Canberra has better water than any other provider in NSW and the good news is it's on tap.
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Blind tasting began at Exhibition Park on Tuesday as part of the NSW/ACT Ixom Best Tap Water competition and Icon Water was named the winner.
Icon Water manager Robert Allen said he and fellow staff were thrilled.
"We don't have to run a complex chemical removal process in order to get high quality drinking water to the Canberra public," he said.
"It doesn't have an underlying chemical taste. It is refreshing to drink, almost sweet. It tastes like pure water."
Water Industry Operators Association of Australia chief operations officer Craig Mathisen said hometown advantage played no role in the win, which came after two days of judging colour, clarity, odour and taste.
Judges gathered to assess 24 samples on Tuesday from across NSW including the ACT's single water provider.
On Tuesday evening three finalists were announced and on Wednesday the tussle for top spot began between MidCoast Water (NSW), Port Macquarie Hastings (NSW) and Icon Water (ACT).
Mr Mathisen said while scores were not revealed publicly the competition was close.
"The Canberra one just got over the line," he said.
The winning sample from Canberra will now represent ACT/NSW in the Water of Origin against Queensland in June and the national water competition against all other jurisdictions in October.
More than a trophy and bragging rights that will remain with the ACT for the next 12 months, Mr Mathisen said the annual competition celebrated the ongoing efforts of providers, sometimes in trying circumstances, to generate top quality drinking water for Australians.
