Speed, precision and teamwork were on full display today as Tasmania’s best water operators went head-to-head in the Water Industry Operators Association (WIOA) 2026 Water Main Tapping Competition, with the West Coast Tappers taking out the state title for another year in a row.
Delivered in partnership with WIOA, the annual competition showcases the specialist skills required to perform live water main connections — critical work that enables new services to be connected to the water network without interrupting supply to customers.
Competing against the clock, each two-person team was challenged to complete a live water main connection before safely packing away their equipment to stop the timer.
While speed was essential, judges also assessed precision, workmanship and safety, with even the smallest water leak attracting valuable time penalties.
In a highly anticipated final round, TasWater’s West Coast Tappers — Cameron Lusk and Lynden Thurston — emerged victorious for a second year in a row, completing the challenge in just 1 minute and 20.79 seconds, only 0.29 seconds off the national record.
Their seamless technique, teamwork and rapid execution secured the state title and the opportunity to represent Tasmania on the national stage later this year.
TasWater General Manager Operations Brendan Windmeyer said the competition was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the expertise that underpins safe and reliable water services across Tasmania.
The Water Main Tapping Competition shines a spotlight on the highly specialised work our operators perform every day to keep water flowing for Tasmanian communities and showcases the teamwork, technical expertise and professionalism that underpin our industry.
Our operations run around the clock to ensure Tasmanians have access to safe, reliable drinking water. The quality of that service is a testament to the skill, care and commitment our employees bring to their work every day.
For the teams stepping up to the tapping plate this year, there is more than a state title on the line. Success here can lead to the national championships and, for the very best, the opportunity to represent Australia on the international stage.
The event follows an extraordinary run of success last year for Cameron and Lynden, crowned the Trans-Tasman champions after defeating New Zealand’s best in a remarkable time of just 1 minute 20.72 seconds.
First published in Edition 57 — August 2026.