Mackay Regional Council has won Best Tasting Water in Queensland for the second year in a row.

For the second time in two years, water from the Mackay’s Marian Water Treatment Plant was chosen as the ‘top drop’ in a taste test that promotes the work of water service providers. In 2018, the title went to Mackay’s Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant. The award was made at the Ixom Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, held at the Qld Water annual forum.

The Queensland water industry faces numerous challenges, from natural disasters to changes in water regulation, that impact the way water service providers including councils supply and manage water and wastewater.

The event is not a technical assessment. It has been created to help inform the community of how much effort goes into providing clean drinking water with far greater controls and lower cost than other retail sources like bottled water.

Around 60 forum delegates put their senses to the test, judging entries from around Queensland by colour, odour and taste.

The source of this year’s winning drop is the headwaters of the Pioneer River, which originates in the tropical rainforests of the Eungella National Park and the Crediton State Forest. It is treated at the Marian Water Treatment Plant before distribution to more than 6000 residents.

The plant uses clarification, filtration and chlorine disinfection processes to treat the water to meet the Australian Drinking Water Quality guidelines.