Difference Between Distilled And Purified Water

Distilled and purified water are both very pure forms of drinking water. However, some key differences exist in the processes used to produce them. Distilled water is water that has been boiled and then condensed back into the water. This process removes impurities from the water, making it purer than purified water. Distilled water is often used in medical settings and labs because it is the purest form of water available.

Purified water is water that has been filtered to remove impurities. This process removes contaminants from the water but does not make the water as pure as distilled water. Purified water is often used for drinking and everyday use because it is still clean enough for these applications.

What Is Purified Water?

Purified water is defined as water that has been treated to remove impurities, chemicals, and other contaminants. It can be achieved through distillation, deionization, reverse osmosis, or other filtration methods. Purified water is usually safe to drink straight from the tap (after treatment) but may still have some traces of minerals, salts, and other materials. The purification process removes the following containments.

• Bacteria
• Parasites
• Fungi
• Algae
• Most chemical pollutants
• Metals, including lead and copper

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is created by boiling water to create steam which is then condensed and collected in a clean container. This process removes impurities, dissolved solids, chemicals, and minerals from the water. The result is pure H2O with no additives or contaminants. Distilled water is the purest form available and is generally considered safe to drink.

Difference Between Distilled And Vs. Purified Water

• Uses: Distilled water is used in many industries, such as medicine, automotive, and electronics. It is also used for drinking due to its pure composition and lack of minerals. Purified water has a variety of uses, including cooking and drinking.
• Process: Distilled water is created through a process called distillation. Water is boiled, and the rising steam is collected and cooled to form purified water. This removes all minerals and impurities from the water, including bacteria and other microorganisms. On the other hand, purified water goes through a different filtration process. This process involves passing the water through a special filter, such as charcoal or reverse osmosis, to remove impurities and contaminants. The filter may also remove bacteria and other microscopic particles, but not all of them.

• Fit for consumption: Distilled water is safe for consumption. Purified water is best for cooking.
• Taste: Distilled water has no taste since it has been purified and heated to remove impurities. Purified water, on the other hand, still retains some of its original taste. It is also important to note that some additives like fluoride, for example, may be added to both forms of water to improve their flavor.
• Appearance: Distilled water looks clear and odorless because it has been put through a rigorous process of filtration and heating. On the other hand, purified water may be slightly yellowish or cloudy due to suspended particles not being completely removed during purification.
• Nutrients: Since distilled water has been boiled and all its minerals are removed, it contains no nutrients. Purified water retains some minerals that were not removed during the purification process, which can provide some health benefits.

Advantages Of Distilled Water

• Effective ways to remove contaminants: Distilled water is the purest form of water that can be obtained. It goes through a distillation process involving boiling and condensing the water into liquid form. This process helps remove impurities such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, metals, and other dissolved solids. By removing these contaminants, distilled water can be beneficial for your health.
• Free of contaminants: Distilled water is free of minerals, chemicals, and other contaminants that may be present in tap or purified water. This makes it ideal for drinking, cooking, and other applications where it is essential to have pure water. Distillation involves boiling the water to eliminate impurities, leaving only clean, drinkable water behind.
• Distilled water removes chlorine: Distilled water is created by boiling regular tap water, killing bacteria or contaminants. After the steam evaporates and cools, it condenses into purified, distilled water. Boiling the water for some time removes chlorine from the water.
• Has a longer shelf life: Because of the lack of minerals and other contaminants, distilled water has a longer shelf life than purified water. It is estimated that distilled water can last up to six months before it needs to be changed or replaced.

Disadvantages Of Distilled Water

• Removes electrolytes and natural minerals: Distilled water has been through a process that removes many minerals, including essential electrolytes such as calcium and magnesium, from the water. If a person consumes distilled water regularly, their body can become deprived of these essential minerals essential to overall health and wellness. This could lead to dehydration, mineral deficiency, and other health concerns.
• Hearth disease: Using distilled water for a long time can cause heart disease because you will not get enough calcium and magnesium.

Advantages Of Purified Water

• It’s better for your skin: The lack of minerals in purified water can help reduce acne, blemishes, and other skin issues caused by mineral buildup. It also helps your hair retain its natural oils better than distilled or tap water.
• It’s an effective way to detoxify: Since it contains no contaminants, consuming purified water can flush out toxins more effectively than distilled water.
• Removal of metallic substances: The purified water removes the most common metal substances, like copper, lead, and calcium.

Disadvantages Of Purified Water

• May not remove certain contaminants: Although water purification systems can remove most impurities, certain contaminants may not be completely removed. These include heavy metals such as arsenic and lead, chlorine byproducts, nitrates, and other chemical pollutants.
• Create a lot of waste: Purified water creates a lot of waste because a large volume of water is used to create purified water.
• Expensive: Purified water is more expensive because it requires more intensive filtration.

FAQs

Why is water quality important?

Water quality is essential as it can affect our health and environment. Drinking water should be safe and free from contaminants that may cause illness or discomfort. Poor water quality can also lead to algal blooms, which can harm aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and reduce the availability of clean drinking water.

Can I use purified water instead of distilled water?

Yes, you can use purified water instead of distilled water.

What happens if you only drink purified water?

Drinking only purified water can be beneficial in many ways, such as reducing exposure to contaminants found in tap water. However, it is essential to note that drinking purified water alone can create an imbalance of electrolytes and other minerals in the body, which may lead to adverse health effects over time.

What is the requirement for purified water?

According to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), purified water should have a resistivity of 18.2 megohm-cm and a bacteria count of less than 10 CFU/ml.

Conclusion

Distilled water has been boiled and re-condensed, resulting in a much purer form of water free from solids and most organic compounds. In contrast, purified water is filtered to remove impurities such as microorganisms, viruses, sediment, and chemicals. However, depending on the type of purification used, purified water may still contain some minerals and other dissolved solids. To ensure the highest level of purity, distilled water is generally preferred. Ultimately, both types of water are considered safe for drinking, although it’s always best to check with your local water authority or manufacturer before consuming either type of water.