What is the Difference Between Distilled and Purified Water?

The main difference between distilled and purified water lies in the purification process and the presence of minerals. Here are the key differences:

1. Distillation: Distilled water goes through the process of distillation, which involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which eventually returns to a liquid state once cooled. This process removes contaminants and impurities, resulting in highly pure water.
2. Mineral Removal: Distilled water does not contain any minerals or electrolytes, as the distillation process removes them. Purified water, on the other hand, may retain some minerals depending on the purification method used. Reverse osmosis filtration, for example, also removes minerals, while boiling and deionization do not.
3. Purification Methods: Purified water is typically made with groundwater or tap water and goes through a filtration process to remove various impurities and contaminants. Some common purification methods include sand filtration, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis.
4. Contaminant Levels: According to Sensorex, for water to be considered "purified," it must have lower than 10 ppm (99% of all contaminants removed). Distilled water is an effective method for removing contaminants, but it also removes beneficial minerals found in drinking water.

In summary, distilled water is a type of purified water that has undergone the distillation process, removing all minerals and electrolytes. Purified water, on the other hand, can be produced using various methods and may still contain some minerals. The choice between distilled and purified water depends on individual needs, preferences, and specific applications.

Comparative Table: Distilled vs Purified Water

The main differences between distilled and purified water are the methods used to treat the water and the substances removed during the process. Here is a table comparing the two types of water:

In summary, distilled water goes through a distillation process that removes contaminants and minerals, making it suitable for lab settings where purity is crucial. On the other hand, purified water uses various purification methods to remove impurities, bacteria, and viruses while retaining beneficial minerals, making it a better choice for everyday consumption.