“Safe Is Good Enough”: Boiled vs Filtered Water, Sommelier Breaks Down the Safety Differences

• A certified water sommelier shared a video debunking what many South Africans believe about boiling tap water
• She explained that boiling kills bacteria and bugs but leaves behind heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and chemical contaminants
• Her video sparked debate, with many viewers saying safe water was good enough and they would keep boiling
• Briefly News reached out to Candice, a certified water sommelier, to get expert insights on home water filtration, common purification mistakes, and budget-friendly tips for households

A certified water sommelier is challenging a belief that millions of people hold about their daily drinking water. In a video posted on 14 September 2026 on the TikTok account @watersomm, she broke down exactly what boiling your tap water can and cannot do.

Speaking from her car, the water expert and face of Valpre and Revive explained that boiling is effective at killing living organisms such as bacteria and bugs that lead to digestive illness. However, she was clear that a kettle is not a filter, and that is where most people's understanding falls short.

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What boiling water actually removes

Non-living contaminants, including heavy metals like lead, pharmaceutical residues, and other chemical impurities, survive the boiling process entirely. Heat simply cannot eliminate what is not alive to begin with.

Her conclusion drew a sharp line between two different goals: boiling makes water safe to drink, while proper filtration is what makes it genuinely clean and high quality. The distinction, she argued, is one most people have never considered.

Watch the TikTok video that sparked the debate below:

Certified water sommelier weighs in on proper home filtration

We at Briefly News spoke with Candice about her unique career journey and her top recommendations for everyday drinking water safety.

When asked what inspired her to become a certified water sommelier, Candice shared:

"It was only at the age of 30 that I pivoted in my career. I always knew I was destined for something bigger than where I found myself ( you should never dull that desire down ), and I realised during dinner one evening with a friend, who was using tap water to rinse her food, how little people loved and regarded water - how easily they could run it down the drain. I set out to change that mindset."

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The team asked what the most common mistake people make when trying to purify their tap water at home, and she noted:

"Filters need to be changed regularly. If a filter is designed for 6 months, change it at 6 months. Some people buy a fridge with a built-in filter but never change it once in the 12 years they own the fridge?!? Any filtration requires upkeep and maintenance."

We also asked for one simple, budget-friendly tip she would give households to properly filter their drinking water, and she advised:

"The technology and capability behind filters is different. There is no single filter that solves all the problems, and not everybody can afford filters - they can get costly! Make use of a water shop ( ask for their testing results ! ) until you are able to filter your own water using technology you are happy with. From a budget perspective … the water shops usually have high-tech filters that can give you clean water for R1-R2 per litre, and until a home can afford a permanent filter at home - these are great options."

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Viewers push back on the filter advice

Not everyone was convinced that boiling was falling short of the mark. The video sparked lively debate, with many commenters saying they were perfectly happy with water that was simply safe.

@Grae-Moon said:

"I've been drinking tap water for 49 years (it's the main liquid I drink) and I'm still fine 🌊."

@Lalejo kept it brief:

"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger 💪."

@kedi560 added:

"Safe is good enough for me 👍."

@Nayla Zal echoed that:

"Guys, it's fine 🙄 just drink tap water all 😭🙏."

@wacky wtx offered a different reason for boiling altogether:

"I boil water to remove microplastics; that's the only reason."

@T1 G$cotter pointed to the financial reality behind the sommelier's advice:

"I caught a glimpse of a water filter attached to somebody's shower head. Do you know how much those cost?"

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• A woman sparked massive online amusement after sharing a video venting about visiting a water park in Nigeria that had no water.

Source: Briefly News