Clermont may be known as a mining town, but it has added another title to its name after being crowned home to Queensland’s Best Tasting Tap Water. Behind the award is a team of operators whose work ensures local families, businesses and industry have access to safe, reliable drinking water every day.
Water from the Clermont Water Treatment Plant took the title at the 2026 IXOM Best Tasting Tap Water competition, earning Clermont a place in the Australian competition later this year.
The result was announced at the Water Industry Operations Association of Australia conference on the Gold Coast on June 25.
Water samples from across Queensland were assessed on clarity, odour and taste, with Clermont receiving the top result.
Isaac Regional Council Director Water and Waste Scott Casey said the award was a proud result for Clermont and recognition of the work carried out each day at the town’s treatment plant.
“Clermont is known as a mining and agricultural community, but it can now add Queensland’s best tasting tap water to its list of achievements,” Scott said.
“This award gives the community something to celebrate while recognising the work that happens behind the scenes every day to treat and deliver drinking water to local homes and businesses.”
Producing consistent high quality drinking water requires operators to monitor the treatment process, test water quality, maintain equipment and respond to changes in the raw water entering the plant.
Scott said water treatment required close attention each day.
“Our operators monitor the incoming water, each stage of treatment process and the water leaving the plant,” he said.
“Conditions often change, so maintaining consistency requires regular testing, careful adjustments and a strong understanding of how the plant is performing.”
Isaac Regional Council Manager Water and Wastewater Maintenance and Operations Stephen Wagner accepted the award on behalf of the Clermont Water Treatment Plant team.
Stephen said the win was entirely due to the work carried out behind the scenes.
“Thank you for all the people who’s hard work behind the scenes keeps our water safe, sustainable and tasting great.”
Clermont will now represent Queensland at the Australian Best Tasting Tap Water competition later this year.
The town will be hoping to continue Isaac’s recent success in the competition.
In 2024, water produced by the Glenden Water Treatment Plant shared the Queensland title before going on to win the Australian and the Trans-Tasman competitions.
Scott said the results from Glenden and Clermont showed the capability of Council’s water treatment teams across the region.
“Glenden showed that even a small mining community could produce water judged the best in Australia and New Zealand.
“For Clermont to now win the Queensland title shows that this capability is not limited to one plant or one community.
“Both results have been built on skilled operators who understand their plants and take pride in the service they provide and the overarching processes that Council has put in place.”
Clermont can now celebrate its Queensland title while preparing to put the mining town’s water to the national taste test.
