“Quality Water Isn’t the Most Expensive”: SA Water Sommelier Picks Her Fave Bottled Water

• A water expert responded to a follower's question about the best affordable bottled water options available in South African shops
• The water sommelier recommended Woolworths natural water for home use and Valpre for dining out
• South Africans questioned her recommendations in the comments, with some pointing out changes in her previous advice

A water sommelier shared her expert recommendations for the best bottled water to buy from South African shops after a follower asked for affordable alternatives to expensive imported brands. The water expert posted her response on 18 September 2025, addressing a question from @Lynn who wanted to know about local options like Valpre, Tsitsikamma, Eastern Highlands, and Aquelle for those who can't afford premium waters like Fiji.

In her detailed response, Candice explained that quality water doesn't have to be the most expensive option available. She broke down her recommendations into two categories: water for home use and water for when you're away from home. Her practical approach focused on taste, cost-effectiveness, and daily drinking needs rather than luxury branding.

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For home use, the sommelier strongly recommended 5-litre natural water bottles, with Woolworths being her top choice. She explained that she uses this water for everything from coffee and tea to cooking, and pairs it with a water filter system to ensure the best quality for all household needs.

The expert gave specific advice about different supermarket brands, praising Pick n Pay's house brand as highly underrated with great taste. However, she advised against Checkers' 5-litre water, explaining that it comes from the same source as another popular brand that she and many others find unpleasant to drink.

For dining out or on-the-go situations, she recommended Valpre, describing it as thin, crisp, and slightly sweet with lower mineral content. She also advised consumers to look for SANBWA (South African National Bottled Water Association) accreditation when trying new brands.

SA questions the sommelier's choices

@mslebza disagreed:

"Hooh! Ai! Woolies water just tastes awful."

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@dan challenged:

"Bro, I swear a year ago she said Thirsti? I feel like this Valpre sponsorship is compromising our finest water sommelier."

@rahma.qahr asked:

"Your thoughts on Nestle water? I love the taste."

@bubblebellz enquired:

"What water filter do you use?"

@fazeelah questioned:

"What do you think about Thirsti?"

@tristan requested:

"I've been waiting for your thoughts about Tsitsikamma water, personally, it's my first choice of water everyday."

@n_i_c_k_y_t_28 pointed out:

"You last said Thirsti and Woolies water were sourced from the same place. I have looked at the packaging and the address is the same. So not sure why now, thirsti isn't getting the same hype you once gave them."

@shirvani_naran reminded:

"We're still waiting for the filter plugs!"

Current water contamination concerns

According to the World Health Organisation, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of chemicals found in many everyday products including pesticides, paints, and fire-fighting foams. These "forever chemicals" don't break down naturally and can accumulate in the environment and human body over time. PFAS enter drinking water through industrial pollution, landfill runoff, and contaminated groundwater sources.

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The water sommelier @watersomm regularly educates her followers about these water quality issues through her TikTok content. As a certified water expert and strategist, she helps consumers with certain information like understanding the differences between various bottled water brands and the importance of proper filtration systems for removing contaminants from tap water.

View the TikTok clip below:

Other people raising awareness in SA

• Briefly News recently reported on a South African woman who sparked heated debate after sharing her concerns about the country's drinking culture, but her proposed solution divided viewers completely.
• A cybersecurity expert shocked South Africans when he revealed finding over 1,000 personal documents online, but the way these private files were leaked left people questioning their phone usage.
• Another awareness campaigner made headlines for showing Mzansi how to cut electricity costs by 80% using a simple plug.

Source: Briefly News