Timaru District Council wins New Zealand’s best-tasting tap water

New Zealand's best tasting tap water is in Timaru. Photo / Laura Smith

• Timaru District Council has the best-tasting tap water, according to this year’s water taste test competition.
• The water supplier won the grand final against four other water authorities.
• Professionals assess the water quality for colour, clarity, odour and taste.

Timaru District Council has won the title of best-tasting tap water in New Zealand.

Each New Zealand municipal water supplier was invited to submit a sample of their water for the 2025 IXOM National Water Taste Test competition.

Timaru District Council’s Seadown water supply competed in the grand final against Waimakariri District Council – Cust; Rotorua Lakes Council – Eastern supply; Waipa; and Taupō District Council – Tirohanga.

Water samples were judged in a blind taste test and rated according to the Water Tasting Wheel.

The wheel outlines the qualities water experts look at when checking water, like its colour, clarity, smell, and taste.

Water Industry Operations Group of New Zealand (WIOG) said the National Water Taste Test is a fun way to raise awareness of the quality of drinking water in New Zealand.

Organisation chair Joshua McIndoe said water infrastructure remains a mystery to most Kiwis.

He said the competition highlights the dedication and hard work required to ensure New Zealanders have safe drinking water.

Timaru District Council’s Seadown water supply will now represent New Zealand against Australia’s reigning champion in the IXOM Trans-Tasman Water Taste Test, which will be held in Newcastle, Australia in July.

The current title holder is Isaac Regional Council’s Glenden Scheme water treatment plant in Queensland.

Timaru last took out the title for tastiest drinking water in 2019.