Is Your Drinking Water Really Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know for Your Health
When we turn on the tap, we assume our drinking water is safe. And in Australia, it is considered safe by government standards. But according to water quality expert Sam Tornatore, safe doesn’t always mean healthy. In a recent episode of the me&my health up podcast, Sam, founder of CleanMyWater, explores how everyday tap water could be affecting your health and what you can do to improve it.
Watch the full video here:
Why Water Quality Matters More Than You Think
With around 60% of the human body made up of water, it makes sense that the quality of that water plays a significant role in our overall health. Sam shares that despite having access to relatively clean water compared to third-world countries, Australians often overlook what’s really in the water they’re consuming and absorbing daily.
Chlorine: Disinfectant or Daily Dose of Risk?
Australian water authorities are allowed to add up to 5 parts per million (ppm) of chlorine to drinking water. Surprisingly, this exceeds the 1–3 ppm typically found in swimming pools.
While chlorine helps disinfect water on its journey through the pipes, once it reaches your home, its job is done, but you’re still consuming it. Sam explains how chlorine can:
- Kill beneficial gut bacteria
- Cause stomach issues
- Be absorbed through the skin during showers
- Be inhaled, potentially aggravating asthma or respiratory issues
“A 10-minute shower is like drinking multiple glasses of chlorinated water,” says Sam.
PFAS: The Forever Chemical
One of the most alarming contaminants discussed is PFAS, a group of man-made chemicals used in non-stick products like Teflon. Known as “forever chemicals,” PFAS:
- Are found in 90% of the world’s water supply
- Have been detected in Antarctic wildlife
- Exceed U.S. safety levels in Australian water
Their potential health risks include immune disruption, hormone interference, and links to cancer.
Pesticides and Agricultural Runoff
Sam points out that even rainwater tanks aren’t immune to contamination. Pesticides, herbicides (like Roundup), and pollutants like bird droppings or road grime settle on roofs. When it rains, these wash into tanks, affecting the quality of stored water.
Water treatment plants can’t eliminate all of these contaminants, meaning trace amounts still end up in your glass.
Toxic Load and Health Implications
While individual contaminants may be present in tiny amounts, the cumulative effect over time can overwhelm the body’s natural detox mechanisms. Combined with other exposures—like air pollution and EMFs—our systems are under constant stress.
The Solution? Personal Filtration and Informed Choices
You can’t change municipal water treatment, but you can control what happens in your home. Sam encourages an education-first approach to water quality. He recommends:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) as the gold standard for filtration
- Removes 95–99% of all contaminants
- Filters to 0.0001 micron (1,000x finer than standard filters)
- Remineralisation after RO to restore essential minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium
- Choosing systems based on independent lab-tested results (not just marketing claims)
“It’s not about scaring people—it’s about making informed, empowered decisions,” Sam says.
Conclusion: Health Starts with Hydration Quality
Water is fundamental to life, but many people overlook the quality of the water they consume, cook with, and bathe in. While Australia’s water is safe by legal standards, that doesn’t mean it’s optimal for your long-term health.
By understanding potential risks like chlorine, PFAS, and agricultural runoff and exploring better filtration options, you can take a powerful step toward health optimisation. As Sam says, “Don’t just clean your water—health it up.”
For more insights and to learn how to improve your water quality, visit Sam’s website at www.cleanmywater.com and take the first step towards ensuring your drinking water is not just safe, but truly healthy.
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