the flavour, because they were so close." Previous winners of the IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water in New Zealand title 2024 Infracore Rotorua Lakes Council 2023 Waimate District Council 2022 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2021 Timaru District Council 2020 Conference and competition cancelled due to Covid 2019 Timaru District Council 2018 Waikato District Council 2017 Sicon (Contractor for Selwyn DC) 2016 Palmerston North City Council
