Judges rated water from various NSW councils on their clarity, taste and aroma for the test, held during the eighth Water Industry Operators Association ( WIOA) NSW annual conference and exhibition

WIOA chief operations officer Craig Mathisen said the friendly rivalry between the councils added to the excitement on the day and highlighted the passion that the water system operators put into producing high quality, safe drinking water. 

“While they examine clarity and aroma it is a taste test, and taste is a personal thing,” he said.

This year, water from Bega Valley Shire Council was named the best in NSW with water provided by Orange City Council, Nambucca Shire Council and Wingecarribee Shire Council making it into the top four.

Mr Mathisen said Orange’s water treatment operators should be stoked about their water’s performance.

“These people sample water from across the city and they make sure that the reliability factor is there,” he said.

Mr Mathisen said the 700 delegates and visitors  who attended the conference at Anzac Park on Wednesday and Thursday provided very positive feedback on the event and location.

“People thought Orange was terrific and as a location it’s nice and central,” he said.

Mr Mathisen said Orange was selected to host this year’s event after organisers determined the city had a venue large enough to host about 150 exhibitors and there was enough accommodation to cater for the large number of delegates.

He said Orange City Council’s support, and the support of their water team, was also a deciding factor.

Organisers of the event also raised $1500 for the the Premi-Babes Association Of Orange.

tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au