Is there a difference when it comes to distilled water vs tap water? What are they, and what’s better for drinking? In this article, we’ll discuss:
2. What is distilled water used for?
3. Distilled Water vs Tap Water
WaterSmart professionals provide the knowledge you need to keep your water soft and safe. Contact the local experts at WaterSmart today to learn more about distilled water.
Distilled Water vs Tap Water: Is There a Difference?
1. What is distilled water?
Distilled water is formed when natural water is boiled and the steam is collected and condensed back into a liquid state.
When water enters into a vaporated state, all minerals and impurities are removed.
The evaporated water (the steam) is collected as it cools and condenses back to liquid. This newly condensed water is now distilled, and incredibly pure.
To distill water, all you need is a large pot, a curved pot lid, a smaller glass or ceramic bowl and ice cubes.
In the end, you’re left with pure H20.
Here’s how it’s done:
How to make distilled water at home
2. What is distilled water used for?
Distilled water is the purest type of water. It contains zero minerals and contaminants. It, therefore, has a variety of industrial, medical, and chemical applications:
Medical tools and procedures: Hospitals clean equipment with distilled water to help avoid contamination and infections. Kidney dialysis machines also use ultra-pure water to filter waste from the blood.
Lab tests: Nothing in distilled water reacts with or affects the accuracy of lab experiments.
Cosmetics: If water is an ingredient in your moisturizer, deodorant, or shampoo, it’s generally distilled.
Automobiles: Since it lacks minerals, distilled water won’t corrode metal engine parts or interfere with batteries.
The purity of distilled water also makes it useful for a variety of home applications:
You can put it in your appliances, as it won’t leave any mineral buildup.
It can be used to drink or mix with food for people with weak immune systems, like babies.
Personal hygiene and washing.
You can also drink distilled water. But should you?
Distilled water is used for lab experiements and to clean medical tools.
3. Distilled Water vs Tap Water
Distilled
Distilled water is safe to drink. The purest form of water should be, right?
Well, here’s the thing. Because it’s so pure, it lacks beneficial minerals that are often found in tap water.
Even though it is completely safe for you to drink, drinking distilled water may cause you to lack sodium, potassium, chloride and magnesium. Your body and, especially your teeth, require these minerals.
According to WebMD, “Some studies have found a link between drinking water low in calcium and magnesium and tiredness, muscle cramps, weakness, and heart disease. Also, distilled water may not help you stay hydrated as well as other kinds of water.”
Given this information, distilled water can be used as a short-term option if you are in an area where the tap water is contaminated and there are no other forms of safe water to drink.
Next time you’re going camping off the grid, be prepared to distill.
Tap
Tap water is piped into your home and comes from a public water system. The water has been treated in a plant and is safe to consume.
Most people where we’re located (Waterloo Region) get their water from their municipality. These water supplies are tested regularly to ensure quality and safety and must meet the high levels of quality legislated by the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Now, while distilled water is free of minerals, hard tap water can contain mineral deposits that damage your plumbing and appliances as well as leave your skin and hair feeling dry.
To combat this, a water softener is used to “soften” your tap water.
Soft water is easier on your plumbing, appliances, and faucets as it doesn't leave a mineral build-up that can damage them over time and make you replace them more often.
Soft water is also better and gentler on your skin and hair, plus you require fewer cleaning agents for sinks, tubs, and toilets when your water is soft.
Learn more about the effects of hard water here.
Filtered tap water might be the way to go, and you can learn more about that here.
It is very close to the same quality as distilled water given that the impurities have been removed. However, the water still contains oxygen so it has some life to it if you're drinking it straight.
It makes for excellent tea, coffee and juices because the lack of minerals allows for more flavour.
Along with tasting better, filtered water has been purified from health risks due to unwanted contaminants.
Because it is free of unwanted contaminants it is beneficial health-wise and is overall the best type of water for drinking.
Differences beween distilled water and filtered / soft tap water,
At WaterSmart, We are Water Smart.
Since 1994, WaterSmart Systems has consistently offered its customers in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, and surrounding areas innovative, quality products and excellent service.
We are a water softener and full plumbing service company that you can trust. We offer products that will serve all of your home water-softening needs. We value our customers so we ensure they get what they need and we never pressure them for sales.
At WaterSmart, we take our role in providing customers with an adequate supply of clean drinking water very seriously.
If you have questions about your water quality or the type of water you need, come see us or give us a call to find out how we can help improve the quality of your water and for professional advice.
If you are concerned about your water supply, don't hesitate to contact us immediately.
“I had a Tahoe water softener installed 6 months ago, and it’s been working very well - we are amazed at how soft the local water can get, with a good softener. Our salt usage is way down from our old unit, as well. Service and communication were prompt and professional. I emailed with a follow-up question and that was dealt with quickly as well. Definitely recommend.”
