Gympie Takes Top Drop Honours New
Date: 25-Aug-2025
Gympie Regional Council has claimed victory in the prestigious 2025 Tracwater Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test, held at the Water’s Edge Function Centre in Brisbane as part of the qldwater Annual Forum.
The competition, which celebrates excellence in water quality and taste across the state, saw over 60 water industry representatives sip and savour water samples in a rigorous blind tasting event. Gympie’s Cooloola / Tin Can Bay scheme emerged as the winner, impressing judges with its exceptional clarity, freshness, and overall taste.
The award-winning water is sourced from Teewah Creek nestled within the Great Sandy National Park and undergoes expert treatment with pH adjustments, coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This pristine waterway benefits from high rainfall and natural filtration through sand and sedimentary rock, contributing to its outstanding purity.
James Weel, Lead Specialist Water Industry Operations at Gympie Regional Council, said they were really lucky to have such good management and operations team, and it showed in their water quality.
"We are very grateful and extend our thanks to qldwater for putting on this event and getting to showcase how good the water is from all over the state," James said.
Emma Fisher, Manager Water, said it was an amazing achievement and recognition for the efforts and dedication of the teams which can at times go unnoticed.
Isaac Regional Council’s Clermont Water Treatment Plant was named runner-up, showcasing the success of recent infrastructure upgrades, including the installation of a floating offtake at Theresa Creek Dam to enhance raw water quality.
Other entries in this year’s competition included samples from Balonne, Bundaberg, Cairns, Toowoomba, and Unitywater, highlighting the widespread commitment to delivering safe and great-tasting drinking water across Queensland.
Gympie’s winning entry will now represent Queensland at the national Best Tasting Tap Water competition at the Carols by Candlelight in Moranbah on 5 December, competing against top water sources from across Australia.
The Tracwater Best of the Best Queensland Water Taste Test not only celebrates excellence in water quality but also reinforces the importance of ongoing investment in water infrastructure and environmental stewardship.