en.Wedoany.com Reported - Ross Watt and Nick Niedermeyer from Gympie Regional Council won the 2026 Water Industry Operations Association of Australia (WIOA) Water Main Tapping Competition with a time of 1 minute and 33 seconds, defeating the Gold Coast City Council to claim the Queensland state championship.

The Water Main Tapping Competition is an industry event that assesses the precision, speed, and technical expertise of operational teams during pressurized water main connections. The key challenge is completing a new service connection without interrupting customer water supply.

In the competition, two-person teams must safely complete a pressurized connection on a 100-millimeter pressurized pipe, with all fittings installed in accordance with industry standards and strict rules. Leaks, failures, or incomplete installations incur time penalties, making accuracy equally important. The runner-up team initially led with a time of 1 minute and 27 seconds but was penalized 10 seconds for a minor leak, ultimately falling behind.

The WIOA Water Main Tapping Competition began in the late 1980s and has since evolved into a national and international event. Winners from each Australian state advance to the national competition, ultimately facing off against New Zealand in an international showdown.

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