Residents of the Shoalhaven are lucky enough to have the best-tasting tap water in the state.

Shoalhaven Water has won the NSW/ACT Best Tasting Tap Water competition, run by the Water Industry Operators Association of Australia.

The industry contest pits local councils and private municipal operators against each other; water samples are judged on colour, clarity, odour and mouthfeel during blind taste tests.

Judging occurred during the WIOA state conference, held in Tamworth this week.

WIOA managing director Greg Wall said the competition is the industry body's way of spotlighting those who are leading the way in providing essential water services.

"The competition will recognise and acknowledge the individuals and organisations that are stepping up, some in very trying circumstances, to make sure their communities are supplied with safe drinking water every day.

"We want to use the competition to let people know the great work that is going on in local communities around Australia and help shape and secure Australia's water future."

This year marks the second win for Shoalhaven Water. They had previously won the state competition in 2019.

In celebrating the team's win, Shoalhaven Water executive manager Robert Horner said a great deal of work has gone into the local water supply.

"Our water operators constantly monitor the quality of the water source from Shoalhaven River and adjust the treatment process according to that quality. [There's] also a program of ongoing maintenance ensures our infrastructure operates at its optimum," he said.

As for why the organisation chose to enter? Apparently water operators can be quite competitive.

"Our staff, as with all the other participants, thoroughly enjoy the networking opportunities the WIOA Conference offers water operators throughout the state," Mr Horner said.

"They also enjoy the friendly banter that occurs during the judging of the water samples and then of course the bragging rights the winners have."

The state-level win is just the beginning for Shoalhaven Water.

The team will go on to represent NSW/ACT at the national Best Tasting Tap water competition. They will also be part of a State of Origin-style competition with their counterparts in Queensland.

The winner of the national Best Tasting Tap Water contest will go on to represent Australia at the annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition held in West Virginia, USA.