Difference Between Distilled Water And Purified Water

Do you ever look at labels on your water bottles and wonder what the difference between distilled water and purified water actually are? We know they’re both great for drinking, but which one should we be reaching for to ensure our utmost hydration? Whether you’re looking to purchase a more affordable option or weighing up hygiene options, today’s blog post will explain the key differences between distilled and purified waters, guiding you through their advantages and disadvantages. Dive in as we assess each type of H2O.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is water that has been boiled and condensed to remove impurities. The process of distillation involves heating water until it turns into steam. This steam is then cooled and condensed back into liquid water in a separate container. Since boiling points differ for water and other substances, distillation can effectively separate pure water from contaminants. The resulting distilled water contains negligible amounts of minerals, salts, metals, and microbes.

Distillation has been used for water purification for centuries. While early distillation was cumbersome, modern systems can continuously distill large volumes of water. There are two main types of distillers used today – steam distillation and fractional distillation. Steam distillation, commonly used for small-scale and home distillers, uses steam to vaporize impure water. Fractional distillation, used for large-scale commercial purification, involves evaporating and condensing water in multiple stages to achieve higher purity levels. Both produce exceptionally pure distilled water.

What is Purified Water?

Purified water covers a broad category of water treated to remove impurities. Unlike the distillation process, water purification uses a variety of technologies to eliminate contaminants without boiling. Methods like filtration, reverse osmosis, ultraviolet radiation, and ozonation are used to produce purified water.

Filtration systems use physical barriers and adsorbents to trap particles, microbes, and certain chemicals. Activated carbon filters adsorb organic compounds and improve taste and odor. Reverse osmosis pushes water through a semipermeable membrane that blocks larger molecules and ions. UV light disinfects microbes by damaging their DNA. Ozone generators produce ozone to oxidize and destroy contaminants. Purified water plants often combine several complementary processes for enhanced effectiveness.

Home water filtration systems like pitchers, faucet mounts, and under-sink units can deliver purified water using similar techniques on a smaller scale. The specific purification methods used affect the purity level achieved. Multi-stage systems typically produce water with lower contaminant levels than basic carbon filters.

Differences Between Distilled and Purified Water

Now that we understand what defines these two types of treated water, let’s examine some of the major ways they differ:

Contaminant Removal

The distillation process eliminates nearly all inorganic minerals, microbes, organic matter and particulate impurities from water. This yields extremely pure distilled water. Purification methods also effectively reduce contaminants to produce high quality drinking water. But the level of contaminant removal varies based on the specific technologies utilized.

For example, reverse osmosis removes over 90% of inorganic ions and 99% of bacteria. Good carbon filters take out chlorine, pesticides and solvents. However, some contaminants may still get through, especially in basic filter systems. Distillation outperforms most individual purification techniques due to its rigorous separation process.

Mineral Content

A significant difference between distilled and purified water is mineral content. Distillation extracts essentially all mineral ions and salts from water, leaving only pure H2O. Salts like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium are completely removed. In contrast, most purification methods do not eliminate dissolved minerals. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange do reduce mineral content, but purified water still contains some level of beneficial electrolytes.

The lack of minerals makes distilled water less ideal for regular drinking. However, its low conductivity makes distilled water preferable for use in batteries, automotive systems, steam irons and certain medical applications. The moderate mineral levels retained in purified water are beneficial for drinking and nutrition.

Water Taste

Since distillation removes everything besides pure water, distilled water has a flat, bland taste. The taste buds of many people detect a slightly acidic or metallic flavor. Purified water retains more mineral content, so it often has better taste than distilled water. Activated carbon filters improve taste and odor by adsorbing organic compounds. However, if the source water has high total dissolved solids, the salty mineral taste may come through after purification. Overall, purified water has a light, refreshing taste superior to the vaporous flavor of distilled water.

Bacterial Growth Potential

The ultra-low mineral content of distilled water makes it vulnerable to rapid bacterial growth. Human pathogens like E. coli, Salmonella and Vibrio can thrive in distilled water’s lack of competition from other microorganisms. Outbreaks have occurred from contaminating distilled water after treatment. Once opened, distilled water should be refrigerated and changed frequently to avoid this risk. The mineral content and disinfectant residual maintained in purified bottled water inhibit bacterial overgrowth.

Cost Comparison

Both home and commercial distillation systems involve high capital costs. Fractional distillation plants are expensive to build and operate. Home distillers cost over $200, with ongoing costs for filters and energy consumption. Distillation is a relatively slow process, limiting production volumes. These factors make distilled water more expensive. Purified bottled water is moderately priced, though the recurring cost of buying bottles adds up. Under-sink and faucet mount filters provide purified water for just pennies per gallon. Overall, purified water systems are more economical for regular drinking water needs.

Environmental Impact

The production of distilled and purified bottled water generates substantial waste. Plastic bottles clog landfills and release toxic chemicals when incinerated. Transporting bottled water by truck over long distances burns fossil fuels. Distillation’s high energy demand also results in greenhouse gas emissions. Using tap water and an efficient home purifier is much more eco-friendly than buying bottled varieties. Filter cartridges require far less plastic than endless disposable bottles. You can also avoid the pollution from transporting water by filtering your own.

Choosing the Right Type of Water

Now that we’ve explored the key characteristics of distilled and purified water, let’s discuss when each is preferable. Keep the following guidelines in mind when selecting water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, hobbies, health treatment and more:

Drinking Water

For regular hydration and cooking, purified water is the best choice. Its light taste and moderate mineral content make purified water ideal for drinking and food preparation. Distillation removes beneficial minerals like calcium and magnesium that our bodies need. However, people on low-sodium diets may prefer distilled water’s lack of sodium. Use distilled water for drinking cautiously and only for short periods.

Health Therapy

Some alternative health practitioners advocate using distilled water for detoxification therapies like fasting. They claim distillation’s removal of all minerals helps flush toxins from the body. There is little scientific evidence supporting this practice, and fasting with distilled water risks potentially dangerous electrolyte imbalances. Patients managing medical conditions should consult their physician before attempting detoxification regimes.

Steam Ironing

Using distilled water in your steam iron prevents mineral buildup that can clog vents. The purity of distilled water helps appliances like steam irons operate smoothly. Purified water retains some mineral content, so distilled water is better for irons, humidifiers, CPAP machines and other appliances where mineral deposits cause problems.

Automotive Uses

Adding distilled water to automotive cooling systems, batteries and windshield washer fluid helps prevent corrosion and mineral accumulation. Its non-conductive properties make distilled water an excellent battery fluid. Purified water still contains minerals that could eventually damage auto parts, so distilled water is preferable for vehicles.

Aquariums

For freshwater aquarium habitats, distilled water is ideal for fish like tetras, livebearers and rasboras that prefer soft, acidic water conditions. Its purity helps avoid algae growth and mineral deposits on tank walls. Distilled water should be remineralized before use to replenish essential electrolytes. Purified water can also work for soft-water aquariums, but test your tank water chemistry and adjust as needed.

Conclusion

The choice between distilled and purified water depends greatly on the intended use. For drinking and cooking regularly, purified water with healthy minerals is the best option. Distillation fully removes contaminants and minerals, making it preferable for applications like ironing, automotive uses and aquariums. But its lack of minerals limits distilled water’s suitability for hydration. Understanding these key differences allows us to make informed decisions about these two common types of treated water. With science guiding our choices, we can utilize purified and distilled water effectively to promote health, maintain equipment and care for pets.