Distilled Water Association

Water Education through Science and Engineering

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The Difference between Distilled Water and Spring Water

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The difference between Distilled Water and Spring Water has to do with the quality of the water. Spring water, if it comes from a clean source, will have minerals and possibly some minor impurities. Some spring water many have some contaminants, bacteria, and many impurities, including poop (at “safe” levels for consumption). Distilled water, on the other hand, is completely pure, just like rain before it hits the ground. Some people are concerned about drinking pure water without any minerals and thus choose to remineralize distilled water by adding minerals to it.

If you go to any grocery store or market, there is a wide variety of bottled water on hand.  To an average consumer, the selection can be quite mind-boggling and downright overwhelming.  Not all bottles of water are the same as some advertise themselves as purified while some as spring water, and some distilled water while others simply call themselves drinking water (and many time that literally means from the faucet).  But, what exactly is the difference in the types of water that you are buying? Believe it or not, not all the water that is bottled is the same.  Let’s take a look at some of the different types of drinking water and find out exactly what is in your bottle.

Minerals can easily and cheaply be added to any water, including distilled and reverse osmosis water

To start off, let’s talk about distilled water that has been through a very thorough distillation process.  In this process, the water is purified multiple times to remove any possible contaminants such as harmful bacteria and other impurities in the water.  As distilled water is rigorously treated, it also loses many of its vital nutrients and minerals that are present in the “normal” water.  A person can drink distilled water, and some decide to add minerals to distilled water to get those nutrients back into water without any impurities, but it is also suited for uses in and around the home.  Since it is so refined, it will not leave a heavy residue on many household appliances such as a teapot or kettle, and it’s perfect for washing your cars, mirrors, and windows.

Spring water may come from Cartesian wells, natural springs, and any other underground source of water.  Of course, there have been some questions as to whether or not spring water actually comes from springs and such.  Research suggests that some of spring water that is advertised in water battles is nothing more than tap water that is passed off as spring water (in fact, some manufacturers clearly state in their labels “municipal water source”, meaning, they took it from the faucet from the local city the plant is located and filled the bottles with it).  Funny how some even say “pure spring water”.

A more common example of Water Distiller, producing about 5-6 gallons a day (Click on Picture to Learn More)

Spring water is, unfortunately, not remotely as good as distilled water, but still has a lot of the minerals and nutrients that are essential to one’s health. That is not a problem with distilled water, since minerals can easily be added to any kind of water.

As with anything else, the key to knowing what you are getting is to research it for yourself. Sometimes just reading the labels in a water battle gives you all the answers you need. If your house is equipped with a well, make sure that you have the well water tested for contaminants and bacteria that can be harmful to your health.  Many EPA agencies can test the water for you for a small price.  This measure will ensure whether or not your water source is safe to drink and to use in your home. By the way, you can distill ALL kinds of water, so if you have a well you can distill that water too.

Is Distilled Water Best?

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“Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” This famous quote from The Ryme of the Ancient Mariner depicts the terrible irony of being stranded at sea, surrounded by water, while starving of thirst. Although the Earth is made up of 70% water, only a small percentage of that water is fit for human consumption. This problem is often solved using water distillation. However, there is some debate on whether or not distilled water is safe.

 

So, what exactly is distilled water? The distillation process involves boiling impure water, which converts the water into vapor. As the water turns to vapor, all impurities are left behind. The pure vapor is condensed and collected and is known as distilled water. Distilled water is considered to be the purest form of water because it contains little to no contaminants. It is used for a variety of purposes. Some machinery requires the use of distilled water for the equipment to function properly. It is also used in batteries, and skin care products. Distilled water is also commonly used as a drinking water source.

 

Distilled water is used by most food and beverage manufacturing companies due to its purity and is also bottled and sold in supermarkets as drinking water. Distilled water is particularly useful in areas where clean drinking water sources are limited, or not safe for human consumption. Additionally, it is recommended that those who make baby food at home use distilled water to keep the baby food free of contaminants.  It is said by many that distilled water is the safest form of drinking water, and that it contains added health benefits that other forms of drinking water does not. However, this idea has been debated.

