Move over bottled water: Australia’s best drop has been crowned

Queensland has beaten every other state and territory in the battle for Australia’s best-tasting tap water, taking out the national title at a blind tasting competition in Adelaide.

Water from the Clermont Water Treatment Plant, operated by Isaac Regional Council in central Queensland, has been crowned the nation’s best drop at the 2026 Best Tasting Tap Water competition.

The annual contest is backed by IXOM, a company that works with water utilities to help treat drinking water and wastewater across Australia.

Tasmania finished second, while New South Wales rounded out the top three.

The annual contest sees water suppliers from around Australia put their product to the test, with judges assessing samples for qualities including clarity, odour and taste.

This year’s finalists represented communities from Queensland, NSW, Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia after progressing through state and territory competitions.

Clermont’s winning sample will now represent Australia at the prestigious Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition in West Virginia in February next year.

Water Industry Operations Association chief executive Dean Barnett said the competition celebrated the often-overlooked work involved in delivering safe drinking water to homes and businesses.

“Congratulations to Isaac Regional Council on their prestigious win,” he said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge all the water providers and operators that work 24/7 to serve their communities.”

While the competition has become something of a friendly interstate rivalry, organisers say it also highlights the people behind the taps — from treatment plant operators to engineers — who work around the clock to maintain water quality.

For the next 12 months, Clermont will hold the bragging rights as home to Australia’s best‑tasting tap water.