Queensland might have lost on the footy field last week, but the state's been quick to bounce back by winning the annual Water of Origin competition.

The Water Industry Operators Association of Australia (WIOA) met in Brisbane this week to judge water samples from Queensland and New South Wales.

The two finalists went head to head on the quality, clarity and taste of their water.

Judges look at water on its clarity, sediment and taste. ( Supplied: WIOA )

"Both of them were very high quality, but Toowoomba's water was a better drop," judge Craig Mathisen said.

"Most people turn on the tap and don't really think about the work that's gone before the water being available."

John Mills is the manager of water operations at the Toowoomba Regional Council. ( ABC Southern Qld: Peter Gunders )

John Mills, water operations manager at the Toowoomba Regional Council, said his team celebrated with a tall glass of water.

"The June 2017 vintage is a pretty good one.

"For us it's a balance because when you have dam and bore water blends, you have to make sure the hardness level doesn't go up too much.

"A little bit too much hard water makes washing and lathering up soap more difficult."

How is water judged?

Judges used similar vernacular to wine tasting with earthiness, clarity and taste all considered.

Other words on the water tasting wheel, which helps judges with their tastings, include fishy, chemical, cloudy, floury and metallic.

"Depending on the water source it can be quite different," Mr Mathisen told ABC Radio Brisbane's Terri Begley

"We hold the water to the light to look for sediment, then we smell the water, roll the water in our mouth and swallow it."

He said water could also have different tastes at different times of the year.

Queensland also won the Water Of Origin title in 2016. ( Supplied: WIOA )

"Rain events and other weather events can vary it, but we undertake treatment on the water to maintain consistency," Mr Mathisen said.

"It also depends on what sample the water comes out of — plastic, glass, ceramic."

Queensland will go up against the other states in a national competition before the overall winner competes overseas.