 

There are some benefits to drinking distilled water which cannot be denied. For starters, the process if distilling water leaves behind harmful impurities and solids that may be found in the un-clean water. Research also shows that drinking distilled water can help remove toxins from the body. The pH of distilled water allows the water to absorb any metals it comes in contact with, so frequent use of distilled water in cooking and for drinking can pose some health risks.

There are undeniable uses and benefits of distilled water. It keeps machines running smoothly and allows for the production pure products.  When living in conditions where clean, drinkable water is limited, distilled water can be a life saver.

Use Distilled Water for Wet Cell Batteries

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Distilled water is considered one of the purest forms of water, because of the process implemented to make it reach the state that it is in. As you know, distilled water is achieved by boiling water enough so that the liquid evaporates, thereby leaving behind its solid impurities. Once the water evaporates, a process of condensation will be “forced” onto the water vapour, to bring back the water to its liquid state. It’s a pretty complicated process, but in the end, you will be assured of water that is free of its miniscule and solid impurities.

Distilled water has gained popularity as a health drink, once individuals figured out that distilled water is almost 100% pure of impurities. Nowadays, it is normal to see people choosing to drink distilled water instead of tap or filtered water. These individuals choose to the safe and healthy route by drinking water that is sure to be free of impurities. While some claim that distilled water can taste a little bland or flat, many get used to it. After all, wouldn’t it be such a relief, knowing that you are doing your best to be healthy?

However, did you know that distilled water was actually originally used in laboratory experiments because of its pure qualities? Many scientists opt to use distilled water when doing experiments so they won’t have to worry about their experiments reacting differently because of other impurities found in other types of water. Due to the pure qualities of distilled water, many also recommend using distilled water in watering plants.

Distilled water is also very popular among auto mechanics. In fact, if you can, it is best to keep a bottle of distilled water in your car’s tool kit. The reason for this is that distilled water is most commonly used for “topping off” different machines’ batteries, or what we normally refer to as “wet cell batteries.” Distilled water is used by mechanics to maintain batteries. If you use only tap water, you will damage your battery in the long run, if the minerals from the tap water accumulate and damage the battery plates. Using “soft” water will also result in your battery’s plates accumulating salt – a definite no-no. If you use distilled water, you will be sure that you are using water that will not leave behind mineral residue in your battery. In the long run, you are actually prolonging the life and quality of your battery. This is really advantageous, as batteries can be expensive. So if your batteries get a little “thirsty,” you can quench its thirst by giving it distilled water.

Distilled water, because of its popularity, is now quite easy to acquire. It is now readily available in supermarkets. But if you do not have something ready, and you are too lazy to go to the supermarket, you can always make your own distilled water, the homemade way. There are many resources online that show you how to create distilled water from tap water. If you are just using distilled water for your car’s engine, then creating your homemade distilled water should not be a problem at all.

The Art of Making Ice Cubes: Distilled Water and Its Many Uses

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We can only say so much about distilled water. We can go on and talk about how they can benefit the body, how the distillation process gets rid of foreign matter in drinking water, etc. Although all of those are true, distilled water has many other uses that most people may or may not know of.

For instance, distilled water helps make the best ice cubes that you can ever think of. The process of distillation is primarily responsible for this. Why? As we are already familiar of, distillation involves evaporation and subsequent collection of the water by means of condensation thereby removing impurities. The product– that is distilled water—therefore does not contain any inorganic waste. It also removes the minerals in the water.

So what does it have to do with ice cubes? You might ask.

Sometimes, if you use tap water to make ice cubes, it may carry a number of different substances such as salts, nitrates, chloramines, fluorides, and sometimes some very tiny microorganisms. This will make the ice look cloudy and unclear. Distilled water have none of those and thus, it can help make clearer ice cubes.

But using just distilled water may not be enough to produce perfect, crystal-clear  ice cubes. It only AIDS in making good-looking cubes. The secret lies in how you cool them. If you cool it too quickly, air bubbles in the water gets trapped rather quickly, too, resulting in cloudier ice. When ice freezes slowly, the bubbles cannot get inside so when it freezes, it’s beautifully luscent. That is why it helps boiling the water first because the water’s high temperature will make it freeze slowly.

Interestingly enough, distilled water  is not just for the benefits of the cocktail drinkers and booze-seekers out there. Here’s why:

  • Distilled water is mostly favored in steam irons because it does not make the iron rusty.
  • Widely preferred over tap water for engine cooling systems and auto cooling systems. Even nuclear powered ships use it as a coolant. Distilled water does not contain corrosive minerals most likely present in tap water, which in turn, can damage the engine.
  • Makes excellent glass cleaners. Half part vinegar and half part distilled water will make you want to put them commercial glass cleaners to rest.
  • Beers, colas, and other drinks use distilled water to ensure highest quality of the products
  • In the medical field, surgeons prefer using distilled water to treat wounds or cuts to prevent infection.
  • If used in aquariums, certain fish are observed to thrive better.
  • For everday cooking and drinking, you can do much worse than using distilled water.
  • Lead acid batteries used in cars or trucks require a top-up water. Because tap water contains ions that can cause damage to the battery or significantly reduce its life span. That is why distilled water, which does not contain such ions, is widely preferred.
  • Distilled water is used in chemical and biological laboratories where highly purified water is a must. Sometimes, in cases where an exceedingly high degree of purified water is required, double distilled water is used.

For what it’s worth, if you are rich, you can also try bathing in distilled water. It is believed that distilled water does wonders for the skin too. You never know.

 

Homemade Distilled Water

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There’s a new health fad in town, and it’s one of the easiest fads to follow. The fad that’s fast gaining traction among the health buffs is something as simple as drinking distilled water. Several studies have discovered that drinking distilled water is beneficial to one’s health, hence the uptrend in this practice.

If you think, however, that drinking distilled water is expensive, then you thought wrong. There are many ways to drink distilled water and you don’t need to spend a gazillion bucks to get this done. All you need to do is find a way to make your own distilled water.

It really is simple; all you need to do is understand how distilled water is made, so you can craft your own “distillery” at home. Once you get the knack of creating your homemade distilled water, you can be as healthy as you want.

Believe it or not, the items you need to distill your own water can already be found in your own home, inside your kitchen. You just need to remember this process: Steam – Condense – Store. That’s all you need to understand the process of making homemade distilled water. However, a regular counter top water distiller is always the fastest and cheapest thing to use.

First you need to fill your container with water. Once done, you need to boil it. Others make the water “settle” first before they start boiling or heating the water. This allows the minerals to settle at the bottom of the container first. While you are boiling the water, you will need to “catch” the steam that rises up. As you know, steam is actually water vapour, and if you condense it, it will turn back into water. This time, though, once the vapour turns to water, it will be rid of its impurities. While the water is condensing, you need a container to “catch” the water droplets from the condensation. Once everything has been steamed and condensed away, you now have your distilled water, now safe for drinking.

Now that wasn’t so difficult, right? All you really need, to make homemade distilled water is a lot of container to store your water in. Make sure that these are clean, and cannot be contaminated.

If you would like to make homemade distilled water but won’t need to use it for drinking, there is an easier way to do so. If you will be needing your distilled water for gardening, or filling up your aquarium, then this process is just as effective. Simply fill up a large container with water. For recycling purposes, you may use water collected from the rain. Cover the container and let it out in the sun to heat it up. Allow the water to settle for one or two days. Once you are done, you will see that the water’s minerals and sediments have settled. You may now transfer the water to cleaner containers. Make sure that you don’t use the water from the bottom of the container, as this is already filled with sediments and minerals.

Making distilled water at home is so easy. Don’t make it too complicated; just know the basic steps and you’ll have all the distilled water you need in no time